As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16, 2014.
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware | 45-3449660 | |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(212) 479-1350
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrants Principal Executive Offices)
Cameron D. MacDougall
Secretary
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(212) 479-1350
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Richard B. Aftanas
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Four Times Square
New York, New York 10036-6522
(212) 735-3000
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as determined by the Registrant.
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: ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer | ¨ | Accelerated filer | ¨ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | x (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
|
||||||||
Title of each class of securities to be registered |
Amount
to be
|
Proposed
maximum offering price per unit(1)(2) |
Proposed
offering price(1)(2) |
Amount of registration fee(3) |
||||
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share |
||||||||
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share |
||||||||
Depositary Shares(4) |
||||||||
Debt Securities |
||||||||
Warrants |
||||||||
Total |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
(1) | Omitted pursuant to Form S-3 General Instruction II.E. |
(2) | Securities registered hereunder may be sold separately, together or as units with other securities registered hereunder. An indeterminate aggregate offering price and number or amount of each identified class of the identified securities of the registrant is being registered as may from time to time be issued at currently indeterminable prices and as may be issuable upon conversion, redemption, repurchase, exchange, exercise or settlement of any securities registered hereunder, including under any applicable anti-dilution provisions. |
(3) | In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act, the registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee. Any subsequent registration fees will be paid on a pay-as-you-go basis. |
(4) | Each depositary share will be issued under a deposit agreement and will be evidenced by a depositary receipt. In the event New Residential Investment Corp. elects to offer to the public fractional interests in shares of the preferred stock registered hereunder, depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing such fractional interests, and shares of preferred stock will be issued to the depositary under the deposit agreement. No separate consideration will be received for the depositary shares. |
PROSPECTUS
NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP.
COMMON STOCK
PREFERRED STOCK
DEPOSITARY SHARES
DEBT SECURITIES
AND
WARRANTS
We may offer, issue and sell from time to time, together or separately, shares of our common stock; shares of our preferred stock, which we may issue in one or more series; depositary shares representing shares of our preferred stock; our debt securities, which may be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated debt securities; or warrants to purchase debt or equity securities.
We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. We may describe the terms of these securities in a term sheet that will precede the prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you make your investment decision.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO SELL SECURITIES UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
We may offer securities through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters, through agents or directly to purchasers. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering. For general information about the distribution of securities offered, please see Plan of Distribution in this prospectus.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) under the trading symbol NRZ. Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, in the event that we offer common stock to the public, we will simultaneously grant to our manager, FIG LLC (our Manager), or to an affiliate of our Manager, an option to acquire a number of shares equal to 10% of the aggregate number of shares being offered in such offering at an exercise price per share equal to the public offering price per share.
INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. BEFORE BUYING OUR SECURITIES, YOU SHOULD REFER TO THE RISK FACTORS INCLUDED IN OUR PERIODIC REPORTS, IN PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENTS RELATING TO SPECIFIC OFFERINGS OF SECURITIES AND IN OTHER INFORMATION THAT WE FILE WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. SEE RISK FACTORS ON PAGE 10.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is , 2014.
1 | ||||
1 | ||||
2 | ||||
3 | ||||
5 | ||||
10 | ||||
11 | ||||
11 | ||||
12 | ||||
15 | ||||
19 | ||||
21 | ||||
23 | ||||
26 | ||||
51 | ||||
54 | ||||
58 | ||||
58 |
Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to NRZ, New Residential, we, our, and us refer to New Residential Investment Corp. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.
i
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) using a shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, in one or more offerings at an unspecified aggregate initial offering price.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer to sell securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the headings Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
You should rely on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell or soliciting an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale thereof is not permitted.
You should assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of the date of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities and warrants that we may sell from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. The particular terms of any security will be described in the related prospectus supplement.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission. Our filings can be read and copied at the Commissions Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our Commission filings are also available on the Internet at the Commissions website at http://www.sec.gov. Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol NRZ. Our reports, proxy statements and other information can also be read at the offices of the NYSE, located at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
We have filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus is part of the registration statement and does not contain all the information in the registration statement. You will find additional information about us in the registration statement. Any statement made in this prospectus concerning a contract or other document of ours is not necessarily complete, and you should read the documents that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the Commission for a more complete understanding of the document or matter. Each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You may inspect without charge a copy of the registration statement at the Commissions Public Reference Room, as well as through the Commissions website.
1
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The Commission allows us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus information that we file with the Commission. This permits us to disclose important information to you by referencing these filed documents. Any information referenced this way is considered to be a part of this prospectus and any information filed by us with the Commission subsequent to the date of this prospectus will automatically be deemed to update and supersede this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement the following documents that we have already filed with the Commission (other than any portion of such filings that are furnished, rather than filed, under the Commissions applicable rules):
| Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013; |
| Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014; |
| Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed on April 17, 2014; |
| Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 25, 2014 and March 12, 2014; and |
| the description of our common stock set forth in our Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended, filed on April 29, 2013, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
Whenever after the date of this prospectus we file reports or documents under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), those reports and documents will be deemed to be a part of this prospectus from the time they are filed (other than documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with Commission rules). Any statement made in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
We will provide without charge, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, excluding any exhibits to those documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Requests should be directed to New Residential Investment Corp., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 46th Floor, New York, New York, 10105, Attention: Investor Relations (telephone number (212) 479-3150 and email address ir@newresi.com).
2
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the operating performance of our investments, the stability of our earnings, our financing needs and the size and attractiveness of market opportunities. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as may, will, should, potential, intend, expect, endeavor, seek, anticipate, estimate, overestimate, underestimate, believe, could, project, predict, continue or other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, discuss future expectations, describe future plans and strategies, contain projections of results of operations, cash flows or financial condition or state other forward-looking information. Our ability to predict results or the actual outcome of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, our actual results and performance could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. As set forth more fully under Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated by reference herein, factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to:
| reductions in cash flows received from our investments; |
| the quality and size of the investment pipeline and our ability to take advantage of investment opportunities at attractive risk-adjusted prices; |
| servicer advances may not be recoverable or may take longer to recover than we expect, which could cause us to fail to achieve our targeted return on our investment in servicer advances; |
| our ability to deploy capital accretively and the timing of such deployment; |
| our counterparty concentration and default risks in Nationstar, Springleaf and other third-parties; |
| a lack of liquidity surrounding our investments, which could impede our ability to vary our portfolio in an appropriate manner; |
| the impact that risks associated with subprime mortgage loans and consumer loans, as well as deficiencies in servicing and foreclosure practices, may have on the value of our excess mortgage servicing rights (Excess MSRs), servicer advances, residential mortgage backed securities (residential MBS or RMBS) and consumer loan portfolios; |
| the risks that default and recovery rates on our Excess MSRs, servicer advances, real estate securities, residential mortgage loans and consumer loans deteriorate compared to our underwriting estimates; |
| changes in prepayment rates on the loans underlying certain of our assets, including, but not limited to, our Excess MSRs; |
| the risk that projected recapture rates on the portfolios underlying our Excess MSRs are not achieved; |
| the relationship between yields on assets which are paid off and yields on assets in which such monies can be reinvested; |
| the relative spreads between the yield on the assets we invest in and the cost of financing; |
3
| changes in economic conditions generally and the real estate and bond markets specifically; |
| adverse changes in the financing markets we access affecting our ability to finance our investments on attractive terms, or at all; |
| changing risk assessments by lenders that potentially lead to increased margin calls, not extending our repurchase agreements or other financings in accordance with their current terms or not entering into new financings with us; |
| changes in interest rates and/or credit spreads, as well as the success of any hedging strategy we may undertake in relation to such changes; |
| impairments in the value of the collateral underlying our investments and the relation of any such impairments to our judgments as to whether changes in the market value of our securities or loans are temporary or not and whether circumstances bearing on the value of such assets warrant changes in carrying values; |
| the availability and terms of capital for future investments; |
| competition within the finance and real estate industries; |
| the legislative/regulatory environment, including, but not limited to, the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act, U.S. government programs intended to stabilize the economy, the federal conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and legislation that permits modification of the terms of loans; |
| our ability to maintain our qualification as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the potentially onerous consequences that any failure to maintain such qualification would have on our business; |
| our ability to maintain our exclusion from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and the fact that maintaining such exemption imposes limits on our operations; and |
| other risks detailed from time to time in our reports filed with the Commission, which are incorporated by reference herein. See Incorporation of Certain Documents By Reference. |
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements, which reflect our managements views as of the date of this prospectus. The factors noted above could cause our actual results to differ significantly from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this report to conform these statements to actual results.
4
NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP.
Our Company
New Residential is a publicly traded REIT (NYSE: NRZ) primarily focused on investing in residential mortgage related assets. We are externally managed by an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC (Fortress). We were formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of Newcastle Investment Corp. (Newcastle) in September 2011 and were spun-off from Newcastle on May 15, 2013, which we refer to as the separation date or distribution date.
Our goal is to drive strong risk-adjusted returns primarily through investments in servicing related assets, residential securities and loans and other investments. We generally target assets that generate significant current cash flows and/or have the potential for meaningful capital appreciation. We aim to generate attractive returns for our stockholders without the excessive use of financial leverage.
We intend to continue to invest opportunistically across the residential real estate market. Our investment guidelines are purposefully broad to enable us to make investments in a wide array of assets in diverse markets. In the past, we have taken advantage of this flexibility to invest in assets that are not strictly real estate related (e.g., consumer loans), and we may do so again in the future. We expect our asset allocation and target assets to change over time depending on the types of investments our Manager identifies and the investment decisions our Manager makes in light of prevailing market conditions.
Our Manager
We are managed by our Manager, an affiliate of Fortress. We are able to draw upon the long-standing expertise and resources of Fortress, a global investment management firm with $62.5 billion of alternative and traditional assets under management as of March 31, 2014.
We are also able to capitalize on our Managers relationship with Nationstar Mortgage LLC (Nationstar), which is majority-owned by Fortress funds managed by our Manager, to source investment opportunities. Nationstar (NYSE: NSM) is one of the largest residential loan servicers, according to Inside Mortgage Finance, and it was ranked among the highest quality servicers by Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) in August 2013. On December 17, 2013, we completed our first acquisition of servicer advances from Nationstar through a co-investment with certain third parties.
Pursuant to the terms of our management agreement with our Manager (the Management Agreement), our Manager provides a management team and other professionals who are responsible for implementing our business strategy and performing certain services for us, subject to oversight by our board of directors. Our Managers duties include: (1) performing all of our day-to-day functions, (2) determining investment criteria in conjunction with, and subject to the supervision of, our board of directors, (3) sourcing, analyzing and executing on investments and sales, (4) performing investment and liability management duties, including financing and hedging, and (5) performing financial and accounting management. For its services, our Manager is entitled to an annual management fee and is eligible to receive incentive compensation, depending upon our performance.
Our Manager also manages our predecessor, Newcastle, a publicly traded REIT that pursues a broad range of real estate related investments. Our management team is not required to exclusively dedicate their services to us and they provide services for other entities affiliated with our Manager, including, but not limited to, Newcastle.
5
Market Opportunity and Target Assets
We believe that unfolding developments in the U.S. residential housing market are generating significant investment opportunities. The U.S. residential real estate market is vast: the value of the housing market totaled approximately $20 trillion as of September 2013, including about $10 trillion of outstanding mortgages, according to Inside Mortgage Finance. In the aftermath of the U.S. financial crisis, the residential mortgage industry is undergoing major structural changes that are transforming the way mortgages are originated, owned and serviced. We believe these changes are creating a compelling set of investment opportunities.
We also believe that New Residential is one of only a select number of market participants that have the combination of capital, industry expertise and key business relationships we think are necessary to take advantage of this opportunity. We are focused on the investment opportunities described below, as well as identifying other opportunities that may arise as the residential mortgage market evolves.
Servicing Related Assets
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights (Excess MSRs)
In our view, the mortgage servicing sector presents a number of compelling investment opportunities. A mortgage servicing right (MSR) provides a mortgage servicer with the right to service a pool of mortgages in exchange for a portion of the interest payments made on the underlying mortgages. This amount typically ranges from 25 to 50 basis points (bps) times the unpaid principal balance (UPB) of the mortgages. Approximately 77% of MSRs were owned by banks as of the fourth quarter of 2013, according to Inside Mortgage Finance. We expect this number to decline as banks face pressure to reduce their MSR exposure as a result of heightened capital reserve requirements under Basel III, regulatory scrutiny and a more challenging servicing environment. As a result, we believe the volume of MSR sales is likely to be substantial for some period of time.
As banks sell MSRs, there may be an opportunity for entities such as New Residential to participate through co-investment in the corresponding Excess MSRs. An MSR is made up of two components: a basic fee and an Excess MSR. The basic fee is the amount of compensation for the performance of servicing duties, and the Excess MSR is the amount that exceeds the basic fee. For example, if an MSR is 30 bps and the basic fee is 5 bps, then the Excess MSR is 25 bps. In our capacity as the owner of an Excess MSR, we are not required to assume any servicing duties, advance obligations or liabilities associated with the portfolios underlying our investment. However, we, through co-investments made by our subsidiaries, have separately purchased servicer advances, including the basic fee component of the related MSRs, on certain portfolios underlying our Excess MSRs.
There are a number of reasons why we believe Excess MSRs are a compelling investment opportunity:
|
Supply-Demand Imbalance. Since 2010, banks have sold or committed to sell MSRs totaling more than $1 trillion. As a result of the regulatory and other pressures facing bank servicers, we believe the volume of MSR sales is likely to be substantial for some period of time. We estimate that MSRs on approximately $200300 billion of mortgages are currently for sale, which would require a capital investment of approximately $23 billion based on current pricing dynamics. We believe that non-bank servicers, who are constrained by capital limitations, such as Nationstar, will continue to sell a portion of the Excess MSRs or other servicing assets, such as advances. We also estimate that approximately $12 trillion of MSRs could be sold over the next several years. In addition, approximately $1.2 trillion of new loans are expected to be created annually according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. We believe this creates an opportunity to enter into flow |
6
arrangements, whereby loan originators agree to sell Excess MSRs on newly originated loans on a recurring basis (often monthly or quarterly). We believe that MSRs are being sold at a discount to historical pricing levels, although increased competition for these assets has driven prices higher recently. |
| Attractive Pricing. We believe MSRs are currently being sold at a discount to historical pricing levels. While prices have rebounded from the lows, we believe that prices remain lower than their peak. At current prices, we believe investments in Excess MSRs can generate attractive returns without leverage. |
| Significant Barrier to Entry. Non-servicers, like us, cannot directly own an MSR as a named servicer and would therefore need to partner with a servicer in order to invest in MSRs. The number of strong, scalable non-bank servicers is limited. Moreover, in the case of Excess MSRs on Agency pools, the servicer must be Agency-approved. As a result, non-servicers seeking to invest in Excess MSRs generally face a significant barrier to entering the market, particularly if they do not have a relationship with a quality servicer. We believe our track record of investing in Excess MSRs and our established relationship with Nationstar give us a competitive advantage over other potential investors. |
We pioneered investments in Excess MSRs (while we were a wholly owned subsidiary of Newcastle). We believe we remain the most active REIT in the sector.
Servicer Advances
We believe there are attractive opportunities to invest in residential mortgage servicer advances. On December 17, 2013, we made our first investment in servicer advances, including the basic fee component of the related MSRs, from Nationstar through a co-investment with two subsidiaries of Athene Holding Ltd., affiliates of The Blackstone Group, and affiliates of, and funds/accounts managed by, Omega Advisors, Inc.
Servicer advances are generally reimbursable cash payments made by a servicer when the borrower fails to make scheduled payments due on a mortgage loan or when the servicer makes cash payments (i) on behalf of a borrower for real estate taxes and insurance premiums on the property that have not been paid on a timely basis by the borrower and (ii) to third parties for the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the foreclosure, preservation and sale of the mortgaged property, including attorneys and other professional fees. Servicer advances are a customary feature of residential mortgage securitization transactions and represent one of the duties for which a servicer is compensated through the basic fee component of the related MSR. The purpose of the advances is to provide liquidity, rather than credit enhancement, to the underlying residential mortgage securitization transaction. Servicer advances are usually repaid from amounts received with respect to the related mortgage loan, including payments from the borrower or amounts received from the liquidation of the property securing the loan, which is referred to as loan-level recovery.
Servicer advances typically fall into one of three categories:
| Principal and Interest Advances: Cash payments made by the servicer to cover scheduled payments of principal of, and interest on, a mortgage loan that have not been paid on a timely basis by the borrower. |
| Escrow Advances (Taxes and Insurance Advances): Cash payments made by the servicer to third parties on behalf of the borrower for real estate taxes and insurance premiums on the property that have not been paid on a timely basis by the borrower. |
| Foreclosure Advances: Cash payments made by the servicer to third parties for the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the foreclosure, preservation and sale of the mortgaged property, including attorneys and other professional fees. |
7
Residential mortgage servicing agreements generally require a servicer to make advances in respect of serviced mortgage loans unless the servicer determines in good faith that the advance would not be ultimately recoverable from the proceeds of the related mortgage loan or the mortgaged property. In many cases, if the servicer determines that an advance previously made would not be recoverable from these sources, or if such advance is not recovered when the loan is repaid or related property is liquidated, then the servicer is entitled to withdraw funds from the custodial account for payments on the serviced mortgages to reimburse the applicable advance. This is what is often referred to as a general collections backstop.
We believe that the market in servicer advances could present us with additional investment opportunities. For example, we have the right to purchase additional servicer advances from Nationstar. The status of investments in servicer advances for purposes of the REIT requirements is uncertain, and therefore our ability to make these kinds of investments may be limited. We currently hold our investment in servicer advances in a taxable REIT subsidiary (TRS).
Residential Securities and Loans
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (RMBS)
From time to time, we invest in both Agency adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) RMBS and Non-Agency RMBS, which we believe complement our Excess MSR investments. RMBS are securities created through the securitization of a pool of residential mortgage loans. As of the fourth quarter of 2013, approximately $7 trillion of the $10 trillion of residential mortgages outstanding was securitized, according to Inside Mortgage Finance. Of the securitized mortgages, approximately $6 trillion were Agency RMBS according to Inside Mortgage Finance, which are RMBS issued or guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), or by a government-sponsored enterprise (GSE), such as Fannie Mae or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). The balance was securitized by either public or private trusts (private label securitizations), and these securities are referred to as Non-Agency RMBS.
Agency ARM RMBS generally offer more stable cash flows and historically have been subject to lower credit risk and greater price stability than the other types of residential mortgage investments we target.
Since the onset of the financial crisis in 2007, there has been significant volatility in the prices for Non-Agency RMBS. This has resulted from a widespread contraction in capital available for this asset class, deteriorating housing fundamentals, and an increase in forced selling by institutional investors (often in response to rating agency downgrades). While the prices of these assets have started to recover from their lows, from time to time there may be opportunities to acquire Non-Agency RMBS at attractive risk-adjusted yields, with the potential for upside if the U.S. economy and housing market continue to strengthen. We believe the value of existing Non-Agency RMBS may also rise if the number of buyers returns to pre-2007 levels. Furthermore, we believe that in many Non-Agency RMBS vehicles there is a meaningful discrepancy between the value of the Non-Agency RMBS and the recovery value of the underlying collateral. We intend to pursue opportunities to structure transactions that would enable us to realize this difference. We actively monitor the market for Non-Agency RMBS and our portfolio to determine when to strategically purchase and sell Non-Agency RMBS from time to time. We currently expect that the size of our Non-Agency portfolio will fluctuate depending primarily on our Managers assessment of expected yields and alternative investment opportunities.
Real Estate Loans
We believe there may be attractive opportunities to invest in portfolios of non-performing and other residential mortgage loans. In these investments, we would expect to acquire the loans at a deep discount to their face amount, and we (either independently or with a servicing co-investor) would seek to resolve the loans at a substantially higher valuation. We would seek to improve performance by transferring the servicing to Nationstar or another reputable servicer, which we believe could increase unlevered yields. In addition, we may seek to employ leverage to increase returns, either through traditional financing lines or, if available, securitization options.
8
While a number of portfolios of non-performing residential loans have been sold since the financial crisis, we believe the volume of such sales may increase for a number of reasons. For example, with improved balance sheets, many large banks have more financial flexibility to recognize losses on non-performing assets. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which acquires the non-performing loans from Ginnie Mae securitizations, has been increasing the number of portfolio sales. In addition, we believe that residential loan servicerswhich have traditionally resorted to loan foreclosure procedures and subsequent property sales to maximize recoveries on non-performing loansmay increase sales of defaulted loans. To the extent any of these dynamics results in a meaningful volume of non-performing loan sales, we believe they may pose attractive investment opportunities for us.
Other Investments
We may pursue other types of investments as the market evolves, such as our opportunistic investment in consumer loans in April 2013. Our Manager makes decisions about our investments in accordance with broad investment guidelines adopted by our board of directors. Accordingly, we may, without a stockholder vote, change our target asset classes and acquire a variety of assets that differ from, and are possibly riskier than, our current portfolio of target assets.
General
Our stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol NRZ. We are a REIT for federal income tax purposes.
We are incorporated in Delaware and the address of our principal executive office is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 46th Floor, New York, New York 10105. Our telephone number is (212) 479-3150. Our Internet address is www.newresi.com. newresi.com is an interactive textual reference only, meaning that the information contained on the website is not part of this prospectus and is not incorporated into this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement by reference.
9
Before you invest in any of our securities, in addition to the other information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or other offering materials, you should carefully consider the risk factors in any prospectus supplement as well as under the heading Risk Factors contained in Part I, Item 1A. in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2014, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as the same may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by our filings under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. These risks could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results, cash flows and financial condition and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment. See Incorporation of Certain Documents By Reference and Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.
10
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material, we will use the net proceeds from any sale of securities for general corporate purposes. We may provide additional information on the use of the net proceeds from any sale of securities in an applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials relating to the securities.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated:
Three Months
Ended March 31, |
Year Ended December 31, |
December 8,
2011, through December 31, |
||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||||
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
2.19 | 18.29 | 59.59 | N/A |
For purposes of calculating the above ratios, (i) earnings represent income (loss) before taxes, excluding equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, from our consolidated statements of operations, as adjusted for fixed charges and distributions from unconsolidated subsidiaries and (ii) fixed charges represent interest expense from our consolidated statements of operations. We incurred no fixed charges during the period from December 8, 2011, through December 31, 2011. The above ratios are based solely on historical financial information.
11
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may offer unsecured debt securities in one or more series which may be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated, and which may be convertible into another security. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, our debt securities will be issued in one or more series under an indenture to be entered into between us and U.S. Bank, National Association. Holders of our indebtedness will be structurally subordinated to holders of any indebtedness (including trade payables) of any of our subsidiaries.
The following description briefly sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to the debt securities, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. A form of the indenture is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The terms of the debt securities will include those set forth in the applicable indenture and those made a part of the global indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (TIA). You should read the summary below, the applicable prospectus supplement and provisions of the applicable indenture and indenture supplement, if any, in their entirety before investing in our debt securities.
The aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under the indenture is unlimited. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the debt securities. These terms may include the following:
| the title and aggregate principal amount of the debt securities and any limit on the aggregate principal amount; |
| whether the debt securities will be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated; |
| any applicable subordination provisions for any subordinated debt securities; |
| the maturity date(s) or method for determining same; |
| the interest rate(s) or the method for determining same; |
| the dates on which interest will accrue or the method for determining dates on which interest will accrue and dates on which interest will be payable and whether interest shall be payable in cash or additional securities; |
| whether the debt securities are convertible or exchangeable into other securities and any related terms and conditions; |
| redemption or early repayment provisions; |
| authorized denominations; |
| if other than the principal amount, the principal amount of debt securities payable upon acceleration; |
| place(s) where payment of principal and interest may be made, where debt securities may be presented and where notices or demands upon the company may be made; |
| whether such debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and the date as which the securities are dated if other than the date of original issuance; |
| amount of discount or premium, if any, with which such debt securities will be issued; |
12
| any covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued; |
| any additions or changes in the defaults and events of default applicable to the particular debt securities being issued; |
| the guarantors of each series, if any, and the extent of the guarantees (including provisions relating to seniority, subordination and release of the guarantees), if any; |
| the currency, currencies or currency units in which the purchase price for, the principal of and any premium and any interest on, such debt securities will be payable; |
| the time period within which, the manner in which and the terms and conditions upon which the holders of the debt securities or the company can select the payment currency; |
| our obligation or right to redeem, purchase or repay debt securities under a sinking fund, amortization or analogous provision; |
| any restriction or conditions on the transferability of the debt securities; |
| provisions granting special rights to holders of the debt securities upon occurrence of specified events; |
| additions or changes relating to compensation or reimbursement of the trustee of the series of debt securities; |
| additions or changes to the provisions for the defeasance of the debt securities or to provisions related to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture; |
| provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture and the execution of supplemental indentures for such series; and |
| any other terms of the debt securities (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the TIA, but may modify, amend, supplement or delete any of the terms of the indenture with respect to such debt securities). |
General
We may sell the debt securities, including original issue discount securities, at par or at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series or any other series outstanding at the time of issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of securities under the indenture.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any other special considerations for any debt securities we sell which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars. In addition, debt securities may be issued where the amount of principal and/or interest payable is determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or other factors. Holders of such securities may receive a principal amount or a payment of interest that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending upon the value of the applicable currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors. Information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest, if any, payable on any date, and the currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors to which the amount payable on such date would be linked, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
13
United States federal income tax consequences and special considerations, if any, applicable to any such series will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.
We expect most debt securities to be issued in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Subject to the limitations provided in the indenture and prospectus supplement, debt securities that are issued in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the designated corporate trust office of the trustee, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Global Securities
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities will be issued in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or to another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or to a nominee of such successor. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any debt securities of a series and the rights of and limitations upon owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.
14
The following descriptions are summaries of the material terms of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. These descriptions may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand them fully, you should read our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, copies of which are filed with the Commission as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Please note that, with respect to any of our shares held in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company or any other share depository, the depository or its nominee will be the sole registered and legal owner of those shares, and references in this prospectus to any stockholder or holder of those shares means only the depository or its nominee. Persons who hold beneficial interests in our shares through a depository will not be registered or legal owners of those shares and will not be recognized as such for any purpose. For example, only the depository or its nominee will be entitled to vote the shares held through it, and any dividends or other distributions to be paid, and any notices to be given, in respect of those shares will be paid or given only to the depository or its nominee. Owners of beneficial interests in those shares will have to look solely to the depository with respect to any benefits of share ownership, and any rights they may have with respect to those shares will be governed by the rules of the depository, which are subject to change from time to time. We have no responsibility for those rules or their application to any interests held through the depository.
Authorized Capital Stock
Our authorized capital stock consists of:
| 2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share; and |
| 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. |
As of May 15, 2014, 282,174,669 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding. All the outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. No shares of our preferred stock are outstanding.
Common Stock
Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of our common stock will possess the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and for all other purposes. Our certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock can elect all of the directors standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.
Subject to any preference rights of holders of any preferred stock that we may issue in the future, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after the payment of liabilities, subject to any rights of holders of our preferred stock to prior distribution.
Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. Any shares of common stock issued pursuant to this prospectus will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
15
Preferred Stock
Our board of directors has the authority, without action by our stockholders, to issue preferred stock and to fix voting powers for each class or series of preferred stock, and to provide that any class or series may be subject to redemption, entitled to receive dividends, entitled to rights upon dissolution, or convertible or exchangeable for shares of any other class or classes of capital stock. The rights with respect to a series or class of preferred stock may be greater than the rights attached to our common stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of our preferred stock on the rights of holders of our common stock until our board of directors determines the specific rights attached to that preferred stock. The effect of issuing preferred stock could include, among other things, one or more of the following:
| restricting dividends in respect of our common stock; |
| diluting the voting power of our common stock or providing that holders of preferred stock have the right to vote on matters as a class; |
| impairing the liquidation rights of our common stock; or |
| delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us. |
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Capital Stock
In order to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), for each taxable year beginning after December 31, 2013, our shares of capital stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, for our taxable years beginning after December 31, 2013, no more than 50% of the value of our outstanding shares of capital stock may be owned, directly or constructively, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) during the second half of any calendar year.
Our certificate of incorporation, subject to certain exceptions, contains restrictions on the number of shares of our capital stock that a person may own and may prohibit certain entities from owning our shares. Our certificate of incorporation provides that (subject to certain exceptions described below) no person may beneficially or constructively own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding shares of common or capital stock. Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the power to increase or decrease the percentage of common or capital stock that a person may beneficially or constructively own. However, any decreased stock ownership limit will not apply to any person whose percentage ownership of our common or capital stock, as the case may be, is in excess of such decreased stock ownership limit until that persons percentage ownership of our common or capital stock, as the case may be, equals or falls below the decreased stock ownership limit. Until such a persons percentage ownership of our common or capital stock, as the case may be, falls below such decreased stock ownership limit, any further acquisition of common stock will be in violation of the decreased stock ownership limit.
Our certificate of incorporation also prohibits any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our capital stock that would result in our being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT (including through ownership that results in our owning (actually or constructively) an interest in a tenant as described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) and from transferring shares of our capital stock if the transfer would result in our capital stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons. Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our capital stock that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership, or who is the intended transferee of shares of our capital stock that are transferred to the trust (as described below), is required to give written notice immediately to us and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on our qualification as a REIT. The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.
16
Our board of directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt a person from the foregoing restrictions. The person seeking an exemption must provide to our board of directors such conditions, representations and undertakings as our board of directors may deem reasonably necessary to conclude that granting the exemption will not cause us to lose our qualification as a REIT. Our board of directors may also require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or an opinion of counsel in order to determine or ensure our qualification as a REIT in the context of granting such exemptions.
Any attempted transfer of our capital stock which, if effective, would result in a violation of the foregoing restrictions will cause the number of shares causing the violation (rounded up to the nearest whole share) to be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and the proposed transferee will not acquire any rights in such shares. The automatic transfer will be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the business day (as defined in our certificate of incorporation) prior to the date of the transfer. If, for any reason, the transfer to the trust does not occur or would not prevent a violation of the restrictions on ownership contained in our certificate of incorporation, our certificate of incorporation provides that the purported transfer will be void ab initio. Shares of our capital stock held in the trust will be issued and outstanding shares. The proposed transferee will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of our capital stock held in the trust, will have no rights to dividends and no rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of capital stock held in the trust. The trustee of the trust will have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares held in the trust. These rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to our discovery that shares of capital stock have been transferred to the trust will be paid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand. Any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the trustee. Any dividend or distribution paid to the trustee will be held in trust for the charitable beneficiary. Subject to Delaware law, the trustee will have the authority to rescind as void any vote cast by the proposed transferee prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust and to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee will not have the authority to rescind and recast the vote.
Within 20 days of receiving notice from us that shares of our capital stock have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will sell the shares to a person designated by the trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the above ownership limitations. Upon such sale, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed transferee and to the charitable beneficiary as follows: the proposed transferee will receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the proposed transferee for the shares or, if the proposed transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the trust (e.g., a gift, devise or other similar transaction), the market price (as defined in our certificate of incorporation) of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust and (2) the price received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares. The trust may reduce the amount payable to the proposed transferee by the amount of dividends and distributions paid to the proposed transferee and owned by the proposed transferee to the trust.
Any net sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the proposed transferee will be paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary. If, prior to our discovery that shares of our capital stock have been transferred to the trust, the shares are sold by the proposed transferee, then (1) the shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and (2) to the extent that the proposed transferee received an amount for the shares that exceeds the amount the proposed transferee was entitled to receive, the excess shall be paid to the trustee upon demand.
In addition, shares of our capital stock held in the trust will be deemed to have been offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer to the trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of the devise or gift) and
17
the market price on the date we, or our designee, accept the offer. We will have the right to accept the offer until the trustee has sold the shares. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed transferee.
Every owner of more than 5% (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) in number or in value of all classes or series of our capital stock, including shares of our common stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, will be required to give written notice to us stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of each class and series of shares of our capital stock that the owner beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each owner shall provide to us such additional information as we may request to determine the effect, if any, of the beneficial ownership on our qualification as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limitations. In addition, each such owner shall, upon demand, be required to provide to us such information as we may request, in good faith, to determine our qualification as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance with the 9.8% ownership limitations in our certificate of incorporation.
These ownership limitations could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.
Transfer Agent
The registrar and transfer agent for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.
Listing
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol NRZ.
18
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
We may issue depositary receipts representing interests in shares of particular series of preferred stock which are called depositary shares. We will deposit the preferred stock of a series which is the subject of depositary shares with a depositary, which will hold that preferred stock for the benefit of the holders of the depositary shares, in accordance with a deposit agreement between the depositary and us. The holders of depositary shares will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate, including dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights, to the extent of their interests in that preferred stock.
While the deposit agreement relating to a particular series of preferred stock may have provisions applicable solely to that series of preferred stock, all deposit agreements relating to preferred stock we issue will include the following provisions:
Dividends and Other Distributions
Each time we pay a cash dividend or make any other type of cash distribution with regard to preferred stock of a series, the depositary will distribute to the holder of record of each depositary share relating to that series of preferred stock an amount equal to the dividend or other distribution per depositary share the depositary receives. If there is a distribution of property other than cash, the depositary either will distribute the property to the holders of depositary shares in proportion to the depositary shares held by each of them, or the depositary will, if we approve, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds to the holders of the depositary shares in proportion to the depositary shares held by them.
Withdrawal of Preferred Stock
A holder of depositary shares will be entitled to receive, upon surrender of depositary receipts representing depositary shares, the number of whole or fractional shares of the applicable series of preferred stock, and any money or other property, to which the depositary shares relate.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by a depositary, the depositary will be required to redeem, on the same redemption date, depositary shares constituting, in total, the number of shares of preferred stock held by the depositary which we redeem, subject to the depositarys receiving the redemption price of those shares of preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares relating to a series are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or by another method we determine to be equitable.
Voting
Any time we send a notice of meeting or other materials relating to a meeting to the holders of a series of preferred stock to which depositary shares relate, we will provide the depositary with sufficient copies of those materials so they can be sent to all holders of record of the applicable depositary shares, and the depositary will send those materials to the holders of record of the depositary shares on the record date for the meeting. The depositary will solicit voting instructions from holders of depositary shares and will vote or not vote the preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate in accordance with those instructions.
Liquidation Preference
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holder of each depositary share will be entitled to what the holder of the depositary share would have received if the holder had owned the number of shares (or fraction of a share) of preferred stock which is represented by the depositary share.
19
Conversion
If shares of a series of preferred stock are convertible into common stock or other of our securities or property, holders of depositary shares relating to that series of preferred stock will, if they surrender depositary receipts representing depositary shares and appropriate instructions to convert them, receive the shares of common stock or other securities or property into which the number of shares (or fractions of shares) of preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate could at the time be converted.
Amendment and Termination of a Deposit Agreement
We and the depositary may amend a deposit agreement, except that an amendment which materially and adversely affects the rights of holders of depositary shares, or would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the preferred stock to which they relate, must be approved by holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding depositary shares. No amendment will impair the right of a holder of depositary shares to surrender the depositary receipts evidencing those depositary shares and receive the preferred stock to which they relate, except as required to comply with law. We may terminate a deposit agreement with the consent of holders of a majority of the depositary shares to which it relates. Upon termination of a deposit agreement, the depositary will make the whole or fractional shares of preferred stock to which the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement relate available to the holders of those depositary shares. A deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:
| All outstanding depositary shares to which it relates have been redeemed or converted. |
| The depositary has made a final distribution to the holders of the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. |
Miscellaneous
There will be provisions: (1) requiring the depositary to forward to holders of record of depositary shares any reports or communications from us which the depositary receives with respect to the preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate; (2) regarding compensation of the depositary; (3) regarding resignation of the depositary; (4) limiting our liability and the liability of the depositary under the deposit agreement (usually to failure to act in good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct); and (5) indemnifying the depositary against certain possible liabilities.
20
We may issue warrants to purchase debt or equity securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with any offered securities. The warrants may be attached to or separate from those offered securities. We will issue the warrants under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the warrants. These terms may include the following:
| the title of the warrants; |
| the designation, amount and terms of the securities for which the warrants are exercisable; |
| the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the warrants are to be issued and the number of warrants issued with each other security; |
| the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued; |
| the aggregate number of warrants; |
| any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the warrants or the exercise price of the warrants; |
| the price or prices at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased; |
| if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable; |
| if applicable, a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants; |
| any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants; |
| the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence, and the date on which the right will expire; |
| the maximum or minimum number of warrants that may be exercised at any time; and |
| information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any. |
Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder of warrants to purchase for cash the amount of debt or equity securities, at the exercise price stated or determinable in the prospectus supplement for the warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date shown in the applicable prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified in such prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. When the warrant holder makes the payment and properly completes and
21
signs the warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as possible, forward the debt or equity securities that the warrant holder has purchased. If the warrant holder exercises the warrant for less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate, we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining warrants.
22
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW AND OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law, Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
The following is a summary of certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws that may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider to be in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by stockholders.
Authorized but Unissued Shares
The authorized but unissued shares of our common stock and our preferred stock will be available for future issuance without obtaining stockholder approval. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital and corporate acquisitions. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control over us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Delaware Business Combination Statute
We are organized under Delaware law. Some provisions of Delaware law may delay, defer or prevent a transaction that would cause a change in our control. Our certificate of incorporation provides that Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, an anti-takeover law, will not apply to us. In general, this statute prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years after the date of the transaction by which that person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. For purposes of Section 203, a business combination includes a merger, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder, and an interested stockholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior, did own, 15% or more of voting stock.
Other Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Our certificate of incorporation provides for a staggered board of directors consisting of three classes of directors. Directors of each class are chosen for three-year terms upon the expiration of their current terms and each year one class of our directors will be elected by our stockholders. The terms of the first, second and third classes will expire in 2017, 2015 and 2016, respectively. We believe that classification of our board of directors will help to assure the continuity and stability of our business strategies and policies as determined by our board of directors. Additionally, there is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. This classified board provision could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent directors more time consuming and difficult. At least two annual meetings of stockholders, instead of one, will generally be required to effect a change in a majority of our board of directors.
Thus, the classified board provision could increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions. The staggered terms of directors may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or an attempt to change control of us, even though a tender offer or change in control might be believed by our stockholders to be in their best interest. In addition, our bylaws provide that directors may be removed only for cause and only with the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the then issued and outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors.
Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, shares of our preferred stock may be issued from time to time, and the board of directors is authorized to determine and alter all rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, limitations and restrictions without limitation. See Description of Capital StockPreferred Stock. Our bylaws do not provide our stockholders with the ability to call a special meeting of the stockholders.
23
Ability of Our Stockholders to Act
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws do not permit our stockholders to call special stockholders meetings. Written notice of any special meeting so called shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting not less than 10 or more than 60 days before the date of such meeting, unless otherwise required by law.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws also prohibits our stockholders from consenting in writing to take any action in lieu of taking such action at a duly called annual or special meeting of our stockholders.
Our bylaws provide that nominations of persons for election to our board of directors may be made at any annual meeting of our stockholders, or at any special meeting of our stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, (a) by or at the direction of our board of directors or (b) by any of our stockholders. In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to our Secretary. To be timely, a stockholders notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at our principal executive offices (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 25 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by a stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs and (ii) in the case of a special meeting, not later than the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the special meeting was made, whichever first occurs.
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that our directors will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of a fiduciary duty as a director, except for:
| any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, |
| intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
| liability under Delaware corporate law for an unlawful payment of dividends or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption of stock; or |
| any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit. |
Our certificate of incorporation provides that we must indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. We are also expressly authorized to advance certain expenses (including attorneys fees and disbursements and court costs) to our directors and officers and carry directors and officers insurance providing indemnification for our directors and officers for some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and officers.
We have entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Each indemnification agreement provides, among other things, for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law and our certificate of incorporation against (i) any and all expenses and liabilities, including judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement of any claim with our approval and counsel fees and disbursements, (ii) any liability pursuant to a loan guarantee, or otherwise, for any of our indebtedness, and (iii) any liabilities incurred as a result of acting on our behalf (as a fiduciary or otherwise) in
24
connection with an employee benefit plan. The indemnification agreements provide for the advancement or payment of all expenses to the indemnitee and for reimbursement to us if it is found that such indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification under applicable law and our certificate of incorporation.
These provisions and agreements may have the practical effect in some cases of eliminating our stockholders ability to collect monetary damages from our directors and executive officers.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Corporate Opportunity
Under our certificate of incorporation, to the extent permitted by law:
| Fortress and Fortresss affiliates and their permitted transferees have the right to, and have no duty to abstain from, exercising such right to, engage or invest in the same or similar business as us, do business with any of our clients, customers or vendors or employ or otherwise engage any of our officers, directors or employees; |
| if Fortress and Fortresss affiliates and their permitted transferees or any of their officers, directors or employees acquire knowledge of a potential transaction that could be a corporate opportunity, they have no duty to offer such corporate opportunity to us, our stockholders or affiliates; |
| we have renounced any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, such corporate opportunities; and |
| in the event that any of our directors and officers who is also a director, officer or employee of Fortress or Fortresss affiliates or their permitted transferees acquire knowledge of a corporate opportunity or is offered a corporate opportunity, provided that this knowledge was not acquired solely in such persons capacity as our director or officer and such person acted in good faith, then such person is deemed to have fully satisfied such persons fiduciary duty and is not liable to us if Fortress, or its affiliates, pursues or acquires the corporate opportunity or if such person did not present the corporate opportunity to us. |
25
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in common stock of New Residential. This summary does not discuss the consequences of an investment in shares of our preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or other securities. The tax consequences of such an investment will be discussed in a relevant prospectus supplement. For purposes of this section under the heading U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations, references to New Residential, we, our and us mean only New Residential Investment Corp. and not its subsidiaries or other lower-tier entities, except as otherwise indicated and references to Newcastle refer to Newcastle Investment Corp. This summary is based upon the Code, the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department, rulings and other administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. Except as indicated below, we have not sought and do not intend to seek, an advance ruling from the IRS regarding any matter discussed in this prospectus. The summary is also based upon the assumption that we will operate New Residential and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities in accordance with their applicable organizational documents or partnership agreements. This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice. The Code provisions governing the U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs and their stockholders are highly technical and complex, and this summary is qualified in its entirety by the express language of applicable Code provisions, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof. Moreover, this summary does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular investor in light of its investment or tax circumstances, or to investors subject to special tax rules, such as:
| financial institutions; |
| insurance companies; |
| broker-dealers; |
| regulated investment companies; |
| partnerships and trusts; |
| persons who hold our stock on behalf of another person as a nominee; |
| persons who receive our stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation; |
| persons holding our stock as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction, synthetic security or other integrated investment; |
and, except to the extent discussed below:
| tax-exempt organizations; and |
| foreign investors. |
This summary assumes that investors will hold their common stock as a capital asset, which generally means as property held for investment.
For purposes of this discussion, a domestic holder is a stockholder of New Residential that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| a citizen or resident of the U.S., |
26
| a corporation created or organized in the U.S. or under the laws of the U.S., or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia, |
| an estate, the income of which is includable in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source, or |
| a trust if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. fiduciaries have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. |
A non-U.S. holder is a stockholder of New Residential that is neither a domestic holder nor a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a partnership, including for this purpose any entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds our stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. An investor that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our stock.
THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF OUR COMMON STOCKHOLDERS DEPENDS IN SOME INSTANCES ON DETERMINATIONS OF FACT AND INTERPRETATIONS OF COMPLEX PROVISIONS OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAW FOR WHICH NO CLEAR PRECEDENT OR AUTHORITY MAY BE AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO ANY PARTICULAR STOCKHOLDER OF HOLDING OUR COMMON STOCK WILL DEPEND ON THE STOCKHOLDERS PARTICULAR TAX CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR EXAMPLE, A STOCKHOLDER THAT IS A PARTNERSHIP OR TRUST WHICH HAS ISSUED AN EQUITY INTEREST TO CERTAIN TYPES OF TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS MAY BE SUBJECT TO A SPECIAL ENTITY-LEVEL TAX IF WE MAKE DISTRIBUTIONS ATTRIBUTABLE TO EXCESS INCLUSION INCOME. SEE TAXATION OF NEW RESIDENTIALTAXABLE MORTGAGE POOLS AND EXCESS INCLUSION INCOME BELOW. A SIMILAR TAX MAY BE PAYABLE BY PERSONS WHO HOLD OUR STOCK AS NOMINEE ON BEHALF OF SUCH A TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION. YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR INVESTMENT OR TAX CIRCUMSTANCES OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING, EXCHANGING, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK.
Private Letter Ruling Regarding Our Excess MSRs
We have received from the IRS a private letter ruling substantially to the effect that our Excess MSRs represent interests in mortgages on real property and thus are qualifying real estate assets for purposes of the 75% REIT asset test (as described below), which generate income that qualifies as interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real property for purposes of the 75% REIT gross income test (as described below). The ruling is based on, among other things, certain assumptions as well as on the accuracy of certain factual representations and statements that we and Newcastle have made to the IRS (including factual representations and statements relating to the terms and conditions of our Excess MSR investments and our future actions). Although a private letter ruling from the IRS is generally binding on the IRS, if any of the representations or statements that we have made in connection with the private letter ruling, are, or become, inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect with respect to one or more Excess MSR investments, or if we acquire an Excess MSR investment with terms that are not consistent with the terms of the Excess MSR investments described in the private letter ruling, then we will not be able to rely on the private letter ruling. If we are unable to rely on the private letter ruling with respect to an Excess MSR investment, no assurance can be given as to the status of such Excess MSR investment for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests.
27
The remainder of this discussion assumes that we are able to rely on the private letter ruling.
Taxation of New Residential
We intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT, commencing with our initial taxable year ended December 31, 2013. We believe that we have been organized, and expect to operate in such a manner as to qualify for taxation, as a REIT.
The law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has acted as our tax counsel in connection with our formation and this registration statement. In connection with this offering, we expect to receive an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP to the effect that we have been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and that our actual method of operation has enabled, and our proposed method of operation will enable, us to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. It must be emphasized that the opinion of tax counsel will be based on various assumptions relating to our organization and operation, and will be conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding our organization, assets, income, and the past, present and future conduct of our business operations. While we intend to operate so that we will qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations, and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances, no assurance can be given by tax counsel or by us that we will qualify as a REIT for any particular year. The opinion will be expressed as of the date issued, and will not cover subsequent periods. Tax counsel will have no obligation to advise us or our stockholders of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed, or of any subsequent change in the applicable law. You should be aware that opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions. Tax counsels opinion relies on a separate opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP regarding Newcastles organization and operation as a REIT (the Newcastle Opinion). The Newcastle Opinion, in turn, relies upon various legal opinions issued by other counsel for Newcastle and its predecessors, including Sidley Austin LLP and Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP, with respect to certain issues and transactions.
Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual operating results, distribution levels, and diversity of stock and asset ownership, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code, the compliance with which will not be reviewed by tax counsel. In addition, our ability to qualify as a REIT depends in part upon the operating results, organizational structure and entity classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes of certain affiliated entities, the status of which may not have been reviewed by tax counsel. Our ability to qualify as a REIT also requires that we satisfy certain asset tests, some of which depend upon the fair market values of assets that we own directly or indirectly. Such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year will satisfy such requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.
Taxation of REITs in General
As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below under Requirements for QualificationGeneral. While we intend to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification, or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See Failure to Qualify.
Provided that we qualify as a REIT, we generally will be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our net income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the double taxation at the corporate and stockholder levels that generally results from investment in a corporation. In general, the income that we generate is taxed only at the stockholder level upon a distribution of dividends to our stockholders.
28
Most domestic holders that are individuals, trusts or estates will be taxed on corporate dividends at a reduced maximum rate. With limited exceptions, however, dividends from us or from other entities that are taxed as REITs are generally not eligible for the reduced rates, and will continue to be taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income. See Taxation of StockholdersTaxation of Taxable Domestic HoldersDistributions.
Net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes generally do not pass through to our stockholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as the capital gains that we recognize. See Taxation of Stockholders.
Even if we qualify as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to U.S. federal tax in the following circumstances:
| We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed income, including undistributed net capital gains. |
| We may be subject to the alternative minimum tax on our items of tax preference, including any deductions of net operating losses. |
| If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See Prohibited Transactions, and Foreclosure Property, below. |
| If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or certain leasehold terminations as foreclosure property, we may thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate (currently 35%). |
| If we derive excess inclusion income from an interest in certain mortgage loan securitization structures (i.e., a taxable mortgage pool or a residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment conduit (REMIC)), we could be subject to corporate level U.S. federal income tax at a 35% rate to the extent that such income is allocable to specified types of tax-exempt stockholders known as disqualified organizations that are not subject to unrelated business income tax. See Taxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income below. |
| If we should fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because we satisfy other requirements, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount based on the magnitude of the failure adjusted to reflect the profit margin associated with our gross income. |
| If we should fail to satisfy the asset or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, and yet maintain our qualification as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to an excise tax. In that case, the amount of the excise tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the assets in question multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate (currently 35%) if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure. |
| If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts that we actually distributed, plus (ii) the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level. |
29
| We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REITs stockholders, as described below in Requirements for QualificationGeneral. |
| A 100% tax may be imposed on transactions between us and a taxable REIT subsidiary (TRS) (as described below) that do not reflect arms length terms. |
| If we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is not a REIT (i.e., a corporation taxable under subchapter C of the Code) in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the subchapter C corporation, we may be subject to tax on such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any such assets during the ten-year period following their acquisition from the subchapter C corporation. |
| The earnings of any subsidiary that is a subchapter C corporation, including any TRS, may be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax. |
In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local, and foreign income, property and other taxes on assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.
Requirements for QualificationGeneral
The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
(1) | that is managed by one or more trustees or directors; |
(2) | the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest; |
(3) | that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for the special Code provisions applicable to REITs; |
(4) | that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Code; |
(5) | the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons; |
(6) | in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include specified tax-exempt entities); |
(7) | which meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets; and |
(8) | that makes an election to be a REIT for the current taxable year or has made such an election for a previous taxable year that has not been terminated or revoked. |
The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) need not be met during a corporations initial tax year as a REIT (which, in our case, is 2013). Our certificate of incorporation provides restrictions regarding the ownership and transfers of our shares, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above.
30
To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the shares (i.e., the persons required to include our dividends in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record keeping requirements. If you fail or refuse to comply with the demands, you will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with your tax return disclosing the actual ownership of the shares and other information.
In addition, a corporation generally may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. We have adopted December 31 as our year end, and therefore satisfy this requirement.
The Code provides relief from violations of the REIT gross income requirements, as described below under Income Tests, in cases where a violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and other requirements are met, including the payment of a penalty tax that is based upon the magnitude of the violation. In addition, certain provisions of the Code extend similar relief in the case of certain violations of the REIT asset requirements (see Asset Tests below) and other REIT requirements, again provided that the violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and other conditions are met, including the payment of a penalty tax.
If we fail to satisfy any of the various REIT requirements, there can be no assurance that these relief provisions would be available to enable us to maintain our qualification as a REIT, and, if such relief provisions are available, the amount of any resultant penalty tax could be substantial.
Effect of Subsidiary Entities
Ownership of Partnership Interests . If we are a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that we are deemed to own our proportionate share of the partnerships assets, and to earn our proportionate share of the partnerships income, for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs. Our proportionate share of a partnerships assets and income is based on our capital interest in the partnership (except that for purposes of the 10% value test described below, our proportionate share of the partnerships assets is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership). In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership are deemed to retain the same character in our hands. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of any of our subsidiary partnerships will be treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements. A summary of certain rules governing the U.S. federal income taxation of partnerships and their partners is provided below in Tax Aspects of Investments in Affiliated Partnerships.
Disregarded Subsidiaries . If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a qualified REIT subsidiary, that subsidiary is generally disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all of the subsidiarys assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS as described below, that we wholly own, either directly or through one or more other qualified REIT subsidiaries or disregarded entities. Other entities that are wholly owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as pass-through subsidiaries.
31
In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly ownedfor example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or a disregarded subsidiary of oursthe subsidiarys separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation. See Asset Tests and Income Tests.
Taxable Subsidiaries . In general, we may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly owned, to treat the subsidiary corporation as a TRS. We generally may not own more than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, unless we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a TRS or other taxable corporation generally would be subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate, and may reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We are not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable subsidiary to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat the dividends paid to us from such taxable subsidiary, if any, as income. This treatment can affect our income and asset test calculations, as described below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, we could use TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations to conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income or to conduct activities that, if conducted by us directly, would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions. We may also use a TRS to earn income in respect of certain Excess MSRs, to invest in servicer advances or to hold basic fees or certain other assets. In addition, our existing investments in servicer advances and the related cash flows are currently held through a TRS and, therefore, will be subject to corporate taxation so long as they are so held.
The TRS rules limit the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. Further, the rules impose a 100% excise tax on certain transactions involving a TRS and its parent REIT that are not conducted on an arms-length basis. We intend that all of our transactions with any TRS will be conducted on an arms-length basis.
We may hold a significant amount of assets in one or more TRSs, subject to the limitation that securities in TRSs may not represent more than 25% of our assets. In general, we intend that loans that we originate or buy with an intention of selling in a manner that might expose us to a 100% tax on prohibited transactions will be sold by a TRS. We anticipate that the TRS through which any such sales are made may be treated as a dealer for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a dealer, the TRS may in general mark all the loans it holds on the last day of each taxable year to their market value, and may recognize ordinary income or loss on such loans with respect to such taxable year as if they had been sold for that value on that day. In addition, the TRS may further elect to be subject to the mark-to-market regime described above in the event that the TRS is properly classified as a trader as opposed to a dealer for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Income Tests
In order to qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two annual gross income requirements. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in prohibited transactions and certain hedging transactions, generally must be derived from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property (including, generally, certain Agency RMBS and certain types of MBS), rents from real property, dividends received from other REITs, and gains from the sale of real estate assets, as well as
32
specified income from temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain hedging transactions, must be derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% gross income test described above, as well as other dividends, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property. Income and gain from certain hedging transactions will be excluded from both the numerator and the denominator for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. See Derivatives and Hedging Transactions below.
As described above, we have received a private letter ruling from the IRS substantially to the effect that interest received by us from our Excess MSRs will be considered interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real property for purposes of the 75% REIT gross income test. Although a private letter ruling from the IRS is generally binding on the IRS, if any of the assumptions of the private letter ruling, or any of the representations or statements that we have made in connection therewith, are, or become, inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect with respect to one or more Excess MSR investments, or if we acquire an Excess MSR investment with terms that are not consistent with the terms of the Excess MSR investments described in the private letter ruling, then we will not be able to rely on the private letter ruling. If we are unable to rely on the private letter ruling with respect to an Excess MSR investment, no assurance can be given as to the status of such Excess MSR investment for purposes of the 75% gross income test.
We invest in RMBS whose principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency, such as Ginnie Mae, or a government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) that are pass-through certificates. We expect that these agency pass-through certificates will be treated as interests in grantor trusts for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We will be treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the mortgage loans held by the grantor trust. The interest on such mortgage loans will be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test to the extent that the obligation is secured by real property, as discussed below. We also may invest in collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) representing interests in pass-through certificates or RMBS that are not issued or guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency or a GSE. We expect that our investments in CMOs and Non-Agency RMBS will be treated as interests in REMICs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the case of CMOs and RMBS treated as interests in a REMIC, such interests will generally qualify as real estate assets and income derived from REMIC interests will generally be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests described above.
If less than 95% of the assets of a REMIC are real estate assets, however, then only a proportionate part of our interest in the REMIC and income derived from the interest will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test. In addition, some REMIC securitizations include imbedded interest rate swap or cap contracts or other derivative instruments that potentially could produce non-qualifying income for the stockholder of the related REMIC securities. We expect that substantially all of our income from agency mortgage investments, RMBS, and other mortgage loans will be qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests. See below under Asset Tests for a discussion of the effect of such investments on our qualification as a REIT.
To the extent that we hold mortgage participations or MBS that do not represent REMIC interests, such assets may not qualify as real estate assets, and, consequently, the income generated from them might not qualify for purposes of either or both of the REIT income tests, depending upon the circumstances and the specific structure of the investment. Our ability to invest in those assets may be limited by our intention to qualify as a REIT.
Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid is secured by a mortgage on real property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date that we acquired or originated the mortgage loan, the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the other collateral, and our income from the arrangement will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to the real property. In addition, in certain cases (unless a safe harbor applies pursuant to IRS
33
guidance), the modification of a debt instrument could result in the conversion of the interest paid on the instrument from qualifying income to wholly or partially non-qualifying income, which may require that we dispose of the debt instrument or contribute it to our TRS in order to satisfy the income tests described above. Moreover, the IRS has taken the position that, for purposes of the REIT income tests, the principal amount of a loan is equal to its face amount, even in situations where the loan was acquired at a significant discount. Under this position, a portion of the income generated by the instrument would not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test in cases where the underlying real property has declined in value. Even if a loan is not secured by real property, or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test.
We have purchased and sold Agency RMBS through to-be-announced (TBA) securities and recognize income or gains from the disposition of those TBAs, through dollar roll transactions or otherwise. There is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of income or gains from dispositions of TBAs as gains from the sale of real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) or other qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. For a particular taxable year, we would treat income and gains from such TBAs as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, to the extent set forth in an opinion from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP substantially to the effect that, for purposes of the 75% REIT gross income test, any gain recognized by us in connection with the settlement of such TBAs should be treated as gain from the sale or disposition of the underlying Agency RMBS. Opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS would not successfully challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions. In addition, any opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP would be based on various assumptions relating to such TBAs and would be conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding such TBAs. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert that such income is not qualifying income. If the IRS were to successfully challenge any conclusion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT if a sufficient portion of our income consists of income or gains from the disposition of TBAs.
We have invested in consumer loans. Our investments in consumer loans generally will not generate qualifying gross income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. However, to the extent the investments are purchased with new capital, such investments will generate qualifying gross income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests for one year following the receipt of such new capital. Accordingly, our ability to make and retain ownership of these kinds of investments may be limited.
Because the status of investments in servicer advances for purposes of the REIT income tests is uncertain, we intend to hold some or all of such investments and the related other cash flows through a TRS, and, consequently, our ability to make such investments may be limited.
To the extent that the terms of a loan provide for contingent interest that is based on the cash proceeds realized upon the sale of the property securing the loan, income attributable to the participation feature will be treated as gain from sale of the underlying property, which generally will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests provided that the property is not held as inventory or dealer property. To the extent that we derive interest income from a mortgage loan, or income from the rental of real property, where all or a portion of the amount of interest or rental income payable is contingent, such income generally will qualify for purposes of the gross income tests only if it is based upon the gross receipts or sales, and not the net income or profits, of the borrower or lessee. This limitation does not apply, however, where the borrower or lessee leases substantially all of its interest in the property to tenants or subtenants, to the extent that the rental income derived by the borrower or lessee, as the case may be, would qualify as rents from real property had we earned the income directly.
We may invest in mezzanine loans, which are loans secured by equity interests in an entity that directly or indirectly owns real property, rather than by a direct mortgage of the real property. The IRS has issued Revenue Procedure 2003-65, which provides a safe harbor applicable to mezzanine loans. Under the Revenue Procedure, if a mezzanine loan meets each of the requirements contained in the Revenue Procedure, (1) the
34
mezzanine loan will be treated by the IRS as a real estate asset for purposes of the asset tests described below, and (2) interest derived from the mezzanine loan will be treated as qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Although the Revenue Procedure provides a safe harbor on which taxpayers may rely, it does not prescribe rules of substantive tax law. We intend to structure any investments in mezzanine loans in a manner that complies with the various requirements applicable to our qualification as a REIT. To the extent that any of our mezzanine loans do not meet all of the requirements for reliance on the safe harbor set forth in the Revenue Procedure, however, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge the tax treatment of these loans.
We may hold certain participation interests, including B-Notes, in mortgage loans and other instruments. Such interests in an underlying loan are created by virtue of a participation or similar agreement to which the originator of the loan is a party, along with one or more participants. The borrower on the underlying loan is typically not a party to the participation agreement. The performance of this investment depends upon the performance of the underlying loan, and if the underlying borrower defaults, the participant typically has no recourse against the originator of the loan. The originator often retains a senior position in the underlying loan, and grants junior participations which absorb losses first in the event of a default by the borrower. We intend that any participation interests in which we may invest will qualify as real estate assets for purposes of the REIT asset tests described below, and that any interest that we derive from such investments will be treated as qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test. The appropriate treatment of participation interests for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not entirely certain, however, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our treatment of our participation interests. In the event of a determination that such participation interests do not qualify as real estate assets, or that the income that we derive from such participation interests does not qualify as mortgage interest for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests, we could be subject to a penalty tax, or could fail to qualify as a REIT, if we were to invest in such participation interests. See Taxation of REITs in General, Requirements for QualificationGeneral, Asset Tests and Failure to Qualify.
Rents received by us, if any, will qualify as rents from real property in satisfying the gross income requirements described above only if several conditions are met. If rent is partly attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property, the portion of the rent that is attributable to the personal property will not qualify as rents from real property unless it constitutes 15% or less of the total rent received under the lease. In addition, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. Amounts received as rent, however, generally will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on fixed percentages of gross receipts or sales. Moreover, for rents received by us, if any, to qualify as rents from real property, we generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to the tenants of such property, other than through an independent contractor from which we derive no revenue. We are permitted, however, to perform services that are usually or customarily rendered in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and which are not otherwise considered rendered to the occupant of the property. In addition, we may directly or indirectly provide non-customary services to tenants of our properties without disqualifying all of the rent from the property if the payments for such services does not exceed 1% of the total gross income from the property. For purposes of this test, we are deemed to have received income from such non-customary services in an amount at least 150% of the direct cost of providing the services. Moreover, we are generally permitted to provide services to tenants or others through a TRS without disqualifying the rental income received from tenants for purposes of the income tests. Also, rental income will qualify as rents from real property only to the extent that we do not directly or constructively hold a 10% or greater interest, as measured by vote or value, in the lessees equity.
We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any dividends that we receive from a REIT, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.
35
Fees will generally be qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests if they are received in consideration for entering into an agreement to make a loan secured by real property and the fees are not determined by income and profits. Other fees generally will not be qualifying income for purposes of either gross income test and will not be favorably counted for purposes of either gross income test. Any fees earned by a TRS will not be included for purposes of the gross income tests.
Any income or gain that we or our pass-through subsidiaries derive from instruments that hedge certain risks, such as the risk of changes in interest rates, will be excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% and the 95% gross income tests, provided that specified requirements are met, including the requirement that the instrument hedge risks associated with our indebtedness that is incurred to acquire or carry real estate assets or risks associated with certain currency fluctuations (as described below under Asset Tests), and the instrument is properly identified as a hedge along with the risk that it hedges within prescribed time periods.
If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may still qualify as a REIT for the year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Code. Those relief provisions generally will be available if our failure to meet the gross income tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and we file a schedule of the sources of our gross income in accordance with Treasury regulations. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above under Taxation of REITs in General, even where these relief provisions apply, the Code imposes a tax based upon the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.
Asset Tests
At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy four tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of real estate assets, cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property, such as land, buildings, leasehold interests in real property, stock of other corporations that qualify as REITs, and some kinds of MBS and mortgage loans. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test are subject to the additional asset tests described below.
Second, the value of any one issuers securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets. Third, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuers outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value. The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to real estate assets, securities of TRSs, and qualified REIT subsidiaries and the value prong of the 10% asset test does not apply to straight debt having specified characteristics and to certain other securities described below. Solely for purposes of the 10% asset test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Code. Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs that we hold may not exceed 25% of the value of our total assets.
Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, that for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests, we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a subsidiary partnership, if we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying mortgage asset, or other conditions are met. Similarly, although stock of another REIT is a qualifying asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, any non-mortgage debt that is issued by another REIT may not so qualify (such debt, however, will not be treated as a security for purposes of the 10% value test, as explained below).
The Code provides that certain securities will not cause a violation of the 10% value test described above. Such securities include instruments that constitute straight debt, which includes, among other things,
36
securities having certain contingency features. A security does not qualify as straight debt where a REIT (or a controlled TRS of the REIT) owns other securities of the same issuer which do not qualify as straight debt, unless the value of those other securities constitute, in the aggregate, 1% or less of the total value of that issuers outstanding securities. In addition to straight debt, the Code provides that certain other securities will not violate the 10% value test. Such securities include (a) any loan made to an individual or an estate, (b) certain rental agreements pursuant to which one or more payments are to be made in subsequent years (other than agreements between a REIT and certain persons related to the REIT under attribution rules), (c) any obligation to pay rents from real property, (d) securities issued by governmental entities that are not dependent in whole or in part on the profits of (or payments made by) a non-governmental entity, (e) any security (including debt securities) issued by another REIT, and (f) any debt instrument issued by a partnership if the partnerships income is of a nature that it would satisfy the 75% gross income test described above under Income Tests. The Code also provides that in applying the 10% value test, a debt security issued by a partnership is not taken into account to the extent, if any, of the REITs proportionate interest in that partnership.
As described above, we have received a private letter ruling from the IRS substantially to the effect that our Excess MSRs represent interests in mortgages on real property and thus are qualifying real estate assets for purposes of the 75% REIT asset test. Although a private letter ruling from the IRS is generally binding on the IRS, if any of the assumptions of the private letter ruling, or any of the representations or statements that we have made in connection therewith, are, or become, inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect with respect to one or more Excess MSR investments, or if we acquire an Excess MSR investment with terms that are not consistent with the terms of the Excess MSR investments described in the private letter ruling, then we will not be able to rely on the private letter ruling. If we are unable to rely on the private letter ruling with respect to an Excess MSR investment, no assurance can be given as to the status of such Excess MSR investment for purposes of the 75% asset test.
We invest in RMBS whose principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency, such as Ginnie Mae, or a GSE, that are pass-through certificates. We expect that these agency pass-through certificates will be treated as interests in grantor trusts for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We will be treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the mortgage loans held by the grantor trust.
We also may invest in CMOs representing interests in agency pass-through certificates and RMBS that are not issued or guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency or a GSE. We expect that our investments in CMOs and Non-Agency RMBS will be treated as interests in REMICs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such interests will generally qualify as real estate assets, and income derived from REMIC interests will generally be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the REIT income tests described above. If less than 95% of the assets of a REMIC are real estate assets, however, then only a proportionate part of our interest in the REMIC and income derived from the interest qualifies for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests.
To the extent that we hold mortgage participations or MBS that do not represent REMIC interests, such assets may not qualify as real estate assets, depending upon the circumstances and the specific structure of the investment. Our ability to invest in those assets may be limited by our intention to qualify as a REIT.
In addition, in certain cases (unless a safe harbor applies pursuant to IRS guidance), the modification of a debt instrument or, potentially, an increase in the value of a debt instrument that we acquired at a significant discount, could result in the conversion of the instrument from a qualifying real estate asset to a wholly or partially non-qualifying asset that must be contributed to a TRS or disposed of in order for us to satisfy the asset tests described above.
We have purchased and sold Agency RMBS through TBAs. There is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of TBAs as real estate assets or Government securities for purposes of the 75% asset test. For a particular taxable year, we would treat such TBAs as qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test, to the extent set forth in an opinion from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP substantially to the effect that, for purposes of the REIT asset tests, our ownership of a TBA should be treated as ownership of the underlying
37
Agency RMBS. Opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS would not successfully challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions. In addition, any opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP would be based on various assumptions relating to such TBAs and would be conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding such TBAs. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert that such assets are not qualifying assets. If the IRS were to successfully challenge any conclusion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT if a sufficient portion of our assets consists of TBAs.
We have invested in consumer loans. Our investments in consumer loans generally will not be qualifying real estate assets for purposes of the 75% asset test. However, to the extent the investments are purchased with new capital, such investments will be qualifying real estate assets for purposes of the 75% asset test for one year following the receipt of such new capital. Accordingly, our ability to make and retain ownership of these kinds of investments may be limited.
Because the status of investments in servicer advances for purposes of the REIT asset tests is uncertain, we intend to hold some or all of such investments and the related other cash flows through a TRS, and, consequently, our ability to make such investments may be limited.
If we hold a residual interest in a REMIC from which we derive excess inclusion income, we will be required to either distribute the excess inclusion income or pay tax on it (or a combination of the two), even though we may not receive the income in cash. To the extent that distributed excess inclusion income is allocable to a particular stockholder, the income (1) would not be allowed to be offset by any net operating losses otherwise available to the stockholder, (2) would be subject to tax as unrelated business taxable income in the hands of most types of stockholders that are otherwise generally exempt from U.S. federal income tax, and (3) would result in the application of U.S. federal income tax withholding at the maximum rate (30%), without reduction pursuant to any otherwise applicable income tax treaty or other exemption, to the extent allocable to most types of non-U.S. holders. Moreover, any excess inclusion income that we receive that is allocable to specified categories of tax-exempt investors which are not subject to unrelated business income tax, such as government entities or charitable remainder trusts, may be subject to corporate-level income tax in our hands, whether or not it is distributed. See Taxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income.
In addition, certain of our mezzanine loans may qualify for the safe harbor in Revenue Procedure 2003-65 pursuant to which certain loans secured by a first priority security interest in ownership interests in a partnership or limited liability company will be treated as qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% real estate asset test and the 10% vote or value test. See Income Tests. We may make some mezzanine loans that do not qualify for that safe harbor and that do not qualify as straight debt securities or for one of the other exclusions from the definition of securities for purposes of the 10% value test. We intend to make such investments in such a manner as not to fail the asset tests described above, and we believe that our existing investments satisfy such requirements. We believe that our holdings of securities and other assets will comply with the foregoing REIT asset requirements, and we intend to monitor compliance on an ongoing basis.
We have entered into sale and repurchase agreements under which we nominally sell certain of our Agency RMBS to a counterparty and simultaneously enter into an agreement to repurchase the sold assets in exchange for a purchase price that reflects a financing charge. We believe that we are treated for REIT asset and income test purposes as the owner of the Agency RMBS that are the subject of any such agreement notwithstanding that such agreements may transfer record ownership of the assets to the counterparty during the term of the agreement. It is possible, however, that the IRS could assert that we do not own the Agency RMBS during the term of the sale and repurchase agreement, in which case we could fail to qualify as a REIT.
Independent valuations have not been obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of all of our assets. Moreover, values of some assets, including instruments issued in securitization transactions, may not be susceptible to a precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some
38
circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.
The Code contains a number of relief provisions that make it easier for REITs to satisfy the asset requirements, or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset and other requirements. One such provision allows a REIT which fails one or more of the asset requirements to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (1) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (2) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (3) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure, and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the highest applicable corporate tax rate (currently 35%), and (4) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within 6 months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame. A second relief provision applies to de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests. A REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (a) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REITs total assets, and $10,000,000, and (b) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within 6 months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.
If we fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if we (1) satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (2) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of non-qualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the market value of our assets. If the condition described in (2) were not satisfied, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of relief provisions described below. No assurance can be given that we would qualify for relief under those provisions.
Annual Distribution Requirements
In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:
(1) | the sum of |
(a) | 90% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gains and the deduction for dividends paid, and |
(b) | 90% of our net income, if any, (after tax) from foreclosure property (as described below), minus |
(2) | the sum of specified items of noncash income. |
We generally must make these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if paid with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. In addition, any dividend declared by us in October, November, or December of any year and payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, so long as the dividend is actually paid by us before the end of January of the next calendar year. In order for distributions to be counted as satisfying the annual distribution requirement, and to give rise to a tax deduction for us, the distributions must not be preferential dividends. A dividend is not a preferential dividend if the distribution is (1) pro rata among all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class, and (2) in accordance with the preferences among different classes of stock as set forth in our organizational documents.
To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary corporate tax rates on the retained portion. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could
39
elect for our stockholders to include their proportionate shares of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income, and to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our stockholders would then increase their adjusted basis of their stock by the difference between (a) the amounts of capital gain dividends that we designated and that they include in their taxable income, and (b) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.
To the extent that in the future we may have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, will generally not affect the character of any distributions that are actually made as ordinary dividends or capital gains. See Taxation of StockholdersTaxation of Taxable Domestic HoldersDistributions.
If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (x) the amounts actually distributed, plus (y) the amounts of income we retained and on which we have paid corporate income tax.
It is possible that, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash to meet the distribution requirements due to timing differences between (a) our actual receipt of cash, including receipt of distributions from our subsidiaries, and (b) our inclusion of items in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Other potential sources of non-cash taxable income include:
| Excess MSRs, |
| loans or MBS held as assets that are issued at a discount and require the accrual of taxable economic interest in advance of receipt in cash, |
| loans on which the borrower is permitted to defer cash payments of interest, and distressed loans on which we may be required to accrue taxable interest income even though the borrower is unable to make current servicing payments in cash, |
| real estate securities that are financed through securitization structures, and |
| residual interests in REMICs or taxable mortgage pools. |
Based on IRS guidance concerning the classification of Excess MSRs, we intend to treat our Excess MSRs as ownership interests in the interest payments made on the underlying pool of mortgage loans, akin to an interest only strip. Under this treatment, for purposes of determining the amount and timing of taxable income, each Excess MSR is treated as a bond that was issued with original issue discount on the date we acquired such Excess MSR. In general, we will be required to accrue original issue discount based on the constant yield to maturity of each Excess MSR, and to treat such original issue discount as taxable income in accordance with the applicable U.S. federal income tax rules. The constant yield of an Excess MSR will be determined, and we will be taxed based on, a prepayment assumption regarding future payments due on the mortgage loans underlying the Excess MSR. If the mortgage loans underlying an Excess MSR prepay at a rate different than that under the prepayment assumption, our recognition of original issue discount will be either increased or decreased depending on the circumstances. Thus, in a particular taxable year, we may be required to accrue an amount of income in respect of an Excess MSR that exceeds the amount of cash collected in respect of that Excess MSR. Furthermore, it is possible that, over the life of the investment in an Excess MSR, the total amount we pay for, and accrue with respect to, the Excess MSR may exceed the total amount we collect on such Excess MSR. No assurance can be given that we will be entitled to an ordinary loss or deduction for such excess, meaning that we may not be able to use any such loss or deduction to offset original issue discount recognized with respect to our Excess MSRs or other ordinary income recognized by us. As a result of this potential mismatch in character between the income and losses generated by our Excess MSRs,
40
our REIT taxable income may be higher than it otherwise would have been in the absence of that mismatch, in which case we would be required to distribute larger amounts to our stockholders in order to maintain our status as a REIT.
Other debt instruments that we may acquire, including consumer loans, may be issued with, or treated as issued with, original issue discount. Those instruments would be subject to the same original issue discount accrual and income computations which are described above with regard to Excess MSRs.
We may acquire debt instruments in the secondary market for less than their face amount. The amount of such discount will generally be treated as market discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we so elect, accrued market discount will be recognized as taxable income over our holding period in the instrument in advance of the receipt of cash. If we collect less on the debt instrument than our purchase price plus the market discount we had previously reported as income, we may not be able to benefit from any offsetting loss deductions.
In addition, we may acquire debt investments that are subsequently modified by agreement with the borrower. If the amendments to the outstanding debt are significant modifications under the applicable Treasury regulations, the modified debt may be considered to have been reissued to us in a debt-for-debt exchange with the borrower. In that event, we may be required to recognize taxable gain to the extent the principal amount of the modified debt exceeds our adjusted tax basis in the unmodified debt, even if the value of the debt or the payment expectations have not changed. Following such a taxable modification, we would hold the modified loan with a cost basis equal to its principal amount for U.S. federal tax purposes. To the extent that such modifications are made with respect to a debt instrument held by a TRS that is treated as a dealer or trader and that makes an election to use mark-to-market accounting, such TRS would be required at the end of each taxable year, including the taxable year in which any such modification were made, to mark the modified debt instrument to its fair market value as if the debt instrument were sold. In that case, the TRS could recognize a loss at the end of the taxable year in which the modifications were made to the extent that the fair market value of such debt instrument at such time was less than the instruments tax basis.
Moreover, in the event that any debt instruments or MBS acquired by us are delinquent as to mandatory principal and interest payments, or in the event payments with respect to a particular debt instrument are not made when due, we may nonetheless be required to continue to recognize the unpaid interest as taxable income. Similarly, we may be required to accrue interest income with respect to subordinate MBS at the stated rate regardless of whether corresponding cash payments are received.
Differences in timing between the recognition of taxable income and the actual receipt of cash could require us to (i) sell assets, (ii) borrow funds on a short-term or long-term basis, or (iii) pay dividends in the form of taxable in-kind distributions of property, to meet the 90% distribution requirement. Alternatively, we may declare a taxable distribution payable in cash or stock at the election of each stockholder, where the aggregate amount of cash to be distributed in such distribution may be subject to limitation. In such case, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of the distribution paid in stock will be equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of stock.
We may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying deficiency dividends to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing REIT status or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. We will be required to pay interest and a penalty based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
Failure to Qualify
If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification other than the gross income or asset tests, we could avoid disqualification if our failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. Relief provisions are available for failures of the income tests and asset tests, as described above in Income Tests and Asset Tests.
41
If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions described above do not apply, we would be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We cannot deduct distributions to stockholders in any year in which we are not a REIT, nor would we be required to make distributions in such a year. In this situation, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits, distributions to domestic holders that are individuals, trusts and estates would generally be taxable at capital gains rates. In addition, subject to the limitations of the Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we would also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost qualification. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we would be entitled to this statutory relief. The rule against re-electing REIT status following a loss of such status would also apply to us if Newcastle fails to qualify as a REIT for its taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2014, and we are treated as a successor to Newcastle for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Although, as described under the heading Certain Relationships and Transactions with Related Persons, Affiliates and Affiliated Entities, Newcastle represented in the Separation and Distribution Agreement that it has no knowledge of any fact or circumstance that would cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT, and covenanted in the Separation and Distribution Agreement to use its reasonable best efforts to maintain its REIT status for each of Newcastles taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2014 (unless Newcastle obtains an opinion from a nationally recognized tax counsel or a private letter ruling from the IRS to the effect that Newcastles failure to maintain its REIT status will not cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT under the successor REIT rule referred to above), no assurance can be given that such representation and covenant would prevent us from failing to qualify as a REIT. Although, in the event of a breach, we may be able to seek damages from Newcastle, there can be no assurance that such damages, if any, would appropriately compensate us. In addition, if Newcastle were to fail to qualify as a REIT despite its reasonable best efforts, we would have no claim against Newcastle.
Prohibited Transactions
Net income that we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term prohibited transaction generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property, as discussed below) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. Whether property is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate rates.
Foreclosure Property
Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such real property (1) that we acquire as the result of having bid in the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after a default (or upon imminent default) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by us and secured by the property, (2) for which we acquired the related loan or lease at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated, and (3) with respect to which we made a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property. We generally will be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate (currently 35%) on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that would otherwise be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property.
42
Derivatives and Hedging Transactions
We and our subsidiaries may in the future enter into hedging transactions with respect to interest rate exposure on one or more assets or liabilities. Any such hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including the use of derivative instruments such as interest rate swap contracts, interest rate cap or floor contracts, futures or forward contracts, including short positions in TBA contracts, and options. To the extent that we or a pass-through subsidiary enter into a hedging transaction to reduce interest rate risk on indebtedness incurred to acquire or carry real estate assets or risks associated with certain currency fluctuations and the instrument is properly identified as a hedge along with the risk it hedges within prescribed time periods, any periodic income from the instrument, or gain from the disposition of such instrument, would not be treated as gross income for purposes of the REIT 75% and 95% gross income tests. To the extent that we hedge in certain other situations, the resultant income may be treated as income that does not qualify under the 75% or 95% gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our status as a REIT. We may conduct some or all of our hedging activities through a TRS or other corporate entity, the income from which may be subject to U.S. federal income tax, rather than by participating in the arrangements directly or through pass-through subsidiaries.
No assurance can be given, however, that our hedging activities will not give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of the REIT gross income tests, or that our hedging activities will not adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements.
Taxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income
An entity, or a portion of an entity, may be classified as a taxable mortgage pool (TMP) under the Code if:
| substantially all of its assets consist of debt obligations or interests in debt obligations, |
| more than 50% of those debt obligations are real estate mortgages or interests in real estate mortgages as of specified testing dates, |
| the entity has issued debt obligations (liabilities) that have two or more maturities, and |
| the payments required to be made by the entity on its debt obligations (liabilities) bear a relationship to the payments to be received by the entity on the debt obligations that it holds as assets. |
Under regulations issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, if less than 80% of the assets of an entity (or a portion of an entity) consist of debt obligations, these debt obligations are considered not to comprise substantially all of its assets, and therefore the entity would not be treated as a TMP. We may enter into financing and securitization arrangements that are classified as TMPs, with the consequences as described below.
Where an entity, or a portion of an entity, is classified as a TMP, it is generally treated as a taxable corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the case of a REIT, or a portion of a REIT, or a disregarded subsidiary of a REIT, that is a TMP, however, special rules apply. The TMP is not treated as a corporation that is subject to corporate income tax, and the TMP classification does not directly affect the tax status of the REIT. Rather, the consequences of the TMP classification would, in general, except as described below, be limited to the stockholders of the REIT.
A portion of the REITs income from the TMP arrangement, which might be non-cash accrued income, could be treated as excess inclusion income. Under IRS guidance, the REITs excess inclusion income, including any excess inclusion income from a residual interest in a REMIC, must be allocated among its stockholders in proportion to dividends paid. The REIT is required to notify stockholders of the amount of excess inclusion income allocated to them. A stockholders share of excess inclusion income:
| cannot be offset by any net operating losses otherwise available to the stockholder, |
43
| is subject to tax as unrelated business taxable income in the hands of most types of stockholders that are otherwise generally exempt from U.S. federal income tax, and |
| results in the application of U.S. federal income tax withholding at the maximum rate (30%), without reduction for any otherwise applicable income tax treaty or other exemption, to the extent allocable to most types of non-U.S. holders. |
See Taxation of Stockholders. Under IRS guidance, to the extent that excess inclusion income is allocated to a tax-exempt stockholder of a REIT that is not subject to unrelated business income tax (such as a government entity or charitable remainder trust), the REIT may be subject to tax on this income at the highest applicable corporate tax rate (currently 35%). In that case, the REIT could reduce distributions to such stockholders by the amount of such tax paid by the REIT attributable to such stockholders ownership. Treasury regulations provide that such a reduction in distributions does not give rise to a preferential dividend that could adversely affect the REITs compliance with its distribution requirements. See Annual Distribution Requirements. The manner in which excess inclusion income is calculated, or would be allocated to stockholders, including allocations among shares of different classes of stock, is not clear under current law. As required by IRS guidance, we intend to make such determinations using a reasonable method. Tax-exempt investors, foreign investors and taxpayers with net operating losses should carefully consider the tax consequences described above, and are urged to consult their tax advisors.
If a subsidiary partnership of ours that we do not wholly-own, directly or through one or more disregarded entities, were a TMP, the foregoing rules would not apply. Rather, the partnership that is a TMP would be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and potentially would be subject to corporate income tax or withholding tax. In addition, this characterization would alter our income and asset test calculations, and could adversely affect our compliance with those requirements. We intend to monitor the structure of any TMPs in which we have an interest to ensure that they will not adversely affect our status as a REIT.
Tax Aspects of Investments in Affiliated Partnerships
General
We may hold investments through entities that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, partnerships are pass-through entities that are not subject to U.S. federal income tax. Rather, partners are allocated their proportionate shares of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a partnership, and are potentially subject to tax on these items, without regard to whether the partners receive a distribution from the partnership. We will include in our income our proportionate share of these partnership items for purposes of the various REIT income tests and in computation of our REIT taxable income. Moreover, for purposes of the REIT asset tests, we will include in our calculations our proportionate share of any assets held by subsidiary partnerships. Our proportionate share of a partnerships assets and income is based on our capital interest in the partnership (except that for purposes of the 10% value test, our proportionate share is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership). See Taxation of New ResidentialEffect of Subsidiary EntitiesOwnership of Partnership Interests.
Entity Classification
Any investment in partnerships involves special tax considerations, including the possibility of a challenge by the IRS of the status of any subsidiary partnership as a partnership, as opposed to an association taxable as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes (for example, if the IRS were to assert that a subsidiary partnership is a TMP). See Taxation of New ResidentialTaxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income. If any of these entities were treated as an association for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would be taxable as a corporation and therefore could be subject to an entity-level tax on its income. In such a
44
situation, the character of our assets and items of gross income would change and could preclude us from satisfying the REIT asset tests or the gross income tests as discussed in Taxation of New ResidentialAsset Tests and Income Tests, and in turn could prevent us from qualifying as a REIT, unless we are eligible for relief from the violation pursuant to relief provisions described above. See Taxation of New ResidentialAsset Tests, Income Test and Failure to Qualify, above, for discussion of the effect of failure to satisfy the REIT tests for a taxable year, and of the relief provisions. In addition, any change in the status of any subsidiary partnership for tax purposes might be treated as a taxable event, in which case we could have taxable income that is subject to the REIT distribution requirements without receiving any cash.
Tax Allocations with Respect to Partnership Properties
Under the Code and the Treasury regulations, income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership must be allocated for tax purposes so that the contributing partner is charged with, or benefits from, the unrealized gain or unrealized loss associated with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of the unrealized gain or unrealized loss is generally equal to the difference between the fair market value of the contributed property at the time of contribution, and the adjusted tax basis of such property at the time of contribution. Such allocations are solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes and do not affect the book capital accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among the partners.
To the extent that any of our subsidiary partnerships acquires appreciated (or depreciated) properties by way of capital contributions from its partners, allocations would need to be made in a manner consistent with these requirements. Where a partner contributes cash to a partnership at a time that the partnership holds appreciated (or depreciated) property, the Treasury regulations provide for a similar allocation of these items to the other (i.e., non-contributing) partners. These rules may apply to a contribution that we make to any subsidiary partnerships of the cash proceeds received in offerings of our stock. As a result, the partners of our subsidiary partnerships, including us, could be allocated greater or lesser amounts of depreciation and taxable income in respect of a partnerships properties than would be the case if all of the partnerships assets (including any contributed assets) had a tax basis equal to their fair market values at the time of any contributions to that partnership. This could cause us to recognize, over a period of time, taxable income in excess of cash flow from the partnership, which might adversely affect our ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements discussed above.
Taxation of Stockholders
Taxation of Taxable Domestic Holders
Distributions . As a REIT, the distributions that we make to our taxable domestic holders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits that we do not designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taken into account by stockholders as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. With limited exceptions, our dividends are not eligible for taxation at the preferential income tax rates for qualified dividends received by domestic holders that are individuals, trusts and estates from taxable C corporations. Such stockholders, however, are taxed at the preferential rates on dividends designated by and received from REITs to the extent that the dividends are attributable to
| income retained by the REIT in the prior taxable year on which the REIT was subject to corporate level income tax (less the amount of tax), |
| dividends received by the REIT from TRSs or other taxable C corporations, or |
| income in the prior taxable year from the sales of built-in gain property acquired by the REIT from C corporations in carryover basis transactions (less the amount of corporate tax on such income). |
Distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taxed to our stockholders as long-term capital gains, to the extent that such distributions do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the
45
taxable year, without regard to the period for which the stockholder that receives such distribution has held its stock. We may elect to retain and pay taxes on some or all of our net long term capital gains, in which case provisions of the Code will treat our stockholders as having received, solely for tax purposes, our undistributed capital gains, and the stockholders will receive a corresponding credit for taxes that we paid on such undistributed capital gains. See Taxation of New ResidentialAnnual Distribution Requirements. Corporate stockholders may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are generally taxable at reduced maximum federal rates in the case of stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates, and ordinary income rates in the case of stockholders that are corporations. Capital gains attributable to the sale of depreciable real property held for more than 12 months are subject to a 25% maximum federal income tax rate for taxpayers who are taxed as individuals, to the extent of previously claimed depreciation deductions.
Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will generally represent a return of capital and will not be taxable to a stockholder to the extent that the amount of such distributions does not exceed the adjusted basis of the stockholders shares in respect of which the distributions were made. Rather, the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of the stockholders shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a stockholders shares, the stockholder generally must include such distributions in income as long-term capital gain, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less. In addition, any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the dividend before the end of January of the following calendar year.
To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See Taxation of New ResidentialAnnual Distribution Requirements. Such losses, however, are not passed through to stockholders and do not offset income of stockholders from other sources, nor would such losses affect the character of any distributions that we make, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.
If excess inclusion income from a taxable mortgage pool or REMIC residual interest is allocated to any stockholder, that income will be taxable in the hands of the stockholder and would not be offset by any net operating losses of the stockholder that would otherwise be available. See Taxation of New ResidentialTaxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income. As required by IRS guidance, we intend to notify our stockholders if a portion of a dividend paid by us is attributable to excess inclusion income.
Dispositions of New Residential Stock . In general, capital gains recognized by individuals, trusts and estates upon the sale or disposition of our stock will be subject to reduced maximum U.S. federal income tax rates if the stock is held for more than one year, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates if the stock is held for one year or less. Gains recognized by stockholders that are corporations are subject to U.S. federal income tax at ordinary income rates, whether or not such gains are classified as long-term capital gains. Capital losses recognized by a stockholder upon the disposition of our stock that was held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses, and are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the stockholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our stock by a stockholder who has held the shares for six months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions that we make that are required to be treated by the stockholder as long-term capital gain.
If an investor recognizes a loss upon a subsequent disposition of our stock or other securities in an amount that exceeds a prescribed threshold, it is possible that the provisions of Treasury regulations involving reportable transactions could apply, with a resulting requirement to separately disclose the loss-generating transaction to the IRS. These regulations, though directed towards tax shelters, are written quite broadly, and
46
apply to transactions that would not typically be considered tax shelters. The Code imposes significant penalties for failure to comply with these requirements. You should consult your tax advisors concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to the receipt or disposition of our stock or securities, or transactions that we might undertake directly or indirectly. Moreover, you should be aware that we and other participants in the transactions in which we are involved (including their advisors) might be subject to disclosure or other requirements pursuant to these regulations.
Medicare Tax . Certain U.S. stockholders who are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their dividend and other investment income, including dividends received from us and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of our stock.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our stock applicable to non-U.S. holders. This discussion is based on current law, and is for general information only. It addresses only selected, and not all, aspects of U.S. federal income and estate taxation.
Ordinary Dividends . The portion of dividends received by non-U.S. holders that is (1) payable out of our earnings and profits, (2) which is not attributable to our capital gains and (3) which is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder, will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated by treaty. Reduced treaty rates and other exemptions are not available to the extent that income is attributable to excess inclusion income allocable to the non-U.S. holder. Accordingly, we will withhold at a rate of 30% on any portion of a dividend that is paid to a non-U.S. holder and attributable to that stockholders share of our excess inclusion income. See Taxation of New ResidentialTaxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income. As required by IRS guidance, we intend to notify our stockholders if a portion of a dividend paid by us is attributable to excess inclusion income.
In general, non-U.S. holders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our stock. In cases where the dividend income from a non-U.S. holders investment in our stock is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the non-U.S. holders conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as domestic holders are taxed with respect to such dividends. Such income must generally be reported on a U.S. income tax return filed by or on behalf of the non-U.S. holder. The income may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation.
Non-Dividend Distributions . Unless our stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest (USRPI), distributions that we make which are not dividends out of our earnings and profits will not be subject to U.S. income tax. If we cannot determine at the time a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. The non-U.S. holder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. If our stock constitutes a USRPI, as described below, distributions that we make in excess of the sum of (a) the stockholders proportionate share of our earnings and profits, plus (b) the stockholders basis in its stock, will be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, as amended (FIRPTA) at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a domestic holder of the same type (e.g., an individual or a corporation, as the case may be), and the collection of the tax will be enforced by a refundable withholding tax at a rate of 10% of the amount by which the distribution exceeds the stockholders share of our earnings and profits. As described below, although it is not currently anticipated that our stock will constitute a USRPI, we cannot assure you that our stock will not become a USRPI.
47
Capital Gain Dividends . Under FIRPTA, a dividend that we make to a non-U.S. holder, to the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs that we held directly or through pass-through subsidiaries (such gains, USRPI capital gains), will, except as described below, be considered effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder and will be subject to U.S. income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. individuals or corporations. We will be required to withhold tax equal to 35% of the maximum amount that could have been designated as a USRPI capital gain dividend. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation. A distribution is not a USRPI capital gain dividend if we held an interest in the underlying asset solely as a creditor. Capital gain dividends received by a non-U.S. holder that are attributable to dispositions of our assets other than USRPIs are not subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless (1) the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holders U.S. trade or business, in which case the non-U.S. holder would be subject to the same treatment as U.S. holders with respect to such gain, or (2) the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a tax home in the U.S., in which case the non-U.S. holder will incur a 30% tax on his capital gains.
A dividend that would otherwise have been treated as a USRPI capital gain dividend will not be so treated or be subject to FIRPTA, and generally will not be treated as income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, but instead will be treated in the same manner as ordinary income dividends (discussed above), provided that (1) the dividend is received with respect to a class of stock that is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the U.S., and (2) the recipient non-U.S. holder does not own more than 5% of that class of stock at any time during the year ending on the date on which the dividend is received. We anticipate that our common stock will be regularly traded on an established securities exchange.
Dispositions of New Residential Stock . Unless our stock constitutes a USRPI, a sale of our stock by a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. taxation under FIRPTA. Our stock will not be treated as a USRPI if less than 50% of our assets throughout a prescribed testing period consist of interests in real property located within the U.S., excluding, for this purpose, interests in real property solely in a capacity as a creditor. It is not currently anticipated that our stock will constitute a USRPI. However, we cannot assure you that our stock will not become a USRPI.
Even if the foregoing 50% test is not met, our stock nonetheless will not constitute a USRPI if we are a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity. A domestically-controlled qualified investment entity includes a REIT, less than 50% of value of which is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. holders at all times during a specified testing period. We believe that we will be a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity, and that a sale of our stock should not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. No assurance can be given that we will remain a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity.
In the event that we are not a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity, but our stock is regularly traded, as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, on an established securities market, a non-U.S. holders sale of our stock nonetheless would not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI, provided that the selling non-U.S. holder held 5% or less of our stock at all times during a specified testing period. Our stock is, and we expect that it will continue to be publicly traded.
In addition, if a non-U.S. holder owning more than 5% of our common stock disposes of such common stock during the 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of any dividend payment, and such non-U.S. holder acquires or enters into a contract or option to acquire our common stock within 61 days of the first day of such 30-day period described above, and any portion of such dividend payment would, but for the disposition, be treated as USRPI capital gain to such non-U.S. holder under FIRPTA, then such non-U.S holder will be treated as having USRPI capital gain in an amount that, but for the disposition, would have been treated as USRPI capital gain.
If gain on the sale of our stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. holder would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and would be subject to the same treatment as a domestic holder with respect to such gain, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals, and the purchaser of the stock could be required to withhold 10% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.
48
Gain from the sale of our stock that would not otherwise be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the U.S. to a non-U.S. holder in two cases: (1) if the non-U.S. holders investment in our stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. holder, the non-U.S. holder will be subject to the same treatment as a domestic holder with respect to such gain, or (2) if the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a tax home in the U.S., the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individuals capital gain.
Other Withholding Rules . Legislation enacted in 2010 and existing guidance issued thereunder will require, after June 30, 2014, withholding at a rate of 30% on dividends in respect of, and, after December 31, 2016, gross proceeds from the sale of, our common stock held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the Treasury to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to shares in, and accounts maintained by, the institution to the extent such shares or accounts are held by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, or future Treasury regulations or other guidance, may modify these requirements. Accordingly, the entity through which our common stock is held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, dividends in respect of, and gross proceeds from the sale of, our common stock held by an investor that is a non-financial non-U.S. entity that does not qualify under certain exemptions will be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (i) certifies to us that such entity does not have any substantial United States owners or (ii) provides certain information regarding the entitys substantial United States owners, which we will in turn provide to the Secretary of the Treasury. We will not pay any additional amounts to stockholders in respect of any amounts withheld. Non-U.S. stockholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of the legislation on their investment in our common stock.
Estate Tax . If our stock is owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident (as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) of the U.S. at the time of such individuals death, the stock will be includable in the individuals gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise, and may therefore be subject to U.S. federal estate tax.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders
Tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. Such entities, however, may be subject to taxation on their unrelated business taxable income (UBTI). While some investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that dividend distributions from a REIT to a tax-exempt entity do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (1) a tax-exempt stockholder has not held our stock as debt financed property within the meaning of the Code (i.e., where the acquisition or holding of the property is financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt stockholder), and (2) our stock is not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business, distributions that we make and income from the sale of our stock generally should not give rise to UBTI to a tax-exempt stockholder.
To the extent that we are (or a part of us, or a disregarded subsidiary of ours is) a TMP, or if we hold residual interests in a REMIC, a portion of the dividends paid to a tax-exempt stockholder that is allocable to excess inclusion income may be treated as UBTI. If, however, excess inclusion income is allocable to some categories of tax-exempt stockholders that are not subject to UBTI, we might be subject to corporate level tax on such income, and, in that case, may reduce the amount of distributions to those stockholders whose ownership gave rise to the tax. See Taxation of New ResidentialTaxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income. As required by IRS guidance, we intend to notify our stockholders if a portion of a dividend paid by us is attributable to excess inclusion income.
49
Tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Code are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally require such stockholders to characterize distributions that we make as UBTI.
In certain circumstances, a pension trust that owns more than 10% of our stock could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends as UBTI, if we are a pension-held REIT. We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (1) we are required to look through one or more of our pension stockholders in order to satisfy the REIT closely held test and (2) either (i) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock, or (ii) a group of pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of our stock, collectively owns more than 50% of our stock. Certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock should generally prevent a tax-exempt entity from owning more than 10% of the value of our stock, and should generally prevent us from becoming a pension-held REIT.
Tax-exempt stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning our stock.
Other Tax Considerations
Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs
The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department. Changes to the U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely affect an investment in our stock.
State, Local and Foreign Taxes
We and our subsidiaries and stockholders may be subject to state or local taxation in various jurisdictions, including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside. Our state and local tax treatment and that of our stockholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state and local income and other tax laws on an investment in our stock or other securities.
50
A plan fiduciary considering an investment in the securities should consider, among other things, whether such an investment might constitute or give rise to a prohibited transaction under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), the Code or any substantially similar federal, state, local or non-U.S. law. ERISA and the Code impose restrictions on:
| employee benefit plans as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA that are subject to Title I of ERISA, |
| plans described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code that are subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, including individual retirement accounts and Keogh Plans, |
| entities whose underlying assets include plan assets by reason of a plans investment in such entities including, without limitation, insurance company general accounts (each of the foregoing, a Plan), and |
| persons who have certain specified relationships to a Plan described as parties in interest under ERISA and disqualified persons under the Internal Revenue Code. |
Prohibited Transactions
ERISA imposes certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA. Under ERISA, any person who exercises any authority or control over the management or disposition of a plans assets is considered to be a fiduciary of that plan. Both ERISA and the Code prohibit certain transactions involving plan assets between a Plan and parties in interest or disqualified persons. Violations of these rules may result in the imposition of an excise tax or penalty.
The direct or indirect purchase of the securities from New Residential, and the acquisition and holding of securities that constitute debt of New Residential, by a Plan with respect to which we are party in interest or a disqualified person could be treated as or give rise to a prohibited transaction under ERISA or the Code. There are, however, a number of statutory and administrative exemptions that could be applicable to a Plans investment in the securities, including: (i) the statutory exemption under Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code for certain transactions with non-fiduciary service providers; (ii) Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption (PTCE) 84-14 for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers; (iii) PTCE 90-1 for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts; (iv) PTCE 91-38 for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds; (v) PTCE 96-23 for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers; and (vi) PTCE 95-60 for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts.
The Plan Assets Regulation
Under 29 C.F.R. 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA (the Plan Assets Regulation), a Plans assets may be deemed to include an interest in the underlying assets of an entity if the plan acquires an equity interest in such an entity and no exception under the Plan Asset Regulation is applicable. In that event, the operations of such an entity could result in prohibited transactions under ERISA and the Code.
Under the Plan Assets Regulation, if a Plan acquires a publicly-offered security, the issuer of the security is not deemed to hold plan assets of the investing Plan as a result of such acquisition. A publicly-offered security is a security that:
| is freely transferable, |
51
| is part of a class of securities that is owned by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and of one another, and |
| is either: |
(i) | part of a class of securities registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, or |
(ii) | sold to the Plan as part of an offering of securities to the public pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and the class of securities of which such security is part is registered under the Exchange Act within the requisite time. |
Treatment of our Common Stock as Publicly-Offered Securities
Our common stock currently meets the above criteria and it is anticipated that shares of our common stock will continue to meet the criteria of publicly-offered securities.
The applicability of the publicly-offered securities exception or another exception under the Plan Assets Regulation to other securities registered on the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part will be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Governmental, Foreign and Church Plans
Governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA), foreign plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) and certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA) are not subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA or the provisions of Section 4975 of the Code. Such plans may, however, be subject to other federal, state, local or non-U.S. laws that are substantially similar to the foregoing provisions of ERISA and the Code. In addition, any such plan that is qualified and exempt from taxation under the Code is subject to the prohibited transaction rules set forth in Section 503 of the Code. Fiduciaries of such plans should consult with their counsel before purchasing any of the securities.
General Investment Considerations
Prospective fiduciaries of a Plan (including, without limitation, an entity whose assets include plan assets, including, as applicable, an insurance company general account, insurance company separate account or collective investment fund) considering the purchase of the securities should consult with their legal advisors concerning the impact of ERISA and the Code and the potential consequences of making an investment in the securities with respect to their specific circumstances. Each Plan fiduciary should take into account, among other considerations:
| whether the Plans investment could give rise to a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, |
| whether the fiduciary has the authority to make the investment, |
| the composition of the Plans portfolio with respect to diversification by type of asset, |
| the Plans funding objectives, |
| the tax effects of the investment, |
| whether our assets would be considered plan assets, and |
| whether, under the general fiduciary standards of investment prudence and diversification an investment in these shares is appropriate for the Plan taking into account the overall investment policy of the Plan and the composition of the Plans investment portfolio. |
52
The discussion of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code contained herein is, of necessity, general and does not purport to be complete. Moreover, the provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code are subject to extensive and continuing administrative and judicial interpretation and review. Therefore, the matters discussed above may be affected by future regulations, rulings, and court decisions, some of which may have retroactive application and effect.
ANY POTENTIAL INVESTOR CONSIDERING AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES THAT IS, OR IS ACTING ON BEHALF OF, A PLAN (OR A GOVERNMENTAL, FOREIGN OR CHURCH PLAN SUBJECT TO LAWS SIMILAR TO ERISA AND/OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE) SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS OWN LEGAL, TAX AND ERISA ADVISERS REGARDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH AN INVESTMENT. EACH SUCH INVESTOR, BY ACQUIRING ANY OF THE SECURITIES REGISTERED ON THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT OF WHICH THIS PROSPECTUS FORMS A PART SHALL BE DEEMED TO REPRESENT THAT ITS ACQUISITION OF SUCH SECURITIES DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AND WILL NOT RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION OF ANY SUBSTANTIAL SIMILAR FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. LAW.
53
We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation:
| directly to one or more purchasers; |
| through agents; |
| to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers; or |
| through a combination of any of these methods. |
A distribution of the securities offered by this prospectus may also be effected through the issuance of derivative securities, including without limitation, warrants, subscriptions, exchangeable securities, forward delivery contracts and the writing of options.
In addition, the manner in which we may sell some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus includes, without limitation, through:
| a block trade in which a broker-dealer will attempt to sell as agent, but may position or resell a portion of the block, as principal, in order to facilitate the transaction; |
| purchases by a broker-dealer, as principal, and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; |
| ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker solicits purchasers; or |
| privately negotiated transactions. |
We may also enter into hedging transactions. For example, we may:
| enter into transactions with a broker-dealer or affiliate thereof in connection with which such broker-dealer or affiliate will engage in short sales of the common stock pursuant to this prospectus, in which case such broker-dealer or affiliate may use shares of common stock received from us to close out its short positions; |
| sell securities short and redeliver such shares to close out our short positions; |
| enter into option or other types of transactions that require us to deliver common stock to a broker-dealer or an affiliate thereof, who will then resell or transfer the common stock under this prospectus; or |
| loan or pledge the common stock to a broker-dealer or an affiliate thereof, who may sell the loaned shares or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged shares pursuant to this prospectus. |
In addition, we may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, as the case may be.
54
A prospectus supplement with respect to each offering of securities will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:
| the name or names of any underwriters or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them, if any; |
| the public offering price or purchase price of the securities and the net proceeds to be received by us from the sale; |
| any delayed delivery arrangements; |
| any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters or agents compensation; |
| any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
| any securities exchange or markets on which the securities may be listed. |
The offer and sale of the securities described in this prospectus by us, the underwriters or the third parties described above may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including privately negotiated transactions, either:
| at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; |
| at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
| at prices related to the prevailing market prices; or |
| at negotiated prices. |
General
Any public offering price and any discounts, commissions, concessions or other items constituting compensation allowed or reallowed or paid to underwriters, dealers, agents or remarketing firms may be changed from time to time. Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms that participate in the distribution of the offered securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act. Any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profits they receive on the resale of the offered securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify any underwriters, agents or dealers and describe their commissions, fees or discounts in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Underwriters and Agents
If underwriters are used in a sale, they will acquire the offered securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the offered securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. These sales may be made at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale, at prices related to such prevailing market price or at negotiated prices. We may offer the securities to the public through an underwriting syndicate or through a single underwriter. The underwriters in any particular offering will be mentioned in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the offered securities will be subject to certain conditions contained in an
55
underwriting agreement that we will enter into with the underwriters at the time of the sale to them. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities of the series offered if any of the securities are purchased, unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities. Any initial offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed, reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
We may designate agents to sell the offered securities. Unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities, the agents will agree to use their best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment. We may also sell the offered securities to one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. These firms will remarket the offered securities upon purchasing them in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to the terms of the offered securities. A prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and will describe the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation.
In connection with offerings made through underwriters or agents, we may enter into agreements with such underwriters or agents pursuant to which we receive our outstanding securities in consideration for the securities being offered to the public for cash. In connection with these arrangements, the underwriters or agents may also sell securities covered by this prospectus to hedge their positions in these outstanding securities, including in short sale transactions. If so, the underwriters or agents may use the securities received from us under these arrangements to close out any related open borrowings of securities.
Dealers
We may sell the offered securities to dealers as principals. We may negotiate and pay dealers commissions, discounts or concessions for their services. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public either at varying prices to be determined by the dealer or at a fixed offering price agreed to with us at the time of resale. Dealers engaged by us may allow other dealers to participate in resales.
Direct Sales
We may choose to sell the offered securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved.
Institutional Purchasers
We may authorize agents, dealers or underwriters to solicit certain institutional investors to purchase offered securities on a delayed delivery basis pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified future date. The applicable prospectus supplement will provide the details of any such arrangement, including the offering price and commissions payable on the solicitations.
We will enter into such delayed contracts only with institutional purchasers that we approve. These institutions may include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions.
Indemnification; Other Relationships
We may have agreements with agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms, and their affiliates, may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business. This includes commercial banking and investment banking transactions.
Market-Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions
There is currently no market for any of the offered securities, other than our common stock, which is listed on the NYSE. If the offered securities are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from
56
their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors. While it is possible that an underwriter could inform us that it intends to make a market in the offered securities, such underwriter would not be obligated to do so, and any such market-making could be discontinued at any time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop for the offered securities. We have no current plans for listing of the debt securities, preferred stock or warrants on any securities exchange; any such listing with respect to any particular debt securities, preferred stock or warrants will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
In connection with any offering of common stock, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares of common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of common stock in excess of the number of shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. Covered short sales are sales of shares made in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the underwriters over-allotment option. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short involve either purchases of the common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make naked short sales of shares in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares of common stock in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of shares in the open market while the offering is in progress for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.
In connection with any offering, the underwriters may also engage in penalty bids. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of the transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.
Fees and Commissions
In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the aggregate maximum discount, commission or agency fees or other items constituting underwriting compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed 8% of any offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement; however, it is anticipated that the maximum commission or discount to be received in any particular offering of securities will be significantly less than this amount.
57
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York. If legal matters in connection with offerings made pursuant to this prospectus are passed upon by counsel for the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, such counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering.
The consolidated financial statements of New Residential Investment Corp. and Subsidiaries appearing in New Residential Investment Corp.s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2013, and the effectiveness of New Residential Investment Corp. and Subsidiaries internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and Registration Statement have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference, which, as to the consolidated financial statements of New Residential Investment Corp. and Subsidiaries for the year 2013, is based in part on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. The financial statements referred to above are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firms as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated and combined financial statements of SpringCastle Finance, LLC, SpringCastle Credit, LLC, SpringCastle America, LLC and SpringCastle Acquisition, LLC incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of New Residential Investment Corp. for the year ended December 31, 2013 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
58
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. | OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION. |
The expenses relating to the registration of the securities will be borne by the Registrant. The following expenses, with the exception of the Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee, are estimates.
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee |
$ | * | ||
Trustee Fees and Expenses |
$ | |||
Printing and Engraving Fees and Expenses |
$ | |||
Accounting Fees and Expenses |
$ | |||
Legal Fees |
$ | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | ** | ||
|
|
* | To be deferred pursuant to Rule 456(b) of the Securities Act, and calculated in connection with an offering of securities under this registration statement pursuant to Rule 457(r) of the Securities Act. |
** | These fees cannot be estimated at this time, as they are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances. An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
ITEM 15. | INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. |
Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, allows a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of a director of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock purchase or redemption in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides, among other things, that a corporation may 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 (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the corporations request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding. The power to indemnify applies (i) if such person is successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding or (ii) if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he 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 reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The power to indemnify applies to actions brought by or in the right of the corporation as well, but only to the extent of defense expenses, (including attorneys fees but excluding amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by the indemnified person and not to any satisfaction of judgment or settlement of the claim itself, and with the further limitation that in such actions no indemnification shall be made in the event such person is adjudged liable to the corporation unless a court believes that in light of all the circumstances indemnification should apply.
Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides, among other things, that a director who willfully and negligently approves of an unlawful payment of dividends or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption may be held liable for such actions. A director who was either absent when the unlawful actions were approved or dissented at the time, may avoid liability by causing his dissent to such actions to be entered in the books containing the minutes of the meetings of the board of directors at the time the action occurred or immediately after the absent director receives notice of the unlawful acts.
I-1
Our certificate of incorporation provides that our directors shall not be personally liable to us and our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of certain fiduciary duties as a director, except for liability to the extent such director has committed willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such directors duties involved in the conduct of the office of director.
Our bylaws and certificate of incorporation provide that we may indemnify any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of us to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. The indemnification provisions contained in our bylaws and certificate of incorporation are not exclusive of any other rights to which a person may be entitled by law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. In addition, we have entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers, which are broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained in the Delaware General Corporation Law. These indemnification agreements require us, among other things, to indemnify our directors and officers against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers, other than liabilities arising from willful misconduct.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
ITEM 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS. |
The Exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the Index to Exhibits and are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 17. | UNDERTAKINGS. |
(a) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; |
(ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement; and |
(iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
I-2
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i) | Each prospectus filed by a registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
(ii) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the 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 the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
(5) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
(ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
(iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
(iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
I-3
(b) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrants annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plans 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. |
(c) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the 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 a registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of a 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, that 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. |
I-4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all 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 New York, State of New York, on May 16, 2014.
NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Susan Givens |
|||
Name: | Susan Givens | |||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the individuals whose signatures appear below constitute and appoint each of Jonathan R. Brown and Susan Givens to be their lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full and several powers of substitution, in their names, places and steads and on their behalves, and in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and to sign any and all additional registration statements relating to the Registration Statement and filed pursuant to Rule 462 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing which said attorney-in-fact and agent may deem necessary or advisable to be done or performed in connection with any or all of the above described matters, as fully as each of the undersigned could do if personally present and acting, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
NAME |
TITLE |
DATE |
||
/s/ Wesley R. Edens Wesley R. Edens |
Chairman of the Board | May 16, 2014 | ||
/s/ Kevin J. Finnerty Kevin J. Finnerty |
Director | May 16, 2014 | ||
/s/ Douglas L. Jacobs Douglas L. Jacobs |
Director | May 16, 2014 | ||
/s/ David Saltzman David Saltzman |
Director | May 16, 2014 | ||
/s/ Michael Nierenberg Michael Nierenberg |
Director, Chief Executive Officer and President (principal executive officer) |
May 16, 2014 | ||
/s/ Susan Givens Susan Givens |
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (principal financial officer) |
May 16, 2014 | ||
/s/ Jonathan R. Brown Jonathan R. Brown |
Chief Accounting Officer (principal accounting officer) |
May 16, 2014 |
I-5
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT
|
EXHIBIT |
|
1.1* | Form of Underwriting Agreement for common stock, preferred stock, warrants or debt securities. | |
4.1 | Form of Debt Securities Indenture (including form of Debt Security). | |
4.2* | Form of any Preferred Stock certificate. | |
4.3* | Form of Debt Warrant Agreement. | |
4.4* | Form of Debt Warrant Certificate. | |
4.5* | Form of Stock Warrant Agreement. | |
4.6* | Form of Stock Warrant Certificate. | |
4.7* | Form of Deposit Agreement. | |
4.8* | Form of Depositary Receipt. | |
5.1 | Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as to legality. | |
8.1 | Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as to certain tax matters. | |
8.2 | Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as to certain tax matters. | |
12.1 | Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. | |
23.1 | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent accountants. | |
23.2 | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants. | |
23.3 | Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as to legality (included in Exhibit 5.1). | |
23.4 | Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as to certain tax matters (included in Exhibit 8.1). | |
24.1 | Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages hereto). | |
25.1 | Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of the Trustee under the Indenture pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. |
* | To be filed by amendment hereto or pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be incorporated herein by reference. |
Exhibit 4.1
NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP.
INDENTURE
Dated as of
,
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Trustee
Reconciliation and tie between
Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Indenture*
Trust Indenture Act Section |
Indenture Section |
|
§ 310 (a) | 11.04(a), 16.02 | |
(b) | 11.01(f), 11.04(b), 11.05(1), | |
16.02 | ||
(b)(1) | 11.04(b), 16.02 | |
§ 311 | 11.01(f), 16.02 | |
§ 312 | 14.02(d), 16.02 | |
(b) | 11.10, 16.02 | |
(c) | 11.10, 16.02 | |
§ 313 (a) | 10.01(a), 16.02 | |
§ 314 | 16.02 | |
§ 315 (e) | 11.05, 16.02 | |
§ 316 | 16.02 | |
§ 317 | 16.02 | |
§ 317 | 16.02 |
* | This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. |
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS*
PAGE | ||||||
ARTICLE I | ||||||
DEFINITIONS | ||||||
Section 1.01 |
Definitions |
2 | ||||
ARTICLE II | ||||||
FORMS OF SECURITIES | ||||||
Section 2.01 |
Terms of the Securities |
12 | ||||
Section 2.02 |
Form of Trustees Certificate of Authentication |
12 | ||||
Section 2.03 |
Form of Trustees Certificate of Authentication by an Authenticating Agent |
13 | ||||
ARTICLE III | ||||||
THE DEBT SECURITIES | ||||||
Section 3.01 |
Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series |
13 | ||||
Section 3.02 |
Denominations |
16 | ||||
Section 3.03 |
Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating |
16 | ||||
Section 3.04 |
Temporary Securities |
18 | ||||
Section 3.05 |
Registrar and Paying Agent |
19 | ||||
Section 3.06 |
Transfer and Exchange |
20 | ||||
Section 3.07 |
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities |
24 | ||||
Section 3.08 |
Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved |
24 | ||||
Section 3.09 |
Cancellation |
26 | ||||
Section 3.10 |
Computation of Interest |
26 | ||||
Section 3.11 |
Currency of Payments in Respect of Securities |
26 | ||||
Section 3.12 |
Judgments |
26 | ||||
Section 3.13 |
CUSIP Numbers |
27 | ||||
ARTICLE IV | ||||||
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES | ||||||
Section 4.01 |
Applicability of Right of Redemption |
27 |
* | The Table of Contents is not a part of the Indenture. |
ii
Section 4.02 |
Selection of Securities to be Redeemed |
27 | ||||
Section 4.03 |
Notice of Redemption |
28 | ||||
Section 4.04 |
Deposit of Redemption Price |
29 | ||||
Section 4.05 |
Securities Payable on Redemption Date |
29 | ||||
Section 4.06 |
Securities Redeemed in Part |
29 | ||||
ARTICLE V | ||||||
SINKING FUNDS | ||||||
Section 5.01 |
Applicability of Sinking Fund |
30 | ||||
Section 5.02 |
Mandatory Sinking Fund Obligation |
30 | ||||
Section 5.03 |
Optional Redemption at Sinking Fund Redemption Price |
30 | ||||
Section 5.04 |
Application of Sinking Fund Payment |
31 | ||||
ARTICLE VI | ||||||
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY | ||||||
Section 6.01 |
Payments of Securities |
32 | ||||
Section 6.02 |
Paying Agent |
32 | ||||
Section 6.03 |
To Hold Payment in Trust |
32 | ||||
Section 6.04 |
Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets |
34 | ||||
Section 6.05 |
Compliance Certificate |
35 | ||||
Section 6.06 |
Conditional Waiver by Holders of Securities |
35 | ||||
Section 6.07 |
Statement by Officers as to Default |
35 | ||||
ARTICLE VII | ||||||
REMEDIES OF TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS | ||||||
Section 7.01 |
Events of Default |
35 | ||||
Section 7.02 |
Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment |
38 | ||||
Section 7.03 |
Other Remedies |
39 | ||||
Section 7.04 |
Trustee as Attorney-in-Fact |
40 | ||||
Section 7.05 |
Priorities |
40 | ||||
Section 7.06 |
Control by Securityholders; Waiver of Past Defaults |
41 | ||||
Section 7.07 |
Limitation on Suits |
41 | ||||
Section 7.08 |
Undertaking for Costs |
42 | ||||
Section 7.09 |
Remedies Cumulative |
42 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII | ||||||
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS | ||||||
Section 8.01 |
Evidence of Action of Securityholders |
42 | ||||
Section 8.02 |
Proof of Execution or Holding of Securities |
43 | ||||
Section 8.03 |
Persons Deemed Owners |
44 | ||||
Section 8.04 |
Effect of Consents |
44 |
iii
ARTICLE IX | ||||||
SECURITYHOLDERS MEETINGS | ||||||
Section 9.01 |
Purposes of Meetings |
44 | ||||
Section 9.02 |
Call of Meetings by Trustee |
44 | ||||
Section 9.03 |
Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders |
45 | ||||
Section 9.04 |
Qualifications for Voting |
45 | ||||
Section 9.05 |
Regulation of Meetings |
45 | ||||
Section 9.06 |
Voting |
46 | ||||
Section 9.07 |
No Delay of Rights by Meeting |
46 | ||||
ARTICLE X | ||||||
REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS LISTS | ||||||
Section 10.01 |
Reports by Trustee |
46 | ||||
Section 10.02 |
Reports by the Company |
47 | ||||
Section 10.03 |
Securityholders Lists |
47 | ||||
ARTICLE XI | ||||||
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE | ||||||
Section 11.01 |
Rights of Trustees; Compensation and Indemnity |
48 | ||||
Section 11.02 |
Duties of Trustee |
50 | ||||
Section 11.03 |
Notice of Defaults |
52 | ||||
Section 11.04 |
Eligibility; Disqualification |
52 | ||||
Section 11.05 |
Registration and Notice; Removal |
52 | ||||
Section 11.06 |
Successor Trustee by Appointment |
53 | ||||
Section 11.07 |
Successor Trustee by Merger |
55 | ||||
Section 11.08 |
Right to Rely on Officers Certificate |
55 | ||||
Section 11.09 |
Appointment of Authenticating Agent |
55 | ||||
Section 11.10 |
Communications by Securityholders with Other Securityholders |
56 | ||||
ARTICLE XII | ||||||
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE | ||||||
Section 12.01 |
Applicability of Article |
57 | ||||
Section 12.02 |
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture |
57 | ||||
Section 12.03 |
Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations |
58 | ||||
Section 12.04 |
Repayment to Company |
59 | ||||
Section 12.05 |
Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations |
59 | ||||
Section 12.06 |
Deposits to Be Held in Escrow |
59 |
iv
v
Section 16.08 |
Separability Clause |
72 | ||||
Section 16.09 |
Benefits of Indenture |
73 | ||||
Section 16.10 |
Counterparts Originals |
73 | ||||
Section 16.11 |
Governing Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury |
73 | ||||
Section 16.12 |
Force Majeure |
73 | ||||
Section 16.13 |
U.S.A. Patriot Act |
73 |
vi
INDENTURE dated as of , , between New Residential Investment Corp., a Delaware corporation (the Company), and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the Trustee).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of unsecured debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness (the Securities) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from time to time in one or more series as provided in this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
That, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof for the equal and proportionate benefit of all of the present and future Holders of the Securities, each party agrees and covenants as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(b) unless otherwise defined in this Indenture or the context otherwise requires, all terms used herein without definition which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein; and
(c) 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.
(d) references to Article or Section or other subdivision herein are references to an Article, Section or other subdivision of the Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires.
Section 1.01 Definitions .
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this Section 1.01 shall for all purposes of this Indenture have the meanings hereinafter set forth:
Affiliate:
The term Affiliate, with respect to any specified Person shall mean 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.
Authenticating Agent:
The term Authenticating Agent shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.09.
Board of Directors:
The term Board of Directors shall mean either the board of directors of the Company or the executive or any other committee of that board duly authorized to act in respect hereof.
Board Resolution:
The term Board Resolution shall mean a copy of a resolution or resolutions certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors (or by a committee of the Board of Directors to the extent that any such other committee has been authorized by the Board of Directors to establish or approve the matters contemplated) and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Trustee.
Business Day:
The term Business Day, when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
Capital Stock:
The term Capital Stock shall mean:
(a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and
(d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.
2
Code:
The term Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Company:
The term Company shall mean the Person named as the Company in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter Company shall mean such successor Person.
Company Order:
The term Company Order shall mean a written order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Controller, Assistant Controller, Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.
Corporate Trust Office:
The term Corporate Trust Office, or other similar term, shall mean the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at U.S. Bank National Association, 60 Livingston Avenue, St. Paul MN 55107-2292, Attention: Corporate Trust Services Administrator for New Residential Investment Corp., or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust officer of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).
Currency:
The term Currency shall mean U.S. Dollars or Foreign Currency.
Default:
The term Default shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.03.
Defaulted Interest:
The term Defaulted Interest shall have the same meaning assigned to it in Section 3.08(b).
3
Depositary:
The term Depositary shall mean, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, each Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section 3.01 until one or more successor Depositaries 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 Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of that series.
Designated Currency:
The term Designated Currency shall have the same meaning assigned to it in Section 3.12.
Discharged:
The term Discharged shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 12.03.
DTC:
The term DTC shall mean The Depository Trust Company, Inc. and its successors.
Event of Default:
The term Event of Default shall have the meaning specified in Section 7.01.
Exchange Act:
The term Exchange Act shall mean the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
Exchange Rate:
The term Exchange Rate shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 7.01.
Floating Rate Security:
The term Floating Rate Security shall mean a Security that provides for the payment of interest at a variable rate determined periodically by reference to an interest rate index specified pursuant to Section 3.01.
Foreign Currency:
The term Foreign Currency shall mean a currency issued by the government of any country other than the United States or a composite currency, the value of which is determined by reference to the values of the currencies of any group of countries.
4
GAAP:
The term GAAP, with respect to any computations required or permitted hereunder, shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United States as in effect from time to time; provided, however if the Company is required by the SEC to adopt (or is permitted to adopt and so adopts) a different accounting framework, including but not limited to the International Financial Reporting Standards, GAAP shall mean such new accounting framework as in effect from time to time, including, without limitation, in each case, those accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession.
Global Security:
The term Global Security shall mean any Security that evidences all or part of a series of Securities, issued in fully-registered certificated form to the Depositary for such series in accordance with Section 3.03 and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 3.03(g).
Holder; Holder of Securities:
The terms Holder and Holder of Securities are defined under Securityholder; Holder of Securities; Holder.
Indebtedness:
The term Indebtedness shall mean any and all obligations of a Person for money borrowed which, in accordance with GAAP, would be reflected on the balance sheet of such Person as a liability on the date as of which Indebtedness is to be determined.
Indenture:
The term Indenture or this Indenture shall mean this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term Indenture shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.01; provided, however, that if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this Indenture due to the appointment of one or more separate Trustees for any one or more separate series of Securities, Indenture shall mean, with respect to such series of Securities for which any such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 3.01, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any
5
provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such person had become such Trustee, but to which such person, as such Trustee, was not a party; provided, further that in the event that this Indenture is supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto which are only applicable to certain series of Securities, the term Indenture for a particular series of Securities shall only include the supplemental indentures applicable thereto.
Individual Securities:
The term Individual Securities shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.01(p).
Interest:
The term interest shall mean, unless the context otherwise requires, interest payable on any Securities, and with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, interest payable after Maturity.
Interest Payment Date:
The term Interest Payment Date shall mean, with respect to any Security, the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment:
The term Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 5.01(b).
Maturity:
The term Maturity, with respect to any Security, shall mean the date on which the principal of such Security shall become due and payable as therein and herein provided, whether by declaration, call for redemption or otherwise.
Members:
The term Members shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.03(i).
Officers Certificate:
The term Officers Certificate shall mean a certificate signed by any of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer the President or a Vice President, Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 16.01 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.
6
Opinion of Counsel:
The term Opinion of Counsel shall mean an opinion in writing signed by one or more legal counsel, who may be an employee of or of counsel to the Company, or may be one or more other counsel that meets the requirements provided for in Section 16.01.
Optional Sinking Fund Payment:
The term Optional Sinking Fund Payment shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 5.01(b).
Original Issue Discount Security:
The term Original Issue Discount Security shall mean any Security that is issued with original issue discount within the meaning of Section 1273(a) of the Code and the regulations thereunder, or any successor provision, and any other Security designated by the Company as issued with original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes.
Outstanding:
The term Outstanding, when used with respect to Securities means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Securities or portions thereof for which payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities or Securities as to which the Companys obligations have been Discharged; provided, however, that if such Securities or portions thereof are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and
(c) Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 3.07(b) or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;
provided , however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities of a series Outstanding have performed any action hereunder, Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such action, only Securities of such series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be
7
regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgees right to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of a series have performed any action hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 7.02 and the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be the amount calculated pursuant to Section 3.11(b).
Paying Agent:
The term Paying Agent shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 6.02(a).
Person:
The term Person shall mean an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or political subdivision thereof.
Place of Payment:
The term Place of Payment shall mean, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, the place or places where the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified pursuant to Section 3.01.
Predecessor Security:
The term Predecessor Security shall mean, with respect to any Security, every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same Indebtedness as that evidenced by such particular Security, and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.07 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same Indebtedness as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.
Record Date:
The term Record Date shall mean, with respect to any interest payable on any Security on any Interest Payment Date, the close of business on any date specified in such Security for the payment of interest pursuant to Section 3.01.
Redemption Date:
The term Redemption Date shall mean, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture and the terms of such Security, which, in the case of a Floating Rate Security, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, shall be an Interest Payment Date only.
8
Redemption Price:
The term Redemption Price, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, shall mean the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to the terms of the applicable Security and this Indenture.
Register:
The term Register shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.05(a).
Registrar:
The term Registrar shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.05(a).
Responsible Officers:
The term Responsible Officers of the Trustee hereunder shall mean any vice president, any assistant vice president, any trust officer, any assistant trust officer or any other officer associated with the corporate trust department of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers, and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of such persons knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
SEC:
The term SEC shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as constituted from time to time.
Securities Act:
The term Securities Act shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
Security:
The term Security or Securities shall have the meaning stated in the recitals and shall more particularly mean one or more of the Securities duly authenticated by the Trustee and delivered pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.
Security Custodian:
The term Security Custodian shall mean the custodian with respect to any Global Security appointed by the Depositary, or any successor Person thereto, and shall initially be the Paying Agent.
9
Securityholder; Holder of Securities; Holder:
The term Securityholder or Holder of Securities or Holder, shall mean the Person in whose name Securities shall be registered in the Register kept for that purpose hereunder.
Senior Indebtedness:
The term Senior Indebtedness means the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on (x) Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed other than (a) any Indebtedness of the Company which when incurred, and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code, was without recourse to the Company, (b) any Indebtedness of the Company to any of its Subsidiaries, (c) Indebtedness to any employee of the Company, (d) any liability for taxes, (e) Trade Payables and (f) any Indebtedness of the Company which is expressly subordinate in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company, and (y) renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such Indebtedness. For purposes of the foregoing and the definition of Senior Indebtedness, the phrase subordinated in right of payment means debt subordination only and not lien subordination, and accordingly, (i) unsecured indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinated in right of payment to secured indebtedness merely by virtue of the fact that it is unsecured, and (ii) junior liens, second liens and other contractual arrangements that provide for priorities among Holders of the same or different issues of indebtedness with respect to any collateral or the proceeds of collateral shall not constitute subordination in right of payment. This definition may be modified or superseded by a supplemental indenture.
Special Record Date:
The term Special Record Date shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.08(b)(i).
Stated Maturity:
The term Stated Maturity when used with respect to any Security or any installment of interest thereon, shall mean the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal (or any portion thereof) of or premium, if any, on such Security or such installment of interest is due and payable.
Subsidiary:
The term Subsidiary, when used with respect to any Person, shall mean:
(a) any corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and
(b) any partnership (i) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (ii) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).
10
Successor Company:
The term Successor Company shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.06(i).
Trade Payables:
The term Trade Payables means accounts payable or any other Indebtedness or monetary obligations to trade creditors created or assumed by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business (including guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities).
Trust Indenture Act; TIA:
The term Trust Indenture Act or TIA shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder as in effect on the date of this Indenture, except as provided in Section 14.06 and except to the extent any amendment to the Trust Indenture Act expressly provides for application of the Trust Indenture Act as in effect on another date.
Trustee:
The term Trustee shall mean the Person named as the Trustee in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter Trustee shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, Trustee as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
U.S. Dollars:
The term U.S. Dollars shall mean such currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
U.S. Government Obligations:
The term U.S. Government Obligations shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 12.03.
11
United States:
The term United States shall mean the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories and its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.
ARTICLE II
FORMS OF SECURITIES
Section 2.01 Terms of the Securities .
(a) The Securities of each series shall be substantially in the form set forth in a Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, and shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, 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 series of the Securities may be listed or of any automated quotation system on which any such series may be quoted, or to conform to usage, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
(b) The terms and provisions of the Securities shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture, and, to the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.
Section 2.02 Form of Trustees Certificate of Authentication .
(a) Only such of the Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate substantially in the form of the Trustees certificate of authentication hereinafter recited, executed by the Trustee by manual signature, shall be valid or become obligatory for any purpose or entitle the Holder thereof to any right or benefit under this Indenture.
(b) Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, except that any Global Security shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated in Section 3.01.
(c) The form of the Trustees certificate of authentication to be borne by the Securities shall be substantially as follows:
TRUSTEES CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
12
Date of authentication: |
|
U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee |
||||||
By: |
|
|||||||
Authorized Signatory |
Section 2.03 Form of Trustees Certificate of Authentication by an Authenticating Agent . If at any time there shall be an Authenticating Agent appointed with respect to any series of Securities, then the Trustees Certificate of Authentication by such Authenticating Agent to be borne by Securities of each such series shall be substantially as follows:
TRUSTEES CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Date of authentication: |
|
U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee |
||||||
By: |
[NAME OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT] |
|||||||
as Authenticating Agent | ||||||||
By: |
|
|||||||
Authorized Signatory |
ARTICLE III
THE DEBT SECURITIES
Section 3.01 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series . The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be set forth in a Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:
(a) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from the Securities of all other series, except to the extent that additional Securities of an existing series are being issued);
(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 3.04, 3.06, 3.07, 4.06, or 14.05);
13
(c) the dates on which or periods during which the Securities of the series may be issued, and the dates on, or the range of dates within, which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Securities of such series are or may be payable or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined or extended;
(d) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, whether such interest shall be payable in cash or additional Securities of the same series or shall accrue and increase the aggregate principal amount outstanding of such series (including if such Securities were originally issued at a discount), the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable, and the Record Dates for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable on such Interest Payment Dates or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the right, if any, to extend or defer interest payments and the duration of such extension or deferral;
(e) if other than U.S. Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which Securities of the series shall be denominated or in which payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of the series shall be payable and any other terms concerning such payment;
(f) if the amount of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method including, but not limited to, an index based on a Currency or Currencies other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(g) if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a Currency other than that in which the Securities are denominated or stated to be payable without such election, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made and the time and the manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which the Securities are denominated or payable without such election and the Currency in which the Securities are to be paid if such election is made;
(h) the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee where the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, and where Securities of any series may be presented for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion, and the place or places where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series may be made;
(i) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option;
14
(j) the obligation or right, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the Currency or Currencies in which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(k) if other than denominations of $2,000 or any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(l) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 7.02;
(m) the guarantors, if any, of the Securities of the series, and the extent of the guarantees (including provisions relating to seniority, subordination, and the release of the guarantors), if any, and any additions or changes to permit or facilitate guarantees of such Securities;
(n) whether the Securities of the series are to be issued as Original Issue Discount Securities and the amount of discount with which such Securities may be issued;
(o) provisions, if any, for the defeasance of Securities of the series in whole or in part and any addition or change in the provisions related to satisfaction and discharge;
(p) whether the Securities of the series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary for such Global Security or Global Securities, and the terms and conditions, if any, upon which interests in such Global Security or Global Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for the individual securities represented thereby in definitive form registered in the name or names of Persons other than such Depositary or a nominee or nominees thereof (Individual Securities);
(q) the date as of which any Global Security of the series shall be dated if other than the original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;
(r) the form of the Securities of the series;
(s) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities or property of any Person (including the Company), the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any additions or changes, if any, to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange;
(t) whether the Securities of such series are subject to subordination and the terms of such subordination;
15
(u) any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Securities of such series;
(v) any addition or change in the provisions related to compensation and reimbursement of the Trustee which applies to Securities of such series;
(w) any addition or change in the provisions related to supplemental indentures set forth in Sections 14.01, 14.02 and 14.04 which applies to Securities of such series;
(x) provisions, if any, granting special rights to Holders upon the occurrence of specified events;
(y) any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 7.02 and any addition or change in the provisions set forth in Article VII which applies to Securities of the series;
(z) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article VI which applies to Securities of the series; and
(aa) any other terms of the Securities of such series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the TIA, but may modify, amend, supplement or delete any of the terms of this Indenture with respect to such series).
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical, except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided herein or set forth in a Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto.
Section 3.02 Denominations . In the absence of any specification pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable only as Securities in denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000, and shall be payable only in U.S. Dollars.
Section 3.03 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating .
(a) The Securities shall be executed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of its Chairman of the Board of Directors, its Chief Executive Officer, President, one of its Vice Presidents or Treasurer. If the Person whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated and delivered, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.
(b) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities and, if required pursuant to Section 3.01, a supplemental indenture or Company Order setting forth the terms of the Securities of a series. The Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities without any further action by the Company. The Company Order shall specify the amount of Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated.
16
(c) In authenticating the first Securities of any series and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Section 11.02) shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each prepared in accordance with Section 16.01 stating that the conditions precedent, if any, provided for in the Indenture have been complied with.
(d) The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver the Securities under this Section 3.03 if the issue of the Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustees own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
(e) Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to the Securities of such series.
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.01 and of this Section 3.03, if all of the Securities of any series are not to be originally issued at the same time, then the documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 3.03 must be delivered only once prior to the authentication and delivery of the first Security of such series;
(g) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 3.01 that the 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 authenticate and deliver one or more Global Securities that (i) shall represent an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Securities, (ii) shall be registered, if in registered form, in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Global Securities or the nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositarys instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, WHICH MAY BE TREATED BY THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND ANY AGENT THEREOF AS OWNER AND HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY FOR ALL PURPOSES.
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF
17
FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.
The aggregate principal amount of each Global Security may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Security Custodian, as provided in this Indenture.
(h) Each Depositary designated pursuant to Section 3.01 for a Global Security in registered form must, at the time of its designation and at all times while it serves as such Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and any other applicable statute or regulation.
(i) Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (Members) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Security Custodian under such Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar and any of their agents as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar or any of their agents from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Members, the operation of customary practices of the Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of an owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Security. The Holder of a Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Members and Persons that may hold interests through Members, to take any action that a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities.
(j) No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in one of the forms provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee or by an Authenticating Agent by manual or facsimile signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 3.04 Temporary Securities .
(a) Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities that are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise
18
reproduced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive 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 Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Any such temporary Security may be in the form of one or more Global Securities, representing all or a portion of the Outstanding Securities of such series. Every such temporary Security shall be executed by the Company and shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the definitive Security or Securities in lieu of which it is issued.
(b) If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of such temporary Securities 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 Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.
(c) Upon any exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security for a definitive Global Security or for the Individual Securities represented thereby pursuant to this Section 3.04 or Section 3.06, the temporary Global Security shall be endorsed by the Trustee to reflect the reduction of the principal amount evidenced thereby, whereupon the principal amount of such temporary Global Security shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount so exchanged and endorsed.
Section 3.05 Registrar and Paying Agent .
(a) The Company will keep, at an office or agency to be maintained by it in a Place of Payment where Securities may be presented for registration or presented and surrendered for registration of transfer or of exchange, and where Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable (the Registrar), a security register for the registration and the registration of transfer or of exchange of the Securities (the registers maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the Register), as in this Indenture provided, which Register shall at all reasonable times be open for inspection by the Trustee. Such Register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Company may have one or more co-Registrars; the term Registrar includes any co-registrar.
(b) The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or co-Registrar not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of each such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar for any
19
series, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 11.01. The Company or any Affiliate thereof may act as Registrar, co-Registrar or transfer agent.
(c) The Company hereby appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as Registrar in connection with the Securities and this Indenture, until such time as another Person is appointed as such.
Section 3.06 Transfer and Exchange .
(a) Transfer.
(i) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the Registrar the Company shall execute, and the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee, one or more new Securities of the same series for like aggregate principal amount of any authorized denomination or denominations. The transfer of any Security shall not be valid as against the Company or the Trustee unless registered at the Registrar at the request of the Holder, or at the request of his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing.
(ii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the Individual Securities represented thereby, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the 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.
(b) Exchange.
(i) At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (other than a Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series for like aggregate principal amount of any authorized denomination or denominations, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at the Registrar.
(ii) Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
(c) Exchange of Global Securities for Individual Securities. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in Global Securities will not be entitled to receive Individual Securities.
(i) Individual Securities shall be issued to all owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security in exchange for such interests if: (A) at
20
any time the Depositary for the Securities of a series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Securities of such series or if at any time the Depositary for the Securities of such series shall no longer be eligible under Section 3.03(h) and, in each case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, or (B) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee and the Registrar an Officers Certificate stating that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable.
In connection with the exchange of an entire Global Security for Individual Securities pursuant to this subsection (c), such Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Individual Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Individual Securities of authorized denominations.
(ii) The owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security will be entitled to receive an Individual Security in exchange for such interest if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Upon receipt by the Security Custodian and Registrar of instructions from the Holder of a Global Security directing the Security Custodian and Registrar to (x) issue one or more Individual Securities in the amounts specified to the owner of a beneficial interest in such Global Security and (y) debit or cause to be debited an equivalent amount of beneficial interest in such Global Security, subject to the rules and regulations of the Depositary:
(A) the Security Custodian and Registrar shall notify the Company and the Trustee of such instructions, identifying the owner and amount of such beneficial interest in such Global Security;
(B) the Company shall promptly execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Individual Securities of such series, shall authenticate and deliver to such beneficial owner Individual Securities in an equivalent amount to such beneficial interest in such Global Security; and
(C) the Security Custodian and Registrar shall decrease such Global Security by such amount in accordance with the foregoing. In the event that the Individual Securities are not issued to each such beneficial owner promptly after the Registrar has received a request from the Holder of a Global Security to issue such Individual Securities, the Company expressly acknowledges, with respect to the right of any Holder to pursue a remedy pursuant to Section 7.07 hereof, the right of any
21
beneficial Holder of Securities to pursue such remedy with respect to the portion of the Global Security that represents such beneficial Holders Securities as if such Individual Securities had been issued.
(iii) If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to a series of Securities, the Depositary for such series of Securities may surrender a Global Security for such series of Securities in exchange in whole or in part for Individual Securities of such series 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,
(A) to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Individual Security or new Individual Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Persons beneficial interest in the Global Security; and
(B) 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 Individual Securities delivered to Holders thereof.
(iv) In any exchange provided for in clauses (i) through (iii), the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver Individual Securities in registered form in authorized denominations.
(v) Upon the exchange in full of a Global Security for Individual Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Individual Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 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 Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.
(d) All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered for such registration of transfer or exchange.
(e) Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, or for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee or the Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or by his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing.
22
(f) No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities. The Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than those expressly provided in this Indenture to be made at the Companys own expense or without expense or charge to the Holders.
(g) The Company shall not be required to (i) register, transfer or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the transmission of a notice of redemption of Securities of such series selected for redemption under Section 4.03 and ending at the close of business on the day of such transmission, or (ii) register, transfer or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.
(h) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer or exchange of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar, any co-Registrar or any of their agents may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for all purposes whatsoever, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar, any co-Registrar or any of their agents shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
(i) In case a successor Company (Successor Company) has executed an indenture supplemental hereto with the Trustee pursuant to Article XIV, any of the Securities authenticated or delivered pursuant to such transaction may, from time to time, at the request of the Successor Company, be exchanged for other Securities executed in the name of the Successor Company with such changes in phraseology and form as may be appropriate, but otherwise identical to the Securities surrendered for such exchange and of like principal amount; and the Trustee, upon Company Order of the Successor Company, shall authenticate and deliver Securities as specified in such order for the purpose of such exchange. If Securities shall at any time be authenticated and delivered in any new name of a Successor Company pursuant to this Section 3.06 in exchange or substitution for or upon registration of transfer of any Securities, such Successor Company, at the option of the Holders but without expense to them, shall provide for the exchange of all Securities at the time Outstanding for Securities authenticated and delivered in such new name.
(j) Each Holder of a Security agrees to indemnify the Company and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holders Security in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable United States federal or state securities laws.
(k) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
(l) Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.
23
Section 3.07 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities .
(a) If (i) any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office or (ii) the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to them to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless, and neither the Company nor the Trustee receives notice that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, then the Company shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor, form, terms and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, that neither gain nor loss in interest shall result from such exchange or substitution.
(b) In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay the amount due on such Security in accordance with its terms.
(c) Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in respect thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
(d) Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
(e) The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 3.08 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved .
(a) Interest on any Security that is payable and is punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest notwithstanding the cancellation of such Security upon any transfer or exchange subsequent to the Record Date. Payment of interest on Securities shall be made at the Corporate Trust Office (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01) or, at the option of the Company, by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Register or, in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.
24
(b) Any interest on any Security that 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 Record Date by virtue of his, her or its having been such a Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:
(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest (a Special Record Date), which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 calendar days and not less than 10 calendar days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 calendar days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Holders of such Securities at their addresses as they appear in the Register, not less than 10 calendar days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (ii).
(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on Securities in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
(c) Subject to the provisions set forth herein relating to Record Dates, each Security delivered pursuant to any provision of this Indenture in exchange or substitution for, or upon registration of transfer of, any other Security shall carry all the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
25
Section 3.09 Cancellation . Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, all Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or credit against any sinking fund or otherwise shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and shall be promptly canceled by it and, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of all canceled Securities held by it in accordance with its then customary procedures and deliver a certificate of such disposal to the Company upon its written request therefor. The acquisition of any Securities by the Company shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented thereby unless and until such Securities are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 3.10 Computation of Interest . Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Section 3.11 Currency of Payments in Respect of Securities .
(a) Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on Securities of such series will be made in U.S. Dollars.
(b) For purposes of any provision of the Indenture where the Holders of Outstanding Securities may perform an action that requires that a specified percentage of the Outstanding Securities of all series perform such action and for purposes of any decision or determination by the Trustee of amounts due and unpaid for the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of all series in respect of which moneys are to be disbursed ratably, the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Outstanding Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency will be the amount in U.S. Dollars based upon exchange rates, determined as specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of such series, as of the date for determining whether the Holders entitled to perform such action have performed it or as of the date of such decision or determination by the Trustee, as the case may be.
(c) Any decision or determination to be made regarding exchange rates shall be made by an agent appointed by the Company; provided, that such agent shall accept such appointment in writing and the terms of such appointment shall, in the opinion of the Company at the time of such appointment, require such agent to make such determination by a method consistent with the method provided pursuant to Section 3.01 for the making of such decision or determination. All decisions and determinations of such agent regarding exchange rates shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company, the Trustee and all Holders of the Securities.
Section 3.12 Judgments . The Company may provide pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series that (a) the obligation, if any, of the Company to pay the principal of,
26
premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of any series in a Foreign Currency or U.S. Dollars (the Designated Currency) as may be specified pursuant to Section 3.01 is of the essence and agrees that, to the fullest extent possible under applicable law, judgments in respect of such Securities shall be given in the Designated Currency; (b) the obligation of the Company to make payments in the Designated Currency of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities shall, notwithstanding any payment in any other Currency (whether pursuant to a judgment or otherwise), be discharged only to the extent of the amount in the Designated Currency that the Holder receiving such payment may, in accordance with normal banking procedures, purchase with the sum paid in such other Currency (after any premium and cost of exchange) on the business day in the country of issue of the Designated Currency or in the international banking community (in the case of a composite currency) immediately following the day on which such Holder receives such payment; (c) if the amount in the Designated Currency that may be so purchased for any reason falls short of the amount originally due, the Company shall pay such additional amounts as may be necessary to compensate for such shortfall; and (d) any obligation of the Company not discharged by such payment shall be due as a separate and independent obligation and, until discharged as provided herein, shall continue in full force and effect.
Section 3.13 CUSIP Numbers . The Company in issuing any Securities may use CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if then generally in use, and thereafter with respect to such series, the Trustee may use such numbers in any notice of redemption or exchange with respect to such series provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers.
ARTICLE IV
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 4.01 Applicability of Right of Redemption . Redemption of Securities (other than pursuant to a sinking fund, amortization or analogous provision) permitted by the terms of any series of Securities shall be made (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if any such terms of a series of Securities shall conflict with any provision of this Article, the terms of such series shall govern.
Section 4.02 Selection of Securities to be Redeemed .
(a) If the Company shall at any time elect to redeem all or any portion of the Securities of a series then Outstanding, it shall at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed, and thereupon the Trustee shall select, by lot or in such other manner as the Trustee shall deem appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of a portion of the principal
27
amount of any Security of such series; provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. In any case where more than one Security of such series is registered in the same name, the Trustee may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Security of such series. The Trustee shall, as soon as practicable, notify the Company in writing of the Securities and portions of Securities so selected.
(b) For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security that has been or is to be redeemed. If the Company shall so direct, Securities registered in the name of the Company, any Affiliate or any Subsidiary thereof shall not be included in the Securities selected for redemption.
Section 4.03 Notice of Redemption .
(a) Notice of redemption shall be given by the Company or, at the Companys request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), to the Holders of Securities of any series to be redeemed in whole or in part pursuant to this Article, in the manner provided in Section 16.04. Any notice so given shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. Failure to give such notice, or any defect in such notice to the Holder of any Security of a series designated for redemption, in whole or in part, shall not affect the sufficiency of any notice of redemption with respect to the Holder of any other Security of such series.
(b) All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if available) and shall state:
(i) such election by the Company to redeem Securities of such series pursuant to provisions contained in this Indenture or the terms of the Securities of such series or a supplemental indenture establishing such series, if such be the case;
(ii) the Redemption Date;
(iii) the Redemption Price;
(iv) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the Securities of such series to be redeemed;
(v) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed, and that, if applicable, interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date;
28
(vi) the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price; and
(vii) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case;
Section 4.04 Deposit of Redemption Price . On or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Redemption Date for any Securities, 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 6.03) an amount of money in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (except as provided pursuant to Section 3.01) sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of such Securities or any portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date.
Section 4.05 Securities Payable on Redemption Date . Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, any Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price and from and after such date (unless the Company shall Default in the payment of the Redemption Price) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price; provided, however, that (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01) installments of interest that have a Stated Maturity on or prior to the Redemption Date for such Securities shall be payable according to the terms of such Securities and the provisions of Section 3.08.
If any 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 the Security.
Section 4.06 Securities Redeemed in Part . Any Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the Corporate Trust Office or such other office or agency of the Company as is specified pursuant to Section 3.01 with, if the Company, the Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by the Holder thereof or his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of like tenor and form, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered; 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 in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered. In the case of a Security providing appropriate space for such notation, at the option of the Holder thereof, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Security or Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Security of the payment of the redeemed portion thereof.
29
ARTICLE V
SINKING FUNDS
Section 5.01 Applicability of Sinking Fund .
(a) Redemption of Securities permitted or required pursuant to a sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series by the terms of such series of Securities shall be made in accordance with such terms of such series of Securities and this Article, except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of such series, provided, however, that if any such terms of a series of Securities shall conflict with any provision of this Article, the terms of such series shall govern.
(b) The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an Optional Sinking Fund Payment. If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 5.02.
Section 5.02 Mandatory Sinking Fund Obligation . The Company may, at its option, satisfy any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation, in whole or in part, with respect to a particular series of Securities by (a) delivering to the Trustee Securities of such series in transferable form theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company or redeemed at the election of the Company pursuant to Section 4.03 or (b) receiving credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) acquired by the Company and theretofore delivered to the Trustee. The Trustee shall credit such Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation with an amount equal to the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment shall be reduced accordingly. If the Company shall elect to so satisfy any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation, it shall deliver to the Trustee not less than 45 days prior to the relevant sinking fund payment date an Officers Certificate, which shall designate the Securities (and portions thereof, if any) so delivered or credited and which shall be accompanied by such Securities (to the extent not theretofore delivered) in transferable form. In case of the failure of the Company, at or before the time so required, to give such notice and deliver such Securities the Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation shall be paid entirely in moneys.
Section 5.03 Optional Redemption at Sinking Fund Redemption Price . In addition to the sinking fund requirements of Section 5.02, to the extent, if any, provided for by the terms of a particular series of Securities, the Company may, at its option, make an Optional Sinking Fund Payment with respect to such Securities. Unless otherwise provided by such terms, (a) to the extent that the right of the Company to make such Optional Sinking Fund Payment shall not be exercised in any year, it shall not be cumulative or carried forward to any subsequent year, and (b) such optional payment shall operate to reduce the amount of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation as to Securities of the same series. If the Company intends to exercise its right to make such optional payment in any year it shall deliver to the Trustee not less than 45 days prior to the relevant sinking fund payment date an Officers Certificate stating that the
30
Company will exercise such optional right, and specifying the amount which the Company will pay on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Such Officers Certificate shall also state that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
Section 5.04 Application of Sinking Fund Payment .
(a) If the sinking fund payment or payments made in funds pursuant to either Section 5.02 or 5.03 with respect to a particular series of Securities plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in funds with respect to such series shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request, or such equivalent sum for Securities denominated other than in U.S. Dollars), it shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund payment date 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 the redemption of Securities of such series at the redemption price specified pursuant to Section 4.03(b). The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 4.02, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date, a sufficient principal amount of 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 redemption of the Securities to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 4.03(a) for the redemption of Securities in part at the option of the Company, except that the notice of redemption shall also state that the Securities are being redeemed for the sinking fund. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied by the Trustee to the redemption of 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 5.04. Any and all sinking fund moneys held by the Trustee on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to Securities of such series, and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Securities of such series, shall be applied by the Trustee to the payment of the principal of the Securities of such series at Maturity.
(b) On or prior to each sinking fund payment date, the Company shall pay to the Trustee a sum equal to all interest accrued to but not including the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on such sinking fund payment date pursuant to this Section 5.04.
(c) The Trustee shall not redeem any Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of Securities of such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on any Securities of such series or of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge, except that if the notice of redemption of any Securities of such series shall theretofore have been mailed in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Securities if funds sufficient for that purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee in accordance with the terms of this Article. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund at the time any such Default or Event of Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of all the Securities of such series; provided, however, that in case such Default or 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 5.04.
31
ARTICLE VI
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
The Company hereby covenants and agrees as follows:
Section 6.01 Payments of Securities . The Company will duly and punctually pay the principal of and premium, if any, on each series of Securities, and the interest which shall have accrued thereon, at the dates and place and in the manner provided in the Securities and in this Indenture.
Section 6.02 Paying Agent .
(a) The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities, if any, an office or agency where Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served (the Paying Agent). The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent to receive all presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
(b) The Company may also from time to time designate different or additional offices or agencies where the Securities of any series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes (in or outside of such Place of Payment), and may from time to time rescind any such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations described in the preceding paragraph. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such additional designation or rescission of designation and of any change in the location of any such different or additional office or agency. The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of each such agent. The Company or any Affiliate thereof may act as Paying Agent.
Section 6.03 To Hold Payment in Trust .
(a) If the Company or an Affiliate thereof shall at any time act as Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, then, on or before the date on which the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of that series by their terms or as a result of the calling thereof for redemption shall become payable, the Company or such Affiliate will segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities or the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay such principal and premium, if any, or interest which shall have so become
32
payable until such sums shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will notify the Trustee of its action or failure to act in that regard. Upon any proceeding under any federal bankruptcy laws with respect to the Company or any Affiliate thereof, if the Company or such Affiliate is then acting as Paying Agent, the Trustee shall replace the Company or such Affiliate as Paying Agent.
(b) 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 Securities, then prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date on which the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of that series shall become payable as aforesaid, whether by their terms or as a result of the calling thereof for redemption, the Company will deposit with such Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and premium, if any, or interest, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities or the Trustee, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee), the Company or any other obligor of such Securities will promptly notify the Trustee of its payment or failure to make such payment.
(c) If the 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 6.03, that such Paying Agent shall:
(i) hold all moneys held by it for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities until such sums shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;
(ii) give to the Trustee notice of any Default by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series in the making of any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of that series; and
(iii) at any time during the continuance of any such Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.
(d) Anything in this Section 6.03 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a release, satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee as required by this Section 6.03, 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.
(e) Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Order along with any interest that has accumulated thereon as a result of such money
33
being invested at the direction of the Company, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust, and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment of such amounts without interest thereon, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in The City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 6.04 Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets . Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities:
(a) The Company will not consolidate with any other entity or accept a merger of any other entity into the Company or permit the Company to be merged into any other entity, or sell other than for cash or lease all or substantially all its assets to another entity, or purchase all or substantially all the assets of another entity, unless (i) either the Company shall be the continuing entity, or the successor, transferee or lessee entity (if other than the Company) shall expressly assume, by indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered by such entity prior to or simultaneously with such consolidation, merger, sale or lease, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on all the Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all other obligations to the Holders and the Trustee under this Indenture or under the Securities to be performed or observed by the Company; and (ii) immediately after such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or purchase the Company or the successor, transferee or lessee entity (if 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 entity shall not be deemed to be a purchase of such assets by the Company.
(b) Upon any consolidation with or merger into any other entity, or any sale other than for cash, or any conveyance or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with this Section 6.04, the successor entity formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which the Company is sold or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor entity had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Company shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities, and from time to time such entity 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 entity 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 entity which shall theretofore have become such in the manner described in this Section 6.04) shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may thereupon be dissolved and liquidated.
34
Section 6.05 Compliance Certificate . Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee annually, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the Companys compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture (which compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture) and, in the event of any Default, specifying each such Default and the nature and status thereof of which such person may have knowledge. Such certificates need not comply with Section 16.01 of this Indenture.
Section 6.06 Conditional Waiver by Holders of Securities . Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may fail or omit in any particular instance to comply with a covenant or condition set forth herein with respect to any series of Securities if the Company shall have obtained and filed with the Trustee, prior to the time of such failure or omission, evidence (as provided in Article VIII) of the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the 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 such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, or impair any right consequent thereon and, until such waiver shall have become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 6.07 Statement by Officers as to Default . The Company shall deliver to the Trustee as soon as possible and in any event within 30 days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default or an event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officers Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Default and the action which the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.
ARTICLE VII
REMEDIES OF TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 7.01 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 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 manner contemplated in Section 3.01:
(a) the failure of the Company to pay any installment of interest on any Security of such series when and as the same shall become payable, which failure shall have continued unremedied for a period of 30 days;
35
(b) the failure of the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any 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 installment, if any, when and as the same shall become payable by the terms of a 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 6.06, to perform any covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture (including any indenture supplemental hereto pursuant to which the Securities of such series were issued as contemplated by Section 3.01) (other than a covenant or agreement which has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than that series and other than a covenant or agreement a default in the performance of which is elsewhere in this Section 7.01 specifically addressed), which failure shall not have been remedied, or without provision deemed 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 Securities of such series then Outstanding, specifying such failure, requiring the Company to remedy the same and stating that such notice is a Notice of Default hereunder;
(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 or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or of substantially all the property of the Company or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 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 of substantially all the property of the Company or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any action; or
(g) the occurrence of any other Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series as provided in Section 3.01;
provided, however, that no event described in clause (d) or (other than with respect to a payment default) (g) above shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or until a written notice of any such event is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office, and such notice refers to the facts underlying such event, the Securities generally, the Company and the Indenture.
36
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.01, to the extent elected by the Company, the sole remedy for an Event of Default relating to the failure to comply with the reporting obligations specified in Section 10.02, and for any failure to comply with the requirements of § 314(a)(1) of the TIA, shall for the first 60 days after the occurrence of such an Event of Default consist exclusively of the right to receive additional interest on the Securities at an annual rate equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of the Securities. The additional interest will accrue on all outstanding Securities from and including the date on which an Event of Default relating to a failure to comply with the reporting obligations specified in Section 10.02 first occurs to but not including the 60th day thereafter (or such earlier date on which the Event of Default relating to the reporting obligations shall have been cured or waived). On such 60th day (or earlier, if the Event of Default relating to the reporting obligations is cured or waived prior to such 60th day), such additional interest will cease to accrue and, if the Event of Default relating to the reporting obligations has not been cured or waived prior to such 60th day, the Securities shall be subject to an acceleration of maturity as provided in Section 7.02(a).
The provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph will not affect the rights of Holders in the event of the occurrence of any other Event of Default; provided , however , that in no event will the rate of additional interest accruing pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph at any time exceed 1.00% per annum, in the aggregate. In the event the Company does not elect to pay additional interest upon an Event of Default in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph, the Securities shall be subject to an acceleration of maturity as provided in Section 7.02(a). If the Company elects to pay additional interest as the sole remedy for an Event of Default relating to the failure to comply with the reporting obligations specified in Section 10.02, and for any failure to comply with the requirements of § 314(a)(1) of the TIA in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph, the Company shall notify all Holders and the Trustee and Paying Agent of such election on or before the close of business on the date on which such Event of Default first occurs.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.01, if the principal or any premium or interest on any Security is payable in a Currency other than the Currency of the United States and such Currency is not available to the Company for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making such payment in the Currency of the United States in an amount equal to the Currency of the United States equivalent of the amount payable in such other Currency, as determined by the Companys agent in accordance with Section 3.11(c) hereof by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such Currency (Exchange Rate), as such Exchange Rate is reported or otherwise made available by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the date of such payment, or, if such rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.01, any payment made under such circumstances in the Currency of the United States where the required payment is in a Currency other than the Currency of the United States will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.
37
Section 7.02 Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment .
(a) Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, if any one or more of the above-described Events of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(e) or 7.01(f)) shall happen with respect to 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 principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding may declare the principal (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and all accrued but unpaid interest on all the Securities of such series then Outstanding to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(e) or 7.01(f) occurs and is continuing, then in every such case, the principal amount of all of the Securities of that series then Outstanding shall automatically, and without any declaration or any other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become due and payable immediately. Upon payment of such amounts in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (subject to Section 7.01 and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01), all obligations of the Company in respect of the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities of such series shall terminate.
(b) The provisions of Section 7.02(a), however, are subject to the condition that, at any time after the principal of all the Securities of such series, to which any one or more of the above-described Events of Default is applicable, shall have been so declared to be due and payable, and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter provided in this Article, the Event of Default giving rise to such declaration of acceleration shall, without further act, be deemed to have been waived, and such declaration and its consequences shall, without further act, be deemed to have been rescinded and annulled, if:
(i) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent a sum in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (subject to Section 7.01 and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01) sufficient to pay
(A) all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a) (provided, however, that all sums payable under this clause (A) shall be paid in U.S. Dollars);
(B) all arrears of interest, if any, upon all the 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 such Securities at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities); and
(C) the principal of and premium, if any, on any Securities of such series that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon; and
(ii) every other Default and Event of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 7.06.
38
(c) No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
(d) For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities.
Section 7.03 Other Remedies . If the Company shall fail for a period of 30 days to pay any installment of interest on the Securities of any series or shall fail to pay the principal of and premium, if any, on any of the Securities of such series when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at Maturity, or by call for redemption (other than pursuant to the sinking fund), by declaration as authorized by this Indenture, or otherwise, or shall fail for a period of 30 days to make any required sinking fund payment as to a series of Securities, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Paying Agent for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series then Outstanding the whole amount which then shall have become due and payable on all the 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 Securities of such series, and all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a).
In case the Company shall fail 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 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 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 owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a), shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of such series of Securities which shall be the subject of such action or proceeding. All
39
rights of action upon or under any of the Securities or this Indenture may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities and without the production of any thereof at any trial or any proceeding relative thereto.
Section 7.04 Trustee as Attorney-in-Fact . The Trustee is hereby appointed, and each and every Holder of the Securities, by receiving and holding the same, 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, or interest on, any of the 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 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 of the Securities 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 of any of such Holders in respect of any of the Securities; and any receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor in any such proceeding is hereby authorized, and each and every taker or Holder of the Securities, by receiving and holding the same, 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 11.01(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 of Securities, any plan of reorganization or readjustment affecting the 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 of any Securities in any such proceeding.
Section 7.05 Priorities . Any moneys or properties collected by the Trustee with respect to a series of Securities under this Article VII shall be applied in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys or properties and, in the case of the distribution of such moneys or properties on account of the Securities of any series, upon presentation of the Securities of such series, and stamping thereon 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 11.01(a).
Second: Subject to Article XV, to the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on the Outstanding Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Outstanding Securities for principal and any premium and interest, respectively.
40
Any surplus then remaining shall be paid to the Company or as directed by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Section 7.06 Control by Securityholders; Waiver of Past Defaults . The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may 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 Securities of such series, provided, however, that, subject to the provisions of Sections 11.01 and 11.02, 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 Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such series of Securities at the time Outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Securities of such series waive any past Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except a Default in the payment of interest or any premium on or the principal of the Securities of such series. Upon any such waiver the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or 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 7.06, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Securities of such series and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.
Section 7.07 Limitation on Suits . No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity 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 Securities, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of one or more of the Events of Default herein specified with respect to such series of Securities, and unless also the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have requested the Trustee in writing to take action in respect of the matter complained of, and unless also there shall have been 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 Security of such series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of the Holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by his, her, its 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 Securities of such series; provided, however, that nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities of such series shall affect or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of such series to the respective Holders of such Securities at the respective due dates in such Securities stated, or affect or impair the right, which is also absolute and unconditional, of such Holders to institute suit to enforce the payment thereof.
41
Section 7.08 Undertaking for Costs . All parties to this Indenture and each Holder of any Security, by such Holders 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 and expenses, 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 7.08 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 of Securities holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities of any series Outstanding, or to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any Holder of Securities of any series for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or the interest on, any of the Securities of such series, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Securities.
Section 7.09 Remedies Cumulative . No remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities of any series is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy or remedies, and each and every remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other 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 of the Securities of any series to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or Event of Default or an acquiescence therein; and every power and remedy given by this Article VII to the Trustee and to the Holders of Securities of any series, respectively, may be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities of such series, as the case may be. In case the Trustee or any Holder of Securities of any series shall have proceeded to enforce any right 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 of Securities, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall severally and respectively be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, and thereafter all rights, remedies and powers of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken, except as to any matters so waived or adjudicated.
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 8.01 Evidence of Action of Securityholders . Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage or a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities or of any series of Securities may take any action (including the making of any
42
demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage or majority have joined therein may be evidenced by (a) any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Securityholders in person, by an agent or by a proxy appointed in writing, including through an electronic system for tabulating consents operated by the Depositary for such series or otherwise (such action becoming effective, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, when such instruments or evidence of electronic consents are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company), or (b) by the record of the Holders of Securities voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article IX, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Securityholders.
Section 8.02 Proof of Execution or Holding of Securities . Proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his, her or its agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of any of the Securities shall be sufficient if made in the following manner:
(a) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument may be proved (i) by the certificate of any notary public or other officer in any jurisdiction who, by the laws thereof, has power to take acknowledgments or proof of deeds to be recorded within such jurisdiction, that the Person who signed such instrument did acknowledge before such notary public or other officer the execution thereof, or (ii) by the affidavit of a witness of such execution sworn to before any such notary or other officer. Where such execution is by a Person acting in other than his or her individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his or her authority.
(b) The ownership of Securities of any series shall be proved by the Register of such Securities or by a certificate of the Registrar for such series.
(c) The record of any Holders meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 9.06.
(d) The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section 8.02 as it shall deem appropriate or necessary, so long as the request is a reasonable one.
(e) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Securities of any series any action, the Company may, at its option fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Securities entitled to take such action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Any such record date shall be fixed at the Companys discretion. If such a record date is fixed, such action may be sought or given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders of Securities for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities of such series have authorized or agreed or consented to such action, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities of such series shall be computed as of such record date.
43
Section 8.03 Persons Deemed Owners .
(a) The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 3.08) interest, if any, on, such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary. All payments made to any Holder, or upon his, her or its order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon such Security.
(b) None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the 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 8.04 Effect of Consents . After an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective as to any series of Securities, a consent to it by a Holder of such series of Securities is a continuing consent conclusive and binding upon such Holder and every subsequent Holder of the same Securities or portion thereof, and of any Security issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in place thereof, even if notation of the consent is not made on any such Security. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.
ARTICLE IX
SECURITYHOLDERS MEETINGS
Section 9.01 Purposes of Meetings . A meeting of Securityholders of any or all series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX 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 or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Securityholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article VIII;
(b) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article XI;
(c) to consent to the execution of an Indenture or of indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 14.02; 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 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 9.02 Call of Meetings by Trustee . The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of all Securityholders of all series that may be affected by the action proposed to be taken, to take any action specified in Section 9.01, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee
44
shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Securityholders 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 Holders of Securities of such series at their addresses as they shall appear on the Register of the Company. Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 nor more than 90 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
Section 9.03 Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders . In case at any time the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a series (or of all series, as the case may be) then Outstanding that may be affected by the action proposed to be taken, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Securityholders of such series (or of all series), by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Securityholders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 9.01, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 9.02.
Section 9.04 Qualifications for Voting . To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders, a Person shall (a) be a Holder of one or more Securities affected by the action proposed to be taken at the meeting or (b) be a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a Holder of one or more such Securities. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Securityholders 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.
Section 9.05 Regulation of Meetings .
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Securityholders, in regard to proof of the holding of 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 deem fit.
(b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Securityholders as provided in Section 9.03, in which case the Company or the Securityholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chair. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the meeting.
(c) At any meeting of Securityholders of a series, each Securityholder of such series of such Securityholders proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series Outstanding held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Securities of such series held by him or her or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him or her as the Person to
45
vote on behalf of other Securityholders. At any meeting of the Securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02 or 9.03 the presence of Persons holding or representing 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 9.06 Voting . The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Securityholders of a series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts of the Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Securityholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in Section 9.02. The record shall show the principal amounts of the 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 9.07 No Delay of Rights by Meeting . Nothing contained in this Article IX shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Securityholders of any series or any rights expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right or rights conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Securityholders of such series under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Securities of such series.
ARTICLE X
REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE AND
SECURITYHOLDERS LISTS
Section 10.01 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).
46
(b) The Trustee shall, at the time of the transmission to the Holders of Securities of any report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 10.01, file a copy of such report with each stock exchange upon which the Securities are listed, if any, and also with the SEC in respect of a Security listed and registered on a national securities exchange, if any. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee in writing when, as and if the Securities become listed on any stock exchange or any delisting thereof.
(c) 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 10.01 and of Section 10.02.
Section 10.02 Reports by the Company . The Company shall file with the Trustee and the SEC, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that, unless available on EDGAR, any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 30 days after the same is filed with the SEC, provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be required to determine whether such information, documents or reports are available on EDGAR.
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustees receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Companys compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers Certificates). Notwithstanding any provisions hereunder to the contrary, the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.02 are subject, in their entirety, to the provisions of Section 7.01.
Section 10.03 Securityholders Lists . The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(a) semi-annually, within 15 days after each Record Date, but in any event not less frequently than semi-annually, a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities to which such Record Date applies, as of such Record Date, and
(b) 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 Registrar, such lists shall not be required to be furnished.
47
ARTICLE XI
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 11.01 Rights of Trustees; Compensation and Indemnity . 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 Securities agree:
(a) The Trustee shall be entitled to such compensation as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing for all services rendered by it hereunder (including in any agent capacity in which it acts). The compensation of the Trustee shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon its request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee (including the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its own negligence or willful misconduct.
The Company also agrees to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee hereunder for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim, or expense incurred without its 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 duties (including in any agent capacity in which it acts), as well as the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, a Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except those attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel of its selection and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section 11.01(a), the Trustee shall have a lien upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust by the Trustee to pay principal of and interest on any Securities. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the obligations of the Company to compensate and indemnify the Trustee under this Section 11.01(a) shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee, the termination of this Indenture and any satisfaction and discharge under Article XII. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (e) or (f) of Section 7.01 occurs, the expenses and compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.
(b) 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.
48
(c) The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for the correctness of the recitals herein or in the Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon) contained, all of which are made solely by the Company; 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 Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon), and the Trustee makes no representation with respect thereto, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Securities, or the proceeds of any Securities, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.
(d) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and, to the extent permitted by Section 11.02, any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered by the Trustee hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such Opinion of Counsel.
(e) The Trustee, to the extent permitted by Section 11.02, may conclusively rely upon the certificate of the Secretary or one of the Assistant Secretaries of the Company as to the adoption of any Board Resolution or resolution of the 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, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee may conclusively rely upon, an Officers Certificate of the Company (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed).
(f) Subject to Section 11.04, the Trustee or any agent of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have had if it were not the Trustee or such agent.
(g) 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) 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 Security shall be conclusive and binding in respect of such Security upon all future Holders thereof or of any Security or Securities which may be issued for or in lieu thereof in whole or in part, whether or not such Security shall have noted thereon the fact that such request or consent had been made or given.
(i) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, the Trustee may conclusively 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 reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
49
(j) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, 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 of the Holders of the Securities, pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, unless one or more of the Holders of the Securities shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by it therein or thereby.
(k) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, 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) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, 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 Securities notify the Trustee thereof.
(m) Subject to the provisions of the first paragraph of Section 11.02, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of Indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, may, but shall not be required to, make further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.
(n) 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.
(o) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(p) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.
(q) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.
Section 11.02 Duties of Trustee .
(a) If one or more of the Events of Default specified in Section 7.01 with respect to the Securities of any series shall have happened, then, during the continuance thereof, the Trustee shall, with respect to such Securities, 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 person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such persons own affairs.
50
(b) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall be construed as relieving the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that, anything in this Indenture contained to the contrary notwithstanding,
(i) unless and until an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01 with respect to the Securities of any series shall have happened which at the time is continuing,
(A) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties with respect to the 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
(B) 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 (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts, statements, opinions or conclusions stated therein);
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder of Securities or to any other Person for any 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
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder of Securities 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 Securityholders given as provided in Section 7.06, 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.
(c) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 11.02.
51
Section 11.03 Notice of Defaults . Within 90 days after the occurrence thereof, and if known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall give to the Holders of the Securities of a series notice of each Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series known to the Trustee, by transmitting such notice to Holders at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the Register of the Company, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice (the term Default being hereby defined to be the events specified in Section 7.01, which are, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, Events of Default as defined in said Section). Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of such series when and as the same shall become payable, or to make any sinking fund payment as to Securities of the same series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice, if and so long as a Responsible Officer 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 Securities of such series.
Section 11.04 Eligibility; Disqualification .
(a) The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA Section 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition, and shall have a Corporate Trust Office. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.04, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
(b) The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA Section 310(b)(i) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA Section 310(b)(i) are met. If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. If Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act is amended any time after the date of this Indenture to change the circumstances under which a Trustee shall be deemed to have a conflicting interest with respect to the Securities of any series or to change any of the definitions in connection therewith, this Section 11.04 shall be automatically amended to incorporate such changes.
Section 11.05 Registration and Notice; Removal . 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 Securities by giving to the Company notice in writing. Such resignation shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Trustee and the
52
acceptance of such appointment by such successor Trustee. Any Trustee hereunder may be removed with respect to any series of Securities at any time by the filing with such Trustee and the delivery to the Company of an instrument or instruments in writing signed by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, specifying such removal and the date when it shall become effective.
If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months (or, if it is a shorter period, the period since the initial issuance of the Securities of such series), or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 11.04 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months (or, if it is a shorter period, the period since the initial issuance of the Securities of such series), or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (i) the Company by written notice to the Trustee may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months (or, if it is a shorter period, the period since the initial issuance of the Securities of such series) may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
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 Trustees rights to indemnification provided in Section 11.01(a) shall survive its resignation or removal.
Section 11.06 Successor Trustee by Appointment .
(a) In case at any time the Trustee shall resign, or shall be removed (unless the Trustee shall be removed as provided in Section 11.04(b), in which event the vacancy shall be filled as provided in said subdivision), or shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged 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 or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation with respect to the Securities of one or more series, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with
53
respect to the Securities of any series) may be appointed by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that or those series then Outstanding, 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 Securities of that or those series as herein authorized, the Company, 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 Securities of such series. Subject to the provisions of Sections 11.04 and 11.05, upon the appointment as aforesaid of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series shall cease to be Trustee hereunder. After any such appointment other than by the Holders of Securities of that or those series, the Person making such appointment shall forthwith cause notice thereof to be mailed to the Holders of Securities of such series at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the Register of the Company but any successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series so appointed shall, immediately and without further act, be superseded by a successor Trustee appointed by the Holders of 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.
(b) If any Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall resign or be removed and a successor Trustee shall not have been appointed by the Company or by the Holders of the 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 at the expense of the Company 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 11.06 within three months after such appointment might have been made hereunder, the Holder of any Security of the applicable series or any retiring Trustee at the expense of the Company 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 and prescribe, appoint a successor Trustee.
(c) Any successor Trustee appointed hereunder with respect to the 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, subject nevertheless to its lien provided for in Section 11.01(a). Nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor Trustee or of the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Securities of
54
such series then Outstanding, 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, subject nevertheless to its lien provided for in Section 11.01(a); and, upon request of any such successor Trustee or 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.
Section 11.07 Successor Trustee by Merger . Any Person into which the Trustee or any successor to it in the trusts created by this Indenture shall be merged or converted, or any Person with which it or any successor to it shall be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee or any such successor to it shall be a party, or any Person 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; provided that such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article. 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 Securities, any of such Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any successor to such Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor 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 Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
Section 11.08 Right to Rely on Officers Certificate . Subject to Section 11.02, and subject to the provisions of Section 16.01 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 willful misconduct 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 or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
Section 11.09 Appointment of Authenticating Agent . The Trustee may appoint an agent (the Authenticating Agent) acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Securities, and the Trustee shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, any such Authenticating Agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee
55
may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by the Authenticating Agent. Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder.
Each Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Article XI, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Article XI, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Article XI.
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Article XI, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.09, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section 11.09.
The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 11.09.
Section 11.10 Communications by Securityholders with Other Securityholders . Holders of Securities may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to such communications.
56
ARTICLE XII
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
Section 12.01 Applicability of Article . If, pursuant to Section 3.01, provision is made for the defeasance of Securities of a series and if the Securities of such series are denominated and payable only in U.S. Dollars (except as provided pursuant to Section 3.01), then the provisions of this Article shall be applicable except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of such series. Defeasance provisions, if any, for Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency may be specified pursuant to Section 3.01.
Section 12.02 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture . This Indenture, with respect to the Securities of any series (if all series issued under this Indenture are not to be affected), shall, upon Company Order, cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such Securities herein expressly provided for and rights to receive payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities) and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when,
(a) either:
(i) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.07 and (B) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 6.03) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(ii) all Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,
(A) have become due and payable, or
(B) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or
(C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company,
and in the case of (A), (B) or (C) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01) sufficient, in the opinion of an independent firm of certified public accountants, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on such Securities for principal and premium, if any, and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities that have become due and payable) or to the Stated
57
Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; provided, however, in the event a petition for relief under federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, is filed with respect to the Company within 91 days after the deposit and the Trustee is required to return the moneys then on deposit with the Trustee to the Company, the obligations of the Company under this Indenture with respect to such Securities shall not be deemed terminated or discharged;
(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such series have been complied with. Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 11.01 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (a)(i) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 12.07 and the last paragraph of Section 6.03(e) shall survive.
Section 12.03 Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations . At the Companys option, either (a) the Company shall be deemed to have been Discharged (as defined below) from its obligations with respect to Securities of any series on the first day after the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied or (b) the Company shall cease to be under any obligation to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 6.04 and Section 10.02 with respect to Securities of any series (and, if so specified pursuant to Section 3.01, any other restrictive covenant added for the benefit of such series pursuant to Section 3.01) at any time after the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied (such action under clauses (a) or (b) of this paragraph in no circumstance may be construed as an Event of Default under Section 7.01):
(a) The Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series (i) money in an amount, or (ii) U.S. Government Obligations (as defined below) that through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii), sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal (including any mandatory sinking fund payments) of and premium, if any, and interest on, the Outstanding Securities of such series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and premium are due;
(b) No Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default resulting from the borrowing of funds and the grant of any related liens to be applied to such deposit); and
(c) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Companys exercise of its option under this Section and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same
58
manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such action had not been exercised and, in the case of the Securities of such series being Discharged accompanied by a ruling to that effect received from or published by the Internal Revenue Service.
Discharged means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by, and obligations under, the Securities of such series and to have satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture relating to the Securities of such series (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except (A) the rights of Holders of Securities of such series to receive, from the trust fund described in clause (a) above, payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities when such payments are due, (B) the Companys obligations with respect to Securities of such series under Sections 3.04, 3.06, 3.07, 6.02, 12.06 and 12.07 and (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder.
U.S. 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 of payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, that, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the action of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depositary 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 depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.
Section 12.04 Repayment to Company . The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company (or to its designee) upon Company Order any excess moneys or U.S. Government Obligations held by them at any time, including any such moneys or obligations held by the Trustee under any escrow trust agreement entered into pursuant to Section 12.06. The provisions of the last paragraph of Section 6.03 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 Securities for which money or U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited pursuant to Section 12.03.
Section 12.05 Indemnity for U.S. 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 U.S. Government Obligations or the principal or interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.
Section 12.06 Deposits to Be Held in Escrow . Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in Section 12.03 above shall be irrevocable (except to the extent provided in Sections 12.04 and 12.07) and shall be made under the terms of an escrow trust agreement. If any Outstanding 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
59
requirement, 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 payment requirements, whether by deposit of moneys, application of proceeds of deposited U.S. Government Obligations or, if permitted, by delivery of Securities, the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess moneys pursuant to Section 12.04 all funds or obligations then held under the agreement and allocable to the sinking fund payment requirements so satisfied.
If 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 notice of redemption is given funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the 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 12.04 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement and allocable to the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of exercise of optional sinking fund payment rights by the Company, such agreement shall, 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 12.04 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement for such series and allocable to the Securities to be redeemed.
Section 12.07 Application of Trust Money .
(a) Neither the Trustee nor any other Paying Agent shall be required to pay interest on any moneys deposited pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, except such as it shall agree with the Company in writing to pay thereon. Any moneys so deposited for the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after the date of the maturity of the Securities of such series or the date fixed for the redemption of all the Securities of such series at the time outstanding, as the case may be, shall be repaid by the Trustee or such other Paying Agent to the Company upon its written request and thereafter, anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, any rights of the Holders of Securities of such series in respect of which such moneys shall have been deposited shall be enforceable only against the Company, and all liability of the Trustee or such other Paying Agent with respect to such moneys shall thereafter cease.
(b) Subject to the provisions of the foregoing paragraph, any moneys which at any time shall be deposited by the Company or on its behalf with the Trustee or any other Paying Agent for the purpose of paying the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any of the Securities shall be and are hereby assigned, transferred and set over to the Trustee or such other Paying Agent in trust for the respective Holders of the Securities for the purpose for which such moneys shall have been deposited; but such moneys need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 12.08 Deposits of Non-U.S. Currencies . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, if the Securities of any series are payable in a Currency other than U.S. Dollars, the Currency or the nature of the government obligations to be deposited with the Trustee under the foregoing provisions of this Article shall be as set forth in the Officers Certificate or established in the supplemental indenture under which the Securities of such series are issued.
60
ARTICLE XIII
IMMUNITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS
Section 13.01 No Personal Liability . No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of, or the premium, if any, or interest on, any 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 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 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 Securities and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities expressly waived and released.
ARTICLE XIV
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 14.01 Without Consent of Securityholders . Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, 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 of or all 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 Securities (and if such covenants, agreements and Events of Default are to be for the benefit of fewer than all series of 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), or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;
61
(b) to delete or modify any Events of Default with respect to all or any series of the Securities, the form and terms of which are being established pursuant to such supplemental indenture as permitted in Section 3.01 (and, if any such Event of Default is applicable to fewer than all such series of the Securities, specifying the series to which such Event of Default is applicable), and to specify the rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders of such Securities in connection therewith;
(c) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide, change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on Securities; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect;
(d) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision and as to which such supplemental indenture would apply;
(e) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by such successor of the covenants and obligations of the Company contained in the Securities of one or more series and in this Indenture or any supplemental indenture;
(f) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to one or more series of Securities and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 11.06(c);
(g) to secure any series of Securities;
(h) to evidence any changes to this Indenture pursuant to Sections 11.05, 11.06 or 11.07 hereof as permitted by the terms thereof;
(i) 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 conform the terms hereof, as amended and supplemented, that are applicable to the Securities of any series to the description of the terms of such Securities in the prospectus supplement or other offering document applicable to such Securities at the time of initial sale thereof, as provided in an Officers Certificate;
(j) to add to or change or eliminate any provision of this Indenture as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act;
(k) to add guarantors or co-obligors with respect to any series of Securities or to release guarantors from their guarantees of Securities in accordance with the terms of the applicable series of Securities;
62
(l) to make any change in any series of Securities that does not adversely affect in any material respect the rights of the Holders of such Securities;
(m) to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to certificated securities;
(n) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities;
(o) to prohibit the authentication and delivery of additional series of Securities; or
(p) to establish the form and terms of Securities of any series as permitted in Section 3.01, or to authorize the issuance of additional 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 Securities of any series, as herein set forth, or other conditions, limitations or restrictions thereafter to be observed.
Subject to the provisions of Section 14.03, 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 14.01 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding.
Section 14.02 With Consent of Securityholders; Limitations .
(a) With the consent of the Holders (evidenced as provided in Article VIII) of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture voting separately, the Company 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 provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series to be affected; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of each such series affected thereby,
(i) extend the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the interest thereon or any premium payable upon redemption thereof, or extend the Stated Maturity of, or change the place of payment where, or the Currency in which the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on such Security is denominated or payable, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 7.02, or impair the right
63
to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or materially adversely affect the economic terms of any right to convert or exchange any Security as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.01; or
(ii) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain Defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture; or
(iii) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 7.06 or Section 6.06, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to the Trustee and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 6.06, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 11.06 and 14.01(f); or
(iv) change the Companys obligation to pay additional amounts; or
(v) modify, without the written consent of the Trustee, the rights, duties or immunities of the Trustee.
(b) A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
(c) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section 14.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.
(d) The Company may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of the Holders of each series of Securities entitled to give a written consent or waive compliance by the Company as authorized or permitted by this Section. Such record date shall not be more than 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or waiver or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.
(e) Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section 14.02, the Company shall mail a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Holders of Securities at their addresses as the same shall then appear in the Register of the Company. 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.
64
Section 14.03 Trustee Protected . Upon the written request of the Company, accompanied by the Officers Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 16.01 and evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of consent of the Holders if the supplemental indenture is to be executed pursuant to Section 14.02, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of said supplemental indenture unless said supplemental indenture affects the Trustees 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. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modification thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such supplemental indenture is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.
Section 14.04 Effect of Execution of Supplemental Indenture . Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article XIV, this Indenture shall 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 Securities or of the 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 14.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities . Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article may bear a notation in the 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 Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors of the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for the Securities then Outstanding in equal aggregate principal amounts, and such exchange shall be made without cost to the Holders of the Securities.
Section 14.06 Conformity with TIA . Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
ARTICLE XV
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
Section 15.01 Agreement to Subordinate . In the event a series of Securities is designated as subordinated pursuant to Section 3.01, and except as otherwise provided in a Company Order
65
or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, the Company, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities of such series by his, her or its acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on each and all of the Securities of such series is hereby expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness. In the event a series of Securities is not designated as subordinated pursuant to Section 3.01(s), this Article XV shall have no effect upon the Securities.
Section 15.02 Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Securities . Subject to Section 15.01, upon any distribution of assets of the Company upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of the assets and liabilities of the Company or otherwise (subject to the power of a court of competent jurisdiction to make other equitable provision reflecting the rights conferred in this Indenture upon the Senior Indebtedness and the holders thereof with respect to the Securities and the holders thereof by a lawful plan of reorganization under applicable bankruptcy law):
(a) the holders of all Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of the principal thereof (and premium, if any) and interest due thereon before the Holders of the Securities are entitled to receive any payment upon the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on Indebtedness evidenced by the Securities; and
(b) any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XV shall be paid by the liquidation trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, whether a trustee in bankruptcy, a receiver or liquidating trustee or otherwise, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness; and
(c) in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, such payment or distribution shall be paid over, upon written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, to the holder of such Senior Indebtedness or his, her or its representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instrument evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably as aforesaid, as calculated by the Company, for application to payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
66
(d) Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness (to the extent that distributions otherwise payable to such holder have been applied to the payment of Senior Indebtedness) to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities shall be paid in full and no such payments or distributions to the Holders of the Securities of cash, property or securities otherwise distributable to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Securities. It is understood that the provisions of this Article XV are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article XV or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is unconditional and absolute, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or to affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or in the Securities prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XV of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XV, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 15.05, shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making any distribution to the Trustee for the purpose 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 thereof and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XV.
Section 15.03 No Payment on Securities in Event of Default on Senior Indebtedness . Subject to Section 15.01, no payment by the Company on account of principal (or premium, if any), sinking funds or interest, if any, on the Securities shall be made at anytime if: (i) a default on Senior Indebtedness exists that permits the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to accelerate its maturity and (ii) the default is the subject of judicial proceedings or the Company has received notice of such default. The Company may resume payments on the Securities when full payment of amounts then due for principal (premium, if any), sinking funds and interest on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or moneys worth.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 15.03, such payment 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 of such Senior Indebtedness may have been
67
issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, but only to the extent that the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then due and owing on such Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
Section 15.04 Payments on Securities Permitted . Subject to Section 15.01, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall (a) affect the obligation of the Company to make, or prevent the Company from making, at any time except as provided in Sections 15.02 and 15.03, payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities or (b) prevent the application by the Trustee of any moneys or assets deposited with it hereunder to the payment of or on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities, unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received at its Corporate Trust Office written notice of any fact prohibiting the making of such payment from the Company or from the holder of any Senior Indebtedness or from the trustee for any such holder, together with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of such holding of Senior Indebtedness or of the authority of such trustee more than two Business Days prior to the date fixed for such payment.
Section 15.05 Authorization of Securityholders to Trustee to Effect Subordination . Subject to Section 15.01, each Holder of Securities by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on his, her or its behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article XV and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
Section 15.06 Notices to Trustee . 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 or assets to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV. Subject to Section 15.01, notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XV or any other provisions of this Indenture, neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent (other than the Company) shall be charged with knowledge of the existence of any Senior Indebtedness or of any fact which would prohibit the making of any payment of moneys or assets to or by the Trustee or such Paying Agent, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have received (in the case of a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee) written notice thereof from the Company or from the holder of any Senior Indebtedness or from the trustee for any such holder, together with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of such holding of Senior Indebtedness or of the authority of such trustee and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall be entitled in all respects conclusively to presume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such moneys or assets may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of either the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall not have received with respect to such moneys or assets the notice provided for in this Section 15.06, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such moneys or assets and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it within two Business
68
Days prior to such date. The Trustee 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 on behalf of such holder) to establish that such a notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder. 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 Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XV, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of 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 XV 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 15.07 Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness . Subject to Section 15.01, the Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XV 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 be construed to deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article XV shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Sections 7.05 or 11.01.
Section 15.08 Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness . Subject to Section 15.01, any renewal or extension of the time of payment of any Senior Indebtedness or the exercise by the holders of Senior Indebtedness of any of their rights under any instrument creating or evidencing Senior Indebtedness, including, without limitation, the waiver of default thereunder, may be made or done all without notice to or assent from the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee. No compromise, alteration, amendment, modification, extension, renewal or other change of, or waiver, consent or other action in respect of, any liability or obligation under or in respect of, or of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of any indenture or other instrument under which any Senior Indebtedness is outstanding or of such Senior Indebtedness, whether or not such release is in accordance with the provisions of any applicable document, shall in any way alter or affect any of the provisions of this Article XV or of the Securities relating to the subordination thereof.
Section 15.09 Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent . Subject to Section 15.01, upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XV, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or 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 XV.
69
Section 15.10 Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance . Subject to Section 15.01, amounts and U.S. Government Obligations deposited in trust with the Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with Article XII and not, at the time of such deposit, prohibited to be deposited under Sections 15.02 or 15.03 shall not be subject to this Article XV.
Section 15.11 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness . With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XV, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of 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 Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee shall not be liable to any such holder if it shall pay over or distribute to or on behalf of Holders of Securities or the Company, or any other Person, moneys or assets to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XV or otherwise.
ARTICLE XVI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 16.01 Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent .
(a) Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such document is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
(b) Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the certificates provided pursuant to Section 6.05 of this Indenture) shall include (i) a statement that the Person giving such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (iii) a statement that, in the view or opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed view or opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the view or opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
(c) Any certificate, statement 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, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate, statement or opinion is based are erroneous. Any certificate, statement or opinion of
70
counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate, statement 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 counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate, statement or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
(d) Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Company or of counsel to the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an accountant or firm of accountants, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which his or her certificate, statement or opinion may be based are erroneous. Any certificate or opinion of any firm of independent registered public accountants filed with the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.
(e) 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.
(f) 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.
Section 16.02 Trust Indenture Act Controls . If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by, or another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control.
Section 16.03 Notices to the Company and Trustee . Any notice or demand authorized by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with, the Company or the Trustee shall be sufficiently made, given, furnished or filed for all purposes if it shall be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to:
(a) the Company, at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105, Attention: [Susan Givens, Chief Financial Officer], Facsimile No.: [(212) 798-6100] or at such other address or facsimile number as may have been furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.
(b) the Trustee, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, Attention: [Corporate Trust ServicesAdministrator for New Residential Investment Corp.]
Any such notice, demand or other document shall be in the English language.
71
Section 16.04 Notices to Securityholders; Waiver . Any notice required or permitted to be given to Securityholders shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided),
(a) if to Holders, if given in writing by first class mail, postage prepaid, to such Holders at their addresses as the same shall appear on the Register of the Company; provided , that in the event of suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give notice by mail, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder; or
(b) If a series of notes has been issued in global form through DTC as Depositary, notice may be provided by delivery of such notice to DTC for posting through its Legal Notice Service (LENS) or a successor system thereof.
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance on such waiver. 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, and any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given. In any case where notice to Holders is given by publication, any defect in any notice so published as to any particular Holder shall not affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders, and any notice that is published in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given.
Section 16.05 Legal Holiday . Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity of any Security of any series shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment for the Securities of that series, then payment of principal and premium, if any, or 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 such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity, as the case may be, to such Business Day if such payment is made or duly provided for on such Business Day.
Section 16.06 Effects of Headings and Table of Contents . The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 16.07 Successors and Assigns . All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the parties hereto shall bind their respective successors and assigns and inure to the benefit of their permitted successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 16.08 Separability Clause . In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
72
Section 16.09 Benefits of Indenture . Nothing in this Indenture expressed and nothing that may be implied from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or to give to, any Person or corporation other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of the Securities any benefit or any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Indenture or any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof, and all covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities.
Section 16.10 Counterparts Originals . This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
Section 16.11 Governing Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury . This Indenture and the Securities shall be deemed to be contracts made under the law of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of said State.
EACH PARTY HERETO, AND EACH HOLDER OF A SECURITY BY ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE.
Section 16.12 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.
Section 16.13 U.S.A. Patriot Act . The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.
73
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP., as Issuer |
||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee |
||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, WHICH MAY BE TREATED BY THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND ANY AGENT THEREOF AS OWNER AND HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY FOR ALL PURPOSES.
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE [DEPOSITARY] 1 TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF [NOMINEE OF DEPOSITARY] 2 . OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF [DEPOSITARY] (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO [NOMINEE OF DEPOSITARY] OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF [DEPOSITARY]), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, [NOMINEE OF DEPOSITARY], HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.
1 | Typically DTC. |
2 | Typically Cede & Co. |
75
CUSIP No.
New Residential Investment Corp.
NOTES DUE 20
No. | $ | |||||
As revised by the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Security attached hereto |
Interest . New Residential Investment Corp., a Delaware corporation (herein called the Company, which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to or registered assigns, the principal sum of million dollars ($ ), as revised by the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Security attached hereto, on , 20 and to pay interest thereon from , 20 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears on and in each year, commencing , 20 at the rate of % per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment.
Method of Payment . The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest, which shall be or , as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice thereof having been given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, all as more fully provided in said Indenture. Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security will be made at the Corporate Trust Office in U.S. Dollars.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Authentication . Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
76
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. | ||||
By: |
|
|||
Name: |
|
|||
Title: |
|
TRUSTEES CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Date of authentication: |
|
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee |
||||||
By: |
|
|||||||
Authorized Signatory |
77
[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]
Indenture . This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the Securities), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of , 20 , [as supplemented by a Supplemental Indenture dated , 20 ] (as so supplemented, herein called the Indenture), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (herein called the Trustee, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $ .
Optional Redemption . The Securities of this series are subject to redemption at the Companys option, at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, at a Redemption Price equal to .
For purposes of determining the optional redemption price, the following definitions are applicable:
Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) to each registered Holder of the Securities to be redeemed. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities or portions of the Securities called for redemption. If fewer than all of the Securities are to be redeemed, the Trustee will select, not more than days prior to the Redemption Date, the particular Securities or portions thereof for redemption from the outstanding Securities not previously called by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate.
Except as set forth above, the Securities will not be redeemable by the Company prior to maturity [and will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund].
Defaults and Remedies . If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
Amendment, Modification and Waiver . The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.
78
Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
Restrictive Covenants . The Indenture does not limit unsecured debt of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
Denominations, Transfer and Exchange . The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registerable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the Registrar accompanied by a written request for transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Persons Deemed Owners . Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
Miscellaneous . This Indenture and this Security shall be deemed to be contracts made under the law of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of said State.
All terms used in this Security and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
79
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY
The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:
Date of Exchange |
Amount of increase in
Principal Amount of this Global Security |
Amount of decrease
in Principal Amount of this Global Security |
Principal Amount of
this Global Security following each decrease or increase |
Signature of
authorized signatory of Trustee |
||||
80
Exhibit 5.1
[Letterhead of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP]
May 16, 2014
New Residential Investment Corp.
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
Re | New Residential Investment Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-3 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to New Residential Investment Corp., a Delaware corporation (the Company), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the Registration Statement) to be filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale by the Company from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Securities Act (the Rules and Regulations), of: (i) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (Common Stock); (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the Preferred Stock), which may be issued in one or more series; (iii) warrants (the Warrants) to purchase shares of Common Stock or shares of Preferred Stock which may be issued pursuant to one or more warrant agreements (each, a Warrant Agreement) that may be entered into between the Company and one or more warrant agents to be named therein (each, a Warrant Agent); (iv) shares of the Preferred Stock represented by depositary shares (Depositary Shares) evidenced by depositary receipts (Receipts), which may be issued pursuant to one or more deposit agreements (each, a Deposit Agreement) that may be entered into between the Company and a depositary to be named therein (each, a Depositary); (v) debt securities (the Debt Securities), which may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and may be convertible or non-convertible, as well as secured or unsecured, which may be issued in one or more series under the indenture relating to the Debt Securities (the Debt Securities Indenture), proposed to be entered into between the Company and the trustee to be named therein (the Trustee), a form of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; and (vi) such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock as may be issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise, as applicable, of any Preferred Stock, Warrants or Receipts, including such shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock as may be issued pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments determined at the time of offering (the Indeterminate Securities). The Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, the Warrants, the Depositary Shares, the Debt Securities and the Indeterminate Securities are collectively referred to herein as the Securities.
This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
In rendering the opinions stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the following:
(a) the Registration Statement;
(b) the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended to date, as certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the Certificate of Incorporation) and as certified by the Secretary of the Company;
(c) the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended to date, as certified by the Secretary of the Company (the Bylaws);
(d) the form of Debt Securities Indenture; and
(e) a copy of certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board of Directors), adopted on May 13, 2014, related to the registration of the Securities and related matters, as certified by the Secretary of the Company.
We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions stated herein.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including endorsements, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. In making our examination of executed documents or documents to be executed, we have assumed that the parties thereto, other than the Company, had or will have the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and the execution and delivery by such parties of such documents, and the validity and binding effect thereof on such parties.
We have also assumed that the laws of the State of New York will be chosen to govern any Warrant Agreements or Depositary Agreements, and that such choice is a valid and legal provision. We have also assumed that the certificates to evidence the Debt Securities and the Debt Securities Indenture will be executed and delivered in substantially the form reviewed by us. We have assumed that the Debt Securities Indenture and any supplemental indenture to the Debt Securities Indenture, the Warrant Agreements and Depositary Agreements will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee, Warrant Agents or Depositaries, as the case may be, and that any Debt Securities, Warrants or Depositary Shares that may be issued will be manually authenticated, signed or countersigned, as the case may be, by duly authorized officers of the Trustee, Warrant Agent or Depositary, as the case may be. In addition, we have also assumed that the terms of the Securities have been or will have been established so as not to, and that the execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance of its obligations under, the Debt Securities Indenture, any supplemental indentures thereto, the Warrant Agreements, the Depositary Agreements and the Securities, will not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) any agreement or instrument to which the Company or its property is subject, (ii) the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws; (iii) any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or its property is subject, (iv) any judicial or regulatory order or decree of any governmental authority or (v) any consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with any governmental authority. As to any facts relevant to the opinions stated herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others and of public officials.
We do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than (i) the laws of the State of New York, (ii) the General Corporate Law of the State of Delaware (the DGCL) and (iii) to the extent that judicial or regulatory orders or decrees or consents, approvals, licenses, authorizations, validations, filings, recordings or registrations with governmental authorities are relevant, to those required under such laws (all of the foregoing being referred to as Opined on Law). We do not express any opinion as to the effect of any non-Opined on Law on the opinions stated herein. The Securities may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, and this opinion is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof, which laws are subject to change with possible retroactive effect.
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. With respect to any shares of Common Stock offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement, including any Indeterminate Securities (the Offered Common Stock), when (i) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the Offered Common Stock has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations; (ii) if the Offered Common Stock is to be sold or otherwise distributed pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Common Stock has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iii) the Board of Directors, including any duly authorized committee appointed thereby, have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and sale of the Offered Common Stock and related matters and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all related action as directed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors; and (iv) the shares of Offered Common Stock are registered in the Companys share registry upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the shares of Offered Common Stock, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the applicable underwriting agreement, if any, or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding agreement, will be duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company under the DGCL and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration therefor is not less than $0.01 per share of Common Stock.
2. With respect to any shares of any series of Preferred Stock offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement, including any Indeterminate Securities (the Offered Preferred Stock), when (i) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the Offered Preferred Stock has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations; (ii) if the Offered Preferred Stock is to be sold or otherwise distributed pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Preferred Stock has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iii) the Board of Directors, including any duly authorized committee appointed thereby, have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance, sale and terms of the Offered Preferred Stock and related matters, including the adoption of a Certificate of Designation for the Offered Preferred Stock in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL (the Certificate of Designation), and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all related action as directed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors; (iv) the Certificate of Designation relating to the Offered Preferred Stock has been duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; (v) if the Offered Preferred Stock is certificated, certificates in the form required under the DGCL representing the shares of Offered Preferred Stock are duly executed and countersigned; and (vi) the shares of Offered Preferred Stock are registered in the Companys share registry and delivered upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the shares of Offered Preferred Stock, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the applicable underwriting agreement, if any, or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding agreement, will be duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company under the DGCL and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration therefor is not less than $0.01 per share of Preferred Stock.
3. With respect to any Warrants offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement, including any Indeterminate Securities (the Offered Warrants), when (i) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to the Offered Warrants has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations; (ii) if the Offered Warrants are to be sold or otherwise distributed pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Warrants has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iii) the Board of Directors, including any duly authorized committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance, sale and terms of the Offered Warrants and related matters; (iv) a Warrant Agreement relating to the Offered Warrants has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (v) the Securities into which the Offered Warrants are exercisable have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company; and (vi) the Offered Warrants have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Warrant Agreement, including upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the Offered Warrants, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Warrant Agreement and the applicable underwriting agreement, if any, or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company
in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference and other similar laws affecting creditors rights generally, (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law) and (c) public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to obtain remedies.
4. With respect to any Depositary Shares representing fractional interests in any series of Preferred Stock offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement, including any Indeterminate Securities (the Offered Depositary Shares), when (i) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to the Offered Depositary Shares has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations; (ii) if the Offered Depositary Shares are to be sold or otherwise distributed pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Depositary Shares has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iii) the Board of Directors, including any duly authorized committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance, sale and terms of the Offered Depositary Shares and related matters; (iv) the Certificate of Designation relating to such related series of Preferred Stock has been duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; (v) the applicable Deposit Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (vi) if the shares of such related series of Preferred Stock are certificated, certificates in the form required under the DGCL representing the shares of such related series of Preferred Stock are duly executed and countersigned; (vii) the shares of such related series of Preferred Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the DGCL and delivered to the applicable Depositary for deposit in accordance with the Deposit Agreement; and (viii) the Receipts relating to the Offered Depositary Shares have been duly issued against deposit of the related series of Preferred Stock with the applicable Depositary in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Deposit Agreement and upon payment in accordance with the provisions of the applicable underwriting agreement, if any, or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding agreement, the Receipts relating to the Offered Depositary Shares will be legally issued and will entitle the holder thereof to the rights specified in such Receipts and in the applicable Deposit Agreement, provided that the consideration for the related series of Preferred Stock is not less than $0.01 per share of Preferred Stock and except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference and other similar laws affecting creditors rights generally, (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law) and (c) public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to obtain remedies.
5. With respect to any series of Debt Securities offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement, including any Indeterminate Securities (the Offered Debt Securities), when (i) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to any Offered Debt Securities has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations; (ii) if the Offered Debt Securities are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement or such other agreement with respect to the Offered Debt Securities has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iii) the Debt Securities Indenture and any supplemental indenture thereto has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iv) the Board of Directors, including any duly authorized committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance, sale and terms of the Offered Debt Securities and related matters in conformity with the Debt Securities Indenture and any supplemental indenture to be entered into in connection with the issuance of such Offered Debt Securities; and (v) the certificates evidencing the Offered Debt Securities have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Debt Securities Indenture and any supplemental indenture thereto to be entered into in connection with the issuance of such Offered Debt Securities, and duly delivered to the purchasers thereof upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the Offered Debt Securities (including any Debt Securities duly issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Preferred Stock or Debt Securities), when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the Debt Securities Indenture and any supplemental indenture thereto, officers certificate or board resolution to be entered into or adopted in connection with the issuance of such Offered Debt Securities and the applicable underwriting agreement, if any, or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Debt Securities Indenture and enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors rights generally, (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity), (c) public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to obtain remedies, (d) waivers of any usury defense contained in the Debt Securities Indenture, any supplemental indenture or the Offered Debt Securities which may be unenforceable, (e) requirements that a claim with respect to any Offered Debt Securities denominated in a currency, currency unit or composite currency other than United States dollars (or a judgment denominated other than in United States dollars in respect of such claim) be converted into United States dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law, and (f) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States or in foreign currencies, currency units or composite currencies.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the caption Legal Matters in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.
Very truly yours, |
/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP |
R.B.A.
Exhibit 8.1
Re: | Certain Federal Income Tax Matters |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion concerning certain Federal income tax considerations in connection with the offering (the Offering ) by New Residential Investment Corp., a Delaware corporation ( New Residential ), of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Common Stock ), pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as amended (the Registration Statement ).
We have acted as tax counsel to New Residential in connection with the Offering. In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documentation and information provided by you as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth herein. In addition, you have provided us with, and we are relying upon, a certificate (the Officers Certificate ) containing certain factual representations and covenants of officers of Newcastle Investment Corp., a Maryland Corporation ( Newcastle ), relating to, among other things, the actual and proposed operations of Newcastle and the entities in which it holds, or has held, a direct or indirect interest (collectively, the Company ). Moreover, we are, at your request, relying on the accuracy and completeness of all information provided in a certificate, dated July 18, 2012, executed by officers of FHC Property Management LLC ( FHC , and such certificate, the FHC Certificate ). For purposes of our opinion, we have not independently verified the facts, representations and covenants set forth in the Officers Certificate, the FHC Certificate, or in any other document. In particular, we note that the Company has engaged in, and may engage in, transactions in connection with which we have not
Newcastle Investment Corp.
May 16, 2014
Page 2
provided legal advice, and have not reviewed, and of which we may be unaware. We have, consequently, assumed and relied on your representations and the representations of FHC, as the case may be, that the information presented in the Officers Certificate, the FHC Certificate, and other documents, or otherwise furnished to us, accurately and completely describes all material facts with respect to the matters addressed in the Officers Certificate or the FHC Certificate, as the case may be. We have assumed that the statements, representations and covenants presented in such documents are true without regard to any qualification as to knowledge, belief, or intent. Our opinion is conditioned on the continuing accuracy and completeness of such statements, representations and covenants. Any material change or inaccuracy in the facts referred to, set forth, or assumed herein or in the Officers Certificate or the FHC Certificate may affect our conclusions set forth herein. We have, at your request, also relied upon: (i) the opinion of Brown & Wood LLP, dated May 5, 1999, regarding the qualification of Impac Commercial Holdings, Inc. as a real estate investment trust ( REIT ); (ii) the opinion of Thacher Proffitt & Wood, dated July 22, 1999, in connection with the issuance of certain notes by Fortress CBO Investments I, Limited and Fortress CBO Investments I Corp.; (iii) the opinion of Sidley & Austin, dated November 17, 1999, in connection with the issuance of certain certificates by Fortress Commercial Mortgage Trust 1999-PC1; (iv) the opinion of Sidley & Austin, dated May 27, 1999, in connection with the issuance of certain certificates by Government Lease Trust; (v) the opinion of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, dated December 31, 2001, in connection with the issuance of certain notes by FIC GSA Mezzanine Borrower LLC and FIC Houston LLC; (vi) the opinion of Thacher Proffitt & Wood, dated July 12, 2002, in connection with the issuance of certain bonds by Impac CMB Trust 1998-C1; and (vii) the opinion of Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP, dated November 16, 2006, regarding the tax treatment of certain notes by Newcastle CDO VIII 1, Limited, Newcastle CDO VIII 2, Limited, and Newcastle CDO VIII LLC. In addition, we have, at your request, relied upon (i) the opinion of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, dated March 25, 2004, in connection with the acquisition by DBNCH Circle LLC and DBNCF Circle LLC of certain petroleum properties from Circle K Stores, Inc., and (ii) the opinion of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, dated March 25, 2004, in connection with the leaseback of such petroleum properties by DBNCH Circle LLC and DBNCF Circle LLC to Circle K Stores, Inc.
In our review of certain documents in connection with our opinion as expressed below, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, photostatic, or electronic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. Where documents have been provided to us in draft form, we have assumed that the final executed versions of such documents will not differ materially from such drafts.
Our opinion is also based on the correctness of the following assumptions: (i) Newcastle and each of the entities comprising the Company has been and will
Newcastle Investment Corp.
May 16, 2014
Page 3
continue to be operated in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which it was formed and in the manner described in the relevant organizational documents, (ii) there will be no changes in the applicable laws of the State of Maryland or of any other jurisdiction under the laws of which any of the entities comprising the Company have been formed, and (iii) each of the written agreements to which the Company is a party will be implemented, construed and enforced in accordance with its terms.
In rendering our opinion, we have considered and relied upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code ), the regulations promulgated thereunder ( Regulations ), administrative rulings and other interpretations of the Code and the Regulations by the courts and the Internal Revenue Service ( IRS ), all as they exist at the date hereof. It should be noted that the Code, Regulations, judicial decisions, and administrative interpretations are subject to change at any time and, in some circumstances, with retroactive effect. A material change that is made after the date hereof in any of the foregoing bases for our opinion could affect our conclusions set forth herein. In this regard, an opinion of counsel with respect to an issue represents counsels best judgment as to the outcome on the merits with respect to such issue, is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and is not a guarantee that the IRS will not assert a contrary position with respect to such issue or that a court will not sustain such a position if asserted by the IRS.
We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Federal laws of the United States of America to the extent specifically referred to herein. In addition, we express no opinion on any issue relating to Newcastle or any investment therein, other than as expressly stated herein.
Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, commencing with Newcastles initial taxable year that ended on December 31, 2002, Newcastle has been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and its actual method of operation through the date of this letter has enabled, and its proposed method of operation will enable, it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. Newcastles qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon its ability to meet, through actual annual operating results, certain requirements, including requirements relating to distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, and the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, the results of which are not reviewed by us. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of Newcastles operation for any one taxable year satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the Code.
This opinion has been prepared for you and New Residential in connection with the Offering. We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Newcastle Investment Corp.
May 16, 2014
Page 4
Commission. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we are under no obligation to supplement or revise our opinion to reflect any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof, or the impact of any information, document, certificate, record, statement, representation, covenant, or assumption relied upon herein that becomes incorrect or untrue.
Very truly yours, |
/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP |
Exhibit 8.2
Re: | Certain Federal Income Tax Matters |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion concerning certain Federal income tax considerations in connection with the offering (the Offering ) by New Residential Investment Corp., a Delaware corporation ( New Residential ), of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3, including all amendments or supplements thereto, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Registration Statement ).
We have acted as tax counsel to New Residential in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement and certain other documents. In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Registration Statement and such other documentation and information provided by you as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth herein. In addition, you have provided us with, and we are relying upon, a certificate containing certain factual representations and covenants of officers of New Residential (the New Residential Officers Certificate ) relating to, among other things, the actual and proposed operations of New Residential and the entities in which it holds, or has held, a direct or indirect interest (collectively, the Company ). Moreover, we are, at your request, relying on the accuracy and completeness of all information provided in (i) a certificate, dated July 18, 2012, executed by officers of FHC Property Management LLC ( FHC , and such certificate, the FHC Officers Certificate ) and (ii) a certificate, dated the date hereof, executed by officers of Newcastle Investment Corp. ( Newcastle , and such certificate, the Newcastle Officers Certificate , and, collectively with the New Residential Officers
New Residential Investment Corp.
May 16, 2014
Page 2
Certificate and FHC Certificate, the Officers Certificates ). For purposes of our opinion, we have not independently verified the facts, representations and covenants set forth in the Officers Certificates, the Registration Statement, or in any other document. In particular, we note that the Company, FHC, and Newcastle have engaged in, and may engage in, transactions in connection with which we have not provided legal advice, and have not reviewed, and of which we may be unaware. We have, consequently, assumed and relied on your representations and the representations of Newcastle, as the case may be, that the information presented in the Officers Certificates, the Registration Statement, and other documents, or otherwise furnished to us, accurately and completely describes all material facts with respect to the matters addressed in the New Residential Officers Certificate and the Newcastle Officers Certificate, as the case may be. We have assumed that the statements, representations and covenants presented in all such documents and the Officers Certificates are true without regard to any qualification as to knowledge, belief, or intent. Our opinion is conditioned on the continuing accuracy and completeness of such statements, representations and covenants. Any material change or inaccuracy in the facts referred to, set forth, or assumed herein or in the Officers Certificates may affect our conclusions set forth herein.
In our review of certain documents in connection with our opinion as expressed below, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, photostatic, or electronic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. Where documents have been provided to us in draft form, we have assumed that the final executed versions of such documents will not differ materially from such drafts.
Our opinion is also based on the correctness of the following assumptions: (i) New Residential and each of the entities comprising the Company has been and will continue to be operated in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which it was formed and in the manner described in the relevant organizational documents, (ii) Newcastle, and each of the entities in which it holds, or has held, a direct or indirect interest, has been and will continue to be operated in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which it was formed in the manner described in the relevant organizational documents, (iii) there will be no changes in the applicable laws of the State of Delaware, the State of Maryland or of any other jurisdiction under the laws of which any of the entities comprising the Company or Newcastle and the entities in which each of the Company or Newcastle holds, or has held, a direct or indirect interest, have been formed, and (iv) each of the written agreements to which the Company or Newcastle or the entities in which each of the Company or Newcastle holds, or has held, a direct or indirect interest, is a party will be implemented, construed and enforced in accordance with its terms.
New Residential Investment Corp.
May 16, 2014
Page 3
In rendering our opinion, we have considered and relied upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code ), the regulations promulgated thereunder ( Regulations ), administrative rulings and other interpretations of the Code and the Regulations by the courts and the Internal Revenue Service ( IRS ), all as they exist at the date hereof. It should be noted that the Code, Regulations, judicial decisions, and administrative interpretations are subject to change at any time and, in some circumstances, with retroactive effect. A material change that is made after the date hereof in any of the foregoing bases for our opinion could affect our conclusions set forth herein. In this regard, an opinion of counsel with respect to an issue represents counsels best judgment as to the outcome on the merits with respect to such issue, is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and is not a guarantee that the IRS will not assert a contrary position with respect to such issue or that a court will not sustain such a position if asserted by the IRS.
We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Federal laws of the United States of America to the extent specifically referred to herein. In addition, we express no opinion on any issue relating to New Residential or any investment therein, other than as expressly stated herein.
Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, commencing with New Residentials initial taxable year ending on December 31, 2013, New Residential has been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a real estate investment trust ( REIT ) under the Code, and its actual method of operation through the date of this letter has enabled, and its proposed method of operation, as disclosed in the Registration Statement, will enable, it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.
As noted in the Registration Statement, New Residentials qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon its ability to meet, through actual annual operating results, certain requirements, including requirements relating to distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, and the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, the results of which are not reviewed by us. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of New Residentials operation for any one taxable year satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the Code.
In addition, and as noted in the Registration Statement, New Residentials ability to qualify as a REIT under the Code depends on Newcastles continued qualification as a REIT for the 2013 and, potentially, 2014 taxable years. Concurrently herewith, we have issued an opinion to Newcastle to the effect that, commencing with Newcastles initial taxable year ending December 31, 2002, Newcastle has been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and its actual method of operation through the date hereof has enabled, and its proposed method of operation will enable, it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT (the Newcastle Opinion ). It should be noted that the Newcastle Opinion is
New Residential Investment Corp.
May 16, 2014
Page 4
based on the assumptions described therein, the Newcastle Officers Certificate and the FHC Officers Certificate. Additionally, Newcastles qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon its ability to meet, through actual annual operating results, certain requirements, including requirements relating to distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, and the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, the results of which are not reviewed by us. No assurance can be given as to whether the actual results of Newcastles operation for any one taxable year will enable it to qualify as a REIT under the Code, nor can any assurance be given that a failure of Newcastle to qualify as a REIT under the Code will not prevent New Residential from qualifying as a REIT under the Code. Accordingly, we have assumed for purposes of this opinion that Newcastle will qualify as a REIT under the Code for the 2013 and 2014 taxable years.
This opinion has been prepared for you in connection with the Offering. We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP under the captions U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we are under no obligation to supplement or revise our opinion to reflect any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof, or the impact of any information, document, certificate, record, statement, representation, covenant, or assumption relied upon herein that becomes incorrect or untrue.
Very truly yours, |
/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP |
Exhibit 12.1
New Residential Investment Corp.
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated:
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2014 |
Year Ended December 31, |
December 8,
2011, through December 31, 2011 |
||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||
Income before equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries |
$ | 34,418 | $ | 32,424 | $ | 41,247 | $ | 714 | ||||||||
Fixed charges, as defined |
38,997 | 15,024 | 704 | | ||||||||||||
Distributed income of equity investees |
11,940 | 127,310 | | | ||||||||||||
Earnings, as defined |
$ | 85,355 | $ | 274,758 | $ | 41,951 | $ | 714 | ||||||||
Fixed charges, as defined (A) |
$ | 38,997 | $ | 15,024 | $ | 704 | $ | | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (A) |
2.19 | 18.29 | 59.59 | N/A | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
(A) Fixed charges, as defined: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
$ | 38,997 | $ | 15,024 | $ | 704 | $ | | ||||||||
Preferred dividends and related accretion |
| | | | ||||||||||||
Fixed charges, as defined |
$ | 38,997 | $ | 15,024 | $ | 704 | $ | |
For purposes of calculating the above ratios, (i) earnings represent income (loss) before taxes, excluding equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, from our consolidated statements of operations, as adjusted for fixed charges and distributions from unconsolidated subsidiaries and (ii) fixed charges represent interest expense from our consolidated statements of operations. We incurred no fixed charges during the period from December 8, 2011, through December 31, 2011. The above ratios are based solely on historical financial information.
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 New Residential Investment Corp. and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated March 28, 2014, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of New Residential Investment Corp. and Subsidiaries, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of New Residential Investment Corp. and Subsidiaries, included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, NY
May 16, 2014
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of New Residential Investment Corp. of our report dated March 26, 2014 relating to the consolidated and combined financial statements of SpringCastle Finance, LLC, SpringCastle Credit, LLC, SpringCastle America, LLC and SpringCastle Acquisition, LLC, which appears in New Residential Investment Corp.s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading Experts in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
May 16, 2014
Exhibit 25.1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
¨ | Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) |
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)
31-0841368
I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.
800 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, Minnesota |
55402 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Richard Prokosch
Vice President
U.S. Bank National Association
Global Corporate Trust Services
Mailcode: EP-MN-WS3C
60 Livingston Avenue
St. Paul MN 55107-2292
phone (651) 466-6619
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP.
(Issuer with respect to the Securities)
Delaware | 45-3449660 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York |
10105 | |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
Debt Securities
(Title of the Indenture Securities)
FORM T-1
Item 1. | GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee. |
a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of the Currency
Washington, D.C.
b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
Yes
Item 2. | AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation. |
None
Items 3-15 | Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustees knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee. |
Item 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS: List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification. |
1. | A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee.* |
2. | A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business.** |
3. | A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers.** |
4. | A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee.** |
5. | A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4. Not applicable. |
6. | The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 6. |
7. | Report of Condition of the Trustee as of March 31, 2014 published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7. |
* | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25.1 to Amendment No. 2 to registration statement on S-4, Registration Number 333-128217 filed on November 15, 2005. |
** | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25.1 to registration statement on S-4, Registration Number 333-166527 filed on May 5, 2010. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of St. Paul, State of Minnesota on the 13th of May, 2014.
By: |
/s/ Richard Prokosch |
|
Richard Prokosch | ||
Vice President |
Exhibit 6
CONSENT
In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.
Dated: May 13, 2014
By: |
/s/ Richard Prokosch |
|
Richard Prokosch | ||
Vice President |
Exhibit 7
U.S. Bank National Association
Statement of Financial Condition
As of 3/31/2014
($000s)
3/31/2014 | ||||
Assets |
||||
Cash and Balances Due From Depository Institutions |
$ | 7,390,563 | ||
Securities |
84,977,518 | |||
Federal Funds |
36,998 | |||
Loans & Lease Financing Receivables |
234,549,731 | |||
Fixed Assets |
4,726,552 | |||
Intangible Assets |
13,234,790 | |||
Other Assets |
22,187,278 | |||
|
|
|||
Total Assets |
$ | 367,103,430 | ||
Liabilities |
||||
Deposits |
$ | 270,081,137 | ||
Fed Funds |
3,856,384 | |||
Treasury Demand Notes |
0 | |||
Trading Liabilities |
422,782 | |||
Other Borrowed Money |
35,507,326 | |||
Acceptances |
0 | |||
Subordinated Notes and Debentures |
4,623,000 | |||
Other Liabilities |
11,663,853 | |||
|
|
|||
Total Liabilities |
$ | 326,154,482 | ||
Equity |
||||
Common and Preferred Stock |
18,200 | |||
Surplus |
14,266,409 | |||
Undivided Profits |
25,808,807 | |||
Minority Interest in Subsidiaries |
$ | 855,532 | ||
|
|
|||
Total Equity Capital |
$ | 40,948,948 | ||
Total Liabilities and Equity Capital |
$ | 367,103,430 |
2