UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (date of earliest event reported): May 15, 2014

 

 

Banc of California, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland

 

001-35522

 

04-3639825

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

18500 Von Karman Ave, Suite 900

Irvine, California 92612

(Address of principal executive offices)

(949) 236-5211

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Common Stock Offering .  On May 15, 2014, Banc of California, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”), as representative of the several underwriters (collectively, “Underwriters”) listed in Schedule A thereto, pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to the Underwriters 5,150,000 shares of the Company’s voting common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), at a public offering price of $9.78 per share, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement (the “Common Stock Offering”). The Underwriting Agreement also granted the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 772,500 shares of Common Stock, which was exercised in full on May 20, 2014. The Company has made certain customary representations, warranties and covenants in the Underwriting Agreement. The Company also has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). On May 21, 2014, the Company closed the Common Stock Offering and completed the sale of 5,922,500 shares of Common Stock.

The foregoing description of the Underwriting Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Underwriting Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company estimates that the net proceeds from the Common Stock Offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company, will be approximately $53.7 million. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Common Stock Offering, together with the net proceeds from the sale of the Units described below, to finance its previously announced pending acquisition of 20 California branches from Popular Community Bank and for general corporate purposes.

The shares sold in the Common Stock Offering have been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-192518) (the “Registration Statement”). The material terms of the offer and sale of the shares of Common Stock are described in the Company’s final prospectus supplement, dated May 15, 2014 and as filed with the SEC on May 19, 2014, pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) under the Securities Act, which supplements the Company’s prospectus, dated February 12, 2014, contained in the Registration Statement.

Units Offering .  On May 15, 2014, the Company also entered into a Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Merrill Lynch relating to a public offering of 1,200,000 8.00% tangible equity units (the “Units”), each with a stated amount of $50.00, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement (the “Units Offering”). Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Company granted Merrill Lynch an option to purchase up to 180,000 additional Units, which was exercised in full on May 20, 2014. The Company has made certain customary representations, warranties and covenants in the Purchase Agreement. The Company also has agreed to indemnify Merrill Lynch against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. On May 21, 2014, the Company closed the Units Offering and completed the sale of 1,380,000 Units.

Each Unit is comprised of (i) a prepaid stock purchase contract (each a “Purchase Contract”) that will be settled by delivery of a number of shares of Company Common Stock to be determined pursuant to the Purchase Contract Agreement (as defined below) and (ii) a junior subordinated amortizing note


due May 15, 2017 (each an “Amortizing Note”) that has an initial principal amount of $10.604556 per Amortizing Note, bears interest at a rate of 7.50% per annum and has a scheduled final installment payment date of May 15, 2017.

Purchase Contracts

In connection with the issuance of the Units, the Company entered into a Purchase Contract Agreement (the “Purchase Contract Agreement”), dated as of May 21, 2014, with U.S. Bank National Association, as purchase contract agent for the holders of the Purchase Contracts and as trustee under the Indenture (as defined below).

Unless settled earlier at the Unit holder’s (or Purchase Contract holder’s, if the applicable Unit has been separated into its constituent Purchase Contract and Amortizing Note as described below) option or the Company’s option, on May 15, 2017 (subject to postponement in certain limited circumstances), each Purchase Contract will automatically settle, and the Company will deliver a number of shares of Common Stock based on the applicable market value of the Common Stock, which is the average of the daily volume weighted average prices of the Company’s Common Stock on each of the 20 consecutive trading days (as defined in the Purchase Contract Agreement) ending on the third trading day immediately preceding May 15, 2017:

 

    if the applicable market value is equal to or greater than $11.247 per share (subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Contract Agreement) (the “threshold appreciation price”), the holder will receive 4.4456 shares of Common Stock;

 

    if the applicable market value is greater than $9.78 per share but less than $11.247 per share (subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Contract Agreement), the holder will receive a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (1) $50.00 divided by (2) the applicable market value; and

 

    if the applicable market value is less than or equal to $9.78 per share, the holder will receive 5.1124 shares of Common Stock.

The initial minimum settlement rate is approximately equal to (1) the Unit stated amount of $50.00 divided by (2) the initial threshold appreciation price of $11.247 per share. The initial maximum settlement rate is approximately equal to (1) the Unit stated amount of $50.00 divided by (2) the initial reference price of $9.78 per share.

On any business day during the period beginning on, and including, the business day immediately following the date of initial issuance of the Units to, but excluding, the third business day immediately preceding May 15, 2017, any holder of a Purchase Contract may settle its Purchase Contract early, and the Company will deliver to such holder a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the minimum settlement rate as determined under the Purchase Contract Agreement. In addition, if a “fundamental change” (as defined in the Purchase Contract Agreement) occurs and the Purchase Contract holder elects to settle its Purchase Contract early in connection with such fundamental change, such holder will receive a number of shares of Common Stock based on the fundamental change early settlement rate, as determined under the Purchase Contract Agreement.

The Company may elect to settle all outstanding Purchase Contracts early by delivering 5.1124 shares of Common Stock to each holder of a Unit or Purchase Contract, if separated from its related Unit


(or, under certain circumstances described in the Purchase Contract Agreement, by delivering 4.4456 shares to each holder of a Unit or Purchase Contract, if separated from its related Unit). If the Company elects to settle the Purchase Contracts early, the holders of the Amortizing Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase the Amortizing Notes. Except for cash payments in lieu of fractional shares, and except after certain merger events, the Purchase Contract holders will not receive any cash payments under the Purchase Contracts.

Amortizing Notes

The Amortizing Notes were issued under an Indenture, dated May 21, 2014 (the “Base Indenture”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 21, 2014 (the “Supplemental Indenture” and, the Base Indenture as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”), each between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.

On each August 15, November 15, February 15 and May 15, commencing on August 15, 2014, the Company will pay holders of Amortizing Notes equal quarterly cash installments of $1.00 per Amortizing Note (or, in the case of the installment payment due on August 15, 2014, $0.933333 per Amortizing Note) (such installments, the “installment payments”), which installment payments in the aggregate will be equivalent to a 8.00% cash distribution per year with respect to each $50.00 stated amount of Units. Each installment payment will constitute a payment of interest (at a rate of 7.50% per annum) and a partial repayment of principal on each Amortizing Note, allocated as set forth in the amortization schedule provided in the Indenture. The Company will have the right to defer installment payments at any time and from time to time under the circumstances, and subject to the conditions described in the Purchase Contract Agreement, so long as such deferral period does not extend beyond May 15, 2019.

The Indenture contains certain covenants by the Company, including a covenant that limits the Company’s ability to consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets. The Indenture also contains customary events of default which, in the case of certain bankruptcy-related events of default, would permit the holders of the Amortizing Notes to declare those Amortizing Notes to be immediately due and payable.

Each Unit may be separated into its constituent Purchase Contract and Amortizing Note after the initial issuance date of the Units, and the separate components may be combined to create a Unit, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Contract Agreement.

The Company does not intend to apply for a listing of the Units, the separate Purchase Contracts or the separate Amortizing Notes on any securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system.

The sale of the Units was made pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement. The material terms of the offer and sale of the Units are described in the Company’s final prospectus supplement, dated May 15, 2014 and as filed with the SEC on May 19, 2014, pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) under the Securities Act, which supplements the Company’s prospectus, dated February 12, 2014 and contained in the Registration Statement.

The Company estimates that the net proceeds from the issuance of the Units, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company, will be approximately $64.6 million. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the issuance of the Units, together with the net proceeds from the Common Stock Offering, to finance its previously


announced pending acquisition of 20 California branches from Popular Community Bank and for general corporate purposes.

The foregoing descriptions of the Purchase Agreement, the Purchase Contract Agreement, the Indenture and the related instruments and transactions associated therewith do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by, the full text of the agreements and instruments, each of which is attached hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information in Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

Item 8.01 Other Events.

This Current Report on Form 8-K is being filed, in part, for the purpose of filing the documents attached as exhibits hereto as exhibits to the Registration Statement in connection with the issuance of the shares of Common Stock in the Common Stock Offering and the Units in the Units Offering, and such exhibits are hereby incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits .  The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index accompanying this Current Report on Form 8-K are filed herewith.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated:  May 21, 2014

 

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Richard Herrin

 
  Name:     Richard Herrin
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Number

 

Description

1.1   Underwriting Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2014, by and among the Company, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and each of the other underwriters named in Schedule A thereto, pertaining to the Common Stock Offering.
1.2   Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2014, by and between the Company and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, pertaining to the Units Offering.
4.1   Purchase Contract Agreement, dated May 21, 2014, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association.
4.2   Indenture, dated May 21, 2014, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association.
4.3   First Supplemental Indenture, dated May 21, 2014, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association.
4.4   Form of Unit (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.5   Form of Purchase Contract (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.6   Form of Note (included in Exhibit 4.3).
5.1   Opinion of Silver, Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP regarding the validity of the shares of Common Stock issued in the Common Stock Offering.
5.2   Opinion of Silver, Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP regarding the validity of the shares to be issued in connection with the Units.
5.3   Opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz regarding the validity of the Units issued in the Units Offering.
23.1   Consent of Silver, Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2   Consent of Silver, Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).
23.3   Consent of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz (included in Exhibit 5.3).

Exhibit 1.1

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.

(a Maryland corporation)

5,150,000 Shares of Common Stock, $.01 Par Value per Share

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

May 15, 2014

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH

                                 INCORPORATED

    as Representative of the several Underwriters

 

c/o   

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

               Incorporated

  
   One Bryant Park   
   New York, NY 10036   

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Banc of California, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), confirms its agreement with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”) and each of the other Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (collectively, the “Underwriters”, which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom Merrill Lynch is acting as representative (in such capacity, the “Representative”), to issue and sell to the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, an aggregate of 5,150,000 shares of voting common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company (the “Firm Securities”), and, at the election of the Representative, up to an additional 772,500 shares of voting common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company (the “Additional Securities” and, together with the Firm Securities, the “Securities”). The shares of voting common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company to be outstanding after giving effect to the sales contemplated hereby are hereinafter referred to as the “Common Stock.”

The Securities to be issued in book-entry form shall be issued to Cede & Co. as nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) pursuant to a blanket issuer letter of representations, dated April 19, 2012 (the “DTC Agreement”), between the Company and DTC.

The Company understands that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the Securities as soon as the Representative deems advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered.

The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-192518), as amended (the “Registration Statement”), covering the registration of the sale of certain securities, including the Securities, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), from time to time in accordance with Rule 415 of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act (the “1933 Act Regulations”). Such registration statement has been declared effective by the Commission and the Company has filed such post-effective amendments thereto as may be required prior to the execution of this Agreement and each such post-


effective amendment is effective under the 1933 Act. Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will prepare and file a prospectus supplement in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430B of the 1933 Act Regulations (“Rule 430B”) and paragraph (b) of Rule 424 of the 1933 Act Regulations (“Rule 424(b)”). Any information included in such prospectus supplement that was omitted from such registration statement at the time it became effective but that is deemed to be part of and included in such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B is referred to herein as “Rule 430B Information.” Each base prospectus and prospectus supplement used in connection with the offering of the Securities that omitted Rule 430B Information is referred to herein collectively as a “preliminary prospectus.” Such registration statement, at any given time, including any amendments thereto to such time, the exhibits and any schedules thereto at such time, the documents incorporated by reference therein at such time and the documents otherwise deemed to be a part thereof or included therein by the 1933 Act Regulations, is referred to herein as the “Registration Statement;” provided , however , that the term “Registration Statement” without reference to a time means such registration statement as of the time of the first contract of sale for the Securities, which time shall be considered the “new effective date” of such registration statement with respect to the Underwriters and the Securities (within the meaning of Rule 430B(f)(2)); provided, further, that any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations is referred to herein as the “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement”, and after such filing the term “Registration Statement” shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. The final base prospectus and the prospectus supplement, dated the date hereof, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, are referred to herein collectively as the “Prospectus.” For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include any copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”).

All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is “contained,” “included” or “stated” in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package (as defined herein) (or other references of like import) shall be deemed to include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package, as the case may be, prior to the execution of this Agreement; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package shall be deemed to include the filing of any document under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, such preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package, as the case may be, after the execution of this Agreement.

SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties .

(a) Representations and Warranties by the Company . The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter, as of the date hereof, at the Applicable Time (as defined herein), at the Closing Time (as defined in Section 2(b)) and at each additional time of purchase (as defined in Section 2(a)), if any, and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:

(i) Compliance with Registration Requirements . The Company is permitted to use the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-192518) to register and sell the Securities. The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are

 

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contemplated by the Commission, and the Company has complied with any requests on the part of the Commission for additional information with respect to the Registration Statement.

At the respective times the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendments thereto became effective, at each deemed effective date with respect to the Underwriters and the Securities pursuant to Rule 430B(f)(2), at the Closing Time, and at each additional time of purchase, if any, the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto complied, complies and will comply, as the case may be, in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations, and neither the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, nor any amendment thereto contained, contains or will contain, as the case may be, an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit, as the case may be, to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. Neither the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto, at the respective dates of the Prospectus or such amendment or supplement were issued, or at the Closing Time or at each additional time of purchase, if any, included, includes or will include, as the case may be, an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit, as the case may be, to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

At the Applicable Time (as defined below), each Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below) identified on Schedule B-1 hereto, any other information conveyed to purchasers of the Securities at or prior to the Applicable Time, as set forth on Schedule B-2 hereto, and the Statutory Prospectus (as defined below), all considered together (collectively, the “General Disclosure Package”), did not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

Each preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus complied when filed with the Commission in all material respects with the 1933 Act Regulations, and each such document furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of Securities was identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

The representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package or any amendment or supplement thereto made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto. For purposes of this paragraph, the only information so furnished shall be the information in the in the first paragraph under the heading “Underwriting – Commissions and Discounts,” the information in the second and third paragraphs under the heading “Underwriting – Price Stabilization, Short Positions,” and the information under the heading “Underwriting – Electronic Distribution,” in each case contained in the Prospectus (collectively, the “Underwriter Information”).

As used in this subsection and elsewhere in this Agreement:

“Applicable Time” means 6:45 p.m. (New York City time) on May 15, 2014 or such other time as agreed by the Company and the Representative.

 

3


“Statutory Prospectus,” at any given time, means the base prospectus that is included in the Registration Statement and the preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the Securities immediately prior to that time, including the documents incorporated by reference therein at such time. For purposes of this definition, information contained in a form of prospectus that is deemed retroactively to be a part of the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430B shall be considered to be included in the Statutory Prospectus only at the actual time that such form of prospectus is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b).

“Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 of the 1933 Act Regulations (“Rule 433”), relating to the Securities that (i) is required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (ii) is a “road show that is a written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i), whether or not required to be filed with the Commission, or (iii) is exempt from filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) because it contains a description of the Securities or of the offering that does not reflect the final terms, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g).

Each Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus, at its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offering contemplated hereby or until any earlier date that the Company notified or notifies the Representative, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any preliminary or other prospectus deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified.

(A) At the date of the original effectiveness of the Registration Statement, (B) at the earliest time after the original effectiveness of the Registration Statement that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the 1933 Act Regulations) of the Securities and (C) at the execution of this Agreement (with such time of execution being used as the determination date for purpose of this clause (C)), the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 of the 1933 Act Regulations (“Rule 405”), without taking into account any determination of the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an ineligible issuer.

(ii) Incorporated Documents . The documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (the “1934 Act Regulations”), and, when read together with the other information in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, at the time the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto became effective, at the Applicable Time, at the Closing Time, and at each additional time of purchase, if any, did not, do not and will not, as the case may be, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(iii) Independent Accountants . The accountants who certified the financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are independent public accountants as required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and, to the Company’s knowledge, are not and have not been in violation of the auditor independence

 

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requirements of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules and regulations of the Commission (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) in respect of the entity whose financial statements it audited.

(iv) Financial Statements . The financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, at the dates indicated and their respective statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the periods specified. Such financial statements have been prepared in compliance with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act and in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. Any selected financial data and the summary financial information included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly, in all material respects, the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly, in all material respects, the pro forma consolidated results of operations and the financial position of the Company for the periods specified and have been prepared in accordance with Rules 11-01 and 11-02 of Regulation S-X and the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable. No other financial statements or schedules are required under the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act or the 1934 Act Regulations to be included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus. To the extent applicable, all disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply with Regulation G of the 1934 Act, the 1934 Act Regulations and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the 1933 Act, as applicable, in all material respects. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus fairly presents the required information in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

(v) Certain Data and Forward-Looking Statements . All statistical or market-related data included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company reasonably believes to be reliable and accurate, and the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources to the extent required. Each “forward-looking statement” (within the meaning of Section 27A of the 1933 Act or Section 21E of the 1934 Act) contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed with a reasonable basis and in good faith.

(vi) No Material Adverse Change in Business . Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change in the financial condition, earnings, or business affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a “Material Adverse Effect”), (B) there have been no liabilities or obligations incurred, direct or

 

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contingent, nor transactions entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than those in the ordinary course of business, which are material with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, and (C) except for regular quarterly dividends on the common stock and preferred stock of the Company in amounts per share that are consistent with past practice, there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock.

(vii) Internal Accounting Controls . Each of the Company and its subsidiaries maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with the management’s general or specific authorizations, (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with the management’s general or specific authorization and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Since the date of the Company’s latest audited financial statements incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

(viii) Disclosure Controls . The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the 1934 Act). Such disclosure controls and procedures (A) are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer by others within those entities and (B) are effective to perform the functions for which they were established. The Company’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors have not been advised that there is (1) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a role in the Company’s internal controls or (2) any material weaknesses in internal controls. Since the date of the most recent evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures, there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls, including any corrective actions with regard to material weaknesses. The principal executive officer (or the equivalents) and principal financial officer (or the equivalent) of the Company have made all certifications required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the statements made in each such certification are accurate; the Company, its subsidiaries and to the Company’s knowledge, its directors and officers, are each in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

(ix) Regulatory Matters . The Company, Banc of California, National Association (the “Bank”) and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Company’s other subsidiaries, are in compliance in all material respects with all laws administered by and regulations of any Governmental Entity applicable to it or to them (including, without limitation, all regulations and orders of, or agreements with, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Community Reinvestment Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, all other applicable fair lending laws or other laws relating to discrimination and the Bank Secrecy Act and Title III of the U.S.A. Patriot Act), the failure to comply with which would have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is subject or is party to, or has received any notice or advice that any of them may become subject or party to any investigation with respect to, any corrective, suspension or cease-and-desist order, agreement, consent

 

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agreement, memorandum of understanding or other regulatory enforcement action, proceeding or order with or by, or is a party to any commitment letter or similar undertaking to, or is subject to any directive by, or has been a recipient of any supervisory letter from, or has adopted any board resolutions at the request of, any Regulatory Agency (as defined below) that currently relates to or restricts in any material respect the conduct of their business or that in any manner relates to their capital adequacy, credit policies or management (each, a “Regulatory Agreement”), nor has the Company or any of its subsidiaries been advised by any Regulatory Agency that it is considering issuing or requesting any such Regulatory Agreement. There is no unresolved violation, criticism or exception by any Regulatory Agency with respect to any report or statement relating to any examinations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries which, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, is expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. As used herein, the term “Regulatory Agency” means any federal or state agency charged with the supervision or regulation of depositary institutions or holding companies of depositary institutions, or engaged in the insurance of depositary institution deposits, or any court, administrative agency or commission or other Governmental Entity, authority or instrumentality having supervisory or regulatory authority with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

(x) Regulatory Compliance . The deposit accounts in the Bank are insured up to the applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) to the fullest extent permitted by law and the rules and regulations of the FDIC, and no proceeding for the revocation or termination of such insurance is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened or contemplated.

(xi) Good Standing of the Company . The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company is duly registered as a financial holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.

(xii) Good Standing of Subsidiaries . The Bank is the only “significant subsidiary” of the Company (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) (a “Significant Subsidiary”) and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Bank is a national bank chartered under the laws of the United States and its charter is in full force and effect. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Bank have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity, and none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Bank were issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any securityholder of the Bank.

 

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(xiii) Authorization of Agreement . This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. When duly executed by the Underwriters, this Agreement will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and the application of equitable principles relating to the availability of remedies, and subject to 12 U.S.C. § 1818(b)(6)(D) (or any successor statute) and similar bank regulatory powers and to the application of principles of public policy, and except as rights to indemnity or contribution, including but not limited to, indemnification provisions set forth in Section 8 of this Agreement, may be limited by federal or state securities law and the public policy underlying such laws.

(xiv) Authorization of the Securities . The Securities to be issued and sold by the Company to the Underwriters hereunder have been duly authorized by the Company and when issued and delivered to and paid for by the Representative at the Closing Time and at each additional time of purchase, if any, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued, will be issued in compliance with federal and state securities laws and will be free of statutory, and will not be issued in violation of any contractual, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal and similar rights, other than under (i) that certain Stock Appreciation Right Grant Agreement, dated as of August 21, 2012 and as amended by the amendment thereto dated as of December 13, 2013, between the Company and Steven Sugarman, (ii) that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2014, by and between the Company and Patriot Financial Partners, L.P. and Patriot Financial Partners Parallel, L.P. (the “Patriot Purchase Agreement”) and (iii) that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2014, by and between the Company and OCM Boca Investor, LLC (the “Oaktree Purchase Agreement”).

(xv) Description of the Securities . The Securities will conform in all material respects to the respective statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(xvi) Absence of Defaults and Non-contravention . Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of its charter or bylaws or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any subsidiary is subject, except for such violations or defaults that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. No event of default under that certain indenture, dated as of April 23, 2012, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, as supplemented by a supplemental indenture entered into by the Company and the trustee on April 23, 2012 (collectively, the “Indenture”), or default with notice and/or lapse of time that would constitute an event of default in respect of the Company’s 7.50% Senior Notes due April 15, 2020 (the “Notes”) has occurred and is continuing. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the issue and sale of the Securities by the Company and the performance by the Company of all of its obligations under this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described therein) and compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or

 

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any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, (i) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, (ii) the provisions of the charter, bylaws or other organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iii) any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any U.S. federal, state or local or international court, government or governmental or regulatory body or agency (each, a “Governmental Entity”) having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their property, assets or operations except, with respect to clauses (i) and (iii), for those conflicts, breaches, defaults, Repayment Events, liens, charges or encumbrances that would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. As used herein, a “Repayment Event” means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

(xvii) Accuracy of Exhibits . There are no contracts or documents which are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference therein or to be filed as exhibits thereto which have not been so described and filed as required.

(xviii) Absence of Labor Dispute . No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent, and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of the principal suppliers, manufacturers, customers or contractors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, which, in either case, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xix) Absence of Proceedings . There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or Governmental Entity, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries, which (A) is required to be disclosed in Registration Statement (other than as disclosed therein), (B) might result in a Material Adverse Effect or (C) might materially and adversely affect the assets or operations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder. The aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their respective assets or operations is the subject which are not described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xx) Possession of Intellectual Property . The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent licenses, trademarks, service marks and trade names necessary to carry on their businesses as presently conducted and the Company and its subsidiaries have not received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any patents, patent licenses, trademarks, service marks or trade names that, in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has infringed or is infringing on the intellectual property of a third party, and, except as are described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received notice of a claim by a third party to the contrary, except where such infringement would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(xxi) Possession of Licenses and Permits . The Company and its subsidiaries possess such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “Governmental Licenses”) issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them, except where the failure so to possess would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure to so comply would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. All of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except where the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxii) Title to Property . The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real property owned by the Company and its subsidiaries and good title to all other properties owned by them, in each case, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions or encumbrances of any kind except such as (A) are described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or (B) would not have a Material Adverse Effect. All of the leases and subleases material to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and under which the Company or any of its subsidiaries holds properties described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, are in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any subsidiary has any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any subsidiary under any such lease or sublease or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or such subsidiary to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease and that, in any such case, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxiii) Absence of Manipulation . Neither the Company nor any affiliate of the Company has taken, nor will the Company or any affiliate take, directly or indirectly, any action which is designed to or which has constituted or which would be expected to cause or result in the unlawful stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(xxiv) Absence of Further Requirements . No filing with, or consent, approval, authorization, order, license, registration, qualification or decree of or with any Governmental Entity is necessary or required in connection with the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement or for the offering, issuance, sale or delivery of the Securities, the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except the registration of the Securities under the 1933 Act, which has been effected (or, with respect to any Rule 462 Registration Statement, will be effected in accordance with Rule 462(b) under the 1933 Act) or as may be required under the (i) rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Global Market (the “NASDAQ”) or other securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), or (ii) securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states and other jurisdictions in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters.

 

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(xxv) Investment Company Act . The Company is not required, and upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will not be required, to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

(xxvi) Environmental Laws . The Company and its subsidiaries are (i) in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (“Environmental Laws”), (ii) have received and are in compliance with all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (iii) have not received notice of any actual or potential liability for the investigation or remediation of any disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, except where such non-compliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals, or liability would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxvii) NASDAQ . Shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the date hereof are listed for quotation on the NASDAQ, and the Company has not received any notice from the NASDAQ regarding the delisting of such shares from the NASDAQ other than as may have been received in connection with the Company’s voluntary delisting from the NASDAQ. The Company has filed with the NASDAQ a Notification of Listing of Additional Shares with respect to the Securities required by the rules of the NASDAQ.

(xxviii) FINRA . In accordance with the FINRA Rule 5110(b)(7)(C)(i), the Securities have been offered pursuant to the standards for such Form S-3 in effect prior to October 21, 1992.

(xxix) Contracts . Except for (i) the Small Business Lending Fund-Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2011, between the Company and the Secretary of the Treasury, relating to the Company’s Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, issued on that date pursuant to the Small Business Lending Fund program of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, (ii) the subscription agreements between the Company and each of the investors in the Company’s common stock offering completed on November 1, 2010, (iii) that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 3, 2013, by and among the Company, Patriot Financial Partners, L.P. and Patriot Financial Partners Parallel L.P., (iv) the Oaktree Purchase Agreement and (v) the Patriot Purchase Agreement, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any securities of the Company or to require the Company to include such securities with the Securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sent or received any communication regarding termination of, or intent not to renew, any of the contracts or agreements referred to or described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or referred to or described in, or filed as an exhibit to, the Registration Statement, and no such termination or non-renewal has been threatened by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or, to the Company’s knowledge, any other party to any such contract or agreement.

(xxx) Insurance . The Company and each of its subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the business in which they are engaged; neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its

 

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existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxxi) Capitalization . The authorized and outstanding capitalization of the Company is as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, subject, in each case, to the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights and warrants, and upon settlement of restricted stock units, disclosed as outstanding in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to that certain Common Stock Share Exchange Agreement, effective as of May 29, 2013, by and between the Company and TCW Shared Opportunity Fund V, L.P. (the “TCW Exchange Agreement”), the issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 25, 2013 (the “CS Financial Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, the Bank, CS Financial, Inc., the Sellers (as defined therein) and the Sellers’ Representative (as defined therein), the issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to the Oaktree Purchase Agreement, the issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to the Patriot Purchase Agreement and the grant of options, restricted stock and other equity-based incentive awards under existing stock plans described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The authorized capital stock of the Company conforms and will conform in all material respects as to legal matters to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The shares of Common Stock outstanding prior to the issuance of the Securities have been, except as would not be material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, duly authorized, are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, have been issued in compliance with applicable securities laws and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights.

(xxxii) Dividends . Except as otherwise would not have a Material Adverse Effect, no subsidiary of the Company is subject to any material direct or indirect prohibition on paying any dividends to the Company, on making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s capital stock, on repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or on transferring any of such subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company, except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(xxxiii) Taxes . All tax returns required to be filed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries have been timely filed, and all taxes and other assessments of a similar nature (whether imposed directly or through withholding) including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto due or claimed to be due from such entities have been timely paid, other than those being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been provided or which if not paid, would not individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxxiv) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act . Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and the Company and its subsidiaries have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure continued compliance therewith.

 

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(xxxv) Derivative Financial Instruments . Any and all material swaps, caps, floors, futures, forward contracts, option agreements (other than stock options issued to the Company’s employees, directors, agents or consultants) and other derivative financial instruments, contracts or arrangements, whether entered into for the account of the Company or one of its subsidiaries or for the account of a customer of the Company or one of its subsidiaries, were entered into in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations and policies of all applicable regulatory agencies and with counterparties believed by the Company to be financially responsible at the time. The Company and each of its subsidiaries have duly performed in all material respects all of their obligations thereunder to the extent that such obligations to perform have accrued, and there are no breaches, violations or defaults or allegations or assertions of such by any party thereunder which would, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxxvi) ERISA . Each of the Company, the Company’s subsidiaries and their respective “ERISA Affiliates” (as defined below) are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, “ERISA”). No “reportable event” (as defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) for which the Company, any of the Company’s subsidiaries or their respective ERISA Affiliates would have any liability. None of the Company, the Company’s subsidiaries or their respective ERISA Affiliates have incurred, or expect to incur, material liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “employee benefit plan” or (ii) Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, the “Code”). Each “employee benefit plan” for which the Company, any of the Company’s subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates would have any liability that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in all material respects and, to the Company’s knowledge, nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification. “ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any member of any group of organizations described in Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001(b) of ERISA of which the Company or such subsidiary is a member.

(xxxvii) Certain Transactions . Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has participated in any reportable transaction, as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-(4)(b)(1).

(xxxviii) Unlawful Payments . None of the Company, any of the Company’s subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has: (A) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (B) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; or (C) made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

(xxxix) Relationships . No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, shareholders, customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the other hand, that is required by the 1933 Act or the regulations thereof to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and that is not so described.

 

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(xl) Pending Procedures and Examinations . The Registration Statement is not the subject of a pending proceeding or examination under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the 1933 Act, and the Company is not the subject of a pending proceeding under Section 8A of the 1933 Act in connection with the offering of the Securities.

(xli) No Unauthorized Dissemination of Materials . Neither the Company nor any of the Company’s subsidiaries or other affiliates has distributed or prior to the completion of the distribution of the Securities, will distribute any prospectus (as such term is defined in the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations) in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other than the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or other materials, if any, permitted by the 1933 Act or by the 1933 Act Regulations and approved by the Representative in accordance with Section 3(k) hereof.

(xlii) Transactions . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and except for the Oaktree Purchase Agreement, the Patriot Purchase Agreement, the CS Financial Merger Agreeent and the Purchase and Assumption Agreement (as defined herein), neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to a letter of intent, accepted term sheet or similar instrument or any binding agreement that contemplates an acquisition, disposition, transfer or sale of the assets (as a going concern) or capital stock of the Company or of any subsidiary or business unit or any similar business combination transaction which would be material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

(xliii) Authorization of Corporate Transaction Agreements . The Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2014, by and between the Bank and Banco Popular North America (the “Purchase and Assumption Agreement”), has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Bank and constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company and the Bank, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles.

(xliv) Broker Fees . Other than as contemplated by this Agreement, there is no broker, finder or other party that is entitled to receive from the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries any brokerage or finder’s fee or commission as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(xlv) Prior Issuances . Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has not sold, issued or distributed any shares of Common Stock during the six-month period preceding the date hereof, including any sales pursuant to Rule 144A under, or Regulation D or S of, the 1933 Act, other than shares issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans or other employee compensation plans; pursuant to employee inducement grants pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4); pursuant to outstanding options, rights or warrants; pursuant to the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan; pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 3, 2013, by and among the Company, Patriot Financial Partners, L.P. and Patriot Financial Partners Parallel L.P.; pursuant to the Oaktree Purchase Agreement; pursuant to the Patriot Purchase Agreement; or pursuant to the Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2014, by and among the Company, CS Financial, Inc., RenovationReady, LLC, Chadron Group, LLC and Granite Loan Management of Delaware, LLC.

 

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(b) Officer’s Certificates . Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company delivered to the Representative or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby on the date of such certificate.

SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing .

(a) The Securities . On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company, the number of shares of Firm Securities set forth in Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter, plus any additional shares of Firm Securities such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof.

In addition, the Company hereby grants to the several Underwriters the option to purchase, and upon the basis of the representations and warranties and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Underwriters shall have the right to purchase, severally and not jointly, from the Company ratably in accordance with the number of Firm Securities to be purchased by each of them (subject to such adjustment as the Representative may determine to eliminate fractional shares of Firm Securities), all or a portion of the Additional Securities. This option may be exercised for 30 days after the date hereof and may be exercised in whole or in part at any time from time to time upon written notice by the Representative on behalf of the several Underwriters to the Company. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of Additional Securities as to which the option is being exercised and the date and time when the Additional Securities are to be delivered (any such date and time being hereinafter referred to as the “additional time of purchase”), provided , however , that any additional time of purchase shall not be (i) earlier than the Closing Time or (ii) earlier than the third business day or later than the tenth business day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised.

The price of both the Firm Securities and any Additional Securities purchased by the Underwriters shall be $9.2177 per share.

(b) Payment . Delivery of the Firm Securities shall be made at the offices of Hogan Lovells US LLP, 555 Thirteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company, at 11:00 A.M. (Eastern time) on May 21, 2014 (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), or such other time not later than ten business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called “Closing Time”).

Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account designated by the Company, against delivery to the Representative for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of the Firm Securities to be purchased by them. It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the Representative, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Firm Securities which it has agreed to purchase. Merrill Lynch, individually and not as a representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Firm Securities to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Time, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.

Payment of the purchase price and delivery of the Additional Securities shall be made at the additional time of purchase in the same manner and at the same office as the payment for the Firm Securities.

 

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The Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter hereunder will be deposited by or on behalf of the Company with DTC or its designated custodian. The Company will, or will direct the Depositary to, deliver the Securities to the Representative for the account of each Underwriter, by causing DTC to credit the Securities to the account of the Representative at DTC.

SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company . The Company covenants with each Underwriter as follows:

(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests . The Company, subject to Section 3(b), will comply with the requirements of Rule 430B, if applicable, and will notify the Representative immediately, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall become effective, or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any document incorporated by reference therein or for additional information, and (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order by any Governmental Entity preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes. The Company will promptly effect the filings necessary pursuant to Rule 424(b) (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)) and will take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424(b) was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus. The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.

(b) Filing of Amendments . The Company will give the Representative notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement (including any filing under Rule 462(b)) or any amendment or supplement to the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any new registration statement relating to the Securities, whether pursuant to the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, will furnish the Representative with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters shall object.

(c) Delivery of Registration Statements . The Company has furnished or will deliver to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, copies of the signed Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by reference therein and documents incorporated by reference therein) and copies of all signed consents and certificates of experts, and will also deliver to the Representative, without charge, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for each of the Underwriters. The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(d) Delivery of Prospectuses . The Company has delivered to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary prospectus and the Statutory Prospectus as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act. The Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as such Underwriter may reasonably request. The preliminary prospectus, the

 

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Statutory Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws . The Company will comply with the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement and in the Prospectus. If, at any time when a prospectus is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities, any event or development occurs as a result of which the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus to comply with the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations or to file a new registration statement relating to the Securities, the Company promptly will (1) notify the Representative of any such event or development, (2) prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, such amendment, supplement or new registration statement which will correct such untrue statement or omission, effect such compliance or satisfy such filing requirement, (3) use its best efforts to have any such amendment to the Registration Statement or new registration statement declared effective as soon as possible (if not an automatic shelf registration statement) and (4) supply any amended or supplemented General Disclosure Package or Prospectus to the Underwriters in such quantities as they may reasonably request. If at any time following the issuance of an Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement (or any other registration statement relating to the Securities), any preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus or included, includes or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriters and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission. The Underwriters’ delivery of any such amendment or supplement shall not constitute a waiver of any of the conditions of Section 5 hereof.

(f) Blue Sky Qualifications . The Company will use its best efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions as the Representative may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect for a period of not less than one year from the later of the effective date of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement; provided , however , that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or so subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject. The Company will also supply the Underwriters with such information as is necessary for the determination of the legality of the Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriters may request.

(g) Rule 158 . The Company will timely file such reports pursuant to the 1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable an earnings statement for the purposes of, and to provide the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.

 

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(h) Use of Proceeds . The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(i) DTC . The Company shall use its best efforts to permit the Securities to be eligible for clearance, settlement and trading in book-entry-only form through the facilities of DTC.

(j) Restriction on Sale of Securities . During the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and continuing to and including 90 days after the date of the Prospectus, and without the prior written consent of the Representative, the Company agrees not to (1) issue, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of the Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) file any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, (4) establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position in Common Stock within the meaning of Section 16 of the 1934 Act or (5) publicly announce an intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (1), (2), (3) or (4). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (x) during the last 17 days of the 90-day restricted period the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or (y) prior to the expiration of the 90-day restricted period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results or becomes aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 90-day period, the restrictions imposed by this Agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event. The Company shall promptly notify the Representative of any earnings release, news or event that may give rise to an extension of the initial 90-day restricted period.

The restrictions contained in the preceding paragraph shall not apply to any of the following (including any public announcement of the following or of intent to do any of the following): (i) the Securities to be sold hereunder, (ii) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock, options to purchase shares of Common Stock and other equity-based incentive awards pursuant to stock option and other equity compensation plans described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, as those plans are in effect on the date of this Agreement, (iii) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights or warrants, or upon the settlement of restricted stock units, that are described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and that are outstanding on the date of this Agreement and the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock under stock options and other equity-based incentive awards issued after the date of this Agreement under stock option and other equity compensation plans referred to in clause (ii) of this sentence, as those plans are in effect on the date of this Agreement, (iv) the sale of shares of Common Stock to employees, directors, agents or consultants by the Company pursuant to an employee stock purchase plan (or the filing of a registration statement on Form S-8 to register shares of Common Stock issuable under such plans or any other employee or director plan or arrangement), (v) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of a warrant or the conversion of any other security outstanding on the date of this Agreement of which the Representative has been advised in writing, (vi) any issuances by the Company of securities to raise capital that may be recommended or required by any Regulatory Agency, (vii) the issuance by the Company of Common Stock pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan, (viii) the issuance by the Company of shares of voting Common Stock in exchange for shares of non-voting Common Stock

 

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pursuant to the TCW Exchange Agreement, (ix) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the CS Financial Merger Agreement, (x) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Oaktree Purchase Agreement, (xi) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Patriot Purchase Agreement, (xii) the filing of a registration statement pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 3, 2013, by and among the Company, Patriot Financial Partners, L.P. and Patriot Financial Partners Parallel L.P., (xiii) the issuance by the Company of not more than ten percent (10%) of the number of shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding as full or partial consideration for a merger, acquisition, joint venture, strategic alliance, license agreement or other similar non-financing transaction or the filing of a registration statement with the Commission relating to such issuance and (xiii) the issuance of tangible equity units pursuant to that certain purchase agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and Merrill Lynch, or the issuance of any securities upon the settlement, conversion or exchange of such tangible equity units.

(k) Issuer-Free Writing Prospectus . The Company represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Representative and each Underwriter represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Company and the Representative, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405, required to be filed with the Commission other than the Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, identified on Schedule B-1. Each of the Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, identified on Schedule B-1 hereto and free writing prospectuses consented to by the Company and the Representative is referred to herein as an “Issuer-Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company represents that it has treated or agrees that it will treat each Issuer-Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 applicable to any Issuer-Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company consents to the use by any Underwriter of a free writing prospectus that contains only (a)(i) information describing the preliminary terms of the Securities or their offering, (ii) information meeting the requirements of Rule 134 of the 1933 Act Regulations or (iii) information that describes the final terms of the Securities or their offering and that is included in a final term sheet or (b) other customary information that is neither “issuer information,” as defined in Rule 433, nor otherwise an Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus.

(l) Reporting Requirements . The Company, until the completion of the distribution of the Securities, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act within the time periods required by the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations.

(m) NASDAQ . The Company will file a notification with the NASDAQ or other securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed concerning the issuance of the Securities no later than ten calendar days after the Closing Time and any additional time of purchase.

(n) Transfer Agent . The Company shall maintain a registrar and transfer agent for the Common Stock.

SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses .

(a) Expenses . The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each amendment thereto, (ii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of this Agreement and such other documents

 

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as may be reasonably required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates, if any, for the Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company’s counsel, accountants and other advisors, (v) the qualification of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof, (vi) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus, any Issuer-Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and of the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, (vii) the fees and expenses of any transfer agent, registrar or depositary for the Securities, (viii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the Securities, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged by the Company in connection with the road show presentations, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and the cost of aircraft and other transportation chartered in connection with the road show (it being understood that the cost of such travel and lodging, including the cost of aircraft and other transportation, of the Underwriters shall be the responsibility of the Underwriters), (ix) any fees payable in respect of listing the Securities on the NASDAQ or other securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed and (x) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with having the Securities eligible for clearance, settlement and trading through the facilities of DTC.

(b) Termination of Agreement . If this Agreement is terminated by the Representative in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 or Section 9(a)(i) hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket expenses.

SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations . The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 1 hereof or in certificates of any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:

(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement . (i) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, has become effective and at Closing Time and the additional time of purchase, if any, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to the Underwriters, (ii) each of the preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)) (or a post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been filed and declared effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430B), and no order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus shall have been issued by the Commission or any other Governmental Entity, (iii) any material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the 1933 Act shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time periods prescribed in such filings by Rule 433 and (iv) there shall not have come to the Representative’s attention any facts that would cause the Representative to believe that the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, at the time it was, or was required to be, delivered or made available to purchasers of the Securities, included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances existing at the time, not misleading.

(b) Opinion of Counsel for the Company . At Closing Time and at the additional time of purchase, if any, the Representative shall have received the opinions, dated as of Closing Time or the additional time of purchase, as applicable, from each of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and Silver

 

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Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP, counsel for the Company, and John C. Grosvenor, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letters for each of the other Underwriters, to the effect set forth in Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2 , Exhibit B and Exhibit C hereto, respectively. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company and its subsidiaries and certificates of public officials.

(c) Opinion of Counsel for the Underwriters . At Closing Time and at the additional time of purchase, if any, the Representative shall have received the opinion, dated as of Closing Time or the additional time of purchase, as applicable, of Hogan Lovells US LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters with respect to the validity of the Securities, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and other related matters as the Representative may reasonably require. In giving such opinion such counsel may rely, as to all matters governed by the laws of jurisdictions other than the law of the State of New York, the federal law of the United States and the General Corporation Law of the State of Maryland, upon the opinions of counsel satisfactory to the Representative. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company and its subsidiaries and certificates of public officials.

(d) Officers’ Certificates . At Closing Time and at the additional time of purchase, if any, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the financial condition, earnings, or business affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and the Representative shall have received a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer, President or an Executive Vice President of the Company and of the chief financial officer or chief accounting officer of the Company, dated as of Closing Time or the additional time of purchase, as applicable, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the representations and warranties in Section 1(a) hereof are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of Closing Time or the additional time of purchase, as applicable, (iii) the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to Closing Time, or the additional time of purchase, as applicable, and (iv) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or order preventing the use any preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to their knowledge, contemplated by the Commission or other Governmental Entity.

(e) Accountant’s Comfort Letter . At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representative shall have received from KPMG LLP a letter dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information of the Company contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(f) Bring-down Comfort Letter . At Closing Time and at the additional time of purchase, if any, the Representative shall have received from KPMG LLP a letter, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that it reaffirm the statements made in its letter furnished pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to Closing Time.

 

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(g) DTC . At Closing Time and at the additional time of purchase, if any, the Securities shall be eligible for clearance, settlement and trading in book-entry-only form through the facilities of DTC.

(h) Listing.  The Securities shall have been registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the 1934 Act and the Company shall have applied to list the Securities on the NASDAQ or other securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed, and the Company shall have taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Securities under the 1934 Act or terminating the application to list the Securities on the NASDAQ or other securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed, and the Company shall have not received any notification that the Commission or the NASDAQ or other securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed is contemplating terminating such registration or listing application, as applicable.

(i) Delivery of General Disclosure Package and Prospectus . The Company shall have furnished to the Underwriters the General Disclosure Package prior to the Applicable Time and the Prospectus on the New York business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement.

(j) Additional Documents . At Closing Time and at the additional time of purchase, if any, counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents, certificates and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained, and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters.

(k) Lock-ups . The “lock-up” agreements, each substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D , between the Representative and persons listed on Schedule C hereto relating to sales and certain other dispositions of shares of Common Stock or certain other securities, delivered to the Representative on or before the date hereof, shall be in full force and effect at the Closing Time and at the additional time of purchase, if any.

(l) Termination of Agreement . If any condition specified in this Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representative by notice to the Company at any time at or prior to Closing Time or, if applicable, the additional time of purchase and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 and except that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 18 shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. Indemnification .

(a) Indemnification of Underwriters . The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its officers and directors, its affiliates, as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act (each, an “Affiliate”), its selling agents and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:

(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430B Information, if any, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus, any Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus, the

 

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General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any roadshow that does not constitute an Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

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

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

provided , however , that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430B Information, if any, or any preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus, any Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information.

(b) Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers . Each Underwriter severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430B Information, if any, or in any preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus, any Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information.

(c) Actions against Parties; Notification . Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Representative, and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(b) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Company. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided , however , that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations

 

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or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any Governmental Entity, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

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

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

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

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

The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in

 

24


investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any Governmental Entity, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the number of shares of Firm Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule A hereto and not joint.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act and each Underwriter’s directors, officers, Affiliates and selling agents shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive . All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries submitted pursuant hereto shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (a) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, its Affiliates or selling agents or any person controlling such Underwriter or by or on behalf of the Company, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company, and (b) delivery of and payment for the Securities.

SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement .

(a) Termination; General . The Representative may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company, at any time at or prior to Closing Time or, if applicable, the additional time of purchase, (i) if there has been, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the financial condition, earnings, or business affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business; (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representative, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities; (iii) if trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission, the NASDAQ (but only if the Common Stock is then listed on the NASDAQ) or any other securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed, or if trading generally on the New York Stock Exchange or in the NASDAQ has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by such system or by order of the Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. or any other

 

25


Governmental Entity; (iv) a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities or clearance, settlement or trading services in the United States; or (v) if a banking moratorium has been declared by Federal, New York, Maryland or California authorities.

(b) Liabilities . If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 18 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters . If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at Closing Time or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, to purchase the Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the “Defaulted Securities”), the Representative shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the Representative shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:

(a) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the total number of the Firm Securities to be purchased at the Closing Time or Additional Securities to be purchased at the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters, or

(b) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the total number of the Firm Securities to be purchased at the Closing Time or the Additional Securities to be purchased at the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.

No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination of this Agreement, either the Representative or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Time or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 10.

SECTION 11. Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to Merrill Lynch at One Bryant Park, New York, NY 10036, attention of Equity Syndicate Department (facsimile: (646) 855-3073), with a copy to ECM Legal (facsimile: (212) 230-9730), and with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to Hogan Lovells US LLP, 555 Thirteenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004, attention of Daniel Keating, Esq.; and notices to the Company shall be directed to it at its principal executive offices located at 18500 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1100, Irvine, California 92612, attention of Chief Executive Officer, with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, 51 West 52 nd Street, New York, New York 10019-6150, attention of Matthew M. Guest, Esq.

 

26


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

SECTION 12. Parties . This Agreement shall each inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters and the Company and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters and the Company and their respective successors and the Affiliates, selling agents, officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriters and the Company and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

SECTION 13. No Fiduciaries . The Company acknowledges and agrees that (a) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the public offering price of the Securities and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, (b) in connection with the offering contemplated hereby and the process leading to such transaction, each Underwriter is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company, any of the Company’s subsidiaries, any stockholders, creditors or employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any other third party, (c) no Underwriter has assumed or will assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company or any of its subsidiaries on other matters), and no Underwriter has any obligation to the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the offering contemplated hereby except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (d) the Underwriters and their respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company and its subsidiaries and (e) the Underwriters have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering contemplated hereby and the Company has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.

SECTION 14. GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 15. Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial; Venue . The Company and each Underwriter hereby expressly and irrevocably (a) submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) waives (i) its right to a trial by jury in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or any course of conduct, course of dealing, statements (whether verbal or written) or actions of the Underwriters and for any counterclaim related to any of the foregoing and (ii) any objection which it may have or hereafter may have to the laying of venue of any such litigation brought in any such court referred to above and any claim that any such litigation has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

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SECTION 16. TIME . TIME SHALL BE OF THE ESSENCE OF THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

SECTION 17. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

SECTION 18. Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a valid and legally binding agreement between the Underwriters and the Company in accordance with its terms.

 

Very truly yours,
BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Steven A. Sugarman

  Name:     Steven A. Sugarman
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,

      as of the date first above written:

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH

                               INCORPORATED

For itself and as a Representative of the other Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto

 

By:  

/s/ Aaron Packles

  Name:     Aaron Packles
  Title:   Managing Director

[ Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement ]


SCHEDULE A

 

Name of Underwriter

  

Total Number of

Shares of Firm

Securities to be

Purchased

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                       Incorporated

     3,090,000   

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.

     643,750   

Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P.

     386,250   

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

     334,750   

Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc.

Wunderlich Securities, Inc.

    

 

334,750

206,000

  

  

FIG Partners, LLC

     154,500   
  

 

 

 

Total

     5,150,000   
  

 

 

 


SCHEDULE B-1

1. None.


SCHEDULE B-2

Number of Firm Securities to be sold: 5,150,000

Offering size: $50,367,000

Estimated net proceeds to the Company (after Underwriter discounts and commissions): $47,471,155

Price per share: $9.78

Underwriter discounts and commissions: $0.5623

Trade date: May 15, 2014

Settlement date: May 21, 2014

 

2


SCHEDULE C

List of Persons Subject to Lockup

 

        Chad Brownstein    (Director)         
        John Grosvenor    (General Counsel)         
        Jeffrey Karish    (Director)         
        Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr.    (CFO)         
        Jonah Schnel    (Director)         
        Jeffrey Seabold    (Chief Lending Officer)         
        Steven Sugarman    (CEO)         
        Hugh F. Boyle    (EVP and Chief Credit Officer)         
        Eric Holoman    (Director)         
        Richard Herrin    (Corporate Secretary)         
        Craig Naselow    (EVP, Treasurer, CIO)         
        Nathan Duda    (Chief Accounting Officer)         
        Gaylin Anderson    (EVP, Retail Banking)         

 

3


EXHIBIT D

Form of Lock-up Agreement

May 15, 2014

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH

                                 INCORPORATED

    as Representative of the several Underwriters

 

c/o   

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                         Incorporated

   One Bryant Park
   New York, NY 10036

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned understands that Banc of California, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), proposes to enter into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”) and each of the other Underwriters named in Schedule A attached thereto (collectively, the “Underwriters”, which term shall also include any underwriter substituted thereinafter as provided in Section 10 of the Underwriting Agreement), for whom Merrill Lynch is acting as representative (in such capacity, the “Representative”), providing for the public offering (the “Public Offering”) by the Underwriters of an aggregate of 5,150,000 shares of voting common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company (the “Firm Securities”), and, at the election of the Representative, up to an additional 772,500 shares of voting common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company (the “Additional Securities” and, together with the Firm Securities, the “Securities”). The shares of voting common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company to be outstanding after giving effect to the sales contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement are hereinafter referred to as the “Common Stock.”

To induce the Underwriters that may participate in the Public Offering to continue their efforts in connection with the Public Offering, the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Representative, it will not, during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending 90 days after the date of the final prospectus relating to the Public Offering (the “Restricted Period”), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of the Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) make any demand for or exercise any right or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or any

 

4


other securities of the Company, other than a Registration Statement on Form S-8, (4) establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position in Common Stock within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or (5) publicly announce an intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (1), (2), (3) or (4). The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (a) transactions relating to shares of Common Stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of the Public Offering, provided that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act shall be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with subsequent sales of Common Stock or other securities acquired in such open market transactions, (b) transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into Common Stock as a bona fide gift, (c) transfers by will or intestate succession to executors, administrators, testamentary trustees, legatees or beneficiaries, (d) transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into Common Stock to any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity owned or existing for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned, or a member of the immediate family (meaning any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin) of the undersigned, (e) transfers pursuant to the exercise by the undersigned of stock options or stock appreciation rights or vesting of outstanding restricted stock awards that have been granted by the Company prior to, and are outstanding as of, the date of the Underwriting Agreement (or that are granted after the date of the Underwriting Agreement pursuant to a plan or arrangement that is in place prior to the date of the Underwriting Agreement), by net share settlement (including with respect to the surrender or forfeiture of Common Stock to satisfy tax withholding obligations) or where the Common Stock received upon any such exercise or vesting is held by the undersigned, individually or as a fiduciary, in accordance with the terms of this agreement, (f) sales or other dispositions pursuant to a pledge in effect on the date hereof of Common Stock or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, Common Stock as security for a margin account pursuant to the terms of such account or other similar pledge arrangement, (g) sales of shares of Common Stock pursuant to any contract, instruction or plan in effect on the date hereof that satisfies the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(B) (a “10b5-1 Plan”) under the Exchange Act or (h) with the prior written consent of the Representative; provided that in the case of any transfer, distribution or sale pursuant to clause (b), (c), or (d), (i) each donee or distributee shall sign and deliver a lock-up letter substantially in the form of this letter. In addition, the undersigned may establish a 10b5-1 Plan after the date hereof, provided that no sales of Common Stock or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, Common Stock, shall be made pursuant to such 10b5-1 Plan prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period. The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the undersigned’s shares of Common Stock except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.

If:

(1) during the last 17 days of the Restricted Period the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or

(2) prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results or becomes aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Restricted Period;

then the restrictions imposed by this agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.

The undersigned understands that the Company and the Underwriters are relying upon this agreement in proceeding toward consummation of the Public Offering. The undersigned further understands that this

 

5


agreement is irrevocable and shall be binding upon the undersigned’s heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.

The undersigned understands that, if the Underwriting Agreement does not become effective, or if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Common Stock to be sold thereunder, the undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no further effect as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 27, 2014 if a closing for the Public Offering has not yet occurred as of that time.

Whether or not the Public Offering actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market conditions. Any Public Offering will only be made pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to negotiation between the Company and the Underwriters. This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

6


Very truly yours,

 

(Name)

 

(Address)

[Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement]

Exhibit 1.2

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.

(a Maryland corporation)

1,200,000 Tangible Equity Units

PURCHASE AGREEMENT

May 15, 2014

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH

                                 INCORPORATED

 

c/o   

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                         Incorporated

   One Bryant Park
   New York, NY 10036

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Banc of California, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), confirms its agreement with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”) with respect to (i) the sale by the Company and the purchase by Merrill Lynch of the number of tangible equity units of the Company (“Tangible Equity Units”) set forth in Schedule A hereto and (ii) the grant by the Company to Merrill Lynch of the option described in Section 2(a) hereof to purchase all or any part of 180,000 additional Tangible Equity Units. The aforesaid 1,200,000 Tangible Equity Units (the “Firm Securities”) to be purchased by Merrill Lynch and all or any part of the 180,000 Tangible Equity Units subject to the option described in Section 2(a) hereof (the “Additional Securities”) are herein called, collectively, the “Securities.” Each Security has a stated amount of $50 (the “Stated Amount”) and consists of (1) a pre-paid stock purchase contract (each, a “Purchase Contract”) under which the holder has purchased and the Company will agree to automatically deliver on May 15, 2017 subject to early settlement of such Purchase Contract pursuant to the provisions thereof and of the Purchase Contract Agreement (the “Purchase Contract Agreement”), to be dated as of the Closing Date (as defined herein), between the Company, U.S. Bank National Association, as purchase contract agent (the “Purchase Contract Agent”) and the Trustee (as defined below), a number of shares of voting common stock (the “Issuable Common Stock”) of the Company, $.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), determined pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Contract and the Purchase Contract Agreement and (2) a junior subordinated amortizing note with a scheduled final installment payment date of May 15, 2017 (each, an “Amortizing Note”) issued by the Company, each of which will have an initial principal amount of $10.604556 and will pay equal quarterly installments of $1.00, other than the first installment payment which will be $0.933333, which in the aggregate would be equivalent to a 8.0% cash distribution per year on the Stated Amount per Security. The Amortizing Notes will be issued pursuant to a junior subordinated indenture, dated as of May 21, 2014 (as amended and supplemented by that first supplemental indenture dated as of May 21, 2014, the “Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The Purchase Contracts will be issued pursuant to the Purchase Contract Agreement. The Indenture and the Purchase Contract Agreement are referred to herein collectively as the “Securities


Agreements.” The Amortizing Notes, the Purchase Contracts and the Issuable Common Stock are referred to herein collectively as the “Component Securities.”

The Securities to be issued in book-entry form shall be issued to Cede & Co. as nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) pursuant to a blanket issuer letter of representations, dated April 19, 2012 (the “DTC Agreement”), between the Company and DTC.

The Company understands that Merrill Lynch proposes to make a public offering of the Securities as soon as Merrill Lynch deems advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered.

The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-192518), as amended (the “Registration Statement”), covering the registration of the sale of certain securities, including the Securities, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), from time to time in accordance with Rule 415 of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act (the “1933 Act Regulations”). Such registration statement has been declared effective by the Commission and the Company has filed such post-effective amendments thereto as may be required prior to the execution of this Agreement and each such post-effective amendment is effective under the 1933 Act. Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will prepare and file a prospectus supplement in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430B of the 1933 Act Regulations (“Rule 430B”) and paragraph (b) of Rule 424 of the 1933 Act Regulations (“Rule 424(b)”). Any information included in such prospectus supplement that was omitted from such registration statement at the time it became effective but that is deemed to be part of and included in such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B is referred to herein as “Rule 430B Information.” Each base prospectus and prospectus supplement used in connection with the offering of the Securities that omitted Rule 430B Information is referred to herein collectively as a “preliminary prospectus.” Such registration statement, at any given time, including any amendments thereto to such time, the exhibits and any schedules thereto at such time, the documents incorporated by reference therein at such time and the documents otherwise deemed to be a part thereof or included therein by the 1933 Act Regulations, is referred to herein as the “Registration Statement;” provided , however , that the term “Registration Statement” without reference to a time means such registration statement as of the time of the first contract of sale for the Securities, which time shall be considered the “new effective date” of such registration statement with respect to Merrill Lynch and the Securities (within the meaning of Rule 430B(f)(2)); provided, further, that any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations is referred to herein as the “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement”, and after such filing the term “Registration Statement” shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. The final base prospectus and the prospectus supplement, dated the date hereof, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, are referred to herein collectively as the “Prospectus.” For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include any copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”).

All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is “contained,” “included” or “stated” in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package (as defined herein) (or other references of like import) shall be deemed to include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package, as the case may be, prior to the execution of this Agreement; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package shall be deemed to include the filing of any document under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), which

 

2


is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, such preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package, as the case may be, after the execution of this Agreement.

SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties .

(a) Representations and Warranties by the Company . The Company represents and warrants to Merrill Lynch, as of the date hereof, at the Applicable Time (as defined herein), at the Closing Time (as defined in Section 2(b)) and at each additional time of purchase (as defined in Section 2(a)), if any, and agrees with Merrill Lynch, as follows:

(i) Compliance with Registration Requirements . The Company is permitted to use the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-192518) to register and sell the Securities. The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission, and the Company has complied with any requests on the part of the Commission for additional information with respect to the Registration Statement.

At the respective times the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendments thereto became effective, at each deemed effective date with respect to Merrill Lynch and the Securities pursuant to Rule 430B(f)(2), at the Closing Time, and at each additional time of purchase, if any, the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto complied, complies and will comply, as the case may be, in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Trust Indenture Act”), and neither the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, nor any amendment thereto contained, contains or will contain, as the case may be, an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit, as the case may be, to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. Neither the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto, at the respective dates of the Prospectus or such amendment or supplement were issued, or at the Closing Time or at each additional time of purchase, if any, included, includes or will include, as the case may be, an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit, as the case may be, to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

At the Applicable Time (as defined below), the Final Term Sheet (as defined below), each Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below) identified on Schedule B hereto (other than the Final Term Sheet) and the Statutory Prospectus (as defined below), all considered together (collectively, the “General Disclosure Package”), did not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

Each preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus complied when filed with the Commission in all material respects with the 1933 Act Regulations, and each such document furnished to Merrill Lynch for use in connection with the offering of Securities was identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

 

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The representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package or any amendment or supplement thereto made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by Merrill Lynch expressly for use in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto. For purposes of this paragraph, the only information so furnished shall be the information in the in the first paragraph under the heading “Underwriting – Commissions and Discounts,” the information in the second and third paragraphs under the heading “Underwriting – Price Stabilization, Short Positions,” and the information under the heading “Underwriting – Electronic Distribution,” in each case contained in the Prospectus (collectively, the “Underwriter Information”).

As used in this subsection and elsewhere in this Agreement:

“Applicable Time” means 6:45 p.m. (New York City time) on May 15, 2014 or such other time as agreed by the Company and Merrill Lynch.

“Final Term Sheet” means the final term sheet in the form set forth on Schedule C hereto, reflecting the final terms of the Securities.

“Statutory Prospectus,” at any given time, means the base prospectus that is included in the Registration Statement and the preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the Securities immediately prior to that time, including the documents incorporated by reference therein at such time. For purposes of this definition, information contained in a form of prospectus that is deemed retroactively to be a part of the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430B shall be considered to be included in the Statutory Prospectus only at the actual time that such form of prospectus is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b).

“Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 of the 1933 Act Regulations (“Rule 433”), relating to the Securities that (i) is required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (ii) is a “road show that is a written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i), whether or not required to be filed with the Commission, or (iii) is exempt from filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) because it contains a description of the Securities or of the offering that does not reflect the final terms, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g), or the Final Term Sheet.

Each Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus, at its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offering contemplated hereby or until any earlier date that the Company notified or notifies Merrill Lynch, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any preliminary or other prospectus deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified.

(A) At the date of the original effectiveness of the Registration Statement, (B) at the earliest time after the original effectiveness of the Registration Statement that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the 1933 Act Regulations) of the Securities and (C) at the execution of this Agreement (with such time of execution being used as the determination date for purpose of this clause (C)), the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 of the 1933 Act

 

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Regulations (“Rule 405”), without taking into account any determination of the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an ineligible issuer.

(ii) Incorporated Documents . The documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (the “1934 Act Regulations”), and, when read together with the other information in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, at the time the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto became effective, at the Applicable Time, at the Closing Time, and at each additional time of purchase, if any, did not, do not and will not, as the case may be, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(iii) Independent Accountants . The accountants who certified the financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are independent public accountants as required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and, to the Company’s knowledge, are not and have not been in violation of the auditor independence requirements of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules and regulations of the Commission (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) in respect of the entity whose financial statements it audited.

(iv) Financial Statements . The financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, at the dates indicated and their respective statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the periods specified. Such financial statements have been prepared in compliance with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act and in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. Any selected financial data and the summary financial information included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly, in all material respects, the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly, in all material respects, the pro forma consolidated results of operations and the financial position of the Company for the periods specified and have been prepared in accordance with Rules 11-01 and 11-02 of Regulation S-X and the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable. No other financial statements or schedules are required under the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act or the 1934 Act Regulations to be included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus. To the extent applicable, all disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply with Regulation G of the 1934 Act, the 1934 Act Regulations and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the 1933 Act, as applicable, in all material respects. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language

 

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incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus fairly presents the required information in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

(v) Certain Data and Forward-Looking Statements . All statistical or market-related data included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company reasonably believes to be reliable and accurate, and the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources to the extent required. Each “forward-looking statement” (within the meaning of Section 27A of the 1933 Act or Section 21E of the 1934 Act) contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed with a reasonable basis and in good faith.

(vi) No Material Adverse Change in Business . Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change in the financial condition, earnings, or business affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a “Material Adverse Effect”), (B) there have been no liabilities or obligations incurred, direct or contingent, nor transactions entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than those in the ordinary course of business, which are material with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, and (C) except for regular quarterly dividends on the common stock and preferred stock of the Company in amounts per share that are consistent with past practice, there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock.

(vii) Internal Accounting Controls . Each of the Company and its subsidiaries maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with the management’s general or specific authorizations, (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with the management’s general or specific authorization and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Since the date of the Company’s latest audited financial statements incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

(viii) Disclosure Controls . The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the 1934 Act). Such disclosure controls and procedures (A) are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer by others within those entities and (B) are effective to perform the functions for which they were established. The Company’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors have not been advised that there is (1) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a role in the Company’s internal controls or (2) any material weaknesses in internal controls. Since the date of the most recent evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures, there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls, including any corrective actions with regard to material

 

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weaknesses. The principal executive officer (or the equivalents) and principal financial officer (or the equivalent) of the Company have made all certifications required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the statements made in each such certification are accurate; the Company, its subsidiaries and to the Company’s knowledge, its directors and officers, are each in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

(ix) Regulatory Matters . The Company, Banc of California, National Association (the “Bank”) and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Company’s other subsidiaries, are in compliance in all material respects with all laws administered by and regulations of any Governmental Entity applicable to it or to them (including, without limitation, all regulations and orders of, or agreements with, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Community Reinvestment Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, all other applicable fair lending laws or other laws relating to discrimination and the Bank Secrecy Act and Title III of the U.S.A. Patriot Act), the failure to comply with which would have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is subject or is party to, or has received any notice or advice that any of them may become subject or party to any investigation with respect to, any corrective, suspension or cease-and-desist order, agreement, consent agreement, memorandum of understanding or other regulatory enforcement action, proceeding or order with or by, or is a party to any commitment letter or similar undertaking to, or is subject to any directive by, or has been a recipient of any supervisory letter from, or has adopted any board resolutions at the request of, any Regulatory Agency (as defined below) that currently relates to or restricts in any material respect the conduct of their business or that in any manner relates to their capital adequacy, credit policies or management (each, a “Regulatory Agreement”), nor has the Company or any of its subsidiaries been advised by any Regulatory Agency that it is considering issuing or requesting any such Regulatory Agreement. There is no unresolved violation, criticism or exception by any Regulatory Agency with respect to any report or statement relating to any examinations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries which, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, is expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. As used herein, the term “Regulatory Agency” means any federal or state agency charged with the supervision or regulation of depositary institutions or holding companies of depositary institutions, or engaged in the insurance of depositary institution deposits, or any court, administrative agency or commission or other Governmental Entity, authority or instrumentality having supervisory or regulatory authority with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

(x) Regulatory Compliance . The deposit accounts in the Bank are insured up to the applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) to the fullest extent permitted by law and the rules and regulations of the FDIC, and no proceeding for the revocation or termination of such insurance is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened or contemplated.

(xi) Good Standing of the Company . The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good

 

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standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company is duly registered as a financial holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.

(xii) Good Standing of Subsidiaries . The Bank is the only “significant subsidiary” of the Company (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) (a “Significant Subsidiary”) and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Bank is a national bank chartered under the laws of the United States and its charter is in full force and effect. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Bank have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity, and none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Bank were issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any security holder of the Bank.

(xiii) Authorization of Agreement . This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. When duly executed by Merrill Lynch, this Agreement will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and the application of equitable principles relating to the availability of remedies, and subject to 12 U.S.C. § 1818(b)(6)(D) (or any successor statute) and similar bank regulatory powers and to the application of principles of public policy, and except as rights to indemnity or contribution, including but not limited to, indemnification provisions set forth in Section 8 of this Agreement, may be limited by federal or state securities law and the public policy underlying such laws.

(xiv) Authorization of the Securities . The Securities to be purchased by Merrill Lynch from the Company have been duly authorized for issuance and sale to Merrill Lynch pursuant to this Agreement and, at the Closing Time, will have been duly executed by the Company and, when duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with this Agreement and the Securities Agreements against payment of the consideration set forth herein, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and the application of equitable principles relating to the availability of remedies. The Securities will be in the form contemplated by, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Securities Agreements. The issuance of the Securities is not subject to preemptive or similar rights of any security holder of the Company, other than under (i) that certain Stock Appreciation Right Grant Agreement, dated as of August 21, 2012 and as amended by the amendment thereto dated as of December 13, 2013, between the Company and Steven Sugarman (the “SAR Agreement”), (ii) that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2014, by and between the Company and Patriot Financial Partners, L.P. and Patriot Financial Partners Parallel, L.P. (the “Patriot Purchase Agreement”) and (iii) that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2014, by and between the Company and OCM Boca Investor, LLC (the “Oaktree Purchase Agreement”).

 

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(xv) Authorization for Amortizing Notes . The Amortizing Notes have been duly authorized and, at the Closing Time, will have been duly executed by the Company and, when duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in the manner provided for in the Indenture and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and the application of equitable principles relating to the availability of remedies. The Amortizing Notes will be in the form contemplated by, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

(xvi) Authorization of the Purchase Contracts . The Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized by the Company and, at the Closing Time, will have been duly executed by the Company, and when duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in the manner provided in the Purchase Contract Agreement and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and the application of equitable principles relating to the availability of remedies. The Purchase Contracts will be in the form contemplated by, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Purchase Contract Agreement. The issuance of the Purchase Contracts is not subject to preemptive or similar rights of any security holder of the Company, other than under the SAR Agreement, the Patriot Purchase Agreement and the Oaktree Purchase Agreement.

(xvii) Authorization of the Securities Agreements . Each of the Securities Agreements have been duly authorized by the Company and, at the Closing Time will have been duly executed by the Company, and when delivered by the Company and duly executed and delivered by the Purchase Contract Agent and/or Trustee, as applicable, will constitute valid and binding agreements of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and the application of equitable principles relating to the availability of remedies. The Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and complies in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.

(xviii) Authorization of the Issuable Common Stock . The Issuable Common Stock has been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon settlement by all necessary corporate action and such shares when issued upon the settlement of the Purchase Contracts in accordance with the terms thereof, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable; and the issuance of the Issuable Common Stock is not subject to the preemptive or other similar rights of any security holder of the Company, other than under the SAR Agreement, the Patriot Purchase Agreement and the Oaktree Purchase Agreement. No holder of Common Stock will be subject to personal liability by reason of being such a holder.

(xix) Description of the Securities and Component Securities . Each of the Securities, the Amortizing Notes, the Purchase Contracts and the Securities Agreements will conform in all material respects to the respective statements relating thereto contained in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The Issuable Common Stock conforms in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

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(xx) Absence of Defaults and Non-contravention . Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of its charter or bylaws or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any subsidiary is subject, except for such violations or defaults that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. No event of default under that certain indenture, dated as of April 23, 2012, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, as supplemented by a supplemental indenture entered into by the Company and the trustee on April 23, 2012 (collectively, the “Indenture”), or default with notice and/or lapse of time that would constitute an event of default in respect of the Company’s 7.50% Senior Notes due April 15, 2020 (the “Notes”) has occurred and is continuing. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Securities Agreements, the issuance and sale of the Securities and the Component Securities by the Company and the performance by the Company of all of its obligations under this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described therein) and compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, (i) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, (ii) the provisions of the charter, bylaws or other organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iii) any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any U.S. federal, state or local or international court, government or governmental or regulatory body or agency (each, a “Governmental Entity”) having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their property, assets or operations except, with respect to clauses (i) and (iii), for those conflicts, breaches, defaults, Repayment Events, liens, charges or encumbrances that would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. As used herein, a “Repayment Event” means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

(xxi) Accuracy of Exhibits . There are no contracts or documents which are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference therein or to be filed as exhibits thereto which have not been so described and filed as required.

(xxii) Absence of Labor Dispute . No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent, and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of the principal suppliers, manufacturers, customers or contractors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, which, in either case, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxiii) Absence of Proceedings . There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or Governmental Entity, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company or

 

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any of its subsidiaries, which (A) is required to be disclosed in Registration Statement (other than as disclosed therein), (B) might result in a Material Adverse Effect or (C) might materially and adversely affect the assets or operations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the Securities Agreements or the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement or the Securities Agreements. The aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their respective assets or operations is the subject which are not described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxiv) Possession of Intellectual Property . The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent licenses, trademarks, service marks and trade names necessary to carry on their businesses as presently conducted and the Company and its subsidiaries have not received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any patents, patent licenses, trademarks, service marks or trade names that, in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has infringed or is infringing on the intellectual property of a third party, and, except as are described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received notice of a claim by a third party to the contrary, except where such infringement would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxv) Possession of Licenses and Permits . The Company and its subsidiaries possess such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “Governmental Licenses”) issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them, except where the failure so to possess would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure to so comply would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. All of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except where the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxvi) Title to Property . The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real property owned by the Company and its subsidiaries and good title to all other properties owned by them, in each case, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions or encumbrances of any kind except such as (A) are described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or (B) would not have a Material Adverse Effect. All of the leases and subleases material to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and under which the Company or any of its subsidiaries holds properties described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, are in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any subsidiary has any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any subsidiary under any such lease or sublease or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or such subsidiary to the continued possession

 

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of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease and that, in any such case, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxvii) Absence of Manipulation . Neither the Company nor any affiliate of the Company has taken, nor will the Company or any affiliate take, directly or indirectly, any action which is designed to or which has constituted or which would be expected to cause or result in the unlawful stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(xxviii) Absence of Further Requirements . No filing with, or consent, approval, authorization, order, license, registration, qualification or decree of or with any Governmental Entity is necessary or required in connection with the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Securities Agreements or for the offering, issuance, sale or delivery of the Securities, the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Securities Agreements, except the registration of the Securities under the 1933 Act, which has been effected (or, with respect to any Rule 462 Registration Statement, will be effected in accordance with Rule 462(b) under the 1933 Act) or as may be required under the (i) rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Global Market (the “NASDAQ”) or other securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or (ii) securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states and other jurisdictions in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by Merrill Lynch.

(xxix) Investment Company Act . The Company is not required, and upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will not be required, to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

(xxx) Environmental Laws . The Company and its subsidiaries are (i) in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (“Environmental Laws”), (ii) have received and are in compliance with all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (iii) have not received notice of any actual or potential liability for the investigation or remediation of any disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, except where such non-compliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals, or liability would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxxi) NASDAQ . Shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the date hereof are listed for quotation on the NASDAQ, and the Company has not received any notice from the NASDAQ regarding the delisting of such shares from the NASDAQ other than as may have been received in connection with the Company’s voluntary delisting from the NASDAQ.

(xxxii) FINRA . In accordance with the FINRA Rule 5110(b)(7)(C)(i), the Securities have been offered pursuant to the standards for such Form S-3 in effect prior to October 21, 1992.

(xxxiii) Contracts . Except for (i) the Small Business Lending Fund-Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2011, between the Company and the Secretary of the Treasury, relating to the Company’s Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A,

 

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issued on that date pursuant to the Small Business Lending Fund program of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, (ii) the subscription agreements between the Company and each of the investors in the Company’s common stock offering completed on November 1, 2010, (iii) that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 3, 2013, by and among the Company, Patriot Financial Partners, L.P. and Patriot Financial Partners Parallel L.P., (iv) the Oaktree Purchase Agreement and (v) the Patriot Purchase Agreement, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any securities of the Company or to require the Company to include such securities with the Securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sent or received any communication regarding termination of, or intent not to renew, any of the contracts or agreements referred to or described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or referred to or described in, or filed as an exhibit to, the Registration Statement, and no such termination or non-renewal has been threatened by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or, to the Company’s knowledge, any other party to any such contract or agreement.

(xxxiv) Insurance . The Company and each of its subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the business in which they are engaged; neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxxv) Capitalization . The authorized and outstanding capitalization of the Company is as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, subject, in each case, to the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights and warrants, and upon settlement of restricted stock units, disclosed as outstanding in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to that certain Common Stock Share Exchange Agreement, effective as of May 29, 2013, by and between the Company and TCW Shared Opportunity Fund V, L.P. (the “TCW Exchange Agreement”), the issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 25, 2013 (the “CS Financial Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, the Bank, CS Financial, Inc., the Sellers (as defined therein) and the Sellers’ Representative (as defined therein), the issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to the Oaktree Purchase Agreement, the issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to the Patriot Purchase Agreement and the grant of options, restricted stock and other equity-based incentive awards under existing stock plans described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The authorized capital stock of the Company conforms and will conform in all material respects as to legal matters to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The shares of Common Stock outstanding prior to the issuance of the Securities have been, except as would not be material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, duly authorized, are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, have been issued in compliance with applicable securities laws and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights.

(xxxvi) Dividends . Except as otherwise would not have a Material Adverse Effect, no subsidiary of the Company is subject to any material direct or indirect prohibition on paying any dividends to the Company, on making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s capital stock,

 

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on repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or on transferring any of such subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company, except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(xxxvii) Taxes . All tax returns required to be filed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries have been timely filed, and all taxes and other assessments of a similar nature (whether imposed directly or through withholding) including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto due or claimed to be due from such entities have been timely paid, other than those being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been provided or which if not paid, would not individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxxviii) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act . Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and the Company and its subsidiaries have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure continued compliance therewith.

(xxxix) Derivative Financial Instruments . Any and all material swaps, caps, floors, futures, forward contracts, option agreements (other than stock options issued to the Company’s employees, directors, agents or consultants) and other derivative financial instruments, contracts or arrangements, whether entered into for the account of the Company or one of its subsidiaries or for the account of a customer of the Company or one of its subsidiaries, were entered into in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations and policies of all applicable regulatory agencies and with counterparties believed by the Company to be financially responsible at the time. The Company and each of its subsidiaries have duly performed in all material respects all of their obligations thereunder to the extent that such obligations to perform have accrued, and there are no breaches, violations or defaults or allegations or assertions of such by any party thereunder which would, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xl) ERISA . Each of the Company, the Company’s subsidiaries and their respective “ERISA Affiliates” (as defined below) are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, “ERISA”). No “reportable event” (as defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) for which the Company, any of the Company’s subsidiaries or their respective ERISA Affiliates would have any liability. None of the Company, the Company’s subsidiaries or their respective ERISA Affiliates have incurred, or expect to incur, material liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “employee benefit plan” or (ii) Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, the “Code”). Each “employee benefit plan” for which the Company, any of the Company’s subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates would have any liability that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in all material respects and, to the Company’s knowledge, nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification. “ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any member of any group of organizations described in

 

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Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001(b) of ERISA of which the Company or such subsidiary is a member.

(xli) Certain Transactions . Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has participated in any reportable transaction, as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-(4)(b)(1).

(xlii) Unlawful Payments . None of the Company, any of the Company’s subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has: (A) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (B) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; or (C) made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

(xliii) Relationships . No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, shareholders, customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the other hand, that is required by the 1933 Act or the regulations thereof to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and that is not so described.

(xliv) Pending Procedures and Examinations . The Registration Statement is not the subject of a pending proceeding or examination under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the 1933 Act, and the Company is not the subject of a pending proceeding under Section 8A of the 1933 Act in connection with the offering of the Securities.

(xlv) No Unauthorized Dissemination of Materials . Neither the Company nor any of the Company’s subsidiaries or other affiliates has distributed or prior to the completion of the distribution of the Securities, will distribute any prospectus (as such term is defined in the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations) in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other than the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or other materials, if any, permitted by the 1933 Act or by the 1933 Act Regulations and approved by Merrill Lynch in accordance with Section 3(k) hereof.

(xlvi) Transactions . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and except for the Oaktree Purchase Agreement, the Patriot Purchase Agreement, the CS Financial Merger Agreement and the Purchase and Assumption Agreement (as defined herein), neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to a letter of intent, accepted term sheet or similar instrument or any binding agreement that contemplates an acquisition, disposition, transfer or sale of the assets (as a going concern) or capital stock of the Company or of any subsidiary or business unit or any similar business combination transaction which would be material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

(xlvii) Authorization of Corporate Transaction Agreements . The Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2014, by and between the Bank and Banco Popular North America (the “Purchase and Assumption Agreement”), has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Bank and constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company and the Bank, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles.

 

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(xlviii) Broker Fees . Other than as contemplated by this Agreement, there is no broker, finder or other party that is entitled to receive from the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries any brokerage or finder’s fee or commission as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(xlix) Prior Issuances . Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has not sold, issued or distributed any shares of Common Stock during the six-month period preceding the date hereof, including any sales pursuant to Rule 144A under, or Regulation D or S of, the 1933 Act, other than shares issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans or other employee compensation plans; pursuant to employee inducement grants pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4); pursuant to outstanding options, rights or warrants; pursuant to the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan; pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 3, 2013, by and among the Company, Patriot Financial Partners, L.P. and Patriot Financial Partners Parallel L.P.; pursuant to the Oaktree Purchase Agreement; pursuant to the Patriot Purchase Agreement; or pursuant to the Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2014, by and among the Company, CS Financial, Inc., RenovationReady, LLC, Chadron Group, LLC and Granite Loan Management of Delaware, LLC.

(b) Officer’s Certificates . Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company delivered to Merrill Lynch or to counsel for Merrill Lynch shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to Merrill Lynch as to the matters covered thereby on the date of such certificate.

SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Merrill Lynch; Closing .

(a) The Securities . On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to Merrill Lynch and Merrill Lynch agrees to purchase from the Company the number of shares of Firm Securities set forth in Schedule A opposite its name.

In addition, the Company hereby grants to Merrill Lynch the option to purchase, and upon the basis of the representations and warranties and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, Merrill Lynch shall have the right to purchase from the Company all or a portion of the Additional Securities. This option may be exercised for 30 days after the date hereof and may be exercised in whole or in part at any time from time to time upon written notice by Merrill Lynch to the Company. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of Additional Securities as to which the option is being exercised and the date and time when the Additional Securities are to be delivered (any such date and time being hereinafter referred to as the “additional time of purchase”), provided , however , that any additional time of purchase shall not be (i) earlier than the Closing Time or (ii) earlier than the third business day or later than the tenth business day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised.

The price of both the Firm Securities and any Additional Securities purchased by Merrill Lynch shall be $47.625 per Security set forth on Schedule A.

(b) Payment . Delivery of the Firm Securities shall be made at the offices of Hogan Lovells US LLP, 555 Thirteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by Merrill Lynch and the Company, at 11:00 A.M. (Eastern time) on May 21, 2014, or such other time not later than ten business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by Merrill Lynch and the Company (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called “Closing Time”).

 

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Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account designated by the Company, against delivery to Merrill Lynch of the Firm Securities to be purchased by it.

Payment of the purchase price and delivery of the Additional Securities shall be made at the additional time of purchase in the same manner and at the same office as the payment for the Firm Securities.

The Securities to be purchased by Merrill Lynch hereunder will be deposited by or on behalf of the Company with DTC or its designated custodian. The Company will, or will direct the Depositary to, deliver the Securities to Merrill Lynch for Merrill Lynch’s account, by causing DTC to credit the Securities to the account of Merrill Lynch at DTC.

SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company . The Company covenants with Merrill Lynch as follows:

(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests . The Company, subject to Section 3(b), will comply with the requirements of Rule 430B, if applicable, and will notify Merrill Lynch immediately, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall become effective, or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any document incorporated by reference therein or for additional information, and (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order by any Governmental Entity preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes. The Company will promptly effect the filings necessary pursuant to Rule 424(b) (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)) and will take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424(b) was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus. The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.

(b) Filing of Amendments . The Company will give Merrill Lynch notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement (including any filing under Rule 462(b)) or any amendment or supplement to the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any new registration statement relating to the Securities, whether pursuant to the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, will furnish Merrill Lynch with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which Merrill Lynch or counsel for Merrill Lynch shall object.

(c) Delivery of Registration Statements . The Company has furnished or will deliver to Merrill Lynch and counsel for Merrill Lynch, without charge, copies of the signed Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by reference therein and documents incorporated by reference therein) and copies of all signed consents and certificates of experts, and will also deliver to Merrill Lynch, without charge, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for Merrill Lynch. The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to Merrill Lynch

 

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will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(d) Delivery of Prospectuses . The Company has delivered to Merrill Lynch, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary prospectus and the Statutory Prospectus as Merrill Lynch reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act. The Company will furnish to Merrill Lynch, without charge, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as Merrill Lynch may reasonably request. The preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to Merrill Lynch will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws . The Company will comply with the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement and in the Prospectus. If, at any time when a prospectus is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities, any event or development occurs as a result of which the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus to comply with the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations or to file a new registration statement relating to the Securities, the Company promptly will (1) notify Merrill Lynch of any such event or development, (2) prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, such amendment, supplement or new registration statement which will correct such untrue statement or omission, effect such compliance or satisfy such filing requirement, (3) use its best efforts to have any such amendment to the Registration Statement or new registration statement declared effective as soon as possible (if not an automatic shelf registration statement) and (4) supply any amended or supplemented General Disclosure Package or Prospectus to Merrill Lynch in such quantities as it may reasonably request. If at any time following the issuance of an Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement (or any other registration statement relating to the Securities), any preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus or included, includes or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify Merrill Lynch and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission. Merrill Lynch’s delivery of any such amendment or supplement shall not constitute a waiver of any of the conditions of Section 5 hereof.

(f) Blue Sky Qualifications . The Company will use its best efforts, in cooperation with Merrill Lynch, to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions as Merrill Lynch may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect for a period of not less than one year from the later of the effective date of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement; provided , however , that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or so subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject. The Company will also supply

 

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Merrill Lynch with such information as is necessary for the determination of the legality of the Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as Merrill Lynch may request.

(g) Rule 158 . The Company will timely file such reports pursuant to the 1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable an earnings statement for the purposes of, and to provide the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.

(h) Use of Proceeds . The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(i) DTC . The Company shall use its best efforts to permit the Securities to be eligible for clearance, settlement and trading in book-entry-only form through the facilities of DTC.

(j) Restriction on Sale of Securities . During the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and continuing to and including 90 days after the date of the Prospectus, and without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, the Company agrees not to (1) issue, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of the Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) file any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, (4) establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position in Common Stock within the meaning of Section 16 of the 1934 Act or (5) publicly announce an intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (1), (2), (3) or (4). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (x) during the last 17 days of the 90-day restricted period the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or (y) prior to the expiration of the 90-day restricted period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results or becomes aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 90-day period, the restrictions imposed by this Agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event. The Company shall promptly notify Merrill Lynch of any earnings release, news or event that may give rise to an extension of the initial 90-day restricted period.

The restrictions contained in the preceding paragraph shall not apply to any of the following (including any public announcement of the following or of intent to do any of the following): (i) the Securities to be sold hereunder, (ii) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock, options to purchase shares of Common Stock and other equity-based incentive awards pursuant to stock option and other equity compensation plans described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, as those plans are in effect on the date of this Agreement, (iii) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights or warrants, or upon the settlement of restricted stock units, that are described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and that are outstanding on the date of this Agreement and the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock under stock options and other equity-based incentive awards issued after the date of this Agreement under stock option and other equity compensation plans referred to in clause (ii) of this sentence, as those plans are in effect on the date of this Agreement, (iv) the sale of shares of Common Stock to employees, directors, agents or consultants by

 

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the Company pursuant to an employee stock purchase plan (or the filing of a registration statement on Form S-8 to register shares of Common Stock issuable under such plans or any other employee or director plan or arrangement), (v) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of a warrant or the conversion of any other security outstanding on the date of this Agreement of which Merrill Lynch has been advised in writing, (vi) any issuances by the Company of securities to raise capital that may be recommended or required by any Regulatory Agency, (vii) the issuance by the Company of Common Stock pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan, (viii) the issuance by the Company of shares of voting Common Stock in exchange for shares of non-voting Common Stock pursuant to the TCW Exchange Agreement, (ix) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the CS Financial Merger Agreement, (x) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Oaktree Purchase Agreement, (xi) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Patriot Purchase Agreement, (xii) the filing of a registration statement pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 3, 2013, by and among the Company, Patriot Financial Partners, L.P. and Patriot Financial Partners Parallel L.P., (xiii) the issuance by the Company of not more than ten percent (10%) of the number of shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding as full or partial consideration for a merger, acquisition, joint venture, strategic alliance, license agreement or other similar non-financing transaction or the filing of a registration statement with the Commission relating to such issuance, (xiv) Common Stock offered pursuant to that certain underwriting agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Company, Merrill Lynch and the other underwriters named therein and (xv) the issuance of any securities upon settlement, conversion or exchange of the Securities or the Component Securities.

(k) Issuer-Free Writing Prospectus . The Company represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch and Merrill Lynch represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Company, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405, required to be filed with the Commission other than the Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, identified on Schedule B. Each of the Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, identified on Schedule B hereto and free writing prospectuses consented to by the Company and Merrill Lynch is referred to herein as an “Issuer-Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company represents that it has treated or agrees that it will treat each Issuer-Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 applicable to any Issuer-Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company consents to the use by Merrill Lynch of a free writing prospectus that contains only (a)(i) information describing the preliminary terms of the Securities or their offering, (ii) information meeting the requirements of Rule 134 of the 1933 Act Regulations or (iii) information that describes the final terms of the Securities or their offering and that is included in the Final Term Sheet or (b) other customary information that is neither “issuer information,” as defined in Rule 433, nor otherwise an Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus.

(l) Reporting Requirements . The Company, until the completion of the distribution of the Securities, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act within the time periods required by the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations.

(m) NASDAQ . The Company will file a notification with the NASDAQ or other securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed concerning the maximum number of shares of Issuable Common Stock issuable by the Company upon settlement of the Purchase Contracts no later than ten calendar days after the Closing Time and any additional time of purchase.

 

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(n) Transfer Agent . The Company shall maintain a registrar and transfer agent for the Common Stock.

(o) Reserve. The Company will reserve and keep available at all times, free of preemptive rights (other than under the SAR Agreement, the Patriot Purchase Agreement and the Oaktree Purchase Agreement), the maximum number of shares of Issuable Common Stock issuable under the Purchase Contracts.

SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses .

(a) Expenses . The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each amendment thereto, (ii) the preparation, printing and delivery to Merrill Lynch of this Agreement and such other documents as may be reasonably required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates, if any, for the Securities to Merrill Lynch, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company’s counsel, accountants and other advisors, (v) the qualification of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof, (vi) the printing and delivery to Merrill Lynch of copies of each preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus, any Issuer-Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and of the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, (vii) the fees and expenses of any transfer agent, registrar or depositary for the Securities, (viii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the Securities, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged by the Company in connection with the road show presentations, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and the cost of aircraft and other transportation chartered in connection with the road show (it being understood that the cost of such travel and lodging, including the cost of aircraft and other transportation, of Merrill Lynch shall be the responsibility of Merrill Lynch), (ix) any fees payable in respect of listing the Issuable Common Stock on the NASDAQ or other securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed, (x) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with having the Securities eligible for clearance, settlement and trading through the facilities of DTC, (xi) the fees and expenses of the Purchase Contract Agent in connection with the Purchase Contracts, the Purchase Contract Agreement and the Securities and (xii) the fees and expenses of the Trustee in connection with the Amortizing Notes, the Indenture and the Securities.

(b) Termination of Agreement . If this Agreement is terminated by Merrill Lynch in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 or Section 9(a)(i) hereof, the Company shall reimburse Merrill Lynch for all of its out-of-pocket expenses.

SECTION 5. Conditions of Merrill Lynch’s Obligations . The obligations of Merrill Lynch hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 1 hereof or in certificates of any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:

(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement . (i) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, has become effective and at Closing Time and the additional time of purchase, if any, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the

 

21


reasonable satisfaction of counsel to Merrill Lynch, (ii) each of the preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)) (or a post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been filed and declared effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430B), and no order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus shall have been issued by the Commission or any other Governmental Entity, (iii) the Final Term Sheet and any other material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the 1933 Act shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time periods prescribed in such filings by Rule 433 and (iv) there shall not have come to Merrill Lynch’s attention any facts that would cause Merrill Lynch to believe that the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, at the time it was, or was required to be, delivered or made available to purchasers of the Securities, included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances existing at the time, not misleading.

(b) Opinion of Counsel for the Company . At Closing Time and at the additional time of purchase, if any, Merrill Lynch shall have received the opinions, dated as of Closing Time or the additional time of purchase, as applicable, from each of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and Silver Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP, counsel for the Company, and John C. Grosvenor, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for Merrill Lynch to the effect set forth in Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2 , Exhibit B and Exhibit C hereto, respectively. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company and its subsidiaries and certificates of public officials.

(c) Opinion of Counsel for Merrill Lynch . At Closing Time and at the additional time of purchase, if any, Merrill Lynch shall have received the opinion, dated as of Closing Time or the additional time of purchase, as applicable, of Hogan Lovells US LLP, counsel for Merrill Lynch, with respect to the validity of the Securities, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and other related matters as Merrill Lynch may reasonably require. In giving such opinion such counsel may rely, as to all matters governed by the laws of jurisdictions other than the law of the State of New York, the federal law of the United States and the General Corporation Law of the State of Maryland, upon the opinions of counsel satisfactory to Merrill Lynch. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company and its subsidiaries and certificates of public officials.

(d) Officers’ Certificates . At Closing Time and at the additional time of purchase, if any, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the financial condition, earnings, or business affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and Merrill Lynch shall have received a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer, President or an Executive Vice President of the Company and of the chief financial officer or chief accounting officer of the Company, dated as of Closing Time or the additional time of purchase, as applicable, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the representations and warranties in Section 1(a) hereof are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of Closing Time or the additional time of purchase, as applicable, (iii) the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to Closing Time, or the additional time of purchase, as applicable, and (iv) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or order preventing the use any preliminary prospectus, the Statutory

 

22


Prospectus or the Prospectus has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to their knowledge, contemplated by the Commission or other Governmental Entity.

(e) Accountant’s Comfort Letter . At the time of the execution of this Agreement, Merrill Lynch shall have received from KPMG LLP a letter dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to Merrill Lynch, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information of the Company contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(f) Bring-down Comfort Letter . At Closing Time and at the additional time of purchase, if any, Merrill Lynch shall have received from KPMG LLP a letter, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that it reaffirm the statements made in its letter furnished pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to Closing Time.

(g) DTC . At Closing Time and at the additional time of purchase, if any, the Securities shall be eligible for clearance, settlement and trading in book-entry-only form through the facilities of DTC.

(h) Listing.  The Securities shall have been registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the 1934 Act and the Company shall have applied to list the Issuable Common Stock on the NASDAQ or such other securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed, and the Company shall have taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Securities under the 1934 Act or terminating the application to list the Issuable Common Stock on the NASDAQ or other securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed, and the Company shall have not received any notification that the Commission or the NASDAQ or other securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed is contemplating terminating such registration or listing application, as applicable.

(i) Delivery of General Disclosure Package and Prospectus . The Company shall have furnished to Merrill Lynch the General Disclosure Package prior to the Applicable Time and the Prospectus on the New York business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement.

(j) Additional Documents . At Closing Time and at the additional time of purchase, if any, counsel for Merrill Lynch shall have been furnished with such documents, certificates and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained, and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in form and substance to Merrill Lynch and counsel for Merrill Lynch.

(k) Lock-ups . The “lock-up” agreements, each substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D , between Merrill Lynch and persons listed on Schedule D hereto relating to sales and certain other dispositions of shares of Common Stock or certain other securities, delivered to Merrill Lynch on or before the date hereof, shall be in full force and effect at the Closing Time and at the additional time of purchase, if any.

(l) Termination of Agreement . If any condition specified in this Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by Merrill Lynch by notice to the Company at any time at or prior to Closing Time or, if applicable, the additional time of purchase and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided

 

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in Section 4 and except that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 18 shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. Indemnification .

(a) Indemnification of Merrill Lynch . The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Merrill Lynch, its officers and directors, its affiliates, as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act (each, an “Affiliate”), its selling agents and each person, if any, who controls Merrill Lynch within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:

(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430B Information, if any, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus, any Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any roadshow that does not constitute an Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

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

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

provided , however , that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430B Information, if any, or any preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus, any Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information.

(b) Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers . Merrill Lynch agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430B Information, if any, or in any preliminary prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus, any Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus, the General

 

24


Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information.

(c) Actions against Parties; Notification . Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by Merrill Lynch, and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(b) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Company. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided , however , that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any Governmental Entity, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

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

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

The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and Merrill Lynch, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total underwriting discount

 

25


received by Merrill Lynch, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Securities as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus.

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

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

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, Merrill Lynch shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which Merrill Lynch has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who controls Merrill Lynch within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act and Merrill Lynch’s directors, officers, Affiliates and selling agents shall have the same rights to contribution as Merrill Lynch, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive . All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries submitted pursuant hereto shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (a) any investigation made by or on behalf of Merrill Lynch, its Affiliates or selling agents or any person controlling Merrill Lynch or by or on behalf of the Company, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company, and (b) delivery of and payment for the Securities.

SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement .

(a) Termination; General . Merrill Lynch may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company, at any time at or prior to Closing Time or, if applicable, the additional time of purchase, (i) if there has been, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the financial condition, earnings, or business affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business; (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or

 

26


escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of Merrill Lynch, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities; (iii) if trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission, the NASDAQ (but only if the Common Stock is then listed on the NASDAQ) or any other securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed, or if trading generally on the New York Stock Exchange or in the NASDAQ has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by such system or by order of the Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. or any other Governmental Entity; (iv) a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities or clearance, settlement or trading services in the United States; or (v) if a banking moratorium has been declared by Federal, New York, Maryland or California authorities.

(b) Liabilities . If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 18 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Reserved.

SECTION 11. Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to Merrill Lynch shall be directed to Merrill Lynch at One Bryant Park, New York, NY 10036, attention of Equity Syndicate Department (facsimile: (646) 855-3073), with a copy to ECM Legal (facsimile: (212) 230-9730), and with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to Hogan Lovells US LLP, 555 Thirteenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004, attention of Daniel Keating, Esq.; and notices to the Company shall be directed to it at its principal executive offices located at 18500 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1100, Irvine, California 92612, attention of Chief Executive Officer, with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, 51 West 52 nd Street, New York, New York 10019-6150, attention of Matthew M. Guest, Esq.

In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), Merrill Lynch is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies its clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of its clients, as well as other information that will allow Merrill Lynch to properly identify its clients.

SECTION 12. Parties . This Agreement shall each inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Merrill Lynch and the Company and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than Merrill Lynch and the Company and their respective successors and the Affiliates, selling agents, officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of Merrill Lynch and the Company and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Securities from Merrill Lynch shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

SECTION 13. No Fiduciaries . The Company acknowledges and agrees that (a) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the public offering price

 

27


of the Securities and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and Merrill Lynch, on the other hand, (b) in connection with the offering contemplated hereby and the process leading to such transaction, Merrill Lynch is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company, any of the Company’s subsidiaries, any stockholders, creditors or employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any other third party, (c) Merrill Lynch has not assumed and will not assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether Merrill Lynch has advised or is currently advising the Company or any of its subsidiaries on other matters), and Merrill Lynch does not have any obligation to the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the offering contemplated hereby except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (d) Merrill Lynch and its affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company and its subsidiaries and (e) Merrill Lynch has not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering contemplated hereby and the Company has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.

SECTION 14. GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 15. Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial; Venue . Each of the Company and Merrill Lynch hereby expressly and irrevocably (a) submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) waives (i) its right to a trial by jury in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or any course of conduct, course of dealing, statements (whether verbal or written) or actions of Merrill Lynch and for any counterclaim related to any of the foregoing and (ii) any objection which it may have or hereafter may have to the laying of venue of any such litigation brought in any such court referred to above and any claim that any such litigation has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

SECTION 16. TIME . TIME SHALL BE OF THE ESSENCE OF THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

SECTION 17. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

SECTION 18. Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a valid and legally binding agreement between Merrill Lynch and the Company in accordance with its terms.

 

Very truly yours,
BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Steven A. Sugarman

  Name: Steven A. Sugarman
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,

    as of the date first above written:

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH

                               INCORPORATED

 

By:  

/s/ Scott Robertson

  Name: Scott Robertson
  Title: Managing Director

[ Signature Page to Purchase Agreement ]


SCHEDULE A

The stated amount per Security shall be $50.00.

The purchase price per Security to be paid by Merrill Lynch shall be $47.625, being an amount equal to the initial public offering price set forth above less $2.375 per Security.

 

Name of Underwriter

   Total Number of
Shares of Firm
Securities to be
Purchased
 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                       Incorporated

     1,200,000   
  

 

 

 

Total

     1,200,000   
  

 

 

 

 


SCHEDULE B

1. Final Term Sheet


SCHEDULE C


SCHEDULE D

List of Persons Subject to Lockup

 

Chad Brownstein    (Director)         
John Grosvenor    (General Counsel)         
Jeffrey Karish    (Director)         
Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr.    (CFO)         
Jonah Schnel    (Director)         
Jeffrey Seabold    (Chief Lending Officer)         
Steven Sugarman    (CEO)         
Hugh F. Boyle    (EVP and Chief Credit Officer)         
Eric Holoman    (Director)         
Richard Herrin    (Corporate Secretary)         
Craig Naselow    (EVP, Treasurer, CIO)         
Nathan Duda    (Chief Accounting Officer)         
Gaylin Anderson    (EVP, Retail Banking)         

 

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EXHIBIT D

Form of Lock-up Agreement

May 15, 2014

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH

                                 INCORPORATED

 

c/o   

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                         Incorporated

   One Bryant Park
   New York, NY 10036

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned understands that Banc of California, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), proposes to enter into a purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”) providing for the public offering by Merrill Lynch of the Company’s tangible equity units (the “Public Offering”).

To induce Merrill Lynch that may participate in the Public Offering to continue their efforts in connection with the Public Offering, the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, it will not, during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending 90 days after the date of the final prospectus relating to the Public Offering (the “Restricted Period”), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of the Company’s voting common stock, $.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of the Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) make any demand for or exercise any right or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or any other securities of the Company, other than a Registration Statement on Form S-8, (4) establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position in Common Stock within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or (5) publicly announce an intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (1), (2), (3) or (4). The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (a) transactions relating to shares of Common Stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of the Public Offering, provided that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act shall be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with subsequent sales of Common Stock or other securities acquired in such open market transactions, (b) transfers of shares of Common Stock or

 

3


any security convertible into Common Stock as a bona fide gift, (c) transfers by will or intestate succession to executors, administrators, testamentary trustees, legatees or beneficiaries, (d) transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into Common Stock to any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity owned or existing for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned, or a member of the immediate family (meaning any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin) of the undersigned, (e) transfers pursuant to the exercise by the undersigned of stock options or stock appreciation rights or vesting of outstanding restricted stock awards that have been granted by the Company prior to, and are outstanding as of, the date of the Purchase Agreement (or that are granted after the date of the Purchase Agreement pursuant to a plan or arrangement that is in place prior to the date of the Purchase Agreement), by net share settlement (including with respect to the surrender or forfeiture of Common Stock to satisfy tax withholding obligations) or where the Common Stock received upon any such exercise or vesting is held by the undersigned, individually or as a fiduciary, in accordance with the terms of this agreement, (f) sales or other dispositions pursuant to a pledge in effect on the date hereof of Common Stock or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, Common Stock as security for a margin account pursuant to the terms of such account or other similar pledge arrangement, (g) sales of shares of Common Stock pursuant to any contract, instruction or plan in effect on the date hereof that satisfies the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(B) (a “10b5-1 Plan”) under the Exchange Act or (h) with the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch; provided that in the case of any transfer, distribution or sale pursuant to clause (b), (c), or (d), (i) each donee or distributee shall sign and deliver a lock-up letter substantially in the form of this letter. In addition, the undersigned may establish a 10b5-1 Plan after the date hereof, provided that no sales of Common Stock or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, Common Stock, shall be made pursuant to such 10b5-1 Plan prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period. The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the undersigned’s shares of Common Stock except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.

If:

(1) during the last 17 days of the Restricted Period the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or

(2) prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results or becomes aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Restricted Period;

then the restrictions imposed by this agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.

The undersigned understands that the Company and Merrill Lynch are relying upon this agreement in proceeding toward consummation of the Public Offering. The undersigned further understands that this agreement is irrevocable and shall be binding upon the undersigned’s heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.

The undersigned understands that, if the Purchase Agreement does not become effective, or if the Purchase Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Common Stock to be sold thereunder, the undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no further effect as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 27, 2014 if a closing for the Public Offering has not yet occurred as of that time.

 

4


Whether or not the Public Offering actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market conditions. Any Public Offering will only be made pursuant to a Purchase Agreement, the terms of which are subject to negotiation between the Company and Merrill Lynch. This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

5


Very truly yours,

 

(Name)

 

(Address)

[Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement]

Exhibit 4.1

 

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.,

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Purchase Contract Agent

and

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee under the Indenture referred to herein

 

PURCHASE CONTRACT AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of May 21, 2014


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATIONS      1   

SECTION 1.01. Definitions

     1   

SECTION 1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions

     11   

SECTION 1.03. Form of Documents Delivered to Purchase Contract Agent

     12   

SECTION 1.04. Acts of Holders; Record Dates

     12   

SECTION 1.05. Notices

     14   

SECTION 1.06. Notice to Holders; Waiver

     15   

SECTION 1.07. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents

     15   

SECTION 1.08. Successors and Assigns

     15   

SECTION 1.09. Separability Clause

     16   

SECTION 1.10. Benefits of Agreement

     16   

SECTION 1.11. Governing Law

     16   

SECTION 1.12. Judicial Proceedings

     16   

SECTION 1.13. Legal Holidays

     16   

SECTION 1.14. Counterparts

     17   

SECTION 1.15. Inspection of Agreement

     17   

SECTION 1.16. Waiver of Jury Trial

     17   

SECTION 1.17. Force Majeure

     17   

SECTION 1.18. Calculations

     17   

SECTION 1.19. UCC

     18   

SECTION 1.20. Conflict with Indenture

     18   

SECTION 1.21. U.S.A. Patriot Act

     18   
ARTICLE II UNIT AND PURCHASE CONTRACT FORMS      18   

SECTION 2.01. Forms of Units and Purchase Contracts Generally

     18   

SECTION 2.02. Form of Purchase Contract Agent’s Certificate of Authentication

     19   

SECTION 2.03. Global Securities; Separation of Units

     19   

SECTION 2.04. Recreation of Units.

     20   
ARTICLE III THE UNITS AND PURCHASE CONTRACTS      20   

SECTION 3.01. Amount and Denominations

     20   

SECTION 3.02. Rights and Obligations Evidenced by the Equity-Linked Securities

     21   

SECTION 3.03. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

     21   

SECTION 3.04. [Reserved]

     22   

SECTION 3.05. Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange

     22   

SECTION 3.06. Book-Entry Interests

     23   

SECTION 3.07. Notices to Holders

     24   

SECTION 3.08. Appointment of Successor Depositary

     24   

SECTION 3.09. Definitive Securities

     24   

SECTION 3.10. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities

     24   

SECTION 3.11. Persons Deemed Owners

     25   

SECTION 3.12. Cancellation

     27   

 

-i-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  
ARTICLE IV SETTLEMENT OF THE PURCHASE CONTRACTS      27   

SECTION 4.01. Settlement Rate

     27   

SECTION 4.02. Representations and Agreements of Holders

     28   

SECTION 4.03. Delivery Upon Settlement of the Purchase Contracts

     29   

SECTION 4.04. No Fractional Shares

     30   

SECTION 4.05. Consequences of Bankruptcy

     30   
ARTICLE V ADJUSTMENTS      30   

SECTION 5.01. Adjustments to the Fixed Settlement Rates

     30   

SECTION 5.02. Business Combinations

     38   

SECTION 5.03. Early Settlement Upon a Fundamental Change

     39   

SECTION 5.04. Early Settlement

     42   

SECTION 5.05. Early Mandatory Settlement at the Company’s Election

     43   
ARTICLE VI REMEDIES      44   

SECTION 6.01. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Shares of Common Stock

     44   

SECTION 6.02. Notice to Purchase Contract Agent; Limitation on Proceedings

     44   

SECTION 6.03. Restoration of Rights and Remedies

     44   

SECTION 6.04. Rights and Remedies Cumulative

     44   

SECTION 6.05. Delay or Omission Not Waiver

     44   

SECTION 6.06. Undertaking for Costs

     45   

SECTION 6.07. Waiver of Stay or Execution Laws

     45   

SECTION 6.08. Control by Majority

     45   
ARTICLE VII THE PURCHASE CONTRACT AGENT      45   

SECTION 7.01. Certain Duties and Responsibilities

     45   

SECTION 7.02. Notice of Default

     46   

SECTION 7.03. Certain Rights of Purchase Contract Agent

     47   

SECTION 7.04. Not Responsible for Recitals

     49   

SECTION 7.05. May Hold Units and Purchase Contracts

     49   

SECTION 7.06. Money Held in Custody

     49   

SECTION 7.07. Compensation, Reimbursement and Indemnification

     49   

SECTION 7.08. Corporate Purchase Contract Agent Required; Eligibility

     50   

SECTION 7.09. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor

     50   

SECTION 7.10. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor

     51   

SECTION 7.11. Merger; Conversion; Consolidation or Succession to Business

     52   

SECTION 7.12. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders

     52   

SECTION 7.13. No Obligations of Purchase Contract Agent or Trustee

     53   

SECTION 7.14. Tax Compliance

     53   
ARTICLE VIII SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS      54   

SECTION 8.01. Supplemental Agreements Without Consent of Holders

     54   

SECTION 8.02. Supplemental Agreements With Consent of Holders

     54   

SECTION 8.03. Execution of Supplemental Agreements

     55   

SECTION 8.04. Effect of Supplemental Agreements

     55   

 

-ii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

SECTION 8.05. Reference to Supplemental Agreements

     55   

SECTION 8.06. Notice of Amendment

     56   
ARTICLE IX CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE      56   

SECTION 9.01. Covenant Not to Consolidate, Merge, Convey, Transfer or Lease Property Except Under Certain Conditions

     56   

SECTION 9.02. Rights and Duties of Successor Entity

     56   
ARTICLE X COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY      57   

SECTION 10.01. Performance Under Purchase Contracts

     57   

SECTION 10.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency

     57   

SECTION 10.03. Statements of Officers of the Company as to Default; Notice of Default

     57   

SECTION 10.04. Existence

     58   

SECTION 10.05. Company to Reserve Common Stock

     58   

SECTION 10.06. Covenants as to Common Stock; Listing

     58   

SECTION 10.07. Tax Treatment

     58   

 

-iii-


EXHIBITS:

 

Exhibit A:    Form of Unit
Exhibit B:    Form of Purchase Agreement

 

-iv-


PURCHASE CONTRACT AGREEMENT

PURCHASE CONTRACT AGREEMENT, dated as of May 21, 2014, among BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, acting as purchase contract agent (the “ Purchase Contract Agen t”), and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, acting as Trustee under the Indenture (as defined herein).

RECITALS

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Units and Purchase Contracts issuable hereunder.

All things necessary to make the Units and Purchase Contracts, when such are executed by the Company and authenticated, executed on behalf of the Holders and delivered by the Purchase Contract Agent, as provided in this Agreement, the valid obligations of the Company and to constitute this Agreement a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done. For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Units (including the constituent parts thereof) by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATIONS

SECTION 1.01. Definitions .  For all purposes of this Agreement, 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, and nouns and pronouns of the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter genders;

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

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

(d)        references herein to Articles, Sections and Exhibits refer to Articles, Sections and Exhibits of this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires; and

(e)        the following terms have the meanings given to them in this Section 1.01(e):

Act ” has the meaning, with respect to any Holder, set forth in Section 1.04.

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,


whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Agreement ” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more agreements supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof.

Applicable Market Value ” means the average of the Daily VWAPs of the Common Stock on each of the 20 consecutive Trading Days ending on the third Trading Day immediately preceding the Mandatory Settlement Date.

applicants ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.12(b).

Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any insolvency or other similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Beneficial Owner ” means, with respect to a Book-Entry Interest, a Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book-Entry Interest as reflected on the books of the Depositary or on the books of a Person maintaining an account with the Depositary (directly as a Depositary Participant or as an indirect participant, in each case in accordance with the rules of the Depositary).

Board of Directors ” means the board of directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee of that board.

Board Resolution ” means one or more resolutions of the Board of Directors, a copy of which has been certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Purchase Contract Agent.

Book-Entry Interest ” means a beneficial interest in a Global Security, registered in the name of a Depositary or a nominee thereof, ownership and transfers of which shall be maintained and made through book entries by such Depositary as described in Section 3.06.

Business Combination ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.02.

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any day on which banking institutions or trust companies in New York, New York are authorized or obligated by applicable law, regulation or executive order to close.

Capital Stock ” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents, however designated, of corporate stock or other equity participations, including partnership interests, whether general or limited, of such Person and any rights (other than debt securities convertible or exchangeable into an equity interest), warrants or options to acquire an equity interest in such Person.

Clearing Agency ” means an organization registered as a “clearing agency” pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

 

2


close of business ” means 5:00 p.m. (New York City time).

Closing Price ” of the Common Stock means, on any date of determination (i) the closing sale price (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the last reported sale price) of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on such date or, if the Common Stock is not listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on any such date, as reported in the composite transactions for the principal United States national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock is so listed; or (ii) if the Common Stock is not so reported, the last quoted bid price for the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market as reported by the Pink OTC Markets Inc. or a similar organization, or, if such bid price is not available, the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices of the Common Stock on such date from at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms retained by the Company for this purpose.

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

Common Stock ” means the common stock, $0.01 par value, of the Company, subject to Section 5.02.

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

Corporate Trust Office ” means the corporate trust office of the Purchase Contract Agent at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business in New York, New York shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at U.S. Bank Corporate Trust Services, 100 Wall Street, Suite 1600, New York, New York 10005, except that with respect to presentation of Units for payment or for registration of transfer or exchange, such term shall mean the office or agency of the Purchase Contract Agent at which at any particular time its corporate agency business shall be conducted, which office at the date of this instrument is located at 100 Wall Street, Suite 1600, New York, New York 10005; Attention: Account Manager — Banc of California and U.S. Bank Corporate Trust Services, 60 Livingston Avenue, 1 st Floor, St. Paul, Minnesota 55107; Attention: Account Manager — Banc of California, or, in the case of any of such offices or agency, such other address as the Purchase Contract Agent may designate from time to time by notice to the Company.

Daily VWAP ” of the Common Stock means, on any date of determination, the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading Bloomberg VWAP on the Bloomberg page BANC <equity> AQR (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading on the relevant Trading Day until the scheduled close of trading on the relevant Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market price of one share of Common Stock on such Trading Day determined, using a volume-weighted method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained for this purpose by the Company).

Definitive Equity-Linked Security ” means an Equity-Linked Security in definitive form. “Definitive Security” means any Security in definitive form.

 

3


Depositary ” means a Clearing Agency that is acting as a depositary for the Equity-Linked Securities and in whose name, or in the name of a nominee of that organization, shall be registered one or more Global Securities and which shall undertake to effect book-entry transfers of the Equity-Linked Securities as contemplated by Section 3.06, Section 3.07, Section 3.08 and Section 3.09.

Depositary Participant ” means a broker, dealer, bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the Depositary effects book-entry transfers of securities deposited with the Depositary.

Dividend Threshold Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(a)(iv).

DTC ” means The Depository Trust Company.

DWAC System ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(a).

Early Mandatory Settlement Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.05(a).

Early Mandatory Settlement Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.05(b).

Early Mandatory Settlement Rate ” shall be the Maximum Settlement Rate, unless the Closing Price of the Common Stock for 20 or more Trading Days in a period of 30 consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Notice Date exceeds 130% of the Threshold Appreciation Price in effect on each such Trading Day, in which case the “Early Mandatory Settlement Rate” shall be the Minimum Settlement Rate.

Early Mandatory Settlement Right ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.05(a).

Early Settlement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.04(a).

Early Settlement Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.04(b).

Early Settlement Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.04(b)(i).

Early Settlement Rate ” for each Purchase Contract means the Minimum Settlement Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Early Settlement Date, unless the Holder elects to settle such Purchase Contract in connection with a Fundamental Change, as described in Section 5.03, in which case such Holder shall receive upon settlement of such Purchase Contract a number of shares of Common Stock (or applicable property) based on the Fundamental Change Early Settlement Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Early Settlement Date, subject to adjustment in the same manner and at the same time as each Fixed Settlement Rate is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.01.

Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(c).

Equity-Linked Security ” means a Unit or a Purchase Contract, as applicable.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

4


Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

expiration date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.04(e).

Expiration Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(a)(v).

Expiration Time ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(a)(v).

Ex-Date ” means the first date on which shares of Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive the issuance, dividend or distribution in question, from the Company or, if applicable, from the seller of Common Stock on such exchange or market (in the form of due bills or otherwise) as determined by such exchange or market.

Fixed Settlement Rate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01.

Fundamental Change ” shall be deemed to occur if any of the following occurs:

(a)        a “person” or “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act files a Schedule TO or any schedule, form or report under the Exchange Act disclosing that such person or group has become the direct or indirect ultimate “beneficial owner,” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of the Company’s common equity representing more than 50% of the voting power of the Common Stock; or

(b)        consummation of any consolidation or merger of the Company or similar transaction with, or any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to, any Person other than one of the Company’s Subsidiaries, in each case pursuant to which the Common Stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property;

provided , however , that (i) any transaction or event described in clause (a) or (b) above where the holders of the Company’s voting stock immediately prior to such event own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting stock of the continuing or surviving person or transferee or the parent thereof immediately after such event and such holders’ proportional voting power immediately after such transaction vis-à-vis each other with respect to the securities they receive in such transaction will be in substantially the same proportions as their respective voting power vis-à-vis each other immediately prior to such transaction will not constitute a Fundamental Change under such clause (a) or (b) as the case may be; (ii) a Fundamental Change shall not be deemed to have occurred as a result of a transaction or event described in clause (b) above if at least 90% of the consideration received by holders of the Common Stock, excluding cash payments for fractional shares and cash payments made in respect of dissenters’ appraisal rights, in the transaction or transactions consists of shares of common stock or depositary receipts in respect of common stock that are traded on a U.S. national securities exchange or that will be so traded when issued or exchanged in connection with such transaction or transactions and (iii) a transaction or event that constitutes a Fundamental Change under both clauses (a) and (b) above

 

5


will be deemed to constitute a Fundamental Change solely under clause (b) of this definition of “Fundamental Change.”

Fundamental Change Early Settlement Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(a).

Fundamental Change Early Settlement Rate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(c).

Fundamental Change Early Settlement Right ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(a).

Global Note ” means a Registered Global Security, as defined in the Indenture, that shall evidence the number of Separate Notes specified therein.

Global Purchase Contract ” means a Purchase Contract in global form that (i) shall evidence the number of Separate Purchase Contracts specified therein, (ii) shall be registered on the books and records of the Purchase Contract Agent in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and (iii) shall be held by the Purchase Contract Agent as custodian for the Depositary.

Global Security ” means a Global Unit, a Global Purchase Contract or a Global Note, as applicable.

Global Unit ” means a Unit in global form that (i) shall evidence the number of Units specified therein, (ii) shall be registered on the books and records of the Purchase Contract Agent in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and (iii) shall be held by the Purchase Contract Agent as custodian for the Depositary.

Holder ” means, with respect to a Unit or Purchase Contract, the Person in whose name the Unit or Purchase Contract, as the case may be, is registered in the Security Register; provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite number of Units or Purchase Contracts, as the case may be, have voted on any matter, then for the purpose of such determination only (and not for any other purpose hereunder), if the Units or Purchase Contracts, as the case may be, remain in the form of one or more Global Securities and if the Depositary that is the registered holder of such Global Security has sent an omnibus proxy assigning voting rights to the Depositary Participants to whose accounts the Units or Purchase Contracts, as the case may be, are credited on the related record date, the term “Holder” shall mean such Depositary Participant acting at the direction of the Beneficial Owners.

Indenture ” means the Junior Subordinated Indenture dated as of May 21, 2014, between the Company and the Trustee (including any provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed incorporated therein), as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture.

Issuer Order ” or “ Issuer Request ” means a written order or request signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its President or one of its Vice Presidents, and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Purchase Contract Agent.

Mandatory Settlement Date ” means May 15, 2017.

 

6


Market Disruption Event ” means any of the following events that has occurred (i) any suspension of, or limitation imposed on, trading by the NASDAQ Global Select Market during the one-hour period prior to the close of trading for the regular trading session on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (or for purposes of determining Daily VWAP any period or periods aggregating one half hour or longer), whether by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the NASDAQ Global Select Market or otherwise, relating to the Common Stock or in futures or options contracts relating to the Common Stock on the relevant exchange or quotation system, (ii) any event (other than a failure to open or a closure as described below) that disrupts or impairs the ability of market participants during the one-hour period prior to the close of trading for the regular trading session on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (or for purposes of determining Daily VWAP any period or periods aggregating one half hour or longer) in general to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market or futures or options contracts relating to the Common Stock on any relevant exchange or quotation system, or (iii) the failure to open of the exchange or quotation system on which futures or options contracts relating to the Common Stock are traded or the closure of such exchange or quotation system prior to its respective scheduled closing time for the regular trading session on such day (without regard to after hours or other trading outside the regular trading session hours) unless such earlier closing time is announced by such exchange or quotation system at least one hour prior to the earlier of the actual closing time for the regular trading session on such day and the submission deadline for orders to be entered into such exchange or quotation system for execution at the actual closing time on such day. For the purposes of determining a “Market Disruption Event,” if the Common Stock is not listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the term “NASDAQ Global Select Market” in this definition shall be deemed to be replaced by the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed for trading.

Maximum Settlement Rate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01.

Merger Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.02(b)(i).

Merger Valuation Percentage ” for any Business Combination shall be equal to (x) the arithmetic average of the Closing Prices of one share of the Merger Common Stock over the relevant Merger Valuation Period (determined as if references to “Common Stock” in the definition of “Closing Price” were references to the “Merger Common Stock” for such Business Combination), divided by (y) the arithmetic average of the Closing Prices of one share of Common Stock over the relevant Merger Valuation Period.

Merger Valuation Period ” for any Business Combination means the five consecutive Trading Day period immediately preceding, but excluding, the effective date for such Business Combination.

Minimum Settlement Rate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01.

Minimum Stock Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(e)(iii).

 

7


Notes ” means the series of notes designated as the “7.50% Junior Subordinated Amortizing Notes due May 15, 2017” to be issued by the Company under the Indenture, and “Note” means each note of such series having an initial principal amount of $10.604556.

Notice Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.05(b)(ii).

Officers’ Certificate ” when used with respect to the Company, means a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice Chairman, the President, any of the Executive Vice Presidents or any of the Senior Vice Presidents, and the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, or the General Counsel, and delivered to the Purchase Contract Agent.

Open of business ” means 9:00 a.m. (New York City time).

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel to the Company (and who may be an employee of the Company), and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Purchase Contract Agent and/or Trustee as applicable. An opinion of counsel may rely on certificates as to matters of fact and shall include the statements provided in Section 1.02 if and to the extent required thereby.

Outstanding Purchase Contracts ” means, as of the date of determination, all Purchase Contracts theretofore authenticated, executed and delivered under this Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Purchase Contracts held as a component of Units and Separate Purchase Contracts), except:

(i)        Purchase Contracts theretofore cancelled by the Purchase Contract Agent or received by the Purchase Contract Agent for cancellation or deemed cancelled pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement; and

(ii)       Purchase Contracts in exchange for or in lieu of which other Purchase Contracts have been authenticated, executed on behalf of the Holder and delivered pursuant to this Agreement, other than any such Purchase Contract in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Purchase Contract Agent proof satisfactory to it that such Purchase Contract is held by a protected purchaser in whose hands the Purchase Contracts are valid obligations of the Company; provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite number of the Purchase Contracts have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Purchase Contracts owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding Purchase Contracts, except that, in determining whether the Purchase Contract Agent shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Purchase Contracts that a Responsible Officer of the Purchase Contract Agent actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded.

Participant ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(a).

Paying Agent ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02.

 

8


Person ” means a legal person, including any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity of whatever nature.

Prospectus Supplement ” means the Prospectus Supplement dated May 15, 2014, related to the Units.

Purchase Contract ” means the contract obligating the Company to deliver shares of Common Stock on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

Purchase Contract Agent ” means the Person named as the “Purchase Contract Agent” in the first paragraph of this Agreement until a successor Purchase Contract Agent shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Agreement, and thereafter, in each instance, “Purchase Contract Agent” shall mean such Person.

Purchase Contract Settlement Fund ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03(a).

Record Date ” means, for purposes of Section 5.01, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of the Common Stock have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which the Common Stock (or other applicable security) is exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of the Common Stock entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by the Board of Directors or by statute, contract or otherwise).

Reference Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01.

Reference Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.02.

Repurchase Date ” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

Repurchase Price ” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

Repurchase Right ” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

Responsible Officer ” means, with respect to the Purchase Contract Agent, any officer assigned to the corporate trust department (or any successor division or unit) of the Purchase Contract Agent located at the Corporate Trust Office, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Agreement.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Security ” means a Unit, a Purchase Contract or a Note, as applicable.

 

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Security Register ” and “ Security Registrar ” have the respective meanings set forth in Section 3.05.

Separate Note ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(a).

Separate Purchase Contract ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(a).

Settlement Rate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01.

Similar Law ” means any federal, state, local, non-U.S., or other laws or regulations that are substantially similar to any of the provisions of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

Stated Amount ” means $50.

Stock Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(c).

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation, 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) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof) and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

Supplemental Indenture ” means the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 21, 2014, between the Company and the Trustee, pursuant to which the Notes will be issued.

Termination Event ” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(i)        at any time on or prior to the Mandatory Settlement Date, a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall have been entered adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization of the Company under the Bankruptcy Code or any other similar applicable Federal or state law and, if such judgment, decree or order shall have been entered more than 60 days prior to the Mandatory Settlement Date, such decree or order shall have continued undischarged and unstayed for a period of 60 days;

(ii)       at any time on or prior to the Mandatory Settlement Date, a decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment of a receiver or liquidator or trustee or assignee (or other similar official) in bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company or of all or substantially all of its property, or for the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, shall have been entered and, if such decree or order shall have been entered more than 60 days prior to the Mandatory Settlement Date, such judgment, decree or order shall have continued undischarged and unstayed for a period of 60 days; or

(iii)      at any time on or prior to the Mandatory Settlement Date, the Company shall institute proceedings to be adjudicated a voluntary bankrupt, or shall consent to the filing of a

 

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bankruptcy proceeding against it, or shall file a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code or any other similar applicable Federal or state law, or shall consent to the filing of any such petition, or shall consent to the appointment of a receiver or liquidator or trustee or assignee (or other similar official) in bankruptcy or insolvency of it or of its property, or shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due.

For the avoidance of doubt, a “Termination Event” shall not include any event described in clauses (i) through (iii) above with respect to any Subsidiary of the Company.

Threshold Appreciation Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01.

Trading Day ” means a day on which (i) there is no Market Disruption Event and (ii) the NASDAQ Global Select Market is open for trading or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the principal other United States national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed is open for trading or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on a United States national or regional securities exchange, the principal other market on which the Common Stock is then listed or admitted for trading is open for trading. If the Common Stock (or other security for which a Daily VWAP must be determined) is not listed or admitted for trading as described in clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence, “Trading Day” means a “Business Day.”

Trustee ” means U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee under the Indenture, or any successor thereto.

Unit ” means the collective rights of a Holder of a unit consisting of one Purchase Contract and one Note prior to separation pursuant Section 2.03 or subsequent to recreation pursuant to Section 2.04.

Unit of Reference Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.02.

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

VWAP ” per share of any Capital Stock or similar equity interest on any Trading Day means the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading Bloomberg VWAP on the relevant Bloomberg page in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading on such Trading Day until the scheduled close of trading on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market price of one share of such Capital Stock or similar equity interest on such Trading Day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained for this purpose by the Company).

SECTION 1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions .  Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Agreement, upon any application or request by the Company to the Purchase Contract Agent to take any action in accordance with any provision of this Agreement, the Company shall furnish to the Purchase Contract Agent an Officers’ Certificate stating that all

 

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conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Agreement relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Agreement relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished unless so specified in such provision.

Every Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Agreement shall include:

(i)        a statement that each individual signing such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(ii)       a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel are based;

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

(iv)      a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 1.03. Form of Documents Delivered to Purchase Contract Agent .  In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents. Any Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel 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 Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel is based are erroneous. Any such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

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

SECTION 1.04. Acts of Holders; Record Dates .    Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Agreement to be given or taken

 

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by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Purchase Contract Agent and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Agreement and (subject to Section 7.01) conclusive in favor of the Purchase Contract Agent and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.

(b)        The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any manner which the Purchase Contract Agent deems sufficient.

(c)        The ownership of Purchase Contracts shall be proved by the Security Registrar upon review of the Security Register.

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

(e)        The Company may set any date as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Purchase Contracts entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Agreement to be given, made or taken by Holders of Purchase Contracts. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of the Outstanding Purchase Contracts on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the relevant action with respect to the Purchase Contracts, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken prior to or on the applicable expiration date by Holders of the requisite number of Outstanding Purchase Contracts on such record date. Nothing contained in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled and be of no effect), and nothing contained in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite number of Outstanding Purchase Contracts on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable expiration date to be given to the Purchase Contract Agent in writing and to each Holder of Purchase Contracts in the manner set forth in Section 1.06.

With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the Company may designate any date as the “expiration date” and from time to time may change the expiration date to any earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new expiration date is given to the Purchase Contract Agent in writing, and to each Holder of

 

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Purchase Contracts in the manner set forth in Section 1.06, prior to or on the existing expiration date. If an expiration date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the Company shall be deemed to have initially designated the 180th day after such record date as the expiration date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the expiration date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no expiration date shall be later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.

SECTION 1.05. Notices .  Any notice or communication is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telecopier (with receipt confirmed) or overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address; provided that notice shall be deemed given to the Purchase Contract Agent only upon receipt thereof:

If to the Purchase Contract Agent:

U.S. Bank National Association

Corporate Trust Services

100 Wall Street, Suite 1600

New York, New York 10005

Attention: Account Manager — Banc of California

If to the Trustee:

U.S. Bank National Association

Corporate Trust Services

100 Wall Street, Suite 1600

New York, New York 10005

Attention: Account Manager — Banc of California

If to the Company:

Banc of California, Inc.

18500 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1100

Irvine, California 92612

Attention: Ronald J. Nicolas Jr., Chief Financial Officer

Facsimile: (949) 777-5118

with a courtesy copy, which shall not constitute notice for purposes of the notice requirements hereunder, to:

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 West 52 nd Street

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Matthew M. Guest, Esq.

Facsimile: (212) 403-2341

 

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with a courtesy copy, which shall not constitute notice for purposes of the notice requirements hereunder, to:

Hogan Lovells US LLP

555 Thirteenth Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20004

Attention: Daniel Keating, Esq.

Facsimile: (202) 637-5910

The Purchase Contract Agent shall have the right, but shall not be required, to rely upon and comply with instructions and directions sent by e-mail, facsimile and other similar unsecured electronic methods by Persons believed by the Purchase Contract Agent to be authorized to give instructions and directions on behalf of the Company. The Purchase Contract Agent shall have no duty or obligation to verify or confirm that the Person who sent such instructions or directions is, in fact, a Person authorized to give instructions or directions on behalf of the Company; and the Purchase Contract Agent shall have no liability for any losses, liabilities, costs or expenses incurred or sustained by the Company as a result of such reliance upon or compliance with such instructions or directions. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Purchase Contract Agent, including without limitation the risk of the Purchase Contract Agent acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

SECTION 1.06. Notice to Holders; Waiver .    Where this Agreement provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at its address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders with respect to whom such notice is properly given. Where this Agreement 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 Purchase Contract Agent, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the written approval of the Purchase Contract Agent shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

SECTION 1.07. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents .    The Article and Section headings herein and in the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 1.08. Successors and Assigns . All covenants and agreements in this Agreement by the Company and the Purchase Contract Agent shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

 

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SECTION 1.09. Separability Clause .  In case any provision in this Agreement or in the Purchase Contracts shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 1.10. Benefits of Agreement .  Nothing contained in this Agreement or in the Purchase Contracts, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder and, to the extent provided hereby, the Holders, any benefits or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement. The Holders from time to time shall be beneficiaries of this Agreement and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions hereof and of the Purchase Contracts by their acceptance of delivery of such Purchase Contracts.

SECTION 1.11. Governing Law .      THIS AGREEMENT, THE UNITS AND THE PURCHASE CONTRACTS, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE UNITS OR THE PURCHASE CONTRACTS, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 1.12. Judicial Proceedings .

(a)        Each of the Company and the Purchase Contract Agent expressly accepts and irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the United States Federal or New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Purchase Contracts.

(b)        Each of the Company and the Purchase Contract Agent agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that a judgment in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 1.12(a) brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon such party, subject to rights of appeal, and may be enforced in the courts of the United States of America or the State of New York (or any other court the jurisdiction to which the Company is or may be subject) by a suit upon such judgment.

(c)        Nothing in this Section 1.12 shall affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any manner permitted by law, or limit any right to bring proceedings against any other party hereto in the courts of any jurisdiction or to enforce in any lawful manner a judgment obtained in one jurisdiction in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 1.13. Legal Holidays .  In any case where any Mandatory Settlement Date, Early Settlement Date, Early Mandatory Settlement Date or Fundamental Change Early Settlement Date shall not be a Business Day, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or the Purchase Contracts, settlement of the Purchase Contracts shall not be effected on such date, but instead shall be effected on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such Mandatory Settlement Date, Early Settlement Date, Early Mandatory Settlement Date or Fundamental Change Early Settlement Date, as applicable, and no interest or other amounts shall accrue or be payable by the Company or to any Holder in respect of such delay, except that, if such next succeeding Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such settlement shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day with the same force and

 

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effect as if made on such Mandatory Settlement Date, Early Settlement Date, Early Mandatory Settlement Date or Fundamental Change Early Settlement Date, as applicable.

SECTION 1.14. Counterparts .    This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts by the parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

SECTION 1.15. Inspection of Agreement . A copy of this Agreement shall be available at all reasonable times during normal business hours at the Corporate Trust Office for inspection by any Holder or Person providing to the Purchase Contract Agent reasonable evidence that it is a Beneficial Owner.

SECTION 1.16. Waiver of Jury Trial .  EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE PURCHASE CONTRACT AGENT, THE TRUSTEE AND EACH HOLDER OF AN EQUITY-LINKED SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

SECTION 1.17. Force Majeure .  In no event shall either of the Purchase Contract Agent or 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 each of the Purchase Contract Agent and 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 1.18. Calculations .  The solicitation of any necessary bids and calculations to be made hereunder shall be the obligation of the Company. These calculations include, but are not limited to, determination of the applicable Settlement Rate, the Fixed Settlement Rates, the Early Settlement Rate, the Early Mandatory Settlement Rate, the Fundamental Change Early Settlement Rate, the Applicable Market Value, the Daily VWAP and the VWAP, as the case may be. All calculations made by the Company or its agent as contemplated pursuant to the terms hereof shall be made in good faith and, absent manifest error, be final and binding on the Purchase Contract Agent, the Trustee, each Paying Agent and on the Holders. For any calculations to be made by the Company or its agent as contemplated pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company shall provide a schedule of such calculations to the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee, and each of the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon the accuracy and completeness of the calculations by the Company or its agent without independent verification, shall in no event be deemed to have acted negligently (even if information so provided would reflect manifest error) and shall have no liability to the Holders for any loss or damages any of them may incur, in each case, as a result of or in connection with no Purchase Contract Agent, Trustee or any other independent verification having been undertaken or

 

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completed. For the avoidance of doubt, none of the Purchase Contract Agent, Trustee or Paying Agent shall be obligated to make any calculations hereunder or in connection herewith.

SECTION 1.19. UCC .    Each Purchase Contract (whether or not included in a Unit) is a security governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York on the date hereof.

SECTION 1.20. Conflict with Indenture .  To the extent that any provision of this Purchase Contract Agreement relating to or affecting the Notes conflicts with or is inconsistent with the Indenture, the Indenture shall govern.

SECTION 1.21. U.S.A. Patriot Act.  The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Purchase Contract Agent, 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 Purchase Contract Agent. The parties to this Agreement agree that they will provide the Purchase Contract Agent with such information as it may request in order for the Purchase Contract Agent to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

ARTICLE II

UNIT AND PURCHASE CONTRACT FORMS

SECTION 2.01. Forms of Units and Purchase Contracts Generally .    The Units and Purchase Contracts shall be in substantially the forms set forth in Exhibit A and Exhibit B hereto, respectively, which shall be, and hereby are, incorporated in and made a part of this Purchase Contract Agreement, with such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements printed, lithographed or engraved thereon as may be required by the rules of any securities exchange on which the Units or Purchase Contracts, as the case may be, are (or may in the future be) listed or any depositary therefor, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers of the Company executing such Units and Purchase Contracts, as the case may be, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

The Units and Purchase Contracts shall be issuable only in registered form and only in denominations of a single Unit or Purchase Contract, as the case may be, and any integral multiple thereof.

Each Unit, upon authentication, execution and delivery thereof hereunder, shall initially consist of (i) the number of Purchase Contracts as shall be indicated in the Purchase Contract attached thereto as Attachment 3 and (ii) the number of Notes as shall be indicated in the Note attached thereto as Attachment 4, in each case as such numbers may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved with steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers of the Company executing the Units or Purchase Contracts, as the case may be, evidenced by such Definitive Securities, consistent with the provisions of this Agreement, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

 

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Every Global Unit and Global Purchase Contract authenticated, executed on behalf of the Holders and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL [UNIT/PURCHASE CONTRACT] WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PURCHASE CONTRACT AGREEMENT HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO., AS NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (THE “ DEPOSITARY ”), THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY. THIS GLOBAL [UNIT/PURCHASE CONTRACT] IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE PURCHASE CONTRACT AGREEMENT AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

UNLESS THIS GLOBAL [UNIT/PURCHASE CONTRACT] IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

SECTION 2.02. Form of Purchase Contract Agent’s Certificate of Authentication . The form of the Purchase Contract Agent’s certificate of authentication of the Units and Purchase Contracts shall be in substantially the form set forth in the form of Unit or form of Purchase Contract, respectively, attached hereto.

SECTION 2.03. Global Securities; Separation of Units .

(a)        On any Business Day during the period beginning on, and including, the Business Day immediately succeeding the date of this Agreement to, but excluding, the third Business Day immediately preceding the Mandatory Settlement Date, a Holder or Beneficial Owner of a Unit may separate such Unit into its constituent Purchase Contract and Note (each such separated Purchase Contract and separated Note, a “ Separate Purchase Contract ” and “ Separate Note ,” respectively), which will thereafter trade under their respective CUSIP numbers (05990K130) and (05990KAB2), in which case that Unit will cease to exist. Beneficial interests in a Unit, and after separation, the Separate Purchase Contract and Separate Note, will be shown on and transfers will be effected through direct or indirect participants in DTC. Beneficial interests in Units, Separate Purchase Contracts and Separate Notes will be evidenced by Global Units, Global Purchase Contracts and Global Notes, respectively. In order to separate a Unit into its component parts, a

 

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Beneficial Owner must deliver written instructions to the broker or other direct or indirect participant (the “ Participant ”) through which such Beneficial Owner holds an interest in such Unit to notify DTC through DTC’s Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian System (the “ DWAC System ”) of such Beneficial Owner’s election to separate such Unit, unless such Unit is in the form of a Definitive Security, in which case the Holder thereof must deliver to the Purchase Contract Agent such Unit, together with a separation notice, in the form set forth in Attachment 1 to the form of Unit attached hereto as Exhibit A . Upon the receipt of such separation notice, the Company shall promptly cause delivery, in accordance with the delivery instructions set forth in such separation notice, of one Separate Purchase Contract and one Separate Note for each such Unit. Separate Purchase Contracts and Separate Notes will be transferable independently from each other.

(b)        Holders which elect to separate the Note and related Purchase Contract in accordance with this Section 2.03 shall be responsible for any fees or expenses payable in connection with such separation, and the Company shall not be responsible for any such fees or expenses.

SECTION 2.04. Recreation of Units .

(a)        On any Business Day during the period beginning on, and including, the Business Day immediately succeeding the date of this Agreement to, but excluding, the third Business Day immediately preceding the Mandatory Settlement Date, a Holder or Beneficial Owner of a Separate Purchase Contract and a Separate Note may recreate a Unit (which will thereafter trade under the CUSIP number for the Units (05990K700)), in which case each such Separate Purchase Contract and Separate Note will cease to exist. In order to recreate a Separate Purchase Contract and Separate Note into a Unit, a Beneficial Owner must deliver written instructions to the Participant through which it holds an interest in such Separate Purchase Contract and Separate Note and to notify DTC through DTC’s DWAC System of such Beneficial Owner’s election to recreate a Unit, unless such Separate Purchase Contract and Separate Note are in the form of Definitive Securities, in which case the Holder thereof must deliver to the Purchase Contract Agent such Definitive Securities, together with a recreation notice, in the form set forth in Attachment 2 to the form of Unit attached hereto as Exhibit A. Upon the receipt of such recreation notice, the Company shall promptly cause delivery, in accordance with the delivery instructions set forth in such recreation notice, of one Unit in definitive form for such Definitive Securities.

(b)        Holders that recreate Units in accordance with this Section 2.04 shall be responsible for any fees or expenses payable in connection with such recreation, and the Company shall not be responsible for any such fees or expenses.

ARTICLE III

THE UNITS AND PURCHASE CONTRACTS

SECTION 3.01. Amount and Denominations .    The aggregate number of Units and Separate Purchase Contracts authenticated, executed on behalf of the Holders and delivered hereunder is limited to 1,380,000, except for Units and Separate Purchase Contracts authenticated, executed and delivered upon registration of transfer of, in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Units and Separate Purchase Contracts pursuant to Section 3.04, 3.05, 3.10 or 8.05. Equity-Linked

 

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Securities that are not in the form of Global Securities shall be issuable in denominations of one Equity-Linked Security and integral multiples in excess thereof.

SECTION 3.02. Rights and Obligations Evidenced by the Equity-Linked Securities .  Each Equity-Linked Security shall evidence the number of Units or Separate Purchase Contracts, as the case may be, specified therein, with each such Unit and each such Separate Purchase Contract representing the rights and obligations of the Holder thereof and the Company under one Unit or one Separate Purchase Contract, respectively.

Prior to the delivery of shares of Common Stock under each Purchase Contract (whether such Purchase Contract is held as a component of a Unit or as a Separate Purchase Contract), such Purchase Contract shall not entitle the Holder thereof to any of the rights of a holder of Common Stock, including, without limitation, the right to vote or receive any dividends or other payments or to consent or to receive notice as a shareholder in respect of the meetings of shareholders or for the election of directors for any other matter, or any other rights whatsoever as a shareholder of the Company.

SECTION 3.03. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating .  Upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and at any time and from time to time thereafter, the Company may deliver Equity-Linked Securities executed by the Company to the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee for authentication by the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee, execution on behalf of the Holders by the Purchase Contract Agent and delivery by the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee, together with the Issuer Order for authentication of such Equity-Linked Securities, and the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee in accordance with such Issuer Order shall, as appropriate, authenticate, execute on behalf of the Holders and deliver such Equity-Linked Securities. For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company shall not be required to deliver an Opinion of Counsel to the Purchase Contract Agent or the Trustee in connection with or otherwise as a condition to the execution, authentication or delivery of Equity-Linked Securities that are to be executed, authenticated or delivered on the date hereof.

The Equity-Linked Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by any officer of the Company authorized to so act pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors. The signature of any such officer on the Equity-Linked Securities may be manual or facsimile.

Equity-Linked Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signature of an individual who was at any time the proper officer of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individual has ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Equity-Linked Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Equity-Linked Securities.

Each Equity-Linked Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

No Equity-Linked Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Equity-Linked Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by an authorized signatory of the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any

 

21


Equity-Linked Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Equity-Linked Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

SECTION 3.04. [Reserved] .  [Reserved.]

SECTION 3.05. Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange . The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office a register (the “ Security Register ”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Equity-Linked Securities and of transfers of Equity-Linked Securities. The Purchase Contract Agent is hereby initially appointed Security Registrar (the “ Security Registrar ”) for the purpose of registration of Equity-Linked Securities and transfers of Equity-Linked Securities as provided herein. The Security Registrar shall record separately the registration and transfer of the Equity-Linked Securities evidencing Units and Separate Purchase Contracts.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Equity-Linked Security at the Corporate Trust Office, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee, and the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee shall authenticate, the Purchase Contract Agent shall execute on behalf of the designated transferee or transferees, and the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee shall deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Equity-Linked Securities of any authorized denominations, of like tenor, and evidencing a like number of Units or Separate Purchase Contracts, as the case may be.

At the option of the Holder, Equity-Linked Securities may be exchanged for other Equity-Linked Securities, of any authorized denominations and evidencing a like number of Units or Separate Purchase Contracts, as the case may be, upon surrender of the Equity-Linked Securities to be exchanged at the Corporate Trust Office. Whenever any Equity-Linked Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee, and the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee shall authenticate, the Purchase Contract Agent shall execute on behalf of the Holder, and the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee shall deliver the Equity-Linked Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

All Equity-Linked Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of an Equity-Linked Security shall evidence the ownership of the same number of Units or Separate Purchase Contracts, as the case may be, and be entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same obligations, under this Agreement as the Units or Separate Purchase Contracts, as the case may be, evidenced by the Equity-Linked Security surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Equity-Linked Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall (if so required by the Purchase Contract Agent) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee duly executed by the Holder thereof, or its attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of an Equity-Linked Security, but the Company may require payment from the Holder of a sum

 

22


sufficient to cover any applicable tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Equity-Linked Securities, other than any exchanges pursuant to Section 3.06 and Section 8.05 not involving any transfer.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to execute and deliver to the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee, and the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee shall not be obligated to authenticate, the Purchase Contract Agent shall not be obligated to execute on behalf of the Holder, and the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee shall not be obligated to deliver any Equity-Linked Security in exchange for any other Equity-Linked Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange on or after the Business Day immediately preceding the earliest of the Mandatory Settlement Date, any Early Settlement Date, any Early Mandatory Settlement Date and any Fundamental Change Early Settlement Date with respect to such Equity-Linked Security. In lieu of delivery of a new Equity-Linked Security, upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions specified above in this Section and receipt of appropriate registration or transfer instructions from such Holder, the Purchase Contract Agent shall, if the Mandatory Settlement Date, any Early Settlement Date, any Early Mandatory Settlement Date or any Fundamental Change Early Settlement Date shall have occurred with respect to such Equity-Linked Security, deliver the shares of Common Stock deliverable in respect of the Purchase Contracts evidenced by such Equity-Linked Security (together with the Separate Note, if such Equity-Linked Security is a Unit).

SECTION 3.06. Book-Entry Interests .  The Units, on original issuance, will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered Global Units, to be delivered to the Depositary or its custodian by, or on behalf of, the Company. The Company hereby designates DTC as the initial Depositary. Such Global Units shall initially be registered on the books and records of the Company in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC, and no Beneficial Owner will receive a Definitive Unit representing such Beneficial Owner’s interest in such Global Unit, except as provided in Section 3.09. The Purchase Contract Agent shall enter into an agreement with the Depositary if so requested by the Company in writing. The Purchase Contract Agent and Trustee shall have no responsibility or liability for any action or inaction of DTC, Clearstream, Euroclear or any other depositary or clearing system. Unless and until definitive, fully registered Securities have been issued to Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 3.09:

(i)        the provisions of this Section 3.06 shall be in full force and effect;

(ii)       except as contemplated in the definition of “Holders” in Section 1.01(e), the Company shall be entitled to deal with the Depositary for all purposes of this Agreement (including receiving approvals, votes or consents hereunder) as the Holder of the Global Units and Global Purchase Contracts and shall have no obligation to the Beneficial Owners;

(iii)      to the extent that the provisions of this Section 3.06 conflict with any other provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Section 3.06 shall control; and

(iv)      the rights of the Beneficial Owners shall be exercised only through the Depositary and shall be limited to those established by law and agreements between such Beneficial Owners and the Depositary or the Depositary Participants.

 

23


SECTION 3.07. Notices to Holders . Whenever a notice or other communication to the Holders is required to be given under this Agreement, the Company or the Company’s agent shall give such notices and communications to the Holders and, with respect to any Units or Purchase Contracts registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary, the Company or the Company’s agent shall, except as set forth herein, have no obligations to the Beneficial Owners.

SECTION 3.08. Appointment of Successor Depositary .    If the Depositary elects to discontinue its services as securities depositary with respect to the Units or Purchase Contracts, the Company may, in its sole discretion, appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Units or such Purchase Contracts, as the case may be.

SECTION 3.09. Definitive Securities .  If:

(i)        the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Securities and the Company is unable to find a qualified replacement for the Depositary within 90 days;

(ii)       at any time the Depositary ceases to be a Clearing Agency; or

(iii)      the Company in its sole discretion decides to allow some or all Global Securities to be exchangeable for Definitive Securities,

then (x) Definitive Securities shall be prepared by the Company with respect to such Global Securities and delivered to the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee, as appropriate, pending delivery as provided in clause (y) below, and (y) upon surrender of such Global Securities by the Depositary, accompanied by registration instructions, the Company shall cause Definitive Securities to be delivered to Beneficial Owners in accordance with the instructions of the Depositary. The Company shall not be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, such instructions. Each Definitive Security so delivered shall evidence Units, Purchase Contracts or Notes, as the case may be, of the same kind and tenor as the Global Security so surrendered in respect thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the exchange of Global Notes for Notes in definitive form shall be governed by the Indenture.

SECTION 3.10. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities .    If any mutilated Equity-Linked Security is surrendered to the Purchase Contract Agent, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee, and the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee shall authenticate, the Purchase Contract Agent shall execute on behalf of the Holder, and the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee shall deliver in exchange therefor, a new Equity-Linked Security, evidencing the same number of Units or Separate Purchase Contracts, as the case may be, and bearing a security number not contemporaneously outstanding.

If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Purchase Contract Agent (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Equity-Linked Security, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be reasonably required by them to hold each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company, the Purchase Contract Agent or the Trustee that such Equity-Linked Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Purchase Contract Agent

 

24


and the Trustee, and the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee shall authenticate, the Purchase Contract Agent shall execute on behalf of the Holder, and the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee shall deliver to the Holder, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Equity-Linked Security, a new Equity-Linked Security, evidencing the same number of Units or Separate Purchase Contracts, as the case may be, and bearing a security number not contemporaneously outstanding.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to execute and deliver to the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee, and the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee shall not be obligated to authenticate, the Purchase Contract Agent shall not be obligated to execute on behalf of the Holder, and the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee shall not be obligated to deliver to the Holder, an Equity-Linked Security on or after the Business Day immediately preceding the earliest of the Mandatory Settlement Date, any Early Settlement Date, any Early Mandatory Settlement Date and any Fundamental Change Early Settlement Date with respect to such Equity-Linked Securities. In lieu of delivery of a new Equity-Linked Security, upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions specified above in this Section and receipt of appropriate registration or transfer instructions from such Holder, the Purchase Contract Agent shall, if the Mandatory Settlement Date, any Early Settlement Date, any Early Mandatory Settlement Date or any Fundamental Change Early Settlement Date with respect to such Equity-Linked Securities has occurred, deliver the shares of Common Stock deliverable in respect of the Purchase Contracts evidenced by such Equity-Linked Security (together with the Separate Note, if such Equity-Linked Security is a Unit).

Upon the issuance of any new Equity-Linked Security under this Section 3.10, the Company and the Purchase Contract Agent may require the payment by the Holder of a sum sufficient to cover any applicable tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Purchase Contract Agent) connected therewith.

Every new Equity-Linked Security issued pursuant to this Section 3.10 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Equity-Linked Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company and of the Holder in respect of the Unit or Separate Purchase Contract, as the case may be, evidenced thereby, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Equity-Linked Security shall be found at any time. Such new Equity-Linked Security (and the Units or Separate Purchase Contracts, as applicable, evidenced thereby) shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits and be subject to all the obligations of this Agreement equally and proportionately with any and all other Equity-Linked Securities delivered hereunder.

The provisions of this Section 3.10 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 Equity-Linked Securities.

SECTION 3.11. Persons Deemed Owners .  Prior to due presentment of an Equity-Linked Security for registration of transfer, the Company and the Purchase Contract Agent, and any agent of the Company or the Purchase Contract Agent, may treat the Person in whose name such Equity-Linked Security is registered as the absolute owner of the Unit or Purchase Contract, as the

 

25


case may be, evidenced thereby, for the purpose of performance of the Units or Purchase Contracts, as applicable, evidenced by such Equity-Linked Securities and for all other purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Purchase Contract Agent, nor any agent of the Company or the Purchase Contract Agent, shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Global Unit or Global Purchase Contract, nothing contained herein shall prevent the Company, the Purchase Contract Agent or any agent of the Company or the Purchase Contract Agent, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary (or its nominee), as a Holder, with respect to such Global Unit or Global Purchase Contract or impair, as between such Depositary and the related Beneficial Owner, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of rights of the Depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such Global Unit or Global Purchase Contract.

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

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Global Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Purchase Contract Agent, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any Depositary (or its nominee), as a Holder, with respect to such Global Security or shall impair, as between such Depositary and owners of beneficial interests in such Global Security, the

 

26


operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such Depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such Global Security.

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

SECTION 3.12. Cancellation .  All Securities surrendered for separation or recreation and all Equity-Linked Securities surrendered for settlement or upon the registration of transfer or exchange of a Purchase Contract shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Purchase Contract Agent, be delivered to the Purchase Contract Agent and, if not already cancelled, be promptly cancelled by it. In the case of a Unit or Units surrendered for settlement, the Company and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and deliver in accordance with the terms of the Indenture to the Holder thereof a number of Separate Notes equal to the number of, and in the same form as, the Units so surrendered (other than in the case of settlement on the Mandatory Settlement Date if there shall not remain any unpaid amounts payable by the Company with respect to the Notes, whether in respect of principal, premium or interest thereon or otherwise). The Company may at any time deliver to the Purchase Contract Agent for cancellation any Equity-Linked Securities previously authenticated, executed and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Equity-Linked Securities so delivered shall, upon an Issuer Order, be promptly cancelled by the Purchase Contract Agent; provided, however, that if the Equity-Linked Securities so delivered are Units, the Purchase Contract Agent shall deliver the Notes comprising such Units to the Trustee and Paying Agent (as defined in the Indenture) for disposition in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture. No Equity-Linked Securities shall be authenticated, executed on behalf of the Holder and delivered in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement. All cancelled Equity-Linked Securities held by the Purchase Contract Agent shall be disposed of in accordance with its customary practices.

If the Company or any Affiliate of the Company shall acquire any Equity-Linked Security, such acquisition shall not operate as a cancellation of such Equity-Linked Security unless and until such Equity-Linked Security is delivered to the Purchase Contract Agent for cancellation, in which case such Equity-Linked Security shall be accompanied by an Issuer Order and cancelled in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph

ARTICLE IV

SETTLEMENT OF THE PURCHASE CONTRACTS

SECTION 4.01. Settlement Rate .    Each Purchase Contract obligates the Company to deliver to each Holder, on the Mandatory Settlement Date, a number of shares of Common Stock (subject to Section 4.04) equal to the Settlement Rate as determined by the Company unless a

 

27


Holder settles such Purchase Contract prior to the Mandatory Settlement Date pursuant to Section 5.03, Section 5.04 or Section 5.05.

The “ Settlement Rate ” is equal to:

(i)        if the Applicable Market Value is equal to or greater than $11.247 (the “ Threshold Appreciation Price ”), 4.4456 shares of Common Stock for each Purchase Contract (the “ Minimum Settlement Rate ”);

(ii)       if the Applicable Market Value is less than the Threshold Appreciation Price but greater than $9.78 (the “ Reference Price ”), a number of shares of Common Stock for each Purchase Contract equal to the Stated Amount, divided by the Applicable Market Value; and

(iii)      if the Applicable Market Value is less than or equal to the Reference Price, 5.1124 shares of Common Stock for each Purchase Contract (the “ Maximum Settlement Rate ”);

provided that the Maximum Settlement Rate, the Minimum Settlement Rate (each, a “ Fixed Settlement Rate ”) and the Applicable Market Value shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Article 5.

SECTION 4.02. Representations and Agreements of Holders .  Each purchaser, Holder and beneficial owner of Equity-Linked Securities by its acceptance thereof:

(i)        irrevocably authorizes and directs the Purchase Contract Agent to execute and deliver on its behalf and perform this Agreement on its behalf, and appoints the Purchase Contract Agent as its attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes, but such appointment shall not create or imply any fiduciary relationship between any Holder and the Purchase Contract Agent;

(ii)       in the case of a Purchase Contract that is a component of a Unit, or that is evidenced by a Separate Purchase Contract, irrevocably authorizes and directs the Purchase Contract Agent to execute, deliver and hold on its behalf the Separate Purchase Contract or the component Purchase Contract evidencing such Purchase Contract, and appoints the Purchase Contract Agent as its attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes;

(ii)       consents to, and agrees to be bound by, the provisions hereof;

(iii)      represents and warrants (in both its individual capacity and its representative capacity (if any)), on each day from the date on which such purchaser or Holder acquires its interest in any Units (or either components thereof) to the date on which such purchaser or Holder disposes of its interest in any Units (or either components thereof) and the Common Stock acquired upon settlement of the Purchase Contract component of the Units, that either:

(A)       its purchase and holding of any Units (or either components thereof) and the acquisition of Common Stock upon settlement of the Purchase Contract component of the Units is not made on behalf of or with “plan assets” of (a) any employee benefit plan subject to ERISA or (b) any plan, individual retirement account or other arrangement that is subject to Section 4975 of the Code, or any applicable Similar Law; or

 

28


(B)       if its purchase and holding of such investment is made on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any such plan, account or arrangement, then (a) its purchase and holding of such investment will not result in (i) a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or (ii) a similar violation under any applicable Similar Laws, (b) neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates is acting as a fiduciary (within the meaning of Section 3(21) of ERISA) in connection with the purchase or holding of such investment, and (c) neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates has provided any advice that has formed or may form a basis for any investment decision concerning the purchase or holding of such investment;

(iv)      in the case of a Holder that holds a Unit and, by acceptance of a beneficial ownership interest in a Unit, each beneficial owner of a beneficial interest in a Unit agrees, for United States federal, state and local tax purposes, to treat (1) a Unit as an investment unit composed of two separate instruments, in accordance with its form and (2) the Notes as indebtedness of the Company; and (3) the allocation of the $50 stated amount per Unit between the Purchase Contract and the Note so that such Holder’s initial tax basis in each Purchase Contract will be $39.39544 and such Holder’s initial tax basis in each Note will be $10.604556; and

(v)        agrees to be bound by the terms and provisions thereof.

SECTION 4.03. Delivery Upon Settlement of the Purchase Contracts .

(a)        Unless the Purchase Contracts have previously settled, the Company shall on the Mandatory Settlement Date issue and deliver to the Purchase Contract Agent, for the benefit of the Holders of the Outstanding Purchase Contracts, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holders are entitled hereunder, registered in the name of the Purchase Contract Agent (or its nominee) as custodian for the Holders (such shares of Common Stock, together with any dividends or distributions which shall have been paid thereon, the related record date for which shall have occurred after the due date for the delivery of the Common Stock to the Purchase Contract Agent, the “ Purchase Contract Settlement Fund ”).

(b)        Upon book-entry transfer of the Units or Separate Purchase Contracts or delivery of Units or Separate Purchase Contracts in definitive form to the Purchase Contract Agent with duly completed transfer instructions by a Holder or by or on behalf of a Beneficial Owner, the Purchase Contract Agent shall transfer to such Holder or to or on behalf of such Beneficial Owner the shares of Common Stock underlying such Purchase Contracts, together with (i) cash in lieu of fractional shares as provided in Section 4.04, (ii) the Separate Note (in the case of the transfer or delivery of Units, but not in the case of settlement on the Mandatory Settlement Date if there remain no unpaid amounts thereon (whether principal, premium, interest or otherwise) on the Mandatory Settlement Date) and (iii) any dividends or distributions with respect to such shares constituting part of the Purchase Contract Settlement Fund, but without any interest thereon, to such Holder by book-entry transfer, or other appropriate procedures, in accordance with such instructions.

Such shares shall be registered in the name of the Holder or the Holder’s designee as specified in the settlement instructions provided by the Holder to the Purchase Contract Agent, and the Company will pay all stock transfer and similar taxes attributable to the delivery thereof, unless

 

29


any such transfer or similar tax is payable in respect of any registration of such shares in a name of a Person other than the Person in whose name the Security evidencing such Purchase Contract is registered, in which case the Company shall not be required to pay any such transfer or similar tax and no such registration shall be made unless the Person requesting such registration has paid any such transfer or similar taxes required by reason of such registration in a name of a Person other than the Person in whose name the Security evidencing such Purchase Contract is registered or has established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax either has been paid or is not payable.

In the event a Holder fails to effect such transfer or delivery, the shares of Common Stock underlying such Purchase Contracts, and any distributions thereon comprising a part of the Purchase Contract Settlement Fund, shall be held in the name of the Purchase Contract Agent or its nominee in trust for the benefit of such Holder, until the earlier to occur of:

(i)        the surrender of the relevant Units or Separate Purchase Contracts or receipt by the Company and the Purchase Contract Agent from such Holder of satisfactory evidence that such Units or Separate Purchase Contracts have been destroyed, lost or stolen, together with any indemnity that may be required by the Purchase Contract Agent and the Company; and

(ii)        the expiration of the time period specified in the abandoned property laws of the relevant jurisdiction.

SECTION 4.04. No Fractional Shares .   No fractional shares of Common Stock or scrip certificates representing fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued or delivered to Holders upon settlement of the Purchase Contracts. In lieu of any fractional shares of Common Stock that would otherwise be issuable upon settlement of any Purchase Contracts, a Holder of a Security shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash equal to the fraction of a share of Common Stock, calculated on an aggregate basis in respect of the Purchase Contracts being settled, multiplied by the Closing Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Mandatory Settlement Date, Early Settlement Date, Early Mandatory Settlement Date or Fundamental Change Early Settlement Date, as the case may be. The Company shall provide the Purchase Contract Agent from time to time with sufficient funds to permit the Purchase Contract Agent to make all cash payments required by this Section 4.04 in a timely manner.

SECTION 4.05. Consequences of Bankruptcy .  The Mandatory Settlement Date for each Purchase Contract, whether held separately or as part of a Unit, shall automatically accelerate upon the occurrence of a Termination Event with respect to the Company. Upon such acceleration, Holders will be entitled to receive a number of shares of Common Stock per Purchase Contract equal to the Maximum Settlement Rate in effect immediately prior to such acceleration (regardless of the market value of the Common Stock at that time).

ARTICLE V

ADJUSTMENTS

SECTION 5.01. Adjustments to the Fixed Settlement Rates .

 

30


(a)        Each Fixed Settlement Rate shall be adjusted, from time to time and without duplication, by the Company as described in this Section 5.01 upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

(i) the issuance of Common Stock as a dividend or distribution to all holders of Common Stock, or a subdivision or combination of Common Stock, in which event each Fixed Settlement Rate will be adjusted based on the following formula:

SR 1 = SR 0 x (OS 1 ÷ OS 0 )

where,

 

SR 0

 

=

  

the Fixed Settlement Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Date for such dividend or distribution or immediately prior to the open of business on the effective date for such subdivision or combination, as the case may be;

SR 1

 

=

  

the Fixed Settlement Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Date or immediately after the open of business on such effective date, as the case may be;

OS 0

 

=

  

the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such Ex-Date or immediately prior to such effective date, as the case may be, in either case prior to giving effect to such event; and

OS 1

 

=

  

the number of shares of Common Stock that would be outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, subdivision or combination.

Any adjustment made under this clause (i) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the open of business on the effective date for such share split or share combination, as the case may be. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this clause (i) is declared but not so paid or made, each Fixed Settlement Rate shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the Fixed Settlement Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

(ii) the issuance to all holders of Common Stock of rights, options or warrants entitling them for a period expiring 60 days or less from the date of issuance of such rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at less than the average of the Daily VWAPs for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on and including the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the announcement of such issuance, in which event each Fixed Settlement Rate will be adjusted based on the following formula:

SR 1 = SR 0 x (OS 0 + X) ÷ (OS 0 + Y)

where,

 

31


SR 0

 

=

  

the Fixed Settlement Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Date for such issuance;

SR 1

 

=

  

the Fixed Settlement Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Date;

OS 0

 

=

  

the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Date;

X

 

=

  

the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and

Y

 

=

  

the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants, divided by the average of the Daily VWAPs for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on and including the Trading Day immediately preceding the announcement date for such issuance.

Any increase made under this clause (ii) will be made successively whenever any such rights, options or warrants are issued and shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Date for such issuance. To the extent that shares of Common Stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants, each Fixed Settlement Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date of such expiration, to the Fixed Settlement Rate that would then be in effect had the increase with respect to the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered. If such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, each Fixed Settlement Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to make such issuance, to the Fixed Settlement Rate that would then be in effect if the Record Date for such issuance had not occurred.

In determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at less than the average of the Daily VWAPs for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on and including the Trading Day immediately preceding the announcement date for such issuance, and in determining the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Board of Directors.

(iii) the dividend or other distribution to all holders of the Common Stock of shares of Capital Stock of the Company (other than Common Stock), evidences of the Company’s indebtedness, the Company’s assets or rights to acquire Capital Stock of the Company, indebtedness or assets of the Company (excluding any dividend, distribution or issuance as to which an adjustment was made pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii) above, (iv) below or the provisions of this clause (iii) relating to spin-offs), in which event each Fixed Settlement Rate will be adjusted based on the following formula:

SR 1 = SR 0 x SP 0 ÷ (SP 0 - FMV)

 

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where,

 

SR 0  =

 

the Fixed Settlement Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Date for such issuance;

SR 1 =

 

the Fixed Settlement Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Date;

SP 0 =

 

the average of the Daily VWAPs for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on and including the Trading Day immediately preceding such Ex-Date; and

FMV =

 

the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors), on the Ex-Date, for such dividend or distribution of the shares of Capital Stock of the Company, evidences of indebtedness, assets or rights so distributed, expressed as an amount per share of Common Stock.

Any increase made under this portion of clause (iii) will become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Date for such dividend or distribution. If such distribution is not so paid or made, each Fixed Settlement Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay the dividend or distribution, to the Fixed Settlement Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the transaction that gives rise to an adjustment pursuant to this clause (iii) is one pursuant to which the payment of a dividend or other distribution on the Common Stock consists of shares of Capital Stock of, or similar equity interests in, a Subsidiary or other business unit of the Company, (i.e., a spin-off) that are, or, when issued, will be, traded on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, then each Fixed Settlement Rate will instead be adjusted based on the following formula:

SR 1 = SR 0 x (FMV 0 + MP 0 ) ÷ MP 0

where,

 

SR 0 =  

the Fixed Settlement Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the 10th consecutive Trading Day commencing on, and including, the third Trading Day after the date on which “ex-distribution trading” commences for such dividend or distribution on the relevant exchange;

SR 1 =  

the Fixed Settlement Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the 10th consecutive Trading Day commencing on, and including, the third Trading Day after the date on which “ex-distribution trading” commences for such dividend or distribution on the relevant exchange;

FMV 0  =  

the average of the VWAPs of the Capital Stock or similar equity interests distributed to holders of Common Stock applicable to one share of Common Stock over each of the 10 consecutive Trading Days commencing on, and including, the third Trading Day after the date on which “ex-distribution trading”

 

33


 

commences for such dividend or distribution on the NASDAQ Global Select Market or such other United States national or regional securities exchange on which such Capital Stock or similar equity interests are then listed; and

MP 0  =

 

the average of the Daily VWAPs of the Common Stock over each of the 10 consecutive Trading Days commencing on, and including, the third Trading Day after the date on which “ex-distribution trading” commences for such dividend or distribution.

The adjustment to each Fixed Settlement Rate under this portion of clause (iii) will become effective immediately after the close of business on the 10th consecutive Trading Day commencing on, and including, the third Trading Day after the date on which “ex-distribution trading” commences for such dividend or distribution on the relevant exchange; provided that in respect of any settlement within 10 Trading Days immediately following the third Trading Day after the date on which “ex-distribution trading” commences for such dividend or distribution on the relevant exchange, the reference set forth in the calculation above to 10 consecutive Trading Days shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed between such third Trading Day and the applicable settlement date in determining the applicable Fixed Settlement Rates.

(iv) the Company makes a distribution consisting exclusively of cash to all holders of the Common Stock, excluding (a) any cash that is distributed as part of a distribution referred to in clause (iii) above, (b) any consideration payable in connection with a tender or exchange offer made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries referred to in clause (v) below and (c) any regular quarterly dividend that does not exceed $0.12 per share (the “ Dividend Threshold Amount ”), in which event, each Fixed Settlement Rate will be adjusted based on the following formula:

SR 1 = SR 0 x SP 0 ÷ (SP 0 - C)

where,

 

SR 0  =

 

the Fixed Settlement Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Date for such distribution;

SR 1 =

 

the Fixed Settlement Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Date;

SP 0 =

 

the average of the Daily VWAPs for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on and including the Trading Day immediately preceding such Ex-Date; and

C      =

 

the amount in cash per share the Company distributes to holders of Common stock in excess of the Dividend Threshold Amount; provided that if the distribution is not a regular quarterly cash dividend, then the Dividend Threshold Amount will be deemed to be zero.

The Dividend Threshold Amount is subject to adjustment on an inversely proportional basis whenever the Fixed Settlement Rate is adjusted (by multiplying the Dividend Threshold

 

34


Amount by a fraction, the numerator of which will be the Minimum Settlement Rate in effect immediately prior to the adjustment and the denominator of which will be the Minimum Settlement Rate as adjusted), but no adjustment will be made to the Dividend Threshold Amount for any adjustment made to the Fixed Settlement Rate pursuant to this clause (iv). Any increase to each Fixed Settlement Rate made pursuant to this clause (iv) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Date for such distribution. If any dividend or distribution described in this clause (iv) is declared but not so paid or made, each Fixed Settlement Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay or make such distribution, to the Fixed Settlement Rate that would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared.

(v) the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries makes purchases of Common Stock pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries for Common Stock to the extent that the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of Common Stock validly tendered or exchanged exceeds the Daily VWAP per share of Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (the “ Expiration Date ”), in which event each Fixed Settlement Rate will be adjusted based on the following formula:

SR 1 = SR 0 x (FMV + (SP 1 x OS 1 )) ÷ (SP 1 x OS 0 )

where,

 

SR 0  =

 

the Fixed Settlement Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date;

SR 1  =

 

the Fixed Settlement Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date;

FMV =

 

the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors), on the Expiration Date, of the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration paid or payable for shares validly tendered or exchanged and not withdrawn as of the Expiration Date;

OS 1 =

 

the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the last time tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (the “ Expiration Time ”) (after giving effect to the purchase or exchange of shares pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer);

OS 0 =

 

the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Expiration Time; and

SP 1 =

 

the average Daily VWAPs of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day immediately after the Expiration Date.

 

35


The adjustments to the Fixed Settlement Rates under this clause (v) will become effective immediately after the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date; provided that in respect of any settlement within 10 Trading Days immediately following, and including, the Expiration Date, references with respect to 10 Trading Days shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed between the Expiration Date and the applicable settlement date in determining the applicable Fixed Settlement Rates. If the Company or one of its Subsidiaries is obligated to purchase Common Stock pursuant to any such tender or exchange offer but the Company or the relevant Subsidiary is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchase or all such purchases are rescinded, the Fixed Settlement Rates shall be immediately adjusted to the Fixed Settlement Rates that would then be in effect if such tender or exchange offer had not been made.

(b)        Except as stated in subsection (a) above or as otherwise agreed, the Fixed Settlement Rates shall not be adjusted for the issuance of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock or carrying the right to purchase any of the foregoing or for the repurchase of Common Stock. In addition, there shall be no adjustment to the Fixed Settlement Rates in case of the issuance of any shares of Common Stock in a merger, reorganization, acquisition, reclassification, recapitalization or other similar transaction except as provided in this Section 5.01 and Section 5.02.

(c)        To the extent that the Company has a rights plan in effect upon settlement of a Purchase Contract, the Holder of such Purchase Contract will receive, in addition to Common Stock, the rights under the rights plan, unless, prior to the settlement of such Purchase Contract, the rights have separated from the Common Stock, in which case each Fixed Settlement Rate shall be adjusted at the time of separation as if the Company made a distribution to all holders of the Common Stock as described in Section 5.01(a)(iii), subject to readjustment in accordance with Section 5.01 (a)(iii) in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights.

(d)        The Company may, but shall not be required to, make such increases in each Fixed Settlement Rate as the Company deems advisable. The Company may only make such a discretionary adjustment if the Company makes the same proportionate adjustment to each Fixed Settlement Rate. No adjustment in either Fixed Settlement Rate will be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one percent; provided , however , that any such minor adjustments that are not required to be made will be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment, and provided further that any such adjustment of less than one percent that has not been made shall be made (x) upon the end of the Company’s fiscal year commencing with the 2014 fiscal year and (y) upon the Mandatory Settlement Date or any earlier Fundamental Change Early Settlement Date, Early Settlement Date or Early Mandatory Settlement Date.

(e)        Adjustments to each Fixed Settlement Rate shall be calculated to the nearest 1/10,000th of a share.

(f)        Whenever the Fixed Settlement Rates are adjusted, the Company must deliver to the Purchase Contract Agent an Officers’ Certificate setting forth each Fixed Settlement Rate, detailing the calculation of each Fixed Settlement Rate and describing the facts upon which the

 

36


adjustment is based. In addition, the Company must notify the Holders of Units and Separate Purchase Contracts of the adjustment within 10 Business Days of any event requiring such adjustment and describe in reasonable detail the method by which each Fixed Settlement Rate was adjusted; such notification may be made by a press release (notwithstanding Section 1.06). The Purchase Contract Agent shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Purchase Contracts to determine whether any facts exist that may require any adjustment of any Fixed Settlement Rate or Reference Property, or with respect to the nature or extent or calculation of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed in making the same. The Purchase Contract Agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock or other Reference Property that may at the time be delivered with respect to any Purchase Contract, and the Purchase Contract Agent makes no representation with respect thereto. The Purchase Contract Agent shall not be responsible for any failure of the Company to transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock or other Reference Property pursuant to a Purchase Contract or to comply with any of the duties, responsibilities or covenants of the Company contained in this Article 5. All calculations and determinations pursuant to this Article 5 shall be made by the Company or its agent and under no circumstances shall the Purchase Contract Agent have any responsibility with respect thereto.

(g)        Each adjustment to each Fixed Settlement Rate shall result in a corresponding adjustment to the Early Settlement Rate and the Early Mandatory Settlement Rate. Each adjustment to each Fixed Settlement Rate will also result in a corresponding adjustment to the Applicable Market Value solely to determine which of the three clauses in the definition of Settlement Rate will be applicable on the Mandatory Settlement Date. In addition, if any adjustment to the Settlement Rate becomes effective, or any Ex-Date or Record Date for any issuance, dividend or distribution (relating to a required Fixed Settlement Rate adjustment) occurs, during the period beginning on, and including, (i) the open of business on the first Trading Day of the 20 Trading Day period during which the Applicable Market Value is calculated or (ii) in the case of an Early Settlement, an Early Settlement upon a Fundamental Change or an exercise of the Company’s Early Mandatory Settlement Right, the relevant Early Settlement Date, Fundamental Change Early Settlement Date or Early Mandatory Settlement Date and, in each case, ending on, and including, the date on which the Company delivers shares of its Common Stock under the related Purchase Contract, the Company will make appropriate adjustments to the Fixed Settlement Rates, the Applicable Market Value and/or the number of shares of its Common Stock deliverable upon settlement of the Purchase Contract, in each case, consistent with, and in order to give effect to the intent of, the provisions of this Section 5.01.

(h)        In connection with any Business Combination, the Dividend Threshold Amount shall be subject to adjustment as described in Section 5.02(b).

(i)        The Board of Directors shall have the power to resolve any ambiguity or, subject to applicable law, correct any error in this Article 5, and its action in so doing shall be final and conclusive.

(j)        For purposes of Section 5.01 and Section 5.02, the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the Company so long as the Company does not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company.

 

37


SECTION 5.02. Business Combinations .

(a)        In the event of any consolidation, merger, sale or transfer of assets, share exchange or other reorganization event, in each case, pursuant to which the Common Stock is converted into the right to receive other securities, cash or property (each, a “ Business Combination ”), then, at and after the effective time of the Business Combination, (i) each Purchase Contract then outstanding shall become a Purchase Contract to purchase the kind and amount of securities, cash or property receivable upon any such Business Combination by the holder of one share of Common Stock, multiplied by the applicable Settlement Rate (the “ Reference Property ” with each “ Unit of Reference Property ” meaning the kind and amount of Reference Property that a holder of one share of Common Stock is entitled to receive in the Business Combination) and (ii) the Applicable Market Value of the Common Stock shall be calculated based on the value of a Unit of Reference Property that a holder of one share of Common Stock would have received in such transaction, as follows (x) with respect to any publicly traded securities that comprise all or part of the Reference Property, based on the Daily VWAP of such securities which shall be calculated based on the value of one Unit of Reference Property, (y) in the case of any cash that comprises all or part of the Reference Property, based on the amount of such cash and (z) in the case of any other property that comprises all or part of the Reference Property, based on the value of such property, as determined by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained by the Company for this purpose. In the event holders of the Common Stock have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in such Business Combination, the Reference Property shall be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of the Common Stock that affirmatively make an election. In the event of a Business Combination where the Company is not the successor Person, such Person formed by such Business Combination shall execute and deliver to the Purchase Contract Agent an agreement supplemental hereto providing that each Holder of an Outstanding Purchase Contract (whether or not included in a Unit) shall have the rights provided by this Section 5.02. Such supplemental agreement shall provide for adjustments which, for events subsequent to the effective date of such Business Combination, shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in Section 5.01 (with respect to any Reference Property consisting of publicly traded common equity securities) and this Section 5.02. The above provisions of this Section 5.02 shall similarly apply to successive Business Combinations. The Company shall notify Holders of the composition of the Reference Property as soon as practicable after such determination is made. The Company shall not become a party to any Business Combination unless its terms are consistent with this Section 5.02.

(b)        In connection with any Business Combination, the Dividend Threshold Amount shall be subject to adjustment as described in clause (i), clause (ii) or clause (iii) below, as the case may be.

(i)        In the case of a Business Combination in which the Reference Property (determined, as appropriate, pursuant to Section 5.02 and excluding cash payments made for fractional shares and cash payments made in respect of any dissenters’ appraisal rights) is composed entirely of shares of common stock (the “ Merger Common Stock ”), the Dividend Threshold Amount at and after the effective time of such Business Combination will be equal to (x) the Dividend Threshold Amount immediately prior to the effective time of such Business

 

38


Combination, divided by (y) the number of shares of Merger Common Stock that a holder of one share of Common Stock would receive in such Business Combination (such quotient rounded down to nearest cent).

(ii)       In the case of a Business Combination in which the Reference Property (determined, as appropriate, pursuant to Section 5.02 and excluding cash payments made for fractional shares and cash payments made in respect of any dissenters’ appraisal rights) is composed in part of shares of Merger Common Stock, the Dividend Threshold Amount at and after the effective time of such Business Combination will be equal to (x) the Dividend Threshold Amount immediately prior to the effective time of such Business Combination, multiplied by (y) the Merger Valuation Percentage for such Business Combination (such product rounded down to nearest cent).

(iii)       For the avoidance of doubt, in the case of a Business Combination in which the Reference Property (determined, as appropriate, pursuant to subsection (a) above and excluding cash payments made for fractional shares and cash payments made in respect of any dissenters’ appraisal rights) is composed entirely of consideration other than shares of common stock, the Dividend Threshold Amount at and after the effective time of such Business Combination will be equal to zero.

SECTION 5.03. Early Settlement Upon a Fundamental Change .

(a)       If a Fundamental Change occurs and a Holder elects to settle its Purchase Contracts early in connection with such Fundamental Change, such Holder shall receive a number of shares of Common Stock (or cash, securities or other property) based on the Fundamental Change Early Settlement Rate (the “ Fundamental Change Early Settlement Right ”). An Early Settlement shall be deemed for these purposes to be “in connection with” such Fundamental Change if the Holder delivers an Early Settlement Notice to the Purchase Contract Agent, and otherwise satisfies the requirements for effecting Early Settlement of its Purchase Contracts, during the period beginning on, and including, the Effective Date of the Fundamental Change and ending on, and including, the 30th Business Day thereafter (or, if earlier, the third Business Day immediately preceding the Mandatory Settlement Date) (the “ Fundamental Change Early Settlement Date ”). None of the Purchase Contract Agent, the Trustee or any Paying Agent shall have any duty or obligation to determine if a Fundamental Change has occurred in connection with the Purchase Contracts.

(b)       The Company shall provide the Purchase Contract Agent and the Holders of Units and Separate Purchase Contracts with a notice of a Fundamental Change within five Business Days after its occurrence, issue a press release announcing the Effective Date and post such press release on its website. The notice shall set forth (i) the applicable Fundamental Change Early Settlement Rate, (ii) the kind and amount of the cash, securities and other consideration receivable by the Holder upon settlement and (iii) the deadline by which each Holder’s Fundamental Change Early Settlement Right must be exercised. In addition to the foregoing, the notice may set forth such additional information as the Company shall deem appropriate. The Purchase Contract Agent shall have no responsibility or duty to determine whether a Fundamental Change has occurred.

 

39


(c)        The “ Fundamental Change Early Settlement Rate ” shall be determined by the Company by reference to the table below, based on the date on which the Fundamental Change occurs or becomes effective (the “ Effective Date ”) and the stock price (the “ Stock Price ”) in the Fundamental Change, which shall be:

(i)        in the case of a Fundamental Change described in clause (ii) of the definition thereof in which holders of shares of Common Stock receive only cash in the Fundamental Change, the cash amount paid per share of Common Stock; and

(ii)        in all other cases, the average of the Daily VWAPs of the Common Stock on each of the 10 consecutive Trading Days ending on and including the Trading Day immediately preceding the Effective Date.

(d)        The Stock Prices set forth in the first column of the table below shall be adjusted as of any date on which any Fixed Settlement Rate is otherwise adjusted. The adjusted Stock Prices shall equal the Stock Prices applicable immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Minimum Settlement Rate immediately prior to the adjustment giving rise to the Stock Price adjustment and the denominator of which is the Minimum Settlement Rate as so adjusted. The number of shares in the table below shall be adjusted in the same manner as the Fixed Settlement Rates as set forth in Section 5.01.

(e)        The following table sets forth the Fundamental Change Early Settlement Rate per Purchase Contract for each Stock Price and Effective Date set forth below:

 

                         Effective Date          
Stock Price  

 

May 21,

2014

 

 

May 15,  

2015  

 

 

May 15,  

2016  

 

 

May 15,            

2017            

$2.00   4.3667   4.5958   4.8375   5.1124        
$3.00   4.3738   4.6040   4.8459   5.1124        
$4.00   4.3699   4.6062   4.8501   5.1124        
$5.00   4.3483   4.5977   4.8517   5.1124        
$6.00   4.3043   4.5683   4.8454   5.1124        
$7.00   4.2408   4.5123   4.8162   5.1124        
$8.00   4.1664   4.4340   4.7490   5.1124        
$9.00   4.0907   4.3452   4.6456   5.1124        
$9.78   4.0357   4.2772   4.5532   5.1124        
$10.50   3.9902   4.2200   4.4709   4.7619        
$11.00   3.9621   4.1846   4.4197   4.5455        
$11.25   3.9493   4.1687   4.3968   4.4456        
$12.00   3.9150   4.1262   4.3380   4.4456        
$12.33   3.9021   4.1105   4.3176   4.4456        
$12.50   3.8958   4.1030   4.3081   4.4456        
$13.00   3.8792   4.0835   4.2846   4.4456        
$14.00   3.8534   4.0544   4.2537   4.4456        
$15.00   3.8354   4.0357   4.2377   4.4456        
$16.00   3.8235   4.0244   4.2302   4.4456        
$17.00   3.8161   4.0180   4.2271   4.4456        
$18.00   3.8117   4.0148   4.2260   4.4456        
$19.00   3.8095   4.0134   4.2258   4.4456        
$20.00   3.8086   4.0130   4.2259   4.4456        

 

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The exact Stock Prices and Effective Dates may not be set forth in the table above, in which case:

(i)        if the Stock Price is between two Stock Prices in the table or the Effective Date is between two Effective Dates in the table, the Fundamental Change Early Settlement Rate shall be determined by a straight-line interpolation between the number of shares set forth for the higher and lower Stock Prices and the earlier and later Effective Dates, as applicable, based on a 365-day year;

(ii)       if the Stock Price is greater than $20.00 per share, subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Stock Prices set forth in the table above, the Fundamental Change Early Settlement Rate shall be the Minimum Settlement Rate; or

(iii)      if the Stock Price is less than $2.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Stock Prices set forth in the table above, the “ Minimum Stock Price ”) the Fundamental Change Early Settlement Rate shall be determined as if the Stock Price equaled the Minimum Stock Price, using straight line interpolation, as described in clause (i) of this Section 5.03(e), if the Effective Date is between two dates in the table. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock deliverable under a Purchase Contract following a Fundamental Change is 5.1124, subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Fixed Settlement Rates as set forth under Section 5.01.

(f)        If a Holder exercises its Fundamental Change Early Settlement Right following the Effective Date of a Fundamental Change described in clause (ii) of the definition thereof, the Company shall deliver to such Holder, for each Purchase Contract being settled early, the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that such Holder would have been entitled to receive in such Fundamental Change as a holder of a number of shares of the Common Stock equal to the Fundamental Change Settlement Rate. If such Fundamental Change causes the Common Stock to be converted into the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of shareholder election) and the Holder exercises the Fundamental Change Early Settlement Right, the Company shall deliver to such Holder the types and amounts of consideration as are proportional to the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of the Common Stock that affirmatively make such an election. The Company shall deliver the shares of Common Stock, securities, cash or other property payable as a result of such Holder’s exercise of the Fundamental Change Early Settlement Right no later than the third Business Day following the Fundamental Change Early Settlement Date.

(g)       If a Holder does not elect to exercise the Fundamental Change Early Settlement Right, such Holder’s Purchase Contracts shall remain outstanding and shall be subject to normal settlement on any subsequent Early Settlement Date, any subsequent Early Mandatory Settlement Date, or any subsequent Fundamental Change Early Settlement Date or the Mandatory Settlement Date, including, if applicable, the provisions set forth in Section 5.02 regarding the occurrence of a Business Combination.

(h)       If a Holder exercises the Fundamental Change Early Settlement Right, each of the Holder, the Company and the Purchase Contract Agent shall be required to comply with their

 

41


respective obligations under the provisions of Section 5.04(b)(i) through (iii), (d), (e) and (f) as if an Early Settlement had occurred.

SECTION 5.04. Early Settlement .

(a)        Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Section 5.04, on any Trading Day prior to the third Business Day immediately preceding the Mandatory Settlement Date, a Holder may elect to settle its Purchase Contracts early (“ Early Settlement ”), in whole or in part, and receive shares of Common Stock, at the Early Settlement Rate, subject to adjustment as described in Section 5.01.

(b)        A Holder’s right to receive Common Stock upon Early Settlement of any of its Purchase Contracts is subject to the following conditions:

(i)         delivery of a written and signed notice of election (an “ Early Settlement Notice ”) to the Purchase Contract Agent electing Early Settlement of such Purchase Contract;

(ii)        surrendering the relevant Definitive Security, if such Purchase Contract or the Unit that includes such Purchase Contract is in the form of a Definitive Security, to the Purchase Contract Agent at the Corporate Trust Office duly endorsed for transfer to the Company or in blank with the form of Election to Settle Early on the reverse thereof duly completed, or if such Purchase Contract is represented by a Global Security, compliance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary; and

(iii)      payment by such Holder of any transfer or similar taxes payable in connection with the issuance of Common Stock to any Person other than such Holder pursuant to subsection (d) below.

If a Holder complies with the requirements set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) above earlier than the close of business on any Business Day, then that Business Day shall be considered the “ Early Settlement Date .” If a Holder complies with the requirements set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) above after the close of business on any Business Day or at any time on a day that is not a Business Day, then the next Business Day shall be considered the “ Early Settlement Date .”

(c)        Upon surrender or book-entry transfer of such Purchase Contracts or the related Units, the Company shall cause a number of shares of Common Stock, calculated at the Early Settlement Rate, to be issued and delivered, together with payment in lieu of any fraction of a share as provided in Section 4.04, no later than the third Business Day following the Early Settlement Date.

(d)        Any shares referred to in Section 5.04(c) above shall be registered in the name of the Holder or the Holder’s designee, and shall be delivered, as specified on the applicable form of Election to Settle Early provided by the Holder to the Purchase Contract Agent. If any shares of Common Stock deliverable in respect of a Purchase Contract are to be registered to a Person other than the Person in whose name the Security evidencing such Purchase Contract is registered, no such registration shall be made unless the Person requesting such registration has paid any transfer and other taxes required by reason of such registration in a name other than that of the registered

 

42


Holder of the Certificate evidencing such Purchase Contract or has established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax either has been paid or is not payable.

(e)        In the event that Early Settlement is effected with respect to Purchase Contracts that are a component of Units, upon such Early Settlement the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall execute on behalf of the Holder, authenticate and deliver to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a Security, in the same form as the Units submitted to effect such Early Settlement, evidencing a number of Separate Notes equal to the number of Purchase Contracts as to which Early Settlement was effected.

(f)        In the event that Early Settlement is effected with respect to Purchase Contracts represented by fewer than all the Purchase Contracts evidenced by a Security, upon such Early Settlement the Company shall execute and the Purchase Contract Agent shall execute on behalf of the Holder, authenticate and deliver to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a Security evidencing the Purchase Contracts as to which Early Settlement was not effected.

SECTION 5.05. Early Mandatory Settlement at the Company’s Election .

(a)        The Company has the right to settle the Purchase Contracts early, in whole but not in part (the “ Early Mandatory Settlement Right ”), on a date fixed by it (the “ Early Mandatory Settlement Date ”) at the Early Mandatory Settlement Rate.

(b)        If the Company elects to exercise its Early Mandatory Settlement Right, the Company will provide the Purchase Contract Agent and the Holders of Units, Separate Purchase Contracts and Separate Notes with a notice of its election (the “ Early Mandatory Settlement Notice ”), issue a press release announcing its election and post such press release on its website. The Early Mandatory Settlement Notice shall specify, among other things:

(i)        the Early Mandatory Settlement Rate;

(ii)       the Early Mandatory Settlement Date, which will be at least 5 but no more than 30 Business Days following the date of the Company’s notice (the “ Notice Date ”);

(iii)      that Holders of Units and Separate Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase their Notes that are a component of the Units or their Separate Notes, as the case may be, as described in the Indenture;

(iv)       the Repurchase Price and Repurchase Date (each as defined in the Indenture);

(v)        the last date on which Holders may exercise their Repurchase Right (as defined in the Indenture); and

(vi)       if applicable, the procedures that Holders must follow to require the Company to repurchase their Notes (in accordance with the Indenture).

(c)        Upon surrender or book-entry transfer of such Purchase Contracts or the related Units, the Company shall cause a number of shares of Common Stock, calculated at the Early

 

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Mandatory Settlement Rate, to be issued and delivered, together with payment in lieu of any fraction of a share as provided in Section 4.04, no later than the Early Mandatory Settlement Date.

ARTICLE VI

REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Shares of Common Stock . Each Holder of a Purchase Contract (whether or not included in a Unit) shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Purchase Contract and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such right to receive the shares of Common Stock, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION 6.02. Notice to Purchase Contract Agent; Limitation on Proceedings .  Holders of not less than 25% of outstanding Equity-Linked Securities, by notice given to the Purchase Contract Agent, may request that Purchase Contract Agent to institute proceedings with respect to a default relating to any covenant hereunder. No Holder of Equity-Linked Securities may institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Agreement or for any remedy hereunder, except in the case of failure of the Purchase Contract Agent, for 60 days, to act after the Purchase Contract Agent has received a written request to institute proceedings in respect of a default with respect to any covenant hereunder from the Holders of not less than 25% of the Outstanding Purchase Contracts, as well as an offer of security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Purchase Contract Agent against the costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred in compliance with such request or direction. This provision will not prevent any Holder of Purchase Contracts from instituting suit for the delivery of Common Stock deliverable upon settlement of the Purchase Contracts on the Mandatory Settlement Date or any Early Settlement Date, Early Mandatory Settlement Date, or Fundamental Change Settlement Date.

SECTION 6.03. Restoration of Rights and Remedies .   If any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Agreement and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company and such Holder shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

SECTION 6.04. Rights and Remedies Cumulative .   Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.10, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 6.05. Delay or Omission Not Waiver .  No delay or omission of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy upon a default hereunder shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such right. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the

 

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Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by such Holders.

SECTION 6.06. Undertaking for Costs .   All parties to this Agreement agree, and each Holder of a Purchase Contract, by its acceptance of such Purchase Contract shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Agreement, or in any suit against the Purchase Contract Agent for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Purchase Contract Agent, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided that the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by (a) the Purchase Contract Agent, (b) any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% of the Outstanding Purchase Contracts, or (c) any Holder for the enforcement of the right to receive shares of Common Stock or other Reference Property under the Purchase Contracts held by such Holder.

SECTION 6.07. Waiver of Stay or Execution Laws .   The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or assume or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Agreement; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Purchase Contract Agent or the Holders, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

SECTION 6.08. Control by Majority .   The Holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Purchase Contracts shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Purchase Contract Agent, or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Purchase Contract Agent; provided that the Purchase Contract Agent has received security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred in connection with such request or direction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchase Contract Agent may refuse to follow any direction that is in conflict with any law, rule, regulation or order or the Purchase Contract Agreement, that may involve it in personal liability or that may be unduly prejudicial to the Holders of Purchase Contracts not joining in the action.

ARTICLE VII

THE PURCHASE CONTRACT AGENT

SECTION 7.01. Certain Duties and Responsibilities .

(a)        The Purchase Contract Agent:

(i)         undertakes to perform, with respect to the Purchase Contracts, such duties and only such duties as are specifically delegated to it and set forth in this Agreement, and no implied

 

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covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Purchase Contract Agent; and

(ii)       in the absence of bad faith on its own part, may, with respect to the Purchase Contracts and Equity-Linked Securities, conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Purchase Contract Agent and conforming to the requirements of this Agreement but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Purchase Contract Agent, the Purchase Contract Agent shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform in so far as matters of form but not substance are concerned to the requirements of this Agreement (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy or completeness of the mathematical calculations or other facts, statements, opinions or conclusions stated or contained therein and may assume the genuineness of all signatures).

(b)       No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to relieve the Purchase Contract Agent from liability for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act, its own willful misconduct or its own bad faith (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order), except that:

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

(ii)       the Purchase Contract Agent shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or any other Person, unless it shall be proved that a Responsible Officer of the Purchase Contract Agent was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(iii)      the Purchase Contract Agent shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority of the Outstanding Purchase Contracts, determined as provided herein, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Purchase Contract Agent, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Purchase Contract Agent, under this Agreement with respect to the Outstanding Purchase Contracts.

(c)       No provision of this Agreement shall require the Purchase Contract Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate security or indemnity against such risk or liability satisfactory to the Purchase Contract Agent is not provided to it.

(d)       Whether or not herein or therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Agreement relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Purchase Contract Agent shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.

SECTION 7.02. Notice of Default .   Within 90 days after a Responsible Officer of the Purchase Contract Agent has actual knowledge of the occurrence of any default by the Company

 

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hereunder, the Purchase Contract Agent shall transmit by mail to the Company and the Holders of Equity-Linked Securities, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, notice of such default hereunder, unless such Responsible Officer of the Purchase Contract Agent has actual knowledge that such default shall have been cured or waived.

SECTION 7.03. Certain Rights of Purchase Contract Agent .  Subject to the provisions of Section 7.01:

(a)        the Purchase Contract Agent may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b)        any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate, Issuer Order or Issuer Request, and any resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(c)        whenever in the administration of this Agreement the Purchase Contract Agent shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Purchase Contract Agent (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate of the Company;

(d)        the Purchase Contract Agent may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(e)        the Purchase Contract Agent 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 Purchase Contract Agent, in its discretion may make such reasonable further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters related to the execution, delivery and performance of the Purchase Contracts as it may see fit, and, if the Purchase Contract Agent shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be given a reasonable opportunity, during the Company’s normal business hours, to examine the relevant books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney, and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

(f)        the Purchase Contract Agent may execute any of the powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, attorneys, or Affiliates and the Purchase Contract Agent shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, attorney or Affiliate appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(g)        the Purchase Contract Agent shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Agreement at the request or direction of any of the Holders

 

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pursuant to this Agreement, unless such Holders shall have provided to the Purchase Contract Agent security or indemnity satisfactory to the Purchase Contract Agent against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(h)        the Purchase Contract Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Agreement;

(i)         the Purchase Contract Agent shall not be deemed to have notice or be charged with knowledge of any adjustment to the Settlement Rate, the occurrence of any Termination Event or any default hereunder unless a Responsible Officer of the Purchase Contract Agent has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of such adjustment to the Settlement Rate, occurrence of any Termination Event or default is received by a Responsible Officer of the Purchase Contract Agent at the Corporate Trust Office of the Purchase Contract Agent, and such notice references the Purchase Contracts and this Agreement;

(j)         the Purchase Contract Agent may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Agreement, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;

(k)        the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Purchase Contract Agent, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Purchase Contract Agent in each of its capacities hereunder (including as Trustee, whether or not the Trustee is expressly referenced in connection with any such rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits), and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed in any capacity whatsoever to act hereunder and shall survive the resignation or removal of the Purchase Contract Agent and the termination of this Agreement;

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

(m)       the Purchase Contract Agent shall not be required to initiate or conduct any litigation or collection proceedings hereunder and shall have no responsibilities with respect to any default hereunder except as expressly set forth herein;

(n)        the Purchase Contract Agent shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder; and

(o)        the Purchase Contract Agent 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 Agreement.

 

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SECTION 7.04. Not Responsible for Recitals .   The recitals contained herein and in the Certificates shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Purchase Contract Agent assumes no responsibility for their accuracy or validity. The Purchase Contract Agent makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of either this Agreement or of the Purchase Contracts. The Purchase Contract Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of the proceeds in respect of the Purchase Contracts.

SECTION 7.05.  May Hold Units and Purchase Contracts .  Any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, or the Purchase Contract Agent or the Trustee and their respective Affiliates, in their individual or any other capacity, may become the owner of Units, Separate Purchase Contracts and Separate Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any other Person with the same rights it would have if it were not Security Registrar or such other agent, or the Purchase Contract Agent. The Company may become the owner of Units, Separate Purchase Contracts and Separate Notes.

SECTION 7.06. Money Held in Custody .  Money held by the Purchase Contract Agent in custody hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law or provided herein. The Purchase Contract Agent shall be under no obligation to invest or pay interest on any money received by it hereunder.

SECTION 7.07. Compensation, Reimbursement and Indemnification .     The Company agrees:

(a)        to pay to the Purchase Contract Agent, from time to time, compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as the Company and the Purchase Contract Agent shall from time to time agree in writing (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(b)        except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, to reimburse the Purchase Contract Agent upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Purchase Contract Agent in accordance with any provision of this Agreement (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be determined to have been caused by the Purchase Contract Agent’s own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order); and

(c)        to indemnify the Purchase Contract Agent and any predecessor Purchase Contract Agent, the Trustee and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense (including, without limitation, damages, fines, penalties, suits, actions, demands, costs, and legal fees and expenses) incurred without gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on their part (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order), and further including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Purchase Contract Agent or the Trustee) related to, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the Purchase Contract Agent’s or the Trustee’s duties hereunder or any modification, supplement or waiver of any of the terms hereof, including 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

 

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with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, or in connection with enforcing the provisions hereof.

The provisions of this Section shall survive the resignation and removal of the Purchase Contract Agent, the satisfaction and discharge of the Equity-Linked Securities and the termination for any reason of this Agreement.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section the Purchase Contract Agent shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Purchase Contract Agent as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on particular Securities.

SECTION 7.08. Corporate Purchase Contract Agent Required; Eligibility .  There shall at all times be a Purchase Contract Agent hereunder which shall be an entity organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having (or being a member of a bank holding company having) a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority and having a corporate trust office in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, if there be such an entity in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, qualified and eligible under this Article and willing to act on reasonable terms. If such entity publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such entity 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 the Purchase Contract Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

SECTION 7.09. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor .

(a)        No resignation or removal of the Purchase Contract Agent and no appointment of a successor Purchase Contract Agent pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Purchase Contract Agent in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 7.10 and, unless waived by the Purchase Contract Agent, the payment in full of all amounts due and owing to such Purchase Contract Agent hereunder.

(b)        The Purchase Contract Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Company at least 60 days prior to the effective date of such resignation. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Purchase Contract Agent required by Section 7.10 shall not have been delivered to the Purchase Contract Agent within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Purchase Contract Agent may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Purchase Contract Agent.

(c)        The Purchase Contract Agent may be removed at any time by Act of the Holders of a majority of the Outstanding Purchase Contracts delivered to the Purchase Contract Agent and the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Purchase Contract Agent required by

 

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Section 7.10 shall not have been delivered to the Purchase Contract Agent within 30 days after the delivery of such Act, the removed Purchase Contract Agent may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Purchase Contract Agent.

(d)       If at any time:

(i)        the Purchase Contract Agent shall cease to be eligible under Section 7.08 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder; or

(ii)       the Purchase Contract Agent shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Purchase Contract Agent or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Purchase Contract Agent or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (x) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Purchase Contract Agent, or (y) any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Purchase Contract for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Purchase Contract Agent and the appointment of a successor Purchase Contract Agent.

(e)        If the Purchase Contract Agent shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Purchase Contract Agent for any cause, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Purchase Contract Agent and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 7.10. If no successor Purchase Contract Agent shall have been so appointed by the Company and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 7.10, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Purchase Contract for at least six months, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, or the Purchase Contract Agent may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Purchase Contract Agent.

(f)        The Company shall give, or shall cause such successor Purchase Contract Agent to give, notice of each resignation and each removal of the Purchase Contract Agent and each appointment of a successor Purchase Contract Agent by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders as their names and addresses appear in the applicable Register. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Purchase Contract Agent and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

(g)       At any time there shall be only one Purchase Contract Agent with respect to the Securities.

SECTION 7.10. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor .

(a)        In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Purchase Contract Agent, every such successor Purchase Contract Agent so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Purchase Contract Agent an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Purchase Contract Agent shall become effective and such successor Purchase Contract Agent, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, agencies and duties of the retiring

 

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Purchase Contract Agent; but, at the request of the Company or the successor Purchase Contract Agent, such retiring Purchase Contract Agent shall, upon its receipt of payment of its charges and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, execute, acknowledge and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Purchase Contract Agent all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Purchase Contract Agent (other than rights to indemnification, compensation and reimbursement of expenses) and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Purchase Contract Agent all property and money held by such retiring Purchase Contract Agent hereunder (other than those relating to unassigned rights).

(b)        Upon request of any such successor Purchase Contract Agent, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Purchase Contract Agent all such rights, powers and agencies referred to in paragraph Section 7.10(a) of this Section.

(c)        No successor Purchase Contract Agent shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Purchase Contract Agent shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

(d)        Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor Purchase Contract Agent as provided in this Section, the Company shall transmit notice of the succession of such Purchase Contract Agent hereunder by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. If the Company fails to transmit such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor Purchase Contract Agent, the successor Purchase Contract Agent shall cause such notice to be transmitted at the expense of the Company. A resigning or removed Purchase Contract Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for the action or inaction of any successor Purchase Contract Agent.

SECTION 7.11. Merger; Conversion; Consolidation or Succession to Business .    Any Person into which the Purchase Contract Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Purchase Contract Agent shall be a party, or any entity succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Purchase Contract Agent, shall be the successor of the Purchase Contract Agent hereunder, 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. If any Securities shall have been authenticated and executed on behalf of the Holders, but not delivered, by the Purchase Contract Agent then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such Purchase Contract Agent may adopt such authentication and execution and deliver the Securities so authenticated and executed with the same effect as if such successor Purchase Contract Agent had itself authenticated and executed such Purchase Contracts.

SECTION 7.12. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders .

(a)        The Purchase Contract Agent shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders as received by the Purchase Contract Agent in its capacity as Security Registrar.

 

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(b)        If three or more Holders (such three or more Holders, the “applicants”) apply in writing to the Purchase Contract Agent, and furnish to the Purchase Contract Agent reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Unit or Separate Purchase Contract for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Agreement or under the Units or Separate Purchase Contracts and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication that such applicants propose to transmit, then the Purchase Contract Agent shall mail to all the Holders copies of the form of proxy or other communication that is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Purchase Contract Agent of the materials to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment acceptable to the Purchase Contract Agent, of the reasonable expenses of such mailing.

SECTION 7.13. No Obligations of Purchase Contract Agent or Trustee .  Except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee assume no obligations and shall not be subject to any liability under this Agreement or Security evidencing a Unit or Purchase Contract in respect of the obligations of the Holder of any Unit or Purchase Contract thereunder. The Company agrees, and each Holder of a Note, by his or her acceptance thereof, shall be deemed to have agreed, that the Purchase Contract Agent’s execution of the Securities on behalf of the Holders shall be solely as agent and attorney-in-fact for the Holders, and that the Purchase Contract Agent shall have no obligation to perform such Purchase Contracts (whether held as components of Units or Separate Purchase Contracts) on behalf of the Holders, except to the extent expressly provided in Article 3 hereof. Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Purchase Contract Agent or the Trustee or their respective officers, directors, employees or agents be liable under this Agreement to any third party for indirect, special, punitive, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever, including lost profits.

SECTION 7.14. Tax Compliance .

(a)        The Company and the Purchase Contract Agent shall comply with all applicable certification, information reporting and withholding (including “backup” withholding) requirements imposed by applicable tax laws, regulations or administrative practice with respect to (i) any payments made with respect to the Purchase Contracts or (ii) the issuance, delivery, holding, transfer, redemption or exercise of rights under the Purchase Contracts. Such compliance shall include, without limitation, the preparation and timely filing at the expense of the Company of required returns and the timely payment of all amounts required to be withheld to the appropriate taxing authority or its designated agent. The Company shall deliver to the Purchase Contract Agent an Officers’ Certificate similar to that required to be provided under Section 4.06 of the Indenture setting forth all necessary information to enable the Purchase Contract Agent to comply with the provisions of this Section 7.14.

(b)        The Purchase Contract Agent shall comply in accordance with the terms hereof with any written direction received from the Company with respect to the execution or certification of any required documentation and the application of such requirements to particular payments or Holders or in other particular circumstances, and may for purposes of this Agreement conclusively rely on any such direction in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.01(a)(ii) hereof.

 

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(c)        The Purchase Contract Agent shall maintain, and the Company shall cooperate in the maintenance of all appropriate records documenting compliance with such requirements, and shall make such records available, on written request, to the Company or its authorized representative within a reasonable period of time after receipt of such request.

ARTICLE VIII

SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS

SECTION 8.01. Supplemental Agreements Without Consent of Holders .    Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more agreements supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Company, the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee, to:

(i)         evidence the succession of another Person to the Company’s obligations;

(ii)        add to the covenants for the benefit of Holders or to surrender any of the Company’s rights or powers hereunder;

(iii)       evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment of a successor Purchase Contract Agent;

(iv)       make provision with respect to the rights of Holders pursuant to adjustments in the Settlement Rate due to Business Combinations as described in this Agreement;

(v)        conform the provisions of this Agreement to the “Description of the Purchase Contracts” section in the Prospectus Supplement;

(vi)       evidence waiver by the Company of or to remove from this Agreement the Company’s rights to settle the Purchase Contracts early pursuant to Section 5.05 hereof;

(vii)      cure any ambiguity or omission or to correct or supplement any provisions that may be defective or inconsistent with other provisions hereof, provided such change does not adversely affect the interests or rights of any Holder in any material respect; or

(viii)     to make any other change that does not adversely affect the interests or rights of any Holder in any material respect.

SECTION 8.02. Supplemental Agreements With Consent of Holders .  With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Purchase Contracts voting together as one class, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company, the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee may enter into an agreement or agreements supplemental hereto for the purpose of modifying in any manner the terms of the Purchase Contracts, or the provisions of this Agreement or the rights of the Holders in respect of the Purchase Contracts; provided , however , that, except as contemplated herein, no such supplemental agreement shall, without the consent of each Holder of an Outstanding Purchase Contract affected thereby,

 

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(i)         reduce the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon settlement of the Purchase Contracts;

(ii)        change the Mandatory Settlement Date, the right to settle Purchase Contracts early or the Fundamental Change Early Settlement Right, or otherwise adversely affect the Holder’s rights to receive delivery of the number of shares of Common Stock, cash in lieu of any fractional share and/or other property as described herein due upon settlement of any Purchase Contract on the due dates therefor;

(iii)       reduce the above-stated percentage of Outstanding Purchase Contracts the consent of the Holders of which is required for the modification or amendment of the provisions of the Purchase Contracts or this Agreement; or

(iv)       impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of the Purchase Contracts.

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

SECTION 8.03. Execution of Supplemental Agreements .   In executing, or accepting the additional agencies created by, any supplemental agreement permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the agencies created by this Agreement, the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee shall be provided, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental agreement is authorized or permitted by this Agreement and that any and all conditions precedent to the execution and delivery of such supplemental agreement have been satisfied. The Purchase Contract Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental agreement that affects the Purchase Contract Agent’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Agreement or otherwise and shall have the right to indemnity as provided in Article 7 of this Agreement.

SECTION 8.04. Effect of Supplemental Agreements .      Upon the execution of any supplemental agreement under this Article, this Agreement shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental agreement shall form a part of this Agreement for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated, executed on behalf of the Holders and delivered hereunder, shall be bound thereby.

SECTION 8.05. Reference to Supplemental Agreements .      Securities authenticated, executed on behalf of the Holders and delivered after the execution of any supplemental agreement pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Purchase Contract Agent, bear a notation in form approved by the Purchase Contract Agent as to any matter provided for in such supplemental agreement. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Purchase Contract Agent, the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental agreement may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated, executed on behalf of the Holders and delivered by the Purchase Contract Agent in exchange for outstanding Securities (by the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee, as applicable).

 

55


SECTION 8.06. Notice of Amendment .   After any supplemental agreement under this Article becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders a notice briefly describing such supplemental agreements; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of any supplemental agreement under this Article 8.

ARTICLE IX

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

SECTION 9.01. Covenant Not to Consolidate, Merge, Convey, Transfer or Lease Property Except Under Certain Conditions .  The Company covenants that it will not merge with and into or consolidate with or into any other Person or sell, assign, transfer, lease or convey all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, unless:

(i)         the Company is the surviving entity or the successor entity, if other than the Company, is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and that successor entity expressly assumes all of the Company’s obligations under the Units, the Purchase Contracts and this Agreement by an agreement supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Purchase Contract Agent and the Trustee;

(ii)        immediately after the merger, consolidation, sale, assignment, transfer, lease or conveyance, no default under the Units, the Purchase Contracts or this Agreement shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(iii)       the Company has delivered to the Purchase Contract Agent an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such merger, consolidation, sale, assignment, transfer, lease or conveyance and such supplemental agreement comply with this Article 9 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for related to such transaction have been complied with.

SECTION 9.02. Rights and Duties of Successor Entity .  In case of any such merger, consolidation, sale, assignment, transfer or conveyance (but not any such lease) and upon any such assumption by a successor entity in accordance with Section 9.01, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the Company and, upon satisfaction of all conditions precedent to such assumption hereunder, the Company will be relieved of any further obligation under this Agreement and the Purchase Contracts. Such successor entity thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of Banc of California, Inc., any or all of the Securities evidencing Units or Purchase Contracts issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Purchase Contract Agent; and, upon the order of such successor entity, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Agreement prescribed, the Purchase Contract Agent shall authenticate and execute on behalf of the Holders and deliver any such Securities that previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Purchase Contract Agent for authentication and execution, and any such Security evidencing Units or Purchase Contracts that such successor entity thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Purchase Contract Agent for that purpose. All the Securities issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Agreement as the

 

56


Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

In the event of any such merger, consolidation, sale, assignment, transfer, lease or conveyance, such change in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Equity-Linked Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

ARTICLE X

COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

SECTION 10.01. Performance Under Purchase Contracts .   The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Purchase Contracts that it will duly and punctually perform its obligations under the Purchase Contracts in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Contracts and this Agreement.

SECTION 10.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency .  The Company will maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented or surrendered for acquisition of shares of Common Stock upon settlement of the Purchase Contracts on the Mandatory Settlement Date, any Early Settlement Date or any Early Mandatory Settlement Date and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Purchase Contracts and this Agreement may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Purchase Contract Agent 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 Purchase Contract Agent with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office, and the Company hereby appoints the Purchase Contract Agent as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

The Company hereby designates as the place of payment for the Purchase Contracts the Corporate Trust Office and appoints the Purchase Contract Agent at its Corporate Trust Office as paying agent (the “ Paying Agent ”) in such city.

SECTION 10.03. Statements of Officers of the Company as to Default; Notice of Default .

(a)        The Company will deliver to the Purchase Contract Agent, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company (which fiscal year end as of the date hereof is December 31) ending after the date hereof, an Officers’ Certificate (one of the signers of which shall be the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company), stating whether or not to the knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof, and if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge.

(b)        The Company shall deliver to the Purchase Contract Agent, as soon as possible but, in any event, within five days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence thereof, notice of any default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof and the status thereof.

 

57


SECTION 10.04. Existence .  Except as otherwise permitted under Article 9, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to maintain in full force its legal existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises, except that the Company is not required to preserve any right or franchise if the Company determines that it is no longer desirable in the conduct of its business.

SECTION 10.05. Company to Reserve Common Stock .   The Company shall at all times that the Purchase Contracts remain outstanding prior to the Mandatory Settlement Date reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights or other encumbrances, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock, solely for issuance upon settlement of the Purchase Contracts, that number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be issuable upon the settlement of all Outstanding Purchase Contracts (whether or not included in a Unit), assuming settlement at the Maximum Settlement Rate.

SECTION 10.06. Covenants as to Common Stock; Listing .

The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon settlement of any Purchase Contract represented by the Outstanding Securities will, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free from all taxes, liens and charges and not subject to any preemptive rights. Prior to the settlement of any Purchase Contract, the shares of common stock underlying each Purchase Contract will not be outstanding, and the Holder of such purchase contract will not have any voting rights, rights to dividends or other distributions or other rights of a holder of Common Stock by virtue of holding such Purchase Contract.

SECTION 10.07. Tax Treatment .   The Company agrees, and by purchasing a Unit or a beneficial ownership interest in a Unit, each Holder and each beneficial owner of a beneficial ownership interest in a Unit agrees, for United States federal, state and local tax purposes, to treat (1) a Unit as an investment unit composed of two separate instruments, in accordance with its form and (2) the Notes as indebtedness.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

58


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

 

 

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Steven A. Sugarman

  Name:   Steven A. Sugarman
  Title:  

President and Chief Executive

Officer

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Purchase Contract Agent

By:  

/s/ K. Wendy Kumar

  Name:   K. Wendy Kumar
  Title:   Vice President

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee under the Indenture

By:  

/s/ K. Wendy Kumar

  Name:   K. Wendy Kumar
  Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Purchase Contract Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF FACE OF UNIT]

[INCLUDE IF A GLOBAL UNIT]

[THIS UNIT IS A GLOBAL UNIT WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PURCHASE CONTRACT AGREEMENT HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO., AS NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (THE “ DEPOSITARY ”), THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY. THIS UNIT IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR UNITS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE PURCHASE CONTRACT AGREEMENT AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS UNIT (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS UNIT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

UNLESS THIS UNIT IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY UNIT ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]

 

A-1


BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.

8.00% Tangible Equity Unit

CUSIP No. 05990K700

 

No.   

             

[Initial] 1 Number of Units            

This Unit certifies that [CEDE & CO.] 2 [                            ] (the “ Holder ”), or registered assigns, is the registered owner of [the number of Units set forth above] [the number of Units shown on Schedule A hereto, which number may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Contract Agreement (as defined below), but which shall not exceed                          Units] 3 .

Each Unit consists of (i) a Purchase Contract (attached hereto as Attachment 3) and (ii) a Note (attached hereto as Attachment 4), in each case issued by the Company. Each Unit evidenced hereby is governed by the Purchase Contract Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2014 (as may be supplemented from time to time, the “ Purchase Contract Agreement ”), among the Company, U.S. Bank National Association, as Purchase Contract Agent (including its successors hereunder, the “ Purchase Contract Agent ”), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (including its successors hereunder, the “ Trustee ”) under the Indenture.

Reference is hereby made to the Purchase Contract Agreement and the Indenture and, in each case supplemental agreements thereto, for a description of the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Purchase Contract Agent, the Company, and the Holders and of the terms upon which the Units are, and are to be, executed and delivered.

Upon the conditions and under the circumstances set forth in the Purchase Contract Agreement, Holders of Units shall have the right to separate a Unit into its component parts, and a Holder of a Separate Purchase Contract and Separate Note shall have the right to re-create a Unit.

The Company agrees, and by purchasing a Unit each Holder agrees, for United States tax purposes, to treat (1) a Unit as an investment unit composed of two separate instruments, in accordance with its form and (2) the Notes as indebtedness.

The Units, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the Units, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Capitalized terms used herein and not defined have the meanings given to such terms in the Purchase Contract Agreement.

 

 

 

1   Include if a Global Unit.
2   Include if a Global Unit.
3   Include if a Global Unit.

 

A-2


In the case of any conflict between this Unit and the Purchase Contract Agreement, the provisions of the Purchase Contract Agreement shall control.

[SIGNATURES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

A-3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

 

      BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
      By:    
        Name:
        Title:
      By:    
        Name:
        Title:
Dated:          

 

A-4


UNIT CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

OF PURCHASE CONTRACT AGENT AND TRUSTEE UNDER THE INDENTURE

This is one of the Units referred to in the within-mentioned Purchase Contract Agreement.

 

     

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Purchase Contract Agent

      By:    
        Authorized Signatory
     

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee under the Indenture

      By:    
        Authorized Signatory
Dated:          

 

A-5


SCHEDULE A

[INCLUDE IF A GLOBAL UNIT]

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN A GLOBAL UNIT

The initial number of Units evidenced by this Global Unit is                    . The following increases or decreases in this Global Unit have been made:

 

                Date                        Amount of increase in        
    number of Units         
    evidenced by the        
    Global Unit        
      Amount of decrease in        
number of Units         
    evidenced by the        
    Global Unit        
      Number of Units        
    evidenced by the         
    Global Unit following        
    such decrease or         
    increase        
      Signature of         
authorized signatory of    
Purchase Contract    
        Agent            
                 
                 

 

A-6


ATTACHMENT 1

[FORM OF SEPARATION NOTICE]

U.S. Bank National Association

Corporate Trust Services

100 Wall Street, Suite 1600

New York, New York 10005

Attention: Account Manager – Banc of California

 

Re:

Separation of [Global] 4 Units

The undersigned [Beneficial Owner] 4 hereby notifies you that it wishes to                      separate              Units [as to which it holds a Book-Entry Interest] 4 into the applicable number of Notes and the applicable number of Purchase Contracts in accordance with the Purchase Contract Agreement (the “ Purchase Contract Agreement ”) dated as of May 21, 2014 among the Company, U.S. Bank National Association, as Purchase Contract Agent, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture. Terms used and not defined herein have the meaning assigned to such terms in the Purchase Contract Agreement.

The undersigned [includes herewith] 5 [Beneficial Owner has instructed the undersigned Depository Participant to transfer to you its Book-Entry Interests in] the number of Units specified in the immediately succeeding paragraph. The undersigned [includes herewith] 5 [Beneficial Owner has furnished the undersigned Depository Participant with] 4 the appropriate endorsements and documents and paid all applicable transfer or similar taxes, if any, to the extent required by the Purchase Contract Agreement.

Please [deliver to the undersigned’s address specified below] 5 [transfer to the account of the undersigned Beneficial Owner with the undersigned Depositary Participant the beneficial interests in] 4 (i) the number of Separate Notes and (ii) number of Separate Purchase Contracts represented by the number of Units specified above.

 

 

 

4   Include if a Global Unit.
5   Exclude if a Global Unit.

 

A-7


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the [undersigned has caused this instrument to be duly executed] 5 [Depository Participant has caused this instrument to be duly executed on behalf of itself and the undersigned Beneficial Owner] 4 .

Dated:                                                  

 

[NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER]  
By:  

 

 
  Name:  
  Title:  
  Address:  

 

[NAME OF DEPOSITORY PARTICIPANT] 4

 

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Address:
Attest:
By:  

 

 

A-8


ATTACHMENT 2

[FORM OF RECREATION NOTICE]

U.S. Bank National Association

Corporate Trust Services

100 Wall Street, Suite 1600

New York, New York 10005

Attention: Account Manager – Banc of California

Re:    Recreation of [Global] 6 Units

The undersigned [Beneficial Owner] 6 hereby notifies you that it wishes to recreate                    Units [as to which it holds a Book-Entry Interest] 6 from the applicable number of Separate Notes and the applicable number of Separate Purchase Contracts in accordance with the Purchase Contract Agreement (the “ Purchase Contract Agreement ”) dated as of May 21, 2014 among the Company, U.S. Bank National Association, as Purchase Contract Agent, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture. Terms used and not defined herein have the meaning assigned to such terms in the Purchase Contract Agreement.

The undersigned [includes herewith] 7 [Beneficial Owner has instructed the undersigned Depository Participant to transfer to you its Book-Entry Interests in] 6 the applicable number of Separate Notes and the applicable number of Separate Purchase Contracts sufficient for the recreation of the number of Units specified above. The undersigned [includes herewith] 7 [Beneficial Owner has furnished the undersigned Depository Participant with] 6 the appropriate endorsements and documents and paid all applicable transfer or similar taxes, if any, to the extent required by the Purchase Contract Agreement.

Please [deliver to the undersigned’s address specified below] 7 [transfer to the account of the undersigned Beneficial Owner with the undersigned Depositary Participant the beneficial interests in] 6 the number of Units specified above.

 

 

 

6 Include if a Global Unit.
7   Exclude if a Global Unit.

 

A-9


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the [undersigned has caused this instrument to be duly executed] 7 [Depository Participant has caused this instrument to be duly executed on behalf of itself and the undersigned Beneficial Owner] 6 .

Dated:                                                  

 

[NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER]  
By:  

 

 
  Name:  
  Title:  
  Address:  

 

 

[NAME OF DEPOSITORY PARTICIPANT] 6
By:  

 

  Name:
  Address:
Attest:
By:  

 

 

A-10


ATTACHMENT 3

[INCLUDE IF A GLOBAL UNIT]

[THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL PURCHASE CONTRACT WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PURCHASE CONTRACT AGREEMENT HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO., AS NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (THE “ DEPOSITARY ”), THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY. THIS GLOBAL PURCHASE CONTRACT IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE PURCHASE CONTRACT AGREEMENT AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

UNLESS THIS GLOBAL PURCHASE CONTRACT IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]

 

A-11


BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.

PURCHASE CONTRACTS

 

No. [0002]   Initial Number of Purchase Contracts:             

This Purchase Contract certifies that CEDE & CO. (the “ Holder ”), or registered assigns, is the registered owner of the number of Purchase Contracts the number of Purchase Contracts shown on Schedule A hereto, which number may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Contract Agreement (as defined below), but which shall not exceed [                          ] Purchase Contracts.

All capitalized terms used herein that are defined in the Purchase Contract Agreement (as defined on the reverse hereof) have the meaning set forth therein.

Each Purchase Contract evidenced hereby obligates the Company to deliver to the Holder of this Purchase Contract on the Mandatory Settlement Date a number shares of common stock, $0.01 par value (“ Common Stock ”), of the Company equal to the Settlement Rate, unless such Purchase Contract settles prior to the Mandatory Settlement Date, in which event the provisions of Section 5.03, Section 5.04 or Section 5.05 of the Purchase Contract Agreement shall apply, all as provided in the Purchase Contract Agreement and more fully described on the reverse hereof.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

A-12


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                                              

 

A-13


PURCHASE CONTRACT CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

OF PURCHASE CONTRACT AGENT AND TRUSTEE UNDER THE INDENTURE

This is one of the Purchase Contracts referred to in the within-mentioned Purchase Contract Agreement.

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Purchase Contract Agent

By:    
  Authorized Signatory

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee under the Indenture

By:    
  Authorized Signatory

Dated:                                                      

 

A-14


[FORM OF REVERSE OF PURCHASE CONTRACT]

Each Purchase Contract evidenced hereby is governed by the Purchase Contract Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2014 (as may be supplemented from time to time, the “ Purchase Contract Agreement ”), among the Company, U.S. Bank National Association, as Purchase Contract Agent (including its successors hereunder, the “ Purchase Contract Agent ”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture. Reference is hereby made to the Purchase Contract Agreement and supplemental agreements thereto for a description of the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Purchase Contract Agent, the Company and the Holders and of the terms upon which the Purchase Contracts are, and are to be, executed and delivered.

Each Purchase Contract evidenced hereby obligates the Company to deliver to the Holder of this Purchase Contract, on the Mandatory Settlement Date, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Settlement Rate, unless such Purchase Contract settles prior to the Mandatory Settlement Date, in either case, pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Contract Agreement.

No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued upon settlement of Purchase Contracts, as provided in Section 4.04 of the Purchase Contract Agreement.

The Purchase Contracts are issuable only in registered form and only in denominations of a single Purchase Contract and any integral multiple thereof. The transfer of any Purchase Contract will be registered and Purchase Contracts may be exchanged as provided in the Purchase Contract Agreement.

The Holder of this Purchase Contract, by its acceptance hereof, authorizes the Purchase Contract Agent to enter into and perform the Purchase Contract Agreement on its behalf as its attorney-in-fact and agrees to be bound by the terms and provisions thereof.

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Purchase Contract Agreement, the provisions of the Purchase Contract Agreement may be amended with the consent of the Holders of a majority of the Purchase Contracts.

The Purchase Contracts, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the Purchase Contracts, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

The Company, the Purchase Contract Agent and its Affiliates and any agent of the Company or the Purchase Contract Agent may treat the Person in whose name this Purchase Contract is registered as the absolute owner of the Purchase Contracts evidenced hereby for the purpose of performance of the Purchase Contracts and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payments in respect thereof be overdue and notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, and neither the Company, the Purchase Contract Agent nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

A-15


The Purchase Contracts shall not, prior to the settlement thereof, entitle the Holder to any of the rights of a holder of the Common Stock or other Reference Property.

Each Purchase Contract (whether or not included in a Unit) is a security governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York on the date hereof.

In the case of any conflict between this Purchase Contract and the Purchase Contract Agreement, the provisions of the Purchase Contract Agreement shall control.

A copy of the Purchase Contract Agreement is available for inspection at the offices of the Purchase Contract Agent.

 

A-16


ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this instrument, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM: as tenants in common

 

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT:  

 

    Custodian  

 

          (cust)               (minor)

 

Under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act of  

 

TENANT: as tenants by the entireties

JT TEN: as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto (Please insert Social Security or Taxpayer I.D. or other Identifying Number of Assignee) (Please Print or Type Name and Address Including Postal Zip Code of Assignee) the within Purchase Contracts and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing attorney                                                            , to transfer said Purchase Contracts on the books of Banc of California, Inc. with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated:                                         

 

 

 

  Signature

NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as it appears upon the face of the within Purchase Contracts in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

 

Signature Guarantee:  

 

  

 

A-17


SETTLEMENT INSTRUCTIONS

The undersigned Holder directs that a certificate for shares of Common Stock or other securities deliverable upon settlement on or after the Mandatory Settlement Date of the number of Purchase Contracts evidenced by this Purchase Contract be registered in the name of, and delivered, together with a check in payment for any fractional share, to the undersigned at the address indicated below unless a different name and address have been indicated below. The undersigned will pay any transfer or similar taxes payable in connection with the issuance of Common Stock or other securities to any Person other than the undersigned.

 

Dated:                                 

 

 

  Signature  
  Signature Guarantee:  

 

  (if assigned to another Person)

If shares are to be registered in the name of and delivered to a Person

other than the Holder, please (i) print such Person’s name and address

and (ii) provide a guarantee of your signature:

 

 

 

  

 

  
                Name                    Name   

 

  

 

  

                Address

 

  

                Address

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Social Security or other Taxpayer Identification Number, if any                                                                      

 

A-18


ELECTION TO SETTLE EARLY

The undersigned Holder of this Purchase Contract hereby irrevocably exercises the option to effect Early Settlement in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Contract with respect to the Purchase Contracts evidenced by this Purchase Contract specified below. The undersigned Holder directs that a certificate for shares of Common Stock or other securities deliverable upon such Early Settlement be registered in the name of, and delivered, together with a check in payment for any fractional share and any Purchase Contract representing any Purchase Contracts evidenced hereby as to which Early Settlement is not effected, to the undersigned at the address indicated below unless a different name and address have been indicated below. The undersigned will pay any transfer or similar taxes payable in connection with the issuance of Common Stock or other securities to any Person other than the undersigned.

 

Dated:  

 

   

 

      Signature
    Signature Guarantee:  

 

 

A-19


Number of Purchase Contracts evidenced hereby as to which Early Settlement is being elected:

 

If shares of Common Stock or Purchase Contracts are to be registered in the name of and delivered to a Person other than the Holder, please print such Person’s name and address:    REGISTERED HOLDER
  

Please print name and address of Registered Holder:

 

  

 

                        Name                    Name

 

  

 

                        Address                    Address

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

Social Security or other Taxpayer Identification Number, if any                                                                        

 

A-20


SCHEDULE A

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN THE PURCHASE CONTRACTS

The initial number of Purchase Contracts evidenced by this certificate is                             . The following increases or decreases in this certificate have been made:

 

Date

  

Amount of increase in
number of Purchase
Contracts evidenced
by this Certificate

  

Amount of decrease in
number of Purchase
Contracts evidenced
by this Certificate

  

Number of Purchase
Contracts evidenced
by this Certificate
following such
decrease or increase

  

Signature of
authorized signatory of
Purchase Contract
Agent

                     
                     

 

A-21


ATTACHMENT 4

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

[INCLUDE IF A GLOBAL NOTE]

[THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO., AS NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (THE “ DEPOSITARY ”), THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY. THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

UNLESS THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]

 

A-22


BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.

7.50% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED AMORTIZING NOTES

DUE MAY 15, 2017

REGISTERED

CUSIP: 05990K AB2

ISIN: US05990KAB26

 

No.                 [Initial] 8 Number of Notes                   

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ,” which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the initial principal sum of $10.604556 for each of the number of Notes set forth above[, or such other number of Notes as set forth in the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto, which shall not exceed [    ]] 9 in quarterly installment payments (each constituting a payment of interest at the rate per year of 7.50% and a partial repayment of principal) payable on May 15, August 15, November 15 and February 15 of each year (each such date, an “ Installment Payment Date ” and the period from, and including, May 21, 2014 to, but excluding, the first Installment Payment Date and each subsequent full quarterly period from and including an Installment Payment Date to, but excluding, the immediately succeeding Installment Payment Date, an “ Installment Payment Period ”), commencing on August 15, 2014, all as set forth on the reverse hereof, with the final installment payment due and payable on May 15, 2017, subject to the Company’s right to defer such payments in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. The installment payments payable on any Installment Payment Date shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. If an installment payment is payable for any period shorter than a full Installment Payment Period, such installment payment shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 30-day month. In the event that any date on which an installment payment is payable is not a Business Day, then the installment payment on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay. However, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, then such installment payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date. Installment payments shall be paid to the person in whose name the Note is registered at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the related Installment Payment Date (each, a “ Regular Record Date ”) in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. If the Notes do not remain in the form of Global Notes, the Company shall have the right to select Regular Record Dates, which will be more than 14 days but less than 60 days prior to the relevant Installment Payment Date.

Installments shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.

 

 

 

8   Include if a Global Note.
9   Include if a Global Note.

 

A-23


This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture hereinafter referred to or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until the Certificate of Authentication shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Trustee.

The provisions of this Note are continued on the reverse side hereof and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

 

A-24


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

 

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.,

as Issuer

By:

   
 

Name:

 

Title:

By:

   
 

Name:

 

Title:

 

A-25


CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

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

 

 

        U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee      
    By:  

 

      Authorized Signatory

 

A-26


[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.

This Note is one of a duly authorized series of Securities of the Company designated as its “7.50% Junior Subordinated Amortizing Notes due 2017” (herein referred to as the “ Notes ”), issued under the Indenture, dated as of May 21, 2014, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture) (the “ Base Indenture ,” and the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 21, 2014, (the “ Supplemental Indenture ”), between the Company and the Trustee, the “ Indenture ”), to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders. The terms of other series of Securities issued under the Indenture may vary with respect to interest rates, issue dates, maturity, redemption, repayment, currency of payment and otherwise as provided in the Indenture. This series of Securities is limited in aggregate principal amount as and to the extent specified in said First Supplemental Indenture.

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

Each installment shall constitute a payment of interest (at a rate of 7.50% per annum) and a partial repayment of principal on the Note, allocated as set forth in the schedule below:

 

Scheduled Installment Payment Date            Amount of      
         Principal        
     Amount of Interest  

August 15, 2014

   $0.747754    $0.185579  

November 15, 2014

   $0.815185    $0.184815  

February 15, 2015

   $0.830470    $0.169530  

May 15, 2015

   $0.846041    $0.153959  

August 15, 2015

   $0.861904    $0.138096  

November 15, 2015

   $0.878065    $0.121935  

February 15, 2016

   $0.894529    $0.105471  

May 15, 2016

   $0.911301    $0.088699  

August 15, 2016

   $0.928388    $0.071612  

November 15, 2016

   $0.945795    $0.054205  

February 15, 2017

   $0.963529    $0.036471  

May 15, 2017

   $0.981595    $0.018405  

Installment payments may be deferred by the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.03(c) of the Supplemental Indenture.

This Note will not be subject to redemption at the option of the Company. However, a Holder shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase some or all of its Notes for cash at the Repurchase Price per Note, and on the Repurchase Date, upon the occurrence of certain events and subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture.

 

A-27


This Note is not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance and covenant defeasance at any time of the indebtedness on this Note upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions apply to this Note.

If an Event of Default relating to specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver, liquidator or trustee of the Company occurs and is continuing, then and in each such case either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate initial principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal amount of all the Notes to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable. This provision, however, is subject to the condition that, at any time after such a declaration of acceleration, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the money due shall have been obtained or entered, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, if certain conditions are met as set forth in the Indenture.

There is no right of acceleration upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in Section 5.01(a) of the Supplemental Indenture or as described in Section 501(4) of the Base Indenture.

In the case of the additional Event of Default described in Section 5.01(a) of the Supplemental Indenture, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all such Notes for principal, premium, if any, or interest, or any combination thereof, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon the overdue installments of interest, at the rate borne by the Notes; and, in addition, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel. If the Company does not pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions 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 on the Notes and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor on the Notes, wherever situated, the money adjudged or decreed to be payable.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding of each series issued under the Indenture to be affected thereby, to execute supplemental indentures for certain purposes as described therein.

 

A-28


No provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay installments on this Note at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein and in the Indenture prescribed, subject to the Company’s right to defer installment payments as described therein.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Note shall be registered on the Security Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in New York, New York, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, shall be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

The Notes are initially issued in the form of Global Notes in initial minimum denominations of one Note and integral multiples in excess thereof.

No charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any applicable tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with the transfer.

The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the Holder in whose name any Note shall be registered upon the Security Register for the Notes as the absolute owner of such Note (whether or not such Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving installment payments on such Note and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

 

THIS NOTE AND THE INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE, AND EACH HOLDER OF A SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

All terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture, or this Note, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any

 

A-29


incorporator, as such or against any past, present or future stockholder, Officer, director or employee, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of this Note by the Holders hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of this Note.

The Company and each Holder agrees, and by acceptance of a beneficial ownership interest in the Notes, each beneficial owner of a beneficial ownership interest in the Notes will be deemed to have agreed, for U.S. federal, state and local tax purposes, to treat the Notes as indebtedness.

In the case of any conflict between this Note and the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall control.

 

A-30


ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Note to:

 

 

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax identification number)

 

 

 

(Insert address and zip code of assignee)

and irrevocably appoints agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

Date:                                                                  

Signature:                                                          

Signature Guarantee:

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

 

A-31


SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“ STAMP ”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

  ,  

as Trustee

     

By:

 

 

     
 

Name:

     
 

Title:

     

Attest:

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

A-32


FORM OF REPURCHASE NOTICE

TO: Banc of California, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee

The undersigned registered Holder hereby irrevocably acknowledges receipt of a notice from Banc of California, Inc. (the “Company”) regarding the right of Holders to elect to require the Company to repurchase the Notes and requests and instructs the Company to repay the entire principal amount of the number of Notes below designated, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Repurchase Date to the registered holder hereof. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture, dated as of May 21, 2014, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 21, 2014, between the Company and the Trustee (such senior indenture, as so supplemented, the “Indenture”).

The Notes shall be repurchased by the Company as of the Repurchase Date pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in the Notes and the Indenture.

 

Dated:  

 

       
         

 

          Signature:
         

 

NOTICE: The above signature of the Holder hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Notes in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

Notes Certificate Number (if applicable):

Number of Notes to be repurchased (if less than all, must be one Note or integral multiples in excess thereof):

Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number:

 

A-33


[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN A GLOBAL NOTE

The initial number of Notes evidenced by this Global Note is                                       . The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

                Date                        Amount of decrease        
    in number of Notes        
    evidenced by this        
    Global Note        
      Amount of increase in        
    number of Notes         

    evidenced by this        
    Global Note        
  Number of Notes    
evidenced by this    
Global Note following    
such decrease (or    
            increase)                
  Signature of    
authorized signatory of    
                Trustee                     
                 
                 

 

A-34


EXHIBIT B

[FORM OF FACE OF PURCHASE CONTRACT]

[INCLUDE IF A GLOBAL PURCHASE CONTRACT]

[THIS PURCHASE CONTRACT IS A GLOBAL PURCHASE CONTRACT WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PURCHASE CONTRACT AGREEMENT HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO., AS NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (THE “ DEPOSITARY ”), THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY. THIS PURCHASE CONTRACT IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR A PURCHASE CONTRACT REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE PURCHASE CONTRACT AGREEMENT AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS PURCHASE CONTRACT (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS PURCHASE CONTRACT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

UNLESS THIS PURCHASE CONTRACT IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY PURCHASE CONTRACT ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]

 

B-1


BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.

PURCHASE CONTRACTS

CUSIP No. 05990K130

 

No.             

   [Initial] 10 Number of Purchase Contracts:                   

This Purchase Contract certifies that [CEDE & CO.] 11 [                              ] (the “ Holder ”), or registered assigns, is the registered owner of [the number of Purchase Contracts set forth above] [the number of Purchase Contracts shown on Schedule A hereto, which number may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Contract Agreement (as defined below), but which shall not exceed                                          [                      ] Purchase Contracts]. 12

Each Purchase Contract consists of the rights of the Holder under such Purchase Contract with the Company. All capitalized terms used herein that are defined in the Purchase Contract Agreement (as defined on the reverse hereof) have the meaning set forth therein.

Each Purchase Contract evidenced hereby obligates the Company to deliver to the Holder of this Purchase Contract on the Mandatory Settlement Date a number shares of common stock, $0.01 par value (“ Common Stock ”), of the Company equal to the Settlement Rate, unless such Purchase Contract settles prior to the Mandatory Settlement Date, in which event the provisions of Section 5.03, Section 5.04 or Section 5.05 of the Purchase Contract Agreement shall apply, all as provided in the Purchase Contract Agreement and more fully described on the reverse hereof.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

 

 

10   Include if a Global Purchase Contract.
11   Include if a Global Purchase Contract.
12   Include if a Global Purchase Contract.

 

B-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

Dated:  

 

 

B-3


PURCHASE CONTRACT CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

OF PURCHASE CONTRACT AGENT AND TRUSTEE UNDER THE INDENTURE

This is one of the Purchase Contracts referred to in the within-mentioned Purchase Contract Agreement.

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Purchase Contract Agent

By:    
  Authorized Signatory

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee under the Indenture

By:    
  Authorized Signatory

 

Dated:  

 

 

B-4


[FORM OF REVERSE OF PURCHASE CONTRACT]

Each Purchase Contract evidenced hereby is governed by the Purchase Contract Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2014 (as may be supplemented from time to time, the “ Purchase Contract Agreement ”), among the Company, U.S. Bank National Association, as Purchase Contract Agent (including its successors hereunder, the “ Purchase Contract Agent ”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture. Reference is hereby made to the Purchase Contract Agreement and supplemental agreements thereto for a description of the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Purchase Contract Agent, the Company and the Holders and of the terms upon which the Purchase Contracts are, and are to be, executed and delivered.

Each Purchase Contract evidenced hereby obligates the Company to deliver to the Holder of this Purchase Contract, on the Mandatory Settlement Date, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Settlement Rate, unless such Purchase Contract settles prior to the Mandatory Settlement Date, in either case, pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Contract Agreement.

No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued upon settlement of Purchase Contracts, as provided in Section 4.04 of the Purchase Contract Agreement.

The Purchase Contracts are issuable only in registered form and only in denominations of a single Purchase Contract and any integral multiple thereof. The transfer of any Purchase Contract will be registered and Purchase Contracts may be exchanged as provided in the Purchase Contract Agreement.

The Holder of this Purchase Contract, by its acceptance hereof, authorizes the Purchase Contract Agent to enter into and perform the Purchase Contract Agreement on its behalf as its attorney-in-fact and agrees to be bound by the terms and provisions thereof.

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Purchase Contract Agreement, the provisions of the Purchase Contract Agreement may be amended with the consent of the Holders of a majority of the Purchase Contracts.

The Purchase Contracts, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the Purchase Contracts, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

The Company, the Purchase Contract Agent and its Affiliates and any agent of the Company or the Purchase Contract Agent may treat the Person in whose name this Purchase Contract is registered as the absolute owner of the Purchase Contracts evidenced hereby for the purpose of performance of the Purchase Contracts and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payments in respect thereof be overdue and notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, and neither the Company, the Purchase Contract Agent nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

B-5


The Purchase Contracts shall not, prior to the settlement thereof, entitle the Holder to any of the rights of a holder of the Common Stock or other Reference Property.

Each Purchase Contract (whether or not included in a Unit) is a security governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York on the date hereof.

In the case of any conflict between this Purchase Contract and the Purchase Contract Agreement, the provisions of the Purchase Contract Agreement shall control.

A copy of the Purchase Contract Agreement is available for inspection at the offices of the Purchase Contract Agent.

 

B-6


ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this instrument, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM: as tenants in common

 

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT:

  

 

  

        Custodian

  

 

  

        (cust)

     

       (minor)

 

Under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act of

  

 

TENANT: as tenants by the entireties

JT TEN: as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto (Please insert Social Security or Taxpayer I.D. or other Identifying Number of Assignee) (Please Print or Type Name and Address Including Postal Zip Code of Assignee) the within Purchase Contracts and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing attorney                                                                      , to transfer said Purchase Contracts on the books of Banc of California, Inc. with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

    Dated:

 

 

 

 

  

Signature

  

NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as it appears upon the face of the within Purchase Contracts in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

 

Signature Guarantee:

  

 

  

 

B-7


SETTLEMENT INSTRUCTIONS

The undersigned Holder directs that a certificate for shares of Common Stock or other securities deliverable upon settlement on or after the Mandatory Settlement Date of the number of Purchase Contracts evidenced by this Purchase Contract be registered in the name of, and delivered, together with a check in payment for any fractional share, to the undersigned at the address indicated below unless a different name and address have been indicated below. The undersigned will pay any transfer or similar taxes payable in connection with the issuance of Common Stock or other securities to any Person other than the undersigned.

 

Dated:

 

 

   

 

 
     

 Signature

   
     

 Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 
     

 (if assigned to another Person)

 

 

If shares are to be registered in the name of and delivered to a Person other than the Holder, please (i) print such Person’s name and address and (ii) provide a guarantee of your signature:

  

 

 

  

 

                        Name                    Name

 

  

 

                        Address                    Address

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

Social Security or other Taxpayer Identification Number, if any                                                                        

 

B-8


ELECTION TO SETTLE EARLY

The undersigned Holder of this Purchase Contract hereby irrevocably exercises the option to effect Early Settlement in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Contract with respect to the Purchase Contracts evidenced by this Purchase Contract specified below. The undersigned Holder directs that a certificate for shares of Common Stock or other securities deliverable upon such Early Settlement be registered in the name of, and delivered, together with a check in payment for any fractional share and any Purchase Contract representing any Purchase Contracts evidenced hereby as to which Early Settlement is not effected, to the undersigned at the address indicated below unless a different name and address have been indicated below. The undersigned will pay any transfer or similar taxes payable in connection with the issuance of Common Stock or other securities to any Person other than the undersigned.

 

Dated:

 

 

     

 

       

Signature

 

   Signature Guarantee:   

 

 

B-9


Number of Purchase Contracts evidenced hereby as to which Early Settlement is being elected:

 

If shares of Common Stock or Purchase Contracts are to be registered in the name of and delivered to a Person other than the Holder, please print such Person’s name and address:      

REGISTERED HOLDER

     

Please print name and address of Registered Holder:

 

     

 

Name

     

Name

 

     

 

Address

     

Address

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

Social Security or other Taxpayer Identification Number, if any

 

 

  

 

B-10


SCHEDULE A

[INCLUDE IF A GLOBAL PURCHASE CONTRACT]

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN THE PURCHASE CONTRACTS

The initial number of Purchase Contracts evidenced by this certificate is                             . The following increases or decreases in this certificate have been made:

 

                Date                        Amount of increase        
    in number of        
    Purchase Contracts        
    evidenced by the        
    Global Purchase        
    Contract        
      Amount of decrease in        
    number of  Purchase        
    Contracts evidenced        
    by the Global         
    Purchase Contract        
      Number of Purchase        
    Contracts evidenced         
    by the Global        
    Purchase Contract        
     following such        
    decrease or increase        
  Signature of    
authorized signatory    
of Purchase Contract    
                Agent                    
                 
                 

 

B-11

Exhibit 4.2

 

 

 

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.

and

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

 

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of May 21, 2014

SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

 

 


EXECUTION COPY                            

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    

Page

 

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.

     v   

ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

     1   

SECTION 101. Definitions

     1   

SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions

     11   

SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee

     11   

SECTION 104. Acts of Holders

     12   

SECTION 105. Notices, etc.

     13   

SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver

     14   

SECTION 107. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents

     15   

SECTION 108. Successors and Assigns

     15   

SECTION 109. Separability Clause

     15   

SECTION 110. Benefits of Indenture

     15   

SECTION 111. No Personal Liability

     15   

SECTION 112. Governing Law

     15   

SECTION 113. Legal Holidays

     16   

ARTICLE TWO SECURITIES FORMS

     16   

SECTION 201. Forms of Securities

     16   

SECTION 202. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

     17   

SECTION 203. Securities Issuable in Global Form

     17   

ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES

     18   

SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

     18   

SECTION 302. Denominations

     21   

SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

     22   

SECTION 304. Temporary Securities

     24   

SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange

     26   

SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities

     29   

SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved

     30   

SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners

     32   

SECTION 309. Cancellation

     33   

SECTION 310. Computation of Interest

     33   

ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

     33   

SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

     34   

SECTION 402. Application of Trust Funds.

     35   

ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES

     35   

 

i


SECTION 501. Events of Default

     35   

SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment

     36   

SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee

     37   

SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     38   

SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons

     39   

SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected

     39   

SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits

     40   

SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, Interest and Additional Amounts

     40   

SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies

     41   

SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative

     41   

SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver

     41   

SECTION 512. Control by Holders of Securities

     41   

SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults

     41   

SECTION 514. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws

     42   

SECTION 515. Undertaking for Costs

     42   

ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE

     43   

SECTION 601. Notice of Defaults

     43   

SECTION 602. Certain Rights of Trustee

     43   

SECTION 603. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities

     45   

SECTION 604. May Hold Securities

     45   

SECTION 605. Money Held in Trust

     45   

SECTION 606. Compensation and Reimbursement

     45   

SECTION 607. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility

     46   

SECTION 608. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor

     46   

SECTION 609. Acceptance of Appointment By Successor

     48   

SECTION 610. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

     49   

SECTION 611. Appointment of Authenticating Agent

     50   

SECTION 612. Certain Duties and Responsibilities

     51   

SECTION 613. Conflicting Interests

     51   

SECTION 614. Appointment of Co-Trustee

     51   

ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

     53   

SECTION 701. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders

     53   

SECTION 702. Reports by Trustee

     53   

SECTION 703. Reports by Company

     53   

SECTION 704. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders

     54   

ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE OR CONVEYANCE

     54   

SECTION 801. Consolidations and Mergers of Company and Sales, Leases and Conveyances Permitted Subject to Certain Conditions

     54   

 

ii


SECTION 802. Rights and Duties of Successor Corporation

     55   

SECTION 803. Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel

     55   

ARTICLE NINE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

     55   

SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders

     55   

SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders

     57   

SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures

     58   

SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures

     58   

SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

     58   

SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures

     59   

SECTION 907. Notice of Supplemental Indentures

     59   

SECTION 908. Subordination Unimpaired

     59   

ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS

     59   

SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, Interest and Additional Amounts

     59   

SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency

     59   

SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust

     61   

SECTION 1004. [Reserved]

     62   

SECTION 1005. Existence

     62   

SECTION 1006. Maintenance of Properties

     62   

SECTION 1007. Insurance

     63   

SECTION 1008. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims

     63   

SECTION 1009. Provision of Financial Information

     63   

SECTION 1010. Statement as to Compliance

     63   

SECTION 1011. Additional Amounts

     64   

SECTION 1012. Waiver of Certain Covenants

     65   

ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

     65   

SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article

     65   

SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee

     65   

SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed

     65   

SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption

     66   

SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price

     67   

SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date

     68   

SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part

     69   

ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS

     69   

SECTION 1201. Applicability of Article

     69   

SECTION 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities

     69   

SECTION 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund

     70   

ARTICLE THIRTEEN [RESERVED]

     70   

 

iii


ARTICLE FOURTEEN DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

     70   

SECTION 1401. Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     70   

SECTION 1402. Defeasance and Discharge

     70   

SECTION 1403. Covenant Defeasance

     71   

SECTION 1404. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     72   

SECTION 1405. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

     73   

ARTICLE FIFTEEN MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

     74   

SECTION 1501. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called

     74   

SECTION 1502. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings

     75   

SECTION 1503. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings

     75   

SECTION 1504. Quorum; Action

     75   

SECTION 1505. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings

     76   

SECTION 1506. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings

     77   

SECTION 1507. Evidence of Action Taken by Holders

     78   

SECTION 1508. Proof of Execution of Instruments

     78   

ARTICLE SIXTEEN [RESERVED]

     78   

ARTICLE SEVENTEEN SUBORDINATION

     78   

SECTION 1701. Agreement to Subordinate

     78   

SECTION 1702. Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy

     78   

SECTION 1703. Default on Senior Debt

     79   

SECTION 1704. Acceleration of Securities

     79   

SECTION 1705. When Distribution Must Be Paid Over

     79   

SECTION 1706. Notice by Company

     79   

SECTION 1707. Subrogation

     80   

SECTION 1708. Relative Rights

     80   

SECTION 1709. Subordination May Not Be Impaired By Company

     80   

SECTION 1710. Distribution or Notice to Representative

     80   

SECTION 1711. Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent

     80   

SECTION 1712. Force Majeure

     81   

SECTION 1713. U.S.A. Patriot Act

     81   

 

iv


BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”), and Indenture, dated as of May 21, 2014:

 

Trust Indenture Act Section    Indenture Section
Section 310(a)(1)    607

(a)(2)

   607

(b)

   608, 613
Section 312(a)    704

(c)

   701
Section 313(a)    702
Section 314(a)    703

(a)(4)

   1010

(c)(1)

   102

(c)(2)

   102

(e)

   102
Section 315(b)    601, 602
Section 316(a)(last sentence)    101 (“Outstanding”)

(a)(1)(A)

   502, 512

(a)(1)(B)

   513

(b)

   508
Section 317(a)(1)    503

(a)(2)

   504
Section 318(a)    112

(c)

   112

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

Attention should also be directed to Section 318(c) of the TIA, which provides that the provisions of Sections 310 to and including 317 of the TIA are a part of and govern every qualified indenture, whether or not physically contained therein.

 

v


INDENTURE

INDENTURE, dated as of May 21, 2014, between BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), having its principal office at 18500 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1100, Irvine, California 92612 and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee hereunder (the “Trustee”), having its Corporate Trust Office at 100 Wall Street, Suite 1600, New York, New York 10005.

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

The Company deems it necessary to issue from time to time for its lawful purposes subordinated debt securities (the “Securities”) evidencing its unsecured and subordinated indebtedness, and has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Securities, unlimited as to aggregate principal amount, to bear interest at the rates or formulas, to mature at such times and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed therefor as hereinafter provided.

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

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

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

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

SECTION 101.  Definitions.

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

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

(2)  all other terms used herein that are defined in the TIA, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein, and the terms “cash transaction” and “self-liquidating paper,” as used in TIA Section 311, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the rules of the Commission adopted under the TIA;

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

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


Certain terms, used principally in Article Three, Article Five, Article Six and Article Ten, are defined in those Articles. In addition, the following terms shall have the indicated respective meanings:

“Act” has the meaning specified in Section 104.

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts that are required by a Security, under circumstances specified therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on certain Holders and that are owing to such Holders.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,

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

“Authenticating Agent” means any authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 611.

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, printed in the English language or in an official language of the country of publication, customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Whenever successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different Authorized Newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any Business Day.

“Bankruptcy Law” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

“Bearer Security” means a Security that is payable to bearer.

“Board of Directors” means either (i) the Board of Directors of the Company, the executive committee or any other committee or director of that board duly authorized to act for it in respect hereof, or (ii) one or more duly authorized officers of the Company to whom the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof has delegated the authority to act with respect to the matters contemplated by this Indenture.

“Board Resolution” means (i) a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) a certificate signed by the authorized officer or officers of the Company to whom the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof has delegated its authority (as described in the definition of Board of Directors), and in each case, delivered to the Trustee.

 

2


“Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or particular location are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme Luxembourg.

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

“Common Depository” has the meaning specified in Section 304(b).

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

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

“Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency (other than as otherwise provided with respect to a Security pursuant to Section 301) as provided by the government of the country that issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community, or (ii) the ECU, both within the European Monetary System and for the settlement of transactions by public in situations of or within the European Community, or (iii) any currency unit (or composite currency) for the purposes for which it was established.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business in New York shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 100 Wall Street, Suite 1600, New York, New York 10005.

“Corporation” includes corporations, associations, companies and business trusts.

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

“Custodian” has the meaning set forth in Section 501.

“Debt” means the principal, premium, if any, unpaid interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement and indemnification obligations, and all other amounts payable under or in respect of the following indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed, whether any

 

3


such indebtedness exists as of the date of the Indenture or is created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed after such date:

(i) any debt (a) for money borrowed, (b) evidenced by a bond, note, debenture, or similar instrument (including purchase money obligations) given in connection with the acquisition of any business, property or assets, whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, but shall not include any account payable or other obligation created or assumed in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of materials or services, or (c) that is a direct or indirect obligation that arises as a result of banker’s acceptances or bank letters of credit issued to secure obligations of the Company, or to secure the payment of revenue bonds issued for the benefit of the Company, whether contingent or otherwise;

(ii) any debt of others described in the preceding clause (i) that the Company has guaranteed or for which it is otherwise liable;

(iii) the obligation of the Company, as lessee under any lease of property that is reflected on the Company’s balance sheet as a capitalized lease; and

(iv) any deferral, amendment, renewal, extension, supplement or refunding of any liability of the kind described in any of the preceding clauses (i), (ii), and (iii); provided, however, that, in computing indebtedness of the Company, there shall be excluded any particular indebtedness if, upon or prior to the maturity thereof, there shall have been deposited with a depository in trust money (or evidence of indebtedness if permitted by the instrument creating such indebtedness) in the necessary amount to pay, redeem or satisfy such indebtedness as it becomes due, and the amount so deposited shall not be included in any computation of the assets of the Company.

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307.

“Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time shall be legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.

“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank, or its successor as operator of the Euroclear System.

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Commission.

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

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as used in the United States applied on a consistent basis as in effect from time to time; provided that solely for purposes of

 

4


any calculation required by the financial covenants contained herein, “GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles as used in the United States on the date hereof, applied on a consistent basis.

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

“Holder” means, in the case of a Registered Security, the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of a Bearer Security, the bearer thereof and, when used with respect to any coupon, shall mean the bearer thereof.

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301; provided, however, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which 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 the or those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms that 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 provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.

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

“Interest” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, shall mean interest payable after Maturity, and, when used

 

5


with respect to a Security that provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1011, includes such Additional Amounts.

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

“Make-Whole Amount” means the amount, if any, in addition to principal that is required by a Security, under the terms and conditions specified therein or as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, to be paid by the Company to the Holder thereof in connection with any optional redemption or accelerated payment of such Security.

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

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company or other counsel satisfactory to the Trustee.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

“Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

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

(ii) Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption or repayment 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 and any coupons appertaining thereto; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or other provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(iii) Securities, except solely to the extent provided in Sections 1402 or 1403, as applicable, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Fourteen;

(iv) Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof

 

6


satisfactory to the Trustee that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company; and

(v) Securities converted or exchanged into other securities or property (including securities of other issuers, provided that such securities are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and such issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3 (or any successor form) for a primary offering of its securities) of the Company pursuant to or in accordance with this Indenture if the terms of such Securities provide for convertibility or exchange pursuant to Section 301; provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders for quorum purposes, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 313, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the Dollar equivalent, determined pursuant to Section 301 as of the date such Security is originally issued by the Company, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent as of such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) above) of such Security, (iii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Indexed Security pursuant to Section 301, and (iv) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities 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 making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities 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 regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Securities, or coupons on behalf of the Company, or if no such Person is authorized, the Company.

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

“Place of Payment” means, when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, the place or places where the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any)

 

7


and interest on such Securities are payable as specified as contemplated by Sections 301 and 1002.

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

“Redemption Date” means, 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.

“Redemption Price” means, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

“Registered Security” means any Security that is registered in the Security Register.

“Regular Record Date” for the installment of interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of or within any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301, whether or not a Business Day.

“Repayment Date” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid, the date fixed for such repayment by or pursuant to this Indenture.

“Repayment Price” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid or purchased, the price at which it is to be repaid pursuant to this Indenture.

“Representative” means the indenture trustee or other trustee, agent or representative for an issue of Senior Debt.

“Responsible Officer” means any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer, assistant secretary or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Commission.

“Security” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and, more particularly, means any Security or Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities” with respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more particularly mean

 

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Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of or within any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

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

“Senior Debt” means the principal, premium, if any, unpaid interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement and indemnification obligations, and all other amounts payable under or in respect of the following indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed, whether any such indebtedness exists as of the date of the Indenture or is created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed after such date:

(i) any debt (a) for money borrowed by the Company, or (b) evidenced by a bond, note, debenture, or similar instrument (including purchase money obligations) given in connection with the acquisition of any business, property or assets, whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, but shall not include any account payable or other obligation created or assumed in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of materials or services, or (c) which is a direct or indirect obligation which arises as a result of banker’s acceptances or bank letters of credit issued to secure obligations of the Company, or to secure the payment of revenue bonds issued for the benefit of the Company whether contingent or otherwise;

(ii) any debt of others described in the preceding clause (i) which the Company has guaranteed or for which it is otherwise liable;

(iii) the obligation of the Company as lessee under any lease of property which is reflected on the Company’s balance sheet as a capitalized lease; and

(iv) any deferral, amendment, renewal, extension, supplement or refunding of any liability of the kind described in any of the preceding clauses (i), (ii) and (iii);

provided, however, that, in determining the indebtedness of the Company, there shall be excluded any particular indebtedness if, upon or prior to the maturity thereof, there shall have been deposited with a depository in trust money (or evidence of indebtedness if permitted by the instrument creating such indebtedness) in the necessary amount to pay, redeem or satisfy such indebtedness as it becomes due, and the amount so deposited shall not be included in any determination of the indebtedness of the Company provided, further, that in determining the indebtedness of the Company hereunder, there shall be excluded (1) any such indebtedness, obligation or liability referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above as to which, in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such indebtedness, obligation or liability is not superior in right of payment to the Securities, or ranks pari passu with the Securities, (2) any such indebtedness, obligation or liability which is subordinated to indebtedness of the Company to substantially the same extent as or to a greater extent than the Securities are subordinated, (3) any indebtedness to a subsidiary of the Company and (4) the Securities. There is no limit on the amount of Senior Debt that the Company may incur.

 

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“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of or within any series means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

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

“Subsidiary” means a corporation or a partnership or a limited liability company a majority of the outstanding Voting Stock or partnership or membership interests, as the case may be, of which is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more of its other Subsidiaries.

“Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended and as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed, except as provided in Section 905.

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

“United States” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

“United States person” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state or the District of Columbia or an estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source.

“Voting Stock” means stock having voting power for the election of directors, or trustees, as the case may be.

“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent predetermination of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.

 

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SECTION 102.  Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision 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 (including covenants, compliance with which constitute conditions precedent) relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (excluding certificates delivered pursuant to Section 1010) shall include:

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

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

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

(4)  a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 103.  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

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 as to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

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

 

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

SECTION 104.  Acts of Holders.

(a)  Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, whether in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article Fifteen, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 612) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1506.

(b)  The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other reasonable manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c)  The ownership of Registered Securities shall be proved by the Security Register or by a certificate of the Security Registrar.

(d)  The ownership of Bearer Securities may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depository, by any trust company, bank, banker or other depository, wherever situated, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at the date therein mentioned such person had on

 

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deposit with such depository, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security continues until (1) another certificate or affidavit bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (2) such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (3) such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (4) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The ownership of Bearer Securities may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.

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

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

SECTION 105.  Notices, etc.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to or filed with,

 

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(1)  the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Department, Administrator – Banc of California, or

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

SECTION 106.  Notice to Holders; Waiver.

Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities by the Company or the Trustee, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each such Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register (or in the case of global Securities, delivered to DTC electronically), not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail or electronically as prescribed above, neither the failure to mail or send such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed or sent, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein. Any notice mailed or sent to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually receives such notice.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Bearer Securities of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given if published, at the expense of the Company if published by the Trustee, in an Authorized Newspaper in the City of Irvine, California and in such other city or cities as may be specified in such Securities, and if the Securities of such series are listed on any stock exchange outside the United States, in any place at which such Securities are listed on a securities exchange to the extent that such securities exchange so requires, on a Business Day, such publication to be not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date of such publication or, if published more than once, on the date of the first such publication.

If by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder. Neither the failure to give notice by publication to any particular Holder of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Bearer Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Registered Securities given as provided herein.

 

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

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 upon such waiver.

SECTION 107.  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

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

SECTION 108.  Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 109.  Separability Clause.

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

SECTION 110.  Benefits of Indenture.

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities or coupons appertaining thereto, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder (and, with respect to Article Seventeen, the holders of Senior Debt) or the Holders any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

SECTION 111.  No Personal Liability.

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, in any Security or coupon appertaining thereto, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any promoter, as such, or against any past, present or future shareholder, officer or director, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the Holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

SECTION 112.  Governing Law.

 

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This Indenture and the Securities and coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the TIA that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

SECTION 113.  Legal Holidays.

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security or the last date on which a Holder has the right to convert or exchange a Security at a particular conversion or exchange price shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security or coupon other than a provision in the Securities of any series that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu hereof), payment of interest or any Additional Amounts or principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, conversion or exchange need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity or on such last day for conversion or exchange, provided that no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity or on such last day for conversion or exchange, as the case may be.

ARTICLE TWO

SECURITIES FORMS

SECTION 201.  Forms of Securities.

The Registered Securities, if any, of each series and the Bearer Securities, if any, and related coupons of each series, shall be in substantially the forms as shall be established in or pursuant to one or more indentures supplemental hereto or Board Resolutions, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the 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 stock exchange on which the Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer Securities shall have interest coupons attached.

The definitive Securities and coupons shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers of the

 

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Company executing such Securities or coupons, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or coupons.

SECTION 202.  Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

Subject to Section 611, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

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

 

                                 , as Trustee  
  By  
          Authorized Signatory  

SECTION 203.  Securities Issuable in Global Form.

If Securities of or within a series are issuable in global form, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, then, notwithstanding clause (8) of Section 301 and the provisions of Section 302, any such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges, maturities or redemptions. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in such manner and upon written instruction given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order delivered pursuant to Section 303 or 304. Subject to the provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon written instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 303 or 304 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102.

The provisions of the last sentence of Section 303 shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 303.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, payment of principal of and any premium or Make-Whole Amount and interest on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

 

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Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 308 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent global Security (i) in the case of a permanent global Security in registered form, the Holder of such permanent global Security in registered form, or (ii) in the case of a permanent global Security in bearer form, Euroclear or Clearstream.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, so long as a series of Securities is a Global Security, the parties hereto will be bound at all times by the procedures of the applicable depositary with respect to such series.

ARTICLE THREE

THE SECURITIES

SECTION 301.  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 established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, or indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, any or all of the following, as applicable (each of which (except for the matters set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (15) below), if so provided, may be determined from time to time by the Company with respect to unissued Securities of or within the series when issued from time to time):

(1)  the title of the Securities of or within the series (that shall distinguish the Securities of such series from all other series of Securities);

(2)  any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of or within the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of or within the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906 or 1107);

(3)  the date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will be determined, on which the principal of the Securities of or within the series shall be payable and the amount of principal payable thereon;

(4)  the rate or rates (that may be fixed or variable) at which the Securities of or within the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest will be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date, or the method by which such date shall be determined, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months;

 

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(5)  the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the City of Irvine, California, where the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, payable in respect of, Securities of or within the series shall be payable, any Registered Securities of or within the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion and notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of or within the series and this Indenture may be served;

(6)  the period or periods within which, the price or prices (including the premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) at which, the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of or within the series may be redeemed in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have the option;

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

(8)  if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which any Registered Securities of or within the series shall be issuable and, if other than the denomination of $5,000, the denomination or denominations in which any Bearer Securities of or within the series shall be issuable;

(9)  if other than the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar and/or Paying Agent;

(10)  if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of or within the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or, if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of or within the series that is convertible in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

(11)  if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency or Currencies in which payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest or Additional Amounts, if any, on the Securities of or within the series shall be payable or in which the Securities of or within the series shall be denominated;

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

(13)  whether the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest or Additional Amounts, if any, on the Securities of or within the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a currency or currencies, currency unit or units

 

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or composite currency or currencies other than that in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of, and identity of the exchange rate agent with responsibility for, determining the exchange rate between the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Securities are to be so payable;

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

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

(16)  whether Securities of or within the series are to be issuable as Registered Securities, Bearer Securities (with or without coupons) or both, any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of Bearer Securities and the terms upon which Bearer Securities of or within the series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of or within the series and vice versa (if permitted by applicable laws and regulations), whether any Securities of or within the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of or within the series are to be issuable in permanent global form (with or without coupons) and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 305, and, if Registered Securities of or within the series are to be issuable as a global Security, the identity of the depository for such series;

(17)  the date as of which any Bearer Securities of or within the series and any temporary global Security representing Outstanding Securities of or within the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;

(18)  the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, the manner in which, or the Person to whom, any interest on any Bearer Security of the series shall be payable, if otherwise than upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto as they severally mature, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 304;

(19)  the applicability, if any, of Sections 1402 and/or 1403 to the Securities of or within the series and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Article Fourteen;

 

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

(21)  whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay Additional Amounts as contemplated by Section 1011 on the Securities of or within the series to any Holder who is not a United States person (including any modification to the definition of such term) in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option);

(22)  the obligation, if any, of the Company to permit the Securities of such series to be converted into or exchanged for Common Stock of the Company or other securities or property of the Company and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange shall be effected (including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate, the conversion or exchange period, any adjustment of the applicable conversion or exchange price or rate and any requirements relative to the reservation of such shares for purposes of conversion or exchange);

(23)  if convertible or exchangeable, any applicable limitations on the ownership or transferability of the securities or property into which such Securities are convertible or exchangeable; and

(24)  any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture except as permitted by Section 905).

All Securities of any one series and the coupons appertaining to any Bearer Securities of such series, if any, shall be substantially identical except, in the case of Registered or Bearer Securities issued in global form, as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution or in any indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series.

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

SECTION 302.  Denominations.

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301. With respect to Securities of any series denominated in Dollars, in the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Registered Securities of such series, other than Registered Securities issued in global form (which may be of any denomination), shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

 

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SECTION 303.  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

The Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its President or a Vice President. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities and coupons may be manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.

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

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, together with any coupon appertaining thereto, executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided, however, that, in connection with its original issuance, no Bearer Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered by the Company to any location in the United States; and provided further that, unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 a Bearer Security may be delivered in connection with its original issuance only if the Person entitled to receive such Bearer Security shall have furnished a certificate to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture or such other certificate as may be specified with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the earlier of the date on which such Bearer Security is delivered and the date on which any temporary Security first becomes exchangeable for such Bearer Security in accordance with the terms of such temporary Security and this Indenture.

If all of the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time and if the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee for the issuance of such Securities and determining the terms of particular Securities of such series, such as interest rate or formula, maturity date, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 612 and TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d)) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon:

(i)  an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 102 and stating that:

(a)  the form or forms of such Securities and any coupons have been, or will have been upon compliance with such procedures as may be specified therein, established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b)  the terms of such Securities and any coupons have been, or will have been upon compliance with such procedures as may be specified therein, established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

 

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(c)  such Securities, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, when completed pursuant to such procedures as may be specified therein, and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles and to such other matters as may be specified therein; and

(ii)  an Officers’ Certificate complying with Section 102 and stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the issuance of such Securities have been, or will have been upon compliance with such procedures as may be specified therein, complied with and that, to the best of the knowledge of the signers of such certificate, no Event of Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding paragraph, if all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver a Company Order, an Opinion of Counsel or an Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to the preceding paragraph at the time of issuance of each Security of such series, but such order, opinion and certificate, with appropriate modifications to cover such future issuances, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication and each Bearer Security shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated by Section 301.

No Security or coupon appertaining thereto shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security or the Security to which such coupon appertains a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized signatory, 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel, provided that the Trustee received an Opinion of Counsel at the time of authentication of such Security as required hereunder) stating that such Security has never been issued or sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 304.  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 produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form, or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or more coupons or without coupons, and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers of the Company executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. In the case of Securities of any series, such temporary Securities may be in global form.

Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form (which shall be exchanged in accordance with Section 304(b) or as otherwise provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution), if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series (accompanied by any non-matured coupons appertaining thereto), 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; provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and provided further that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 303. 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.

(b) Unless otherwise provided as contemplated in Section 301, this Section 304(b) shall govern the exchange of temporary Securities issued in global form other than through the facilities of DTC. If any such temporary Security is issued in global form, then such temporary global Security shall, unless otherwise provided therein, be delivered to the London, England office of a depository or common depository (the “Common Depository”), for the benefit of Euroclear and Clearstream.

Without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the date specified in, or determined pursuant to the terms of, any such temporary global Security (the “Exchange Date”), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such temporary global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the Exchange Date, such temporary global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depository to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such temporary global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of or within the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such temporary global Security to be

 

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exchanged. The definitive Securities to be delivered in exchange for any such temporary global Security shall be in bearer form, registered form, permanent global bearer form or permanent global registered form, or any combination thereof, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, and, if any combination thereof is so specified, as requested by the beneficial owner thereof; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, upon such presentation by the Common Depository, such temporary global Security is accompanied by a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Euroclear as to the portion of such temporary global Security, if any, held for its account then to be exchanged and a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Euroclear or Clearstream as to the portion of such temporary global Security, if any, held for its account then to be exchanged, each in the form set forth in Exhibit A-2 to this Indenture or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 301; and provided further that definitive Bearer Securities shall be delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary global Security only in compliance with the requirements of Section 303.

Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, the interest of a beneficial owner of Securities of a series in a temporary global Security shall be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor following the Exchange Date when the account holder instructs Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, to request such exchange on his behalf and delivers to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture (or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 301), dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Exchange Date, copies of which certificate shall be available from the offices of Euroclear or Clearstream, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent appointed for such series of Securities and each Paying Agent. Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, any such exchange shall be made free of charge to the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security, except that a Person receiving definitive Securities must bear the cost of insurance, postage, transportation and the like unless such Person takes delivery of such definitive Securities in person at the offices of Euroclear or Clearstream. Definitive Securities in bearer form to be delivered in exchange for any portion of a temporary global Security shall be delivered by the Company only outside the United States.

Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series occurring prior to the applicable Exchange Date shall be payable to Euroclear or Clearstream on such Interest Payment Date upon delivery by Euroclear or Clearstream to the Trustee of a certificate or certificates in the form set forth in Exhibit A-2 to this Indenture (or in such other forms as may be established pursuant to Section 301), for credit without further interest on or after such Interest Payment Date to the respective accounts of Persons who are the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security on such Interest Payment Date and who have each delivered to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Interest Payment Date occurring prior to such Exchange Date in the form set forth as Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture (or in such other forms as may be established pursuant to Section 301). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the certifications made pursuant to this paragraph shall satisfy the certification requirements of the preceding two paragraphs of this

 

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Section 304(b) and of the third paragraph of Section 303 of this Indenture and the interests of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of the temporary global Security with respect to which such certification was made will be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor on the Exchange Date or the date of certification if such date occurs after the Exchange Date, without further act or deed by such beneficial owners. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, no payments of principal or interest owing with respect to a beneficial interest in a temporary global Security will be made unless and until such interest in such temporary global Security shall have been exchanged for an interest in a definitive Security. Any interest so received by Euroclear or Clearstream and not paid as herein provided shall be returned to the Trustee prior to the expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date in order to be repaid to the Company.

SECTION 305.  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or in any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment a register for each series of Securities (the registers maintained in such office or in any such office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes referred to collectively as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it or the Security Registrar may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities. The Security Register shall be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office, is hereby initially appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Registered Securities and transfers of Registered Securities on such Security Register as herein provided. In the event that the Trustee shall cease to be Security Registrar, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register at all reasonable times and to require that a copy of the Security Register in written form be delivered to it from time to time as reasonably requested. Subject to the provisions of this Section 305, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, and containing identical terms and provisions.

Subject to the provisions of this Section 305, at the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination or denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions, upon surrender of the Registered Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any such Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer Securities may not be issued in exchange for Registered Securities.

If (but only if) permitted as contemplated by Section 301, at the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender

 

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of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency, with all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default thereto appertaining. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce any such unmatured coupon or coupons or matured coupon or coupons in default, any such permitted exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing coupon or coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, interest represented by coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons at an office or agency located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such office or agency in a permitted exchange for a Registered Security of the same series and like tenor after the close of business at such office or agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. 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.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any permanent global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this paragraph. If the depository for any permanent global Security is DTC, then, unless the terms of such global Security expressly permit such global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for definitive Securities, a global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to a nominee of DTC, or by a nominee of DTC to DTC, or to a successor to DTC for such global Security selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor to DTC. If at any time DTC notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for the applicable global Security or Securities or if at any time DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act if so required by applicable law or regulation, the Company shall appoint a successor depository with respect to such global Security or Securities. If (x) a successor depository for such global Security or Securities is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such unwillingness, inability or ineligibility, (y) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the beneficial owners representing a majority in principal amount of the applicable series of Securities represented by such global Security or Securities advise DTC to cease acting as depository for such global Security or Securities or (z) the Company, in its sole discretion, determines at any time that all Outstanding Securities (but not less than all) of any series issued or issuable in the form of one or more global Securities shall no longer be represented by such global Security or

 

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Securities (provided, however, the Company may not make such determination during the 40-day restricted period provided by Regulation S under the Securities Act or during any other similar period during which the Securities must be held in global form as may be required by the Securities Act), then the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver definitive Securities of like series, rank, tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such global Security or Securities. If any beneficial owner of an interest in a permanent global Security is otherwise entitled to exchange such an interest for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 301 and provided that any applicable notice provided in the permanent global Security shall have been given, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver definitive Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent global Security. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent global Security shall be surrendered for exchange by DTC or such other depository as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date if the Security for which exchange is requested may be among those selected for redemption; and provided further that no Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a permanent global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such permanent global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

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

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

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or

 

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exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906 or 1107 not involving any transfer.

The Company or the Trustee, as applicable, shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security if such Security may be among those selected for redemption during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before selection of the Securities to be redeemed under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on (A) if such Securities are issuable only as Registered Securities, the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption and (B) if such Securities are issuable as Bearer Securities, the day of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if such Securities are also issuable as Registered Securities and there is no publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Registered Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption except that such a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of that series and like tenor, provided that such Registered Security shall be simultaneously surrendered for redemption, or (iv) to issue or to register the transfer or exchange of any Security that has been surrendered for repayment, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

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

If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company, together with such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each of them or any agent of either of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security.

If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or coupon, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of actual notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or coupon has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains (with all appurtenant coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen), a new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous two paragraphs, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, with coupons corresponding to coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the

 

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Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, pay such Security or coupon; provided, however, that payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any interest on Bearer Securities shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto.

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 relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

Every new Security of any series with its coupons, if any, issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security, or in exchange for a Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security and its coupons, if any, or the destroyed, lost or stolen coupon 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 and their coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

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

SECTION 307.  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, interest on any Registered 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 that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002; provided, however, that each installment of interest on any Registered Security may at the Company’s option be paid by (i) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 308, to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register or (ii) transfer to an account maintained by the payee located inside the United States.

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, payment of interest may be made, in the case of a Bearer Security, by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located outside the United States.

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301, every permanent global Security will provide that interest, if any, payable on any Interest Payment Date will be paid to DTC, Euroclear and/or Clearstream, as the case may be, with respect to that portion of such permanent global Security held for its account by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case

 

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may be, for the purpose of permitting such party to credit the interest received by it in respect of such permanent global Security to the accounts of the beneficial owners thereof.

In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business (at an office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series) on any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business (at such office or agency) on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date and interest will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, any interest on any Registered Security of any series 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 registered Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:

(1)  The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Registered Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment (which shall not be less than 20 days after such notice is received by the Trustee), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) 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 on or 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 (herein called a “Special Record Date”) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid (or to the extent permitted by applicable procedures or regulations, electronically delivered), to each Holder of Registered Securities of such series at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2). In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at the office or

 

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agency in a Place of Payment for such series in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business at such office or agency on any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such proposed date of payment and Defaulted Interest will not be payable on such proposed date of payment in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

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

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

Subject to the provisions of Section 1402 and except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, in the case of any Security that is converted or exchanged after any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (other than any Security, the principal of (or premium, if any, on) which shall become due and payable, whether at a Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise, prior to such Interest Payment Date), interest whose Stated Maturity is on such Interest Payment Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such conversion or exchange, and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or duly provided for) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of any Security which is converted or exchanged, interest whose Stated Maturity is after the date of conversion or exchange of such Security shall not be payable.

SECTION 308.  Persons Deemed Owners.

Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest on, such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Registered 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.

Title to any Bearer Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall pass by delivery. The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Holder of

 

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any Bearer Security and the Holder of any coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security or coupon be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

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

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

SECTION 309.  Cancellation.

All Securities and coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and coupons and Securities and coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose 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 may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder that the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. 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. Cancelled Securities and coupons held by the Trustee shall be destroyed by the Trustee and, if required in writing by the Company, the Trustee shall deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company, unless by a Company Order the Company directs their return to it.

SECTION 310.  Computation of Interest.

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

ARTICLE FOUR

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

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SECTION 401.  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Request (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series herein expressly provided for and any right to receive Additional Amounts, as provided in Section 1011), and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series when

(1)  either

(A)  all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered and all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto (other than (i) coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities surrendered for exchange for Registered Securities and maturing after such exchange, whose surrender is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 305, (ii) Securities and coupons of such series that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, (iii) coupons appertaining to Securities called for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date, whose surrender has been waived as provided in Section 1106, and (iv) Securities and coupons of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(B)  all Securities of such series and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below, any coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

(i)  have become due and payable, or

(ii)  will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(iii)  if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities and such coupons not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities that have become due and payable) or the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

(2)  The Company has paid or caused to be paid all or other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

 

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(3)  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 as to such series have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 606, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under Section 611 and, if money shall have been deposited with and held by the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003, shall survive.

In the event that there are Securities of two or more series outstanding hereunder, the Trustee shall be required to execute an instrument acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture only if requested to do so with respect to Securities of a particular series as to which it is Trustee and if the other conditions thereto are met.

SECTION 402.  Application of Trust Funds.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities, the coupons and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and any interest and Additional Amounts for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Money deposited pursuant to Section 401 not in violation of this Indenture shall not be subject to claims of holders of Senior Debt under Article Seventeen.

ARTICLE FIVE

REMEDIES

SECTION 501.  Events of Default.

Subject to any modifications, additions or deletions relating to any series of Securities as contemplated pursuant to Section 301, “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to any particular series of Securities, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether or not it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(1)  default in the payment of any interest upon or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any Security of or within that series or of any coupon appertaining thereto, when such interest, Additional Amounts or coupon becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

 

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(2)  default in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable at its Maturity; or

(3)  default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of any Security of that series; or

(4)  failure on the part of the Company duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Company in the Securities of such series or in this Indenture with respect to any Security of such series, and continuance of such failure for a period of 90 days after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the Company to remedy the same, shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee, or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series affected thereby specifying such default or breach; or

(5)  the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A)  commences a voluntary case,

(B)  consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(C)  consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(D)  makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

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

(A)  is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case,

(B)  appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(C)  orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days; or

(7)  any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.

As used in this Section 501, the term “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors and the term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or other similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

SECTION 502.  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default under clause (5) or (6) of Section 501 with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in each such case either the

 

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Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each such affected series (voting as a single class) may declare the principal (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) of, and the Make-Whole Amount, if any, on, all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal or specified portion thereof shall become immediately due and payable.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

(1)  the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay in the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the Securities of such series is payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series):

(A)  all overdue installments of interest on and any Additional Amounts payable in respect of all Outstanding Securities of that series and any related coupons;

(B)  the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) any Outstanding Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities;

(C)  to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of interest and any Additional Amounts at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities; and

(D)  all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

(2)  all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the nonpayment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on Securities of that series that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 503.  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

The Company covenants that if:

 

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(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest or Additional Amounts, if any, on any Security of any series and any related coupon when such interest or Additional Amount becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) any Security of any series at its Maturity, then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities of such series and coupons, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities and coupons for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, with interest upon any overdue principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installments of interest or Additional Amounts, if any, at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

SECTION 504.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, of principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses,

 

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disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(ii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities of such series and coupons to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee, their agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee hereunder.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security or coupon any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security or coupon in any such proceeding.

SECTION 505.  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities or coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or coupons or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities and coupons in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

SECTION 506.  Application of Money Collected.

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest and any Additional Amounts, upon presentation of the Securities or coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST:  To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) and any predecessor Trustee hereunder,

SECOND:  To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities and coupons for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest and any Additional Amounts payable, 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 aggregate

 

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amounts due and payable on such Securities and coupons for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), interest and Additional Amounts, respectively, and

THIRD:  To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company.

SECTION 507.  Limitation on Suits.

No Holder of any Security of any series or any related coupon shall have any right to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy under this Indenture, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of default and of the continuance thereof and unless also:

 

    the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

    the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding; and

 

    no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by each person who acquires and holds any Security of any series under this Indenture with every other such person holding a Security under this Indenture, that no one or more Holders of outstanding Securities under this Indenture shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holder of such Security, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner provided in this Indenture and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders of such Security.

SECTION 508.  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, Interest and Additional Amounts.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security or coupon shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, such Security or payment of such coupon on the respective due dates expressed in such Security or coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

 

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SECTION 509.  Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or coupon has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of Securities and coupons shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding has been instituted.

SECTION 510.  Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or coupons is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 511.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or any acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities or coupons, as the case may be.

SECTION 512.  Control by Holders of Securities.

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that

(1)  such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

(2)  the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction, and

(3)  the Trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or be unduly prejudicial to the Holders of Securities of such series not joining therein (but the Trustee shall have no obligation as to the determination of such undue prejudice).

SECTION 513.  Waiver of Past Defaults.

 

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The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series and any related coupons consent to the waiver of any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

(1)  in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts payable in respect of any Security of such series or any related coupons, or

(2)  in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

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

SECTION 514.  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

SECTION 515.  Undertaking for Costs.

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

 

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ARTICLE SIX

THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 601.  Notice of Defaults.

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), notice of such default hereunder actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of such series, or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities and coupons of such series; and provided further that in the case of any default or breach of the character specified in Section 501(4) with respect to the Securities and coupons of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series.

SECTION 602.  Certain Rights of Trustee.

Subject to the provisions of TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d):

(1)  the Trustee shall perform only such duties as are expressly undertaken by it to perform under this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;

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

(3)  any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (other than delivery of any Security, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303 that shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(4)  whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith or negligence on its part, rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;

(5)  the Trustee may consult with counsel and as a condition to the taking, suffering or omission of any action hereunder may demand an Opinion of Counsel, and the advice of such

 

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counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(6)  the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(7)  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, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

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

(9)  the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; provided, however, that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or gross negligence. The Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it;

(10)  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;

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

(12)  the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;

 

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

(14)  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 603.  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, and in any coupons shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or coupons, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

SECTION 604.  May Hold Securities.

The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and coupons and, subject to Section 613 and TIA Sections 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or such other agent.

SECTION 605.  Money Held in Trust.

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, or investment of, any money received by it hereunder.

SECTION 606.  Compensation and Reimbursement.

The Company agrees:

(1)  to pay to the Trustee (acting in its any capacity hereunder) from time to time compensation as agreed with the Company in writing, for all services rendered by it hereunder, including extraordinary services rendered in connection with or during the continuation of a default hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(2)  to reimburse each of the Trustee (acting in its any capacity hereunder) and any predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by it in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except to the extent any such expense, disbursement or advance may be attributable to its gross

 

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negligence or bad faith, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order; and

(3)  to indemnify each of the Trustee (acting in its any capacity hereunder) and any predecessor Trustee and each of their respective directors, officers, agents and employees for, and to hold each of them harmless against, any loss, damages, claims, liability or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income or gain of the Trustee), arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts or the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its own gross negligence or bad faith, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on particular Securities or any coupons.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default described in Section 501(5) and (6), such expenses (including the fees and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

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

The Trustee shall have no liability or responsibility for the action or inaction of DTC, Euroclear, Clearstream or any other depository or clearing system.

SECTION 607.  Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that shall be eligible to act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 or is a subsidiary of a corporation that shall be a Person that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and that unconditionally guarantees the obligations of the Trustee hereunder. If such Trustee or Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Trustee or Person 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 the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

SECTION 608.  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(a)  No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of

 

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appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 609.

(b)  The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(c)  The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.

(d)  If at any time:

(1)  the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 613 or TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

(2)  the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 607 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, 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 or pursuant to a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(e)  If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be

 

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only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to Securities of such series.

(f)  The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in the manner provided for notices to the Holders of Securities in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

SECTION 609.  Acceptance of Appointment By Successor.

(a)  In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 606.

(b)  In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto, pursuant to Article Nine hereof, wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and that (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to

 

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the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. The retiring or removed trustee shall have no liability or responsibility for the action or inaction of any successor Trustee.

(c)  Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

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

(e)  All monies due and owing to the Trustee shall be paid before the Successor Trustee takes over.

SECTION 610.  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities or coupons shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities or coupons so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities or coupons. In case any Securities or coupons shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities or coupons, in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the full force and effect that this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee.

 

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SECTION 611.  Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities that shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption or repayment thereof or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, a copy of which instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company and, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 301, shall at all times be a bank or trust company or corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States of America or of any State or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $25,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authorities. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent for any series of Securities may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee for such series and to the Company. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination 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, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent that shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of or within the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve in the manner set forth in Section 106. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor

 

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hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent herein. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation including reimbursement of its reasonable expenses for its services under this Section.

If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form:

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

 

                     , as Trustee
    By      
                         as Authenticating Agent
    By      
                           Authorized Signatory

 

SECTION 612.  Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

SECTION 613.  Conflicting Interests.

If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the TIA, 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 TIA and this Indenture. To the extent permitted by such Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to Securities of more than one series. In case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of its rights and powers under the applicable Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

SECTION 614.  Appointment of Co-Trustee.

 

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(a)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, if at any time in connection with the issuance of Bearer Securities, if any, hereunder, for the purpose of meeting any legal requirement of any jurisdiction in which any part of the trust estate created hereunder may at the time be located with respect to Bearer Securities, the Trustee shall have the power and may execute and deliver all instruments necessary to appoint one or more Persons to act as a co-trustee or co-trustees, or separate trustee or separate trustees, of all or any part of the trust estate created hereunder with respect to Bearer Securities, and to vest in such Person or Persons, in such capacity and for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, such title to the trust created under this Indenture, or any part hereof, and subject to the other provisions of this Section, such powers, duties, obligations, rights and trusts as the Trustee may consider necessary or desirable as they relate to such Bearer Securities. No co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be required to meet the terms of eligibility as a successor trustee under Section 608 hereof.

(b)  Every such separate trustee and co-trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, be appointed and act subject to the following provisions and conditions:

(i)  all rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or imposed upon the Trustee shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Trustee and such separate trustee or co-trustee jointly (it being understood that such separate trustee or co-trustee is not authorized to act separately without the Trustee joining in such act), except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts are to be performed, the Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act or acts, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations (including the holding of title to the trust estate created hereunder or any portion thereof in any such jurisdiction) shall be exercised and performed singly by such separate trustee or co-trustee, but solely at the direction of the Trustee;

(ii)  no trustee hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of any other trustee hereunder; and

(iii)  the Trustee may at any time accept the resignation of or remove any separate trustee or co-trustee.

(c)  Any notice, request or other writing given to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been given to each of the then separate trustees and co-trustees, as effectively as if given to each of them. Every instrument appointing any separate trustee or co-trustee shall refer to this Indenture and the conditions of this Article Six.

(d)  Each such separate trustee and co-trustee, upon its acceptance of the trusts conferred, shall be vested with the estates or property specified in its instrument of appointment, either jointly with the Trustee or separately, as may be provided therein, subject to all the provisions of this Indenture, specifically including every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct of, affecting the liability of, or affording protection

 

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or rights (including the rights to compensation, reimbursement and indemnification hereunder) to, the Trustee. Every such instrument shall be filed with the Trustee.

ARTICLE SEVEN

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

SECTION 701.  Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders.

Every Holder of Securities or coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar nor any director, officer, agent or employee of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities or coupons in accordance with TIA Section 312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).

SECTION 702.  Reports by Trustee.

Within 60 days after March 15 of each year commencing with the first March 15 after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities as provided in TIA Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such March 15 if and to the extent required by TIA Section 313(a).

SECTION 703.  Reports by Company.

The Company will:

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

(2)  file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

(3)  transmit by mail (or to the extent permitted by applicable procedures or regulations, deliver electronically) to the Holders of Securities, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the

 

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Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraphs (1) or (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates). The Trustee shall have no liability or responsibility for the timing, filing or content of any reports required hereunder other than the reports required under Section 702 hereof.

SECTION 704.  Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(a)  with respect to each series of Securities, quarterly or semi-annually (as applicable), not later than 15 days after the Regular Record Date for interest for such series of Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Registered Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date, or if there is no Regular Record Date for interest for such series of Securities, semi-annually, upon such dates as are set forth in the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto authorizing such series, and

(b)  at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished.

ARTICLE EIGHT

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE OR CONVEYANCE

SECTION 801.  Consolidations and Mergers of Company and Sales, Leases and Conveyances Permitted Subject to Certain Conditions.

The Company may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into any other Person, provided that in any such case, (i) either the Company shall be the continuing entity, or the successor (if other than the Company) entity shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States or a State thereof or the District of Columbia and such successor entity shall expressly assume the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and any interest (including all Additional Amounts, if any, payable pursuant to Section 1011) on all of the Securities, according to their tenor, or as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company by supplemental indenture, complying with Article Nine hereof, satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such Person

 

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and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

SECTION 802.  Rights and Duties of Successor Corporation.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance and upon any such assumption by the successor entity, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the party of the first part, and the predecessor entity, except in the event of a lease, shall be relieved of any further obligation under this Indenture and the Securities. Such successor entity thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder that theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor entity, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities that previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities that such successor entity thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

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

SECTION 803.  Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.

Any consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance permitted under Section 801 is also subject to the condition that the Trustee receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance, and the assumption by any successor entity, complies with the provisions of this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

ARTICLE NINE

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 901.  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or coupons, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

(1)  to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities contained; or

 

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

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

(4)  to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium, Make-Whole Amount or Interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors; or

(5)  to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of any series of Securities, provided that any such addition, change or elimination shall (i) neither (A) apply to any Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision, nor (B) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision; or (ii) become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding; or

(6)  to secure the Securities; or

(7)  to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series and any related coupons as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, including the provisions and procedures relating to Securities convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property of the Company; or

(8)  to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or

(9)  to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture that shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture or to make any other changes, provided that in each case, such

 

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provisions shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors; or

(10)  to close this Indenture with respect to the authentication and delivery of additional series of Securities or to qualify, or maintain qualification of, this Indenture under the TIA; or

(11)  to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 401, 1402 and 1403; provided in each case that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons or any other series of Securities in any material respect.

SECTION 902.  Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

The Company and the Trustee may (i) amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities without notice to any Holder of Securities but with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series then outstanding or (ii) supplement this Indenture with regard to a series of Securities, amend or supplement a Supplemental Indenture relating to a series of Securities, or amend the Securities of a series, without notice to any Holder of Securities but with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then outstanding. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of all series then outstanding may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities without notice to any Holder of Securities. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series then outstanding may waive compliance with any provision of this Indenture, any Supplemental Indenture or the Securities of that series with regard to the Securities of that series without notice to any Holder of Securities. However, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, no amendment, supplement or waiver may:

(1)  change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security; or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate or amount of interest thereon or any Additional Amounts payable in respect thereof, or any premium or Make-Whole Amount payable upon the redemption thereof, or change any obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1011 (except as contemplated by Section 801(i) and permitted by Section 901(1)), or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or Make-Whole Amount, if any, that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or change any Place of Payment where, or the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which, the principal of any Security or any premium or Make-Whole Amount or any Additional Amounts payable in respect thereof or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be); or

 

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(2)  reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver with respect to such series (or compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture or, or reduce the requirements of Section 1504 for quorum or voting; or

(3)  modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section 1012, except to increase the required percentage to effect such action 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; or

(4)  make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any Security pursuant to Section 301 or decrease the conversion or exchange rate or increase the conversion or exchange price of any such Security.

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

A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture that has expressly been included for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or that 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.

SECTION 903.  Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

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 be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that all conditions precedent to the execution of such supplemental indenture have been complied with. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

SECTION 904.  Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder and of any coupon appertaining thereto shall be bound thereby.

SECTION 905.  Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the TIA as then in effect.

 

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SECTION 906.  Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

SECTION 907.  Notice of Supplemental Indentures.

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of Section 902, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Holders of each Outstanding Security affected, in the manner provided for in Section 106, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture.

SECTION 908.  Subordination Unimpaired.

No provision in any supplemental indenture that affects the superior position of the holders of Senior Debt shall be effective against holders of Senior Debt.

ARTICLE TEN

COVENANTS

SECTION 1001.  Payment of Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, Interest and Additional Amounts.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts payable in respect of the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such series of Securities, any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, any interest due on and any Additional Amounts payable in respect of Bearer Securities on or before Maturity, other than Additional Amounts, if any, payable as provided in Section 1011 in respect of principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) such a Security, shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the several coupons for such interest installments as are evidenced thereby as they severally mature. Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, at the option of the Company, all payments of principal may be paid by check to the registered Holder of the Registered Security or other person entitled thereto against surrender of such Security.

SECTION 1002.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.

If Securities of a series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment or conversion, where

 

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Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company will maintain: (A) in the City of Irvine, California, an office or agency where any Registered Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment or conversion, where any Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for exchange, where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served and where Bearer Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented or surrendered for payment or conversion in the circumstances described in the following paragraph (and not otherwise); (B) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series that is located outside the United States, an office or agency where Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment (including payment of any Additional Amounts payable on Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1011) or conversion; provided, however, that if the Securities of that series are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, The International Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent for the Securities of that series in Luxembourg, London, England or any other required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Securities of that series are listed on such exchange; and (C) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in each Place of Payment for that series located outside the United States an office or agency where any Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of each 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, except that Bearer Securities of that series and the related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment (including payment of any Additional Amounts payable on Bearer Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1011) at the offices specified in the Security, in London, England, and the Company hereby appoints the same as its agent to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, no payment of principal, premium, Make-Whole Amount or interest on or Additional Amounts in respect of Bearer Securities shall be made by the Company at any office or agency of the Company in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States; provided, however, that, if the Securities of a series are payable in Dollars, payment of principal of and any premium and interest on any Bearer Security (including any Additional Amounts or Make-Whole Amount payable on Securities of such series pursuant to Section 1011) shall be made at the office of the Company’s Paying Agent in the City of Irvine, California, if (but only if) payment in Dollars of the full amount of such principal, premium, interest, Additional Amounts or Make-Whole Amount, as the case may be, at all offices or agencies outside the United States maintained for the purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture, is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

 

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The Company may from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series and related coupons, if any, may be presented or surrendered for any or all of such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (ii) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of the Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one exchange rate agent.

SECTION 1003.  Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of any Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), or interest on or Additional Amounts in respect of, any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest or Additional Amounts so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), or interest on or Additional Amounts in respect of, any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum (in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies described in the preceding paragraph) sufficient to pay the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest or Additional Amounts, so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium, Make-Whole Amount or interest or Additional Amounts and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

The Company will cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:

(1)  hold all sums held by it for the payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on Securities or Additional Amounts in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

 

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(2)  give the Trustee written notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities) in the making of any such payment of principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest or Additional Amounts; and

(3)  at any time during the continuance of any such default upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

Except as otherwise provided in the Securities of any series, 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 or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on, or any Additional Amounts in respect of, any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), interest or Additional Amounts has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request 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 principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on, or any Additional Amounts in respect of, any Security, 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 an Authorized Newspaper, 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 1004.  [Reserved].

SECTION 1005.  Existence.

Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect the existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as a whole and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders of Securities of any series.

SECTION 1006.  Maintenance of Properties.

The Company will cause all of its material properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair

 

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and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that for the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company or any Subsidiary from selling or otherwise disposing of its properties in the ordinary course of its business.

SECTION 1007.  Insurance.

The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep all its insurable properties insured against loss or damage with commercially reasonable amounts and types of insurance provided by insurers of recognized responsibility.

SECTION 1008.  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.

The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, and (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies that, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

SECTION 1009.  Provision of Financial Information.

(a)  The Company covenants and agrees to comply with its obligations pursuant to Section 703 of the Indenture.

(b)  [Reserved].

(c)  The Company’s obligations under this Section 1009 and Section 703(1) and (2) shall be deemed satisfied, and no further filing with or delivery to the Trustee of copies of such information, documents or reports shall be required pursuant to such Sections, to the extent the Company has filed such information, documents or reports with the Commission via the Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval (EDGAR) or any successor system.

SECTION 1010.  Statement as to Compliance.

The Company will deliver to the Trustee 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 Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture and, in the event of any noncompliance, specifying such noncompliance and the nature and status thereof. For purposes of this Section 1010, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 1011.  Additional Amounts.

If any Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series or any coupon appertaining thereto Additional Amounts as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context except in the case of Section 502(1), the payment of the principal of or any premium, Make-Whole Amount or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or payment of any related coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal and any premium is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal and any premium or Make-Whole Amount or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company will furnish the Trustee and the Company’s principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series or any related coupons who are not United States persons without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of or within the series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities of that series or related coupons and the Company will pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts, if any, required by the terms of such Securities. In the event that the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall not so receive the above mentioned certificate, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall be entitled (i) to assume that no such withholding or deduction is required with respect to any payment of principal or interest with respect to any Securities of a series or related coupons until it shall have received a certificate advising otherwise and (ii) to make all payments of principal and interest with respect to the Securities of a series or related coupons without withholding or deductions until otherwise advised. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense (including but not limited to legal fees and expenses) reasonably incurred without gross negligence or bad faith (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order) on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section or in reliance on the Company’s not furnishing such an Officers’ Certificate.

 

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SECTION 1012.  Waiver of Certain Covenants.

The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 1005 to 1009, inclusive, and with any other term, provision or condition with respect to the Securities of any series specified in accordance with Section 301 (except any such term, provision or condition that could not be amended without the consent of all Holders of Securities of such series pursuant to Section 902), if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1101.  Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

SECTION 1102.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all of the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the giving of the notice of redemption in Section 1104 (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee, in writing, of such Redemption Date, of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and of the Redemption Price of such Securities and any accrued interest and Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto, if any, on the Redemption Date. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel evidencing compliance with such restriction.

SECTION 1103.  Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.

If less than all the Securities of any series issued with the same terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series issued on such date with the same terms not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate, subject to the rules and procedures of DTC, and that may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal

 

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amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.

If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part before termination of the conversion or exchange right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted or exchanged portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities that have been converted or exchanged during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection. In any case where more than one Security is registered in the same name, the Trustee in its discretion may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Security.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

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.

SECTION 1104.  Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, but failure to give such notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other such Security or portion thereof.

Any notice that is mailed or otherwise given to the Holders of Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(1)  the Redemption Date;

(2)  the Redemption Price, accrued interest to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any;

(3)  if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed;

(4)  in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the holder will receive, without a charge, a new Security

 

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or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed;

(5)  that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price and accrued interest to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106, if any, will become due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date;

(6)  the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities, together in the case of Bearer Securities with all coupons appertaining thereto, if any, maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, or for conversion or exchange;

(7)  that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case;

(8)  that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, Bearer Securities of any series, if any, surrendered for redemption must be accompanied by all coupons maturing subsequent to the date fixed for redemption or the amount of any such missing coupon or coupons will be deducted from the Redemption Price, unless security or indemnity satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee for such series and any Paying Agent is furnished;

(9)  if Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed and any Registered Securities of such series are not to be redeemed, and if such Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities not subject to the redemption on this Redemption Date pursuant to Section 305 or otherwise, the last date, as determined by the Company, on which such exchanges may be made;

(10)  the CUSIP number of such Security, if any, provided that neither the Company nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any such CUSIP number;

(11)  if applicable, that a Holder of Securities who desires to convert or exchange Securities to be redeemed must satisfy the requirements for conversion or exchange contained in such Securities, the then existing conversion or exchange price or rate and the date and time when the option to convert or exchange shall expire and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange; and

(12)  such other information as the Trustee reasonably deems appropriate.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

SECTION 1105.  Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, which it may not do in the case of a sinking fund payment under Article Twelve, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as

 

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otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date.

SECTION 1106.  Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) (together with accrued interest and Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto, if any, on the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest and Additional Amounts, if any) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest and Additional Amounts payable with respect thereto, if any, on the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of coupons for such interest; and provided further that except as otherwise provided with respect to Securities convertible or exchangeable into other securities or property (including securities of other issuers, provided that such securities are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and such issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3 (or any successor form) for a primary offering of its securities) of the Company, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, however, that interest represented by coupons shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal, (and premium or Make-

 

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Whole Amount, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Security.

SECTION 1107.  Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Security that is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Article Twelve) shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge a new Security or Securities of the same series, 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.

ARTICLE TWELVE

SINKING FUNDS

SECTION 1201.  Applicability of Article.

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of any Securities of any series, the cash amount of any mandatory sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

SECTION 1202.  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of a series, (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any previously called for redemption) together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with all unmatured coupons appertaining thereto and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series that have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, as provided for by the terms of such Securities, or which have otherwise been acquired by the Company; provided that such Securities so delivered or applied as a credit have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the applicable

 

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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.

SECTION 1203.  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for Securities of any series, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202, and the amount of optional sinking fund payments, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered and credited. If such Officers’ Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 1106 and 1107.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

[RESERVED]

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

SECTION 1401.  Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

If, pursuant to Section 301, provision is made for either or both of (a) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1402 or (b) covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1403 to be applicable to the Securities of any series, then the provisions of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of this Article (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution at any time, with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, elect to defease such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto pursuant to Section 1402 (if applicable) or Section 1403 (if applicable) upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article.

SECTION 1402.  Defeasance and Discharge.

 

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Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 1405 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (A) and (B) below, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture insofar as such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following that shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1404 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 305, 306, 1002 and 1003 and with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 1011, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder including but not limited to Section 606 hereof and (D) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article Fourteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 1403 with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

SECTION 1403.  Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be released from its obligations under Sections 1005 to 1009, inclusive, and, if specified pursuant to Section 301, its obligations under any other covenant, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with Sections 1005 to 1009, inclusive, or such other covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default under Section 501(4) or 501(7) or otherwise, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be unaffected thereby.

 

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SECTION 1404.  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 1402 or Section 1403 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series and any coupons appertaining thereto:

(a)  The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, (1) an amount in such currency, currencies or currency unit in which such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity, or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities and coupons appertaining thereto (determined on the basis of the currency, currencies or currency unit in which such Securities and coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) that through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof in an amount, sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and that shall be applied by the Trustee to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto; provided, that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such Government Obligations to said payments with respect to such Securities. Before such a deposit, the Company may give to the Trustee, in accordance with Section 1102 hereof, a notice of its election to redeem all or any portion of such Outstanding Securities at a future date in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series and Article Eleven hereof, which notice shall be irrevocable. Such irrevocable redemption notice, if given, shall be given effect in applying the foregoing.

(b)  Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound (and shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest pursuant to Section 310(b) of the TIA with respect to any Security of the Company).

(c)  No Event of Default or event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as Sections 501(5) and 501(6) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the

 

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91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

(d)  In the case of an election under Section 1402, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

(e)  In the case of an election under Section 1403, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

(f)  The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance under Section 1402 or the covenant defeasance under Section 1403 (as the case may be) have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that either (i) as a result of a deposit pursuant to subsection (a) above and the related exercise of the Company’s option under Section 1402 or Section 1403 (as the case may be) registration is not required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by the Company, with respect to the trust funds representing such deposit or by the Trustee for such trust funds or (ii) all necessary registrations under said Act have been effected.

(g)  After the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.

(h)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations that may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.

SECTION 1405.  Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 1405, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 1404 in respect

 

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of any Outstanding Securities of any series and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Security pursuant to Section 301, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 1404(a) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 301 or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a currency or currency unit other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 1404(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs in respect of the currency or currency unit in which the deposit pursuant to Section 1404(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and interest, if any, on such Security as the same becomes due and Additional Amounts, if any, out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the currency or currency unit in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on the applicable market exchange rate for such currency or currency unit in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, except, with respect to a Conversion Event, for such currency or currency unit in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1404 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge that by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 1404 that, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.

ARTICLE FIFTEEN

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1501.  Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

 

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A meeting of Holders of Securities of any series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

SECTION 1502.  Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, to be held at such time and at such place in the City of Irvine, California as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

(b) In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the City of Irvine, California for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

SECTION 1503.  Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

SECTION 1504.  Quorum; Action.

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of

 

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Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 1502(a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five (5) days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum. Except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series represented at such meeting; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the related coupons, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1504, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or more additional series:

(i) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and

(ii) the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under this Indenture.

SECTION 1505.  Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

(a)  Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes,

 

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the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 or by having the signature of the Person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 104 to certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 104 or other proof.

(b)  The Trustee or Holders shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 1502(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of or within the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

(c)  At any meeting each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

(d)  Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 1502 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

SECTION 1506.  Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the fact, setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1502 and, if applicable,

 

77


Section 1504. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

SECTION 1507.  Evidence of Action Taken by Holders.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by a specified percentage in principal amount of the Holders of any or all series may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such specified percentage of Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee. Proof of execution of any instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Article Six) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Article.

SECTION 1508.  Proof of Execution of Instruments.

Subject to Article Six, the execution of any instrument by a Holder or his agent or proxy may be proved in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee.

ARTICLE SIXTEEN

[RESERVED]

ARTICLE SEVENTEEN

SUBORDINATION

SECTION 1701.  Agreement to Subordinate.

Except as otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture or pursuant to Section 301, the Company agrees, and each Holder by accepting a Security agrees, that the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article, to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt and that the subordination is for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt.

SECTION 1702.  Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.

Upon any distribution to creditors of the Company in a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property:

(1)  holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest (including interest accruing after the commencement of any such

 

78


proceeding) to the date of payment on the Senior Debt before Holders shall be entitled to receive any payment of principal of or interest on the Securities;

(2)  until the Senior Debt is paid in full in cash, any distribution to which Holders would be entitled but for this Article shall be made to holders of Senior Debt as their interests may appear, except that Holders may receive securities that are subordinated to Senior Debt to at least the same extent as the Securities; and

(3)  the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely upon an order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction or a certificate of a bankruptcy trustee or other similar official for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Debt and other Company debt, the amount thereof or payable thereon and all other pertinent facts relating to the Trustee’s obligations under this Article Seventeen.

SECTION 1703.  Default on Senior Debt.

The Company may not pay principal of or interest on the Securities and may not acquire any Securities for cash or property other than capital stock of the Company if:

(1)  a default on Senior Debt occurs and is continuing that permits holders of such Senior Debt to accelerate its maturity, and

(2)  the default is the subject of judicial proceedings or the Company receives a notice of the default from a person who may give it pursuant to Section 1711. If the Company receives any such notice, a similar notice received within nine months thereafter relating to the same default on the same issue of Senior Debt shall not be effective for purposes of this Section.

The Company may resume payments on the Securities and may acquire them when:

(a)  the default is cured or waived, or

(b)  120 days pass after the notice is given if the default is not the subject of judicial proceedings if this Article otherwise permits the payment or acquisition at that time.

SECTION 1704.  Acceleration of Securities.

If payment of the Securities is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company shall promptly notify holders of Senior Debt of the acceleration. The Company may pay the Securities when 120 days pass after the acceleration occurs if this Article permits the payment at that time.

SECTION 1705.  When Distribution Must Be Paid Over.

If a distribution is made to Holders that because of this Article should not have been made to them, the Holders who receive the distribution shall hold it in trust for holders of Senior Debt and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.

SECTION 1706.  Notice by Company.

 

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The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee, in writing, and any Paying Agent of any facts known to the Company that would cause a payment of principal of or interest on Securities to violate this Article.

SECTION 1707.  Subrogation.

After all Senior Debt is paid in full and until the Securities are paid in full, Holders shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of Senior Debt to receive distributions applicable to Senior Debt to the extent that distributions otherwise payable to the Holders have been applied to the payment of Senior Debt. A distribution made under this Article to holders of Senior Debt which otherwise would have been made to Holders is not, as between the Company and Holders, a payment by the Company on Senior Debt.

SECTION 1708.  Relative Rights.

This Article defines the relative rights of Holders and holders of Senior Debt. Nothing in this Indenture shall:

(1)  impair, as between the Company and Holders, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal of and interest on the Securities in accordance with their terms;

(2)  affect the relative rights of Holders and creditors of the Company other than holders of Senior Debt; or

(3)  prevent the Trustee or any Holder from exercising its available remedies upon an Event of Default, subject to the rights of holders of Senior Debt to receive distributions otherwise payable to Holders.

If the Company fails because of this Article to pay principal of or interest on a Security on the due date, the failure is still a default.

SECTION 1709.  Subordination May Not Be Impaired By Company.

No right of any holder of Senior Debt to enforce the subordination of the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities shall be impaired by any act or failure to act by the Company or by its failure to comply with this Indenture.

SECTION 1710.  Distribution or Notice to Representative.

Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Debt, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their Representative.

SECTION 1711.  Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent.

The Trustee or any Paying Agent may continue to make payments on the Securities until a Responsible Officer receives written notice of facts that would cause a payment of principal of

 

80


or interest on the Securities to violate this Article. Only the Company, a Representative or a holder of an issue of Senior Debt that has no Representative may give the written notice.

The Trustee has no duty to the holders of Senior Debt other than as created under this Indenture. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may hold Senior Debt with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

The Company’s obligation to pay, and the Company’s payment of, the amounts required by Section 606 are excluded from the operation of this Article Seventeen.

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 Indenture.

SECTION 1712.  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 1713.  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.

 

81


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

 

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Steven A. Sugarman

 
Name:   Steven A. Sugarman
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

By:  

/s/ K. Wendy Kumar

 
Name:   K. Wendy Kumar  
Title:   Vice President  

 

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF CERTIFICATION

EXHIBIT A-1

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY PERSON ENTITLED

TO RECEIVE BEARER SECURITY OR TO OBTAIN INTEREST

PAYABLE PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

CERTIFICATE

[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities to be delivered]

This is to certify that, as of the date hereof, and except as set forth below, the above-captioned Securities held by you for our account (i) are owned by person(s) that are not citizens or residents of the United States, domestic partnerships, domestic corporations or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source (“United States person(s)”), (ii) are owned by United States person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such United States financial institution hereby agrees, on its own behalf or through its agent, that you may advise                          or its agent that such financial institution will provide a certificate within a reasonable time stating that it agrees to comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder), or (iii) are owned by a financial institution for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.1635(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), and, such financial institution described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)), certifies that it has not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia); and its “possessions” include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

We undertake to advise you promptly by tested telex on or prior to the date on which you intend to submit your certification relating to the above-captioned Securities held by you for our account in accordance with your Operating Procedures if any applicable statement herein is not correct on such date, and in the absence of any such notification it may be assumed that this certification applies as of such date. This certificate excepts and does not relate to [U.S.$] of such interest in the above-captioned Securities in respect of which we are not able to certify and as to which we understand an exchange for an interest in a permanent global Security or an exchange for and delivery of definitive Securities (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) cannot be made until we do so certify.

 

1


We understand that this certificate may be required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

Dated:                     ,                      [To be dated no earlier than the 15th day prior to the earlier of (i) the Exchange Date or (ii) the relevant Interest Payment Date occurring prior to the Exchange Date, as applicable]

 

    [Name of Person Making Certification]  
    (Authorized Signatory)  
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

2


EXHIBIT A-2

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY EUROCLEAR

AND CLEARSTREAM S.A. IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OF

A PORTION OF A TEMPORARY GLOBAL SECURITY OR TO

OBTAIN INTEREST PAYABLE PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

CERTIFICATE

[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities to be delivered]

This is to certify that, based solely on written certifications that we have received in writing, by tested telex or by electronic transmission from each of the persons appearing in our records as persons entitled to a portion of the principal amount set forth below (our “Member Organizations”) substantially in the form attached hereto, as of the date hereof, (U.S.$) principal amount of the above-captioned Securities (i) is owned by person(s) that are not citizens or residents of the United States, domestic partnerships, domestic corporations or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source (“United States person(s)”), (ii) is owned by United States person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such financial institution has agreed, on its own behalf or through its agent, that we may advise                      or its agent that such financial institution will provide a certificate within a reasonable time stating that it agrees to comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B), or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder), or (iii) is owned by a financial institution for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), and that such financial institutions described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)) have certified that they have not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia); and its “possessions” include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

We further certify that (i) we are not making available herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) any portion of the temporary global Security representing the above-captioned Securities excepted in the above-referenced certificates of Member Organizations and (ii) as of the date hereof we have not received any notification from any of our Member Organizations to the effect that the statements made by such Member Organizations with respect to any portion of the part submitted herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) are no longer true and cannot be relied upon as of the date hereof.

 

1


We understand that this certification is required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

Dated:                     ,

[To be dated no earlier than the earlier of the Exchange Date or the relevant Interest Payment Date occurring prior to the Exchange Date, as applicable]

 

By:      

 

  

 

2

Exhibit 4.3

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.,

as Issuer

and

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

First Supplemental Indenture

Dated as of May 21, 2014

Supplement to Indenture of Banc of California, Inc.

dated as of May 21, 2014


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS

     2   

Section 1.01 Definition of Terms

     2   

Section 1.02 Establishment of New Series

     4   

ARTICLE 2 GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES

     4   

Section 2.01 Designation, Principal Amount and Original Issuance

     4   

Section 2.02 Form, Payment and Appointment

     4   

Section 2.03 Installment Payments

     5   

Section 2.04 Discharge and Defeasance

     7   

Section 2.05 No Sinking Fund

     7   

ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION

     7   

Section 3.01 Redemption

     7   

ARTICLE 4 FORM OF NOTE

     7   

Section 4.01 Form of Note

     7   

ARTICLE 5 DEFAULTS

     7   

Section 5.01 Events of Default

     7   

ARTICLE 6 TAX TREATMENT

     8   

Section 6.01 Tax Treatment

     8   

ARTICLE 7 SUBORDINATION

     8   

Section 7.01 Subordination

     8   

ARTICLE 8 MISCELLANEOUS

     8   

Section 8.01 Ratification of Indenture

     8   

Section 8.02 Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals

     8   

Section 8.03 New York Law to Govern; Waiver of Jury Trial

     8   

Section 8.04 Separability

     8   

Section 8.05 Counterparts

     8   

Section 8.06 Amendments, Supplements and Waivers

     8   

ARTICLE 9 REPURCHASE OF NOTES AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER

     9   

Section 9.01 Offer to Repurchase

     9   

Section 9.02 Early Mandatory Settlement Notice

     9   

Section 9.03 Procedures for Exercise

     9   

Section 9.04 Withdrawal of Repurchase Notice

     9   

Section 9.05 Effect of Repurchase

     9   

Exhibit A — Form of Note

  

 

i


FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of May 21, 2014 (this “ First Supplemental Indenture ”), between BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ,” which term includes any successor as permitted in accordance with the terms of the Indenture hereafter referred to), and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee (the “ Trustee ”) under the Indenture, dated as of May 21, 2014, between the Company and the Trustee (the “ Base Indenture ,” and the Base Indenture, as supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, the “ Indenture ”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of the Base Indenture, to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured junior subordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series (the “ Securities ”), as provided in the Base Indenture, up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms thereof;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Base Indenture, the Company desires to provide for the establishment of a new series of its Securities to be known as its “7.50% Junior Subordinated Amortizing Notes due May 15, 2017,” the form of such Securities and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in this First Supplemental Indenture;

WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver this First Supplemental Indenture;

WHEREAS, all requirements necessary to make this First Supplemental Indenture a valid, binding and enforceable instrument in accordance with its terms, and to make the Notes, when executed, authenticated and delivered by the Company, the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Company, have been done and performed; and

WHEREAS, the execution and delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized in all respects by a Board Resolution of the Company.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase and acceptance of the Notes by the Holders thereof, and for the purpose of setting forth, as provided in the Base Indenture, the form and terms of the Notes, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01   Definition of Terms . Unless the context otherwise requires (including for purposes of the Recitals):

(a)  a term defined in the Base Indenture has the same meaning when used in this First Supplemental Indenture unless otherwise specified herein;

(b)  a term defined anywhere in this First Supplemental Indenture has the same meaning throughout;

(c)  the definition of any term in this First Supplemental Indenture that is also defined in the Base Indenture shall for the purposes of this First Supplemental Indenture supersede the definition of such term in the Base Indenture;

(d)  the definition of a term in this First Supplemental Indenture is not intended to have any effect on the meaning or definition of an identical term that is defined in the Base Indenture insofar as the use or effect of such term in the Base Indenture, as previously defined, is concerned;

(e)  the singular includes the plural and vice versa;

 

2


(f)  headings are for convenience of reference only and do not affect interpretation; and

(g)  the following terms have the meanings given to them in this Section 1.01(g):

Applicable Procedures ” means, with respect to any matter at any time, the policies and procedures of a Depositary, if any, that are applicable to such matter at such time.

Base Indenture ” shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Certificated Notes ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.03(a).

Company ” shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Early Mandatory Settlement Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Purchase Contract Agreement.

Early Mandatory Settlement Notice ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Purchase Contract Agreement.

Early Mandatory Settlement Notice Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Purchase Contract Agreement.

Early Mandatory Settlement Right ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Purchase Contract Agreement.

Early Settlement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Purchase Contract Agreement.

Extension Period ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(c)(i).

Fundamental Change ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Purchase Contract Agreement.

Global Note ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.02.

Holder ” means a holder of Notes, unless otherwise indicated.

Indenture ” shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Installment Payment Date ” means each May 15, August 15, November 15 and February 15, commencing on August 15, 2014.

Installment Payment Period ” means the period from, and including, the Issue Date to, but excluding, the first Installment Payment Date and each subsequent full quarterly period from, and including, an Installment Payment Date to, but excluding, the immediately succeeding Installment Payment Date.

Issue Date ” means May 21, 2014.

Note ” and “ Notes ” shall have the respective meanings set forth in Section 2.01.

Paying Agent ” shall initially mean the Trustee.

Prospectus Supplement ” means the Prospectus Supplement dated May 15, 2014, related to the Units.

Purchase Contract Agreement ” means the Purchase Contract Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2014, among the Company, U.S. Bank National Association, as purchase contract agent, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture.

Purchase Contracts ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Purchase Contract Agreement.

 

3


Registrar ” shall initially mean the Trustee.

Regular Record Date ” shall mean the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the related Installment Payment Date or, if the Notes do not remain in book-entry form, a date selected by the Company, which shall be more than 14 days but less than 60 days prior to the relevant Installment Payment Date.

Repurchase Date ” means a date specified by the Company in the Early Mandatory Settlement Notice sent to holders, which date shall be at least 5 but no more than 30 Business Days following the Early Mandatory Settlement Notice Date.

Repurchase Notice ” means a notice in the form entitled “Form of Repurchase Notice” on the reverse side of the Notes.

Repurchase Price ” means with respect to a Note to be repurchased pursuant to Article 9, an amount equal to the principal amount of such Note as of the Repurchase Date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such principal amount from, and including, the immediately preceding Installment Payment Date (or, if none, from, and including, the Issue Date) to, but not including, such Repurchase Date, calculated at an annual rate of 7.50%; provided that, if the Repurchase Date falls after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the immediately succeeding Installment Payment Date, the Installment Payment payable on such Installment Payment Date will be paid on such Installment Payment Date to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and shall not be included in the Repurchase Price per Note.

“Repurchase Right” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 9.01. “ Securities ” shall have the meaning set forth in the first recital of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Trustee ” shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Unit ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Purchase Contract Agreement.

Section 1.02   Establishment of New Series . Pursuant to Section 301 of the Base Indenture, there is hereby established the Notes having the terms set forth in the Base Indenture as supplemented, amended or replaced by the terms of this First Supplemental Indenture and as set forth in the form of Note attached to this First Supplemental Indenture as Exhibit A, which is incorporated herein as a part of this First Supplemental Indenture.

ARTICLE 2

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES

Section 2.01   Designation, Principal Amount and Original Issuance . There is hereby authorized a series of Securities designated as the 7.50% Junior Subordinated Amortizing Notes due 2017 (the “ Notes ,” and “ Note ” means each note of such series having an initial principal amount of $10.604556) limited in aggregate initial principal amount to $14,634,287, except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906 or 1107 of the Base Indenture. The Notes, upon execution of this First Supplemental Indenture, shall be executed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Notes in accordance with an Officers’ Certificate.

Section 2.02   Form, Payment and Appointment . The Notes will initially be issued in the form of one or more Registered Securities in fully registered, permanent global form (each, a “ Global Note ”), and deposited with the Trustee as custodian for the Depositary, which shall be DTC or such other depositary as any Officer of the Company may from time to time designate, and the Global Note shall be registered in the name of the Depositary. Unless and until such Global Note is exchanged for Notes in registered form, Global Notes may be transferred, in whole or in part, only to the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, or to a successor Depositary selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

 

4


Installments on the Notes will be payable, the transfer of such Notes will be registrable and such Notes will be exchangeable for Notes of a like aggregate principal amount bearing identical terms and provisions at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in New York, New York, which shall initially be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

The Registrar and Paying Agent for the Notes shall initially be the Trustee.

The Notes shall be issuable in denominations of one Note and integral multiples in excess thereof.

Section 2.03   Installment Payments .

(a)   Installment Payment Dates . On each Installment Payment Date, other than the Installment Payment Date occurring on August 15, 2014, the Company shall pay, in cash, equal quarterly installment payments of $1.00 on each Note, subject to the Company’s right to extend the Installment Payment Period at any time and from time to time under the circumstances, and subject to the conditions, set forth in Section 2.03(c). On the Installment Payment Date occurring on August 15, 2014, the Company shall pay, in cash, a quarterly installment payment of $0.933333 on each Note, subject to the Company’s right to extend such Installment Payment Period at any time and from time to time under the circumstances, and subject to the conditions, set forth in Section 2.03(c).

(b)   Installment Payment Amount . Each installment payment shall constitute a payment of interest (at a rate of 7.50% per annum) and a partial repayment of principal on the Note, allocated as set forth in the schedule below.

 

Scheduled Installment Payment Date   Amount of Principal         Amount of Interest  

August 15, 2014

  $0.747754     $0.185579

November 15, 2014

  $0.815185     $0.184815

February 15, 2015

  $0.830470     $0.169530

May 15, 2015

  $0.846041     $0.153959

August 15, 2015

  $0.861904     $0.138096

November 15, 2015

  $0.878065     $0.121935

February 15, 2016

  $0.894529     $0.105471

May 15, 2016

  $0.911301     $0.088699

August 15, 2016

  $0.928388     $0.071612

November 15, 2016

  $0.945795     $0.054205

February 15, 2017

  $0.963529     $0.036471

May 15, 2017

  $0.981595     $0.018405

Each installment payment in respect of the Notes shall be treated, for purposes of the Base Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture, as a partial payment of principal and a payment of interest, in each case, in an amount equal to the relevant amount set forth under the heading “Amount of Principal” and the heading “Amount of Interest” in the table above.

Each installment payment for any Installment Payment Period shall be computed by the Company on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If an installment payment is payable for any period shorter than a full Installment Payment Period, such installment payment shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 30-day month. Furthermore, if any date on which an installment payment is payable is not a Business Day, then the installment payment on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay. However, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, then such installment payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date.

(c)   Option To Extend Installment Payment Period .

(i)  The Company may defer installment payments, at any time and from time to time, by extending the Installment Payment Period, so long as such period of time does not extend beyond May 15, 2019 (the “ Extension Period ”). The Company may end an Extension Period on any Installment Payment

 

5


Date occurring on or before May 15, 2017 or, in the case of an Extension Period that extends beyond May 15, 2017, on any Business Day thereafter that is on or before May 15, 2019.

(ii)  At the end of any Extension Period, the Company shall pay all installment payments for which the related Installment Payment Date occurred during such Extension Period, together with interest on the full amount of such installment payments compounded quarterly at the rate of 7.50% per annum, to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Company shall give holders of Units and Holders of Notes at least 10 Business Days’ notice prior to the end of an Extension Period.

(iii)  Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Company may further defer installment payments by extending such Extension Period. Such Extension Period, including all such previous and further extensions, may not extend beyond May 15, 2019. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Company may commence a new Extension Period, if consistent with the terms set forth in this Section 2.03(c). No installment payment (or interest thereon) shall be due and payable during an Extension Period.

(iv)  The Company shall give the holders of Units, Holders of Notes and the Trustee notice of its election of an Extension Period (or any extension thereof) at least 10 Business Days prior to the earlier of (x) the next succeeding Installment Payment Date; or (y) the date upon which the Company is required to give notice to Holders of Notes of the Regular Record Date or Installment Payment Date.

(d)   Restrictions Applicable During an Extension Period and Certain Other Circumstances .

(i)  If (x) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default or (y) the Company shall have given notice of its election to defer installment payments on the Notes by extending the Installment Payment Period, and such Installment Payment Period, or any extension of such Installment Payment Period, shall be continuing, then:

(A)  the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions relating to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment relating to, any of the Company’s capital stock or make any guarantee payment with respect thereto other than:

(1)  purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of employees, officers, directors or consultants;

(2)  purchases of shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to a contractually binding requirement to buy stock existing prior to the commencement of the Extension Period, including under a contractually binding stock repurchase plan;

(3)  as a result of an exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock for any other class or series of the Company’s capital stock;

(4)  the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged; or

(5)  purchases of the Company’s capital stock in connection with the distribution thereof; and

(B)  the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not make any payment of interest or principal on, or repay, purchase or redeem, any unsecured debt securities or guarantees issued by the Company that rank equally with or junior to the Notes other than pro rata payments of accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes and any other unsecured debt securities or guarantees issued by

 

6


the Company that rank equally with the Notes, except and to the extent the terms of any such debt securities would prohibit the Company from making such pro rat a payment.

These foregoing restrictions shall not apply to any stock dividends paid by the Company where the dividend stock is the same stock as, or junior to, that stock on which the dividend is being paid.

Section 2.04   Discharge and Defeasance . For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Articles Four (Satisfaction and Discharge) and Fourteen (Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance) of the Base Indenture shall apply to the Notes.

Section 2.05   No Sinking Fund . The Notes are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION

Section 3.01   Redemption . Article Eleven of the Base Indenture (Redemption) shall not apply to the Notes.

ARTICLE 4

FORM OF NOTE

Section 4.01   Form of Note . The Notes and the Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication to be endorsed thereon are to be substantially in the forms attached as Exhibit A hereto, with such changes therein as the Officers of the Company executing the Notes (by manual, facsimile, pdf or other electronically transmitted signature) may approve, such approval to be conclusively evidenced by their execution thereof.

ARTICLE 5

DEFAULTS

Section 5.01   Events of Default .

(a)  In addition to the Events of Default set forth in Section 501(4), Section 501(5) and Section 501(6) of the Base Indenture, it shall be an “Event of Default” with respect to the Notes if there is a default in the payment in full of (i) all deferred installment payments on the Notes on or by May 15, 2019 or (ii) the Repurchase Price of any Note if and when due on a Repurchase Date, and in each case, such default in payment continues for a period of 30 days.

(b)  The Events of Default specified in Section 501(1), Section 501(2) and Section 501(3) of the Base Indenture shall not apply with respect to the Notes.

(c)  There is no right of acceleration upon the occurrence of the additional Event of Default described in clause (a) of this Section 5.01 or, for the avoidance of doubt, as described in Section 501(4) of the Base Indenture. In addition, any deferral of installment payments made in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.03(c) shall not constitute an Event of Default or a default in the related payment obligation hereunder.

(d)  In the case of the additional Event of Default described in Section 5.01(a) above, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all such Notes for principal, premium, if any, or interest, or any combination thereof, or for the Repurchase Price, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon the overdue installments of interest, at the rate borne by the Notes; and, in addition, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel. If the Company does not pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions 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

 

7


may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor on the Notes and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor on the Notes, wherever situated, the money adjudged or decreed to be payable. The first two paragraphs of Section 503 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes.

ARTICLE 6

TAX TREATMENT

Section 6.01   Tax Treatment . The Company and each Holder agrees, and by acceptance of a beneficial ownership interest in the Notes, each beneficial owner of a beneficial ownership interest in the Notes will be deemed to have agreed, for U.S. federal, state and local tax purposes, to treat the Notes as indebtedness of the Company.

ARTICLE 7

SUBORDINATION

Section 7.01   Subordination . The provisions of Article Seventeen of the Base Indenture (Subordination) shall apply to the Notes.

ARTICLE 8

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.01   Ratification of Indenture . The Indenture, as supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and this First Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed part of the Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.

Section 8.02   Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals . The recitals contained herein and in the Notes (except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as statements of the Company and not of the Trustee and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. Neither the Trustee nor any of its agents (a) makes any representation as to the validity or adequacy of this First Supplemental Indenture or the Notes or (b) shall be accountable for the Company’s use or application of the proceeds from the Notes.

Section 8.03   New York Law to Govern; Waiver of Jury Trial . THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE IS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE TIA THAT ARE REQUIRED TO BE PART OF THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND SHALL, TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE, BE GOVERNED BY SUCH PROVISIONS. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE, AND EACH HOLDER OF A SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

Section 8.04   Separability . In case any provision in this First Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 8.05   Counterparts . This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

Section 8.06   Amendments, Supplements and Waivers . In addition to the circumstances set forth in Section 901 of the Base Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Base Indenture, this First Supplemental Indenture or the Notes without notice to or the consent of any Holder (a) to conform the provisions of the Base Indenture, this First Supplemental Indenture or the Notes to the “Description of the Amortizing Notes” section of the Prospectus Supplement or (b) in the event that the Company has waived or removed from the

 

8


Purchase Contract Agreement its rights to settle the Purchase Contracts early as described in Section 5.05 of the Purchase Contract Agreement, to remove the right of the Holders of the Notes to require the Company to repurchase such Notes as described in Article 9 of this First Supplemental Indenture.

ARTICLE 9

REPURCHASE OF NOTES AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER

Section 9.01   Offer to Repurchase . If the Company elects to exercise its Early Mandatory Settlement Right with respect to the Purchase Contracts, then each Holder of Notes (whether or not such Note is a component of a Unit) shall have the right (the “ Repurchase Right ”) to require the Company to repurchase some or all of its Notes for cash at the Repurchase Price per Note to be repurchased on the Repurchase Date, pursuant to Section 9.03. The Company shall not be required to repurchase a portion of a Note.

Section 9.02   Early Mandatory Settlement Notice . If the Company elects to exercise its Early Mandatory Settlement Right in respect of the Purchase Contracts pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Contract Agreement, the Company shall provide the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes with a copy of the Early Mandatory Settlement Notice delivered pursuant to the Purchase Contract Agreement.

Section 9.03   Procedures for Exercise .

(a)  To exercise the Repurchase Right, a Holder must deliver, at or prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Repurchase Date, the Notes to be repurchased (or the Units if the relevant Notes have not been separated from the Units into their constituent components) to the Trustee, together with a duly completed written Repurchase Notice, in each case in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, unless the Notes are in definitive form (“ Certificated Notes ”) (or the Units are not in global form, as the case may be), in which case such Holder must deliver the Notes to be repurchased (or Units to be repurchased) to the Trustee, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company, together with a Repurchase Notice, to the Trustee.

(b)  The Repurchase Notice must state the following:

(i)  if Certificated Notes or Units have been issued, the certificate numbers of the Notes or Units, or if not certificated, the Repurchase Notice must comply with the Applicable Procedures;

(ii)  the amount of Notes to be repurchased; and

(iii)  that the Notes are to be repurchased by the Company pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Notes and the Indenture.

Section 9.04   Withdrawal of Repurchase Notice .

(a)  A Holder may withdraw any Repurchase Notice (in whole or in part) by a written, irrevocable notice of withdrawal delivered to the Trustee prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Repurchase Date.

(b)  The Notice of withdrawal must state the following:

(i)  the amount of Notes to be withdrawn;

(ii)  if Certificated Notes or Units have been issued, the certificate numbers of the Notes or Units, as applicable, or if not certificated, the notice of withdrawal must comply with the Applicable Procedures; and

(iii)  the amount of Notes, if any, that remain subject to the Repurchase Notice.

Section 9.05   Effect of Repurchase .

 

9


(a)  The Company shall be required to repurchase the Notes with respect to which the Repurchase Right has been exercised and not duly withdrawn. To effectuate such repurchase, the Company shall deposit immediately available funds with the Paying Agent on the later of (i) the Repurchase Date and (ii) the time of book-entry transfer or delivery of the Notes or Units.

(b)  If the Paying Agent holds money on the Repurchase Date sufficient to pay the Repurchase Price with respect to those Notes for which the Repurchase Right has been exercised, then (i) such Notes shall cease to be outstanding and interest shall cease to accrue thereon (whether or not book-entry transfer of the Notes or Units, as applicable, is made or whether or not the Notes or Units, as applicable, are delivered as required herein), and (ii) all other rights of the Holder shall terminate (other than the right to receive the Repurchase Price and, if the Repurchase Date falls between a Regular Record Date and the corresponding Installment Payment Date, the related Installment Payment); provided, however, that if the Repurchase Date falls after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the immediately succeeding Installment Payment Date, then the Installment Payment payable on such Installment Payment Date will be paid on such Installment Payment Date to the Holder as of the close of business on such Regular Record Date and shall not be included in the Repurchase Price per note.

(c)  The Company shall, in connection with any repurchase offer pursuant to this Article 9, if required by applicable provisions of the Exchange Act or SEC regulations thereunder, (i) comply with the provisions of the tender offer rules under the Exchange Act that may then be applicable, and (ii) file a Schedule TO or any other required schedule under the Exchange Act.

(d)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Notes may be repurchased at the option of Holders if the principal amount thereof has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to the Repurchase Date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Repurchase Price with respect to such Notes).

[SIGNATURES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES]

 

10


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, on the date or dates indicated in the acknowledgments and as of the day and year first above written.

 

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Steven A. Sugarman

  Name:   Steven A. Sugarman
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:  

/s/ K. Wendy Kumar

  Name:  

K. Wendy Kumar

  Title:   Vice President

 

 

[Signature Page to First Supplemental Indenture]


EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

[INCLUDE IF A GLOBAL NOTE]

[THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO., AS NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (THE “ DEPOSITARY ”), THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY. THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

UNLESS THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]

 

A-1


BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.

7.50% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED AMORTIZING NOTES

DUE MAY 15, 2017

REGISTERED

CUSIP: 05990K AB2

ISIN: US05990KAB26

 

No.                                                            [Initial] 1  Number of Notes
      

 

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ,” which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the initial principal sum of $10.604556 for each of the number of Notes set forth above[, or such other number of Notes as set forth in the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto, which shall not exceed [        ]] 2 in quarterly installment payments (each constituting a payment of interest at the rate per year of 7.50% and a partial repayment of principal) payable on May 15, August 15, November 15 and February 15 of each year (each such date, an “ Installment Payment Date ” and the period from, and including, May 21, 2014 to, but excluding, the first Installment Payment Date and each subsequent full quarterly period from and including an Installment Payment Date to, but excluding, the immediately succeeding Installment Payment Date, an “ Installment Payment Period ”), commencing on August 15, 2014, all as set forth on the reverse hereof, with the final installment payment due and payable on May 15, 2017, subject to the Company’s right to defer such payments in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. The installment payments payable on any Installment Payment Date shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. If an installment payment is payable for any period shorter than a full Installment Payment Period, such installment payment shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 30-day month. In the event that any date on which an installment payment is payable is not a Business Day, then the installment payment on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay. However, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, then such installment payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date. Installment payments shall be paid to the person in whose name the Note is registered at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the related Installment Payment Date (each, a “ Regular Record Date ”) in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. If the Notes do not remain in the form of Global Notes, the Company shall have the right to select Regular Record Dates, which will be more than 14 days but less than 60 days prior to the relevant Installment Payment Date.

Installments shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.

This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture hereinafter referred to or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until the Certificate of Authentication shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Trustee.

The provisions of this Note are continued on the reverse side hereof and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

 

 

 

 

1 Include if a Global Note.

2 Include if a Global Note.

 

A-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.,
as Issuer
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-3


CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

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

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

A-4


[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

BANC OF CALIFORNIA, INC.

This Note is one of a duly authorized series of Securities of the Company designated as its “7.50% Junior Subordinated Amortizing Notes due 2017” (herein referred to as the “ Notes ”), issued under the Indenture, dated as of May 21, 2014, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture) (the “ Base Indenture ,” and the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 21, 2014, (the “ Supplemental Indenture ”), between the Company and the Trustee, the “ Indenture ”), to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders. The terms of other series of Securities issued under the Indenture may vary with respect to interest rates, issue dates, maturity, redemption, repayment, currency of payment and otherwise as provided in the Indenture. This series of Securities is limited in aggregate principal amount as and to the extent specified in said First Supplemental Indenture.

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

Each installment shall constitute a payment of interest (at a rate of 7.50% per annum) and a partial repayment of principal on the Note, allocated as set forth in the schedule below:

 

Scheduled Installment Payment Date         Amount of Principal               Amount of Interest      

August 15, 2014

  $0.747754   $0.185579

November 15, 2014

  $0.815185   $0.184815

February 15, 2015

  $0.830470   $0.169530

May 15, 2015

  $0.846041   $0.153959

August 15, 2015

  $0.861904   $0.138096

November 15, 2015

  $0.878065   $0.121935

February 15, 2016

  $0.894529   $0.105471

May 15, 2016

  $0.911301   $0.088699

August 15, 2016

  $0.928388   $0.071612

November 15, 2016

  $0.945795   $0.054205

February 15, 2017

  $0.963529   $0.036471

May 15, 2017

  $0.981595   $0.018405

Installment payments may be deferred by the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.03(c) of the Supplemental Indenture.

This Note will not be subject to redemption at the option of the Company. However, a Holder shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase some or all of its Notes for cash at the Repurchase Price per Note, and on the Repurchase Date, upon the occurrence of certain events, and subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture.

This Note is not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance and covenant defeasance at any time of the indebtedness on this Note upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions apply to this Note.

If an Event of Default relating to specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver, liquidator or trustee of the Company occurs and is continuing, then and in each such case either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate initial principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal amount of all the Notes to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable. This provision, however, is subject to the condition that, at any time after such a

 

A-5


declaration of acceleration, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the money due shall have been obtained or entered, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, if certain conditions are met as set forth in the Indenture.

There is no right of acceleration upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in Section 5.01(a) of the Supplemental Indenture or as described in Section 501(4) of the Base Indenture.

In the case of the additional Event of Default described in Section 5.01(a) of the Supplemental Indenture, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all such Notes for principal, premium, if any, or interest, or any combination thereof, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon the overdue installments of interest, at the rate borne by the Notes; and, in addition, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel. If the Company does not pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions 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 on the Notes and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor on the Notes, wherever situated, the money adjudged or decreed to be payable.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding of each series issued under the Indenture to be affected thereby, to execute supplemental indentures for certain purposes as described therein.

No provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay installments on this Note at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein and in the Indenture prescribed, subject to the Company’s right to defer installment payments as described therein.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Note shall be registered on the Security Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in New York, New York, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, shall be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

The Notes are initially issued in the form of Global Notes in initial minimum denominations of one Note and integral multiples in excess thereof.

No charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any applicable tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with the transfer.

The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the Holder in whose name any Note shall be registered upon the Security Register for the Notes as the absolute owner of such Note (whether or not such Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving installment payments on such Note and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

A-6


THIS NOTE AND THE INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE, AND EACH HOLDER OF A SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

All terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture, or this Note, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, as such or against any past, present or future stockholder, Officer, director or employee, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of this Note by the Holders hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of this Note.

The Company and each Holder agrees, and by acceptance of a beneficial ownership interest in the Notes, each beneficial owner of a beneficial ownership interest in the Notes will be deemed to have agreed, for U.S. federal, state and local tax purposes, to treat the Notes as indebtedness.

In the case of any conflict between this Note and the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall control.

 

A-7


ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Note to:

 

 

  

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax identification number)

 

 

  

(Insert address and zip code of assignee)

and irrevocably appoints agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

 

Date:  

 

 

Signature:  

 

 

Signature    Guarantee:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)   

 

A-8


SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

By:  

 

     
  Name      
  Title:      
     
     

 

      as Trustee
      By:  

 

        Name
        Title:
       
By:  

 

     
  Name      
  Title:      

 

A-9


FORM OF REPURCHASE NOTICE

TO: Banc of California, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee

The undersigned registered Holder hereby irrevocably acknowledges receipt of a notice from Banc of California, Inc. (the “Company”) regarding the right of Holders to elect to require the Company to repurchase the Notes and requests and instructs the Company to repay the entire principal amount of the number of Notes below designated, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Repurchase Date to the registered holder hereof. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the indenture, dated as of May 21, 2014, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 21, 2014, between the Company and the Trustee (such senior indenture, as so supplemented, the “Indenture”).

The Notes shall be repurchased by the Company as of the Repurchase Date pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in the Notes and the Indenture.

 

Dated:  

 

     
     

 

      Signature:  
     

 

NOTICE: The above signature of the Holder hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Notes in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

Notes Certificate Number (if applicable):

Number of Notes to be repurchased (if less than all, must be one Note or integral multiples in excess thereof):

Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number:

 

A-10


[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN A GLOBAL NOTE

The initial number of Notes evidenced by this Global Note is                              . The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date

 

Amount of decrease
in number of Notes
evidenced by this
Global Note

 

Amount of increase in
number of Notes
evidenced by this
Global Note

 

Number of Notes
evidenced by this
  Global Note following  
such decrease  (or
increase)

 

Signature of
  authorized signatory  

of Trustee

       
       
       
       
       

 

A-11

Exhibit 5.1

Law Offices

Silver, Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP

A Limited Liability Partnership Including Professional Corporations

3299 K STREET, N.W., SUITE 100

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20007

(202) 295-4500

WWW.SFTTLAW.COM

 

May 21, 2014

Banc of California, Inc.

18500 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1100

Irvine, California 92612

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special Maryland counsel to Banc of California, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the issuance and sale by the Company of an aggregate of 5,922,500 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s voting common stock, par value $0.01 per share. The Shares are being sold pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2014 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), by and between the Company and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as representative of the several underwriters named in Schedule A thereto. The Shares have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), which became effective on February 12, 2014 (File No. 333-192518) (the “Registration Statement”), including a base prospectus dated February 12, 2014 (the “Base Prospectus”) and a prospectus supplement relating to the Shares dated May 15, 2014 (the “Prospectus Supplement,” and together with the Base Prospectus, the “Prospectus”).

In connection with our opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Underwriting Agreement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Company’s charter and bylaws, resolutions of the Company’s Board of Directors and committees thereof, certificates of public officials, certificates of corporate officers and such other documents and corporate records as we have deemed appropriate for the purpose of rendering this opinion. We have assumed without investigation the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity, accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to authentic and complete original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed or photostatic copies and the authenticity, accuracy and completeness of the originals of such copies. We have further assumed the due authorization of such documents by all parties other than the Company and the taking of all requisite action respecting such documents by all parties other than the Company, the due execution and delivery of such documents by each party other than the Company and have additionally assumed that all agreements are valid and binding agreements of all parties to such agreements, other than the Company. In addition, we have assumed the accuracy of certifications of public officials, government agencies and departments, corporate officers and other individuals on which we are relying, and have made no independent investigations thereof.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered as provided in the Underwriting Agreement and upon receipt by the Company of the consideration therefor as contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.


Banc of California, Inc.

May 21, 2014

Page 2

 

In rendering the opinion set forth herein, we express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the General Corporation Law of the State of Maryland, as currently in effect. This opinion is limited to the facts bearing on this opinion as they exist on the date of this letter. We disclaim any obligation to review or supplement this opinion or to advise you of any changes in the circumstances, laws or events that may occur after this date or otherwise update this opinion.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 21, 2014, and to the reference to our name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving our 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 or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. The opinions expressed herein are matters of professional judgment and are not a guarantee of result.

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ Silver, Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP

SILVER, FREEDMAN, TAFF & TIERNAN LLP

Exhibit 5.2

Law Offices

Silver, Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP

A Limited Liability Partnership Including Professional Corporations

3299 K STREET, N.W., SUITE 100

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20007

(202) 295-4500

WWW.SFTTLAW.COM

May 21, 2014

Banc of California, Inc.

18500 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1100

Irvine, California 92612

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special Maryland counsel to Banc of California, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the issuance and sale by the Company of an aggregate of 1,380,000 tangible equity units (the “Tangible Equity Units”). The Tangible Equity Units are being sold pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2014 (the “Purchase Agreement”), by and between the Company and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. Each Tangible Equity Unit consists of (1) a pre-paid stock purchase contract (each, a “Purchase Contract”) to be issued pursuant to the Purchase Contract Agreement (the “Purchase Contract Agreement”), dated as of May 21, 2014, by and among the Company, U.S. Bank National Association, as purchase contract agent (the “Purchase Contract Agent”), and the Trustee (as defined below), under which the holder has purchased and the Company will agree to automatically deliver on May 15, 2017, subject to early settlement of such Purchase Contract pursuant to the provisions of the Purchase Contract Agreement, a number of shares of the Company’s voting common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), as determined pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Contract and the Purchase Contract Agreement and (2) a junior subordinated amortizing note with a scheduled final installment payment date of May 15, 2017 (each, an “Amortizing Note”), to be issued pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of May 21, 2014 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as amended and supplemented by that First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 21, 2014, between the Company and the Trustee (the “First Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”). The Tangible Equity Units, Purchase Contracts and Amortizing Notes have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), which became effective on February 12, 2014 (File No. 333-192518) (the “Registration Statement”), including a base prospectus dated February 12, 2014 (the “Base Prospectus”) and a prospectus supplement relating to the Tangible Equity Units dated May 15, 2014 (the “Prospectus Supplement,” and together with the Base Prospectus, the “Prospectus”).

In connection with our opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Purchase Agreement, the Purchase Contract Agreement, the Indenture, the form of Tangible Equity Unit, the form of Purchase Contract, the form of Amortizing Note, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Company’s charter and bylaws, resolutions of the Company’s Board of Directors and committees thereof, certificates of public officials, certificates of corporate officers and such other documents and corporate records as we have deemed appropriate for the purpose of rendering this opinion. We have assumed without investigation the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity, accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to authentic and complete original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed or photostatic copies and the authenticity, accuracy and completeness of the originals of such copies. We have further assumed the due authorization of such documents by all parties other than the Company and the taking of all requisite action respecting such documents by all parties other than the Company, the due execution and delivery of such documents by each party other than the Company and have additionally assumed that all agreements are valid and binding agreements of all parties to such


Banc of California, Inc.

May 21, 2014

Page 2

 

agreements, other than the Company. In addition, we have assumed the accuracy of certifications of public officials, government agencies and departments, corporate officers and other individuals on which we are relying, and have made no independent investigations thereof.

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

1. Each of the Tangible Equity Units, the Purchase Contracts and the Amortizing Notes has been duly authorized by the Company.

2. The shares of Common Stock initially issuable upon settlement of the Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized by the Company and, when issued upon settlement of the Purchase Contracts in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Contracts and the Purchase Contracts Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

In rendering the opinion set forth herein, we express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the General Corporation Law of the State of Maryland, as currently in effect. This opinion is limited to the facts bearing on this opinion as they exist on the date of this letter. We disclaim any obligation to review or supplement this opinion or to advise you of any changes in the circumstances, laws or events that may occur after this date or otherwise update this opinion.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 21, 2014, and to the reference to our name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving our 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 or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. The opinions expressed herein are matters of professional judgment and are not a guarantee of result.

Very truly yours,

/s/ SILVER, FREEDMAN, TAFF & TIERNAN LLP

SILVER, FREEDMAN, TAFF & TIERNAN LLP

Exhibit 5.3

[Letterhead of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz]

May 21, 2014

Banc of California, Inc.

18500 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1100

Irvine, California 92612

Re: Banc of California, Inc. – 1,380,000 Tangible Equity Units

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to Banc of California, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the sale to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”) by the Company on the date hereof of an aggregate of 1,380,000 Tangible Equity Units (the Tangible Equity Units issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and the Purchase Contract Agreement on the date hereof, the “Units”), pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated May 15, 2014 (the “Purchase Agreement”), between the Company and Merrill Lynch and the Purchase Contract Agreement (the “Purchase Contract Agreement”), dated as of the date hereof, among the Company, U.S. Bank National Association (the “Purchase Contract Agent”) and the Trustee (as defined below). Each Unit is initially composed of (i) a pre-paid stock purchase contract (each such pre-paid stock purchase contract issued pursuant to the Purchase Contract Agreement on the date hereof, a “Purchase Contract”), and (ii) a junior subordinated amortizing note (each such junior subordinated amortizing note issued pursuant to the Indenture on the date hereof, an “Amortizing Note”) issued by the Company pursuant to the indenture, dated as of the date hereof (as amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of the date hereof, the “Indenture,” and together with the Purchase Agreement, the Purchase Contract Agreement, the Units, Purchase Contracts and Amortizing Notes, the “Transaction Documents”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

The Units, the Purchase Contracts and the Amortizing Notes were registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-192518) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on November 22, 2013, as amended through the date hereof (the “Registration Statement”), under the 1933 Act. On May 19, 2014, the Company filed with the Commission a Prospectus Supplement dated May 15, 2014 (the “Prospectus”) containing the final terms of the Units, the Purchase Contracts and the Amortizing Notes pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) of the Act.

We have relied, to the extent we deem proper, on (i) guidance of the Staff of the Commission and (ii) oral and written representations and certificates or comparable documents of responsible officers and representatives of the Company and, in certain instances, upon the representations and warranties of the Company contained in the Transaction Documents, as well as upon certificates or other written statements from public officials. We have further assumed, to the extent we deem proper, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all

 

1


Banc of California, Inc.

May 21, 2014

 

signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. We have not independently verified any such information or assumptions.

We are members of the Bar of the State of New York, and we have not considered, and we express no opinion as to, the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of New York that a New York lawyer exercising customary professional diligence would reasonably be expected to recognize as being applicable to the Company, the Transaction Documents or the transactions governed by the Transaction Documents and the federal securities laws of the United States of America, in each case as in effect on the date hereof (the “Relevant Laws”). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing definition of Relevant Laws, the term “Relevant Law” does not include any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to the Company or the Transaction Documents or such transactions solely because such law, rule or regulation is applicable to or is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any party to any of the Transaction Documents or any of its affiliates due to the specific assets or business of such party or such affiliate.

To the extent that our opinions relate to or depend upon matters governed by Maryland law, we have relied upon the opinion letter, dated the date hereof and filed as Exhibit 5.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on the date hereof, of Silver, Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP, and our letter is subject to the same assumptions, qualifications and limitations with respect to such matters as are contained in such letter.

Subject to and based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, exceptions, limitations, qualifications and comments stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

(1) The Purchase Contracts forming part of the Units are valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

(2) The Units are valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

(3) The Amortizing Notes forming part of the Units are valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

The opinions and other matters set forth herein are subject to the following qualifications and comments:

(a) We have assumed with your consent that (i) each signatory to the Transaction Documents is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the jurisdiction of its organization and has all the necessary power and authority under applicable federal, state and foreign law to enter into each such agreement and perform its respective obligations thereunder; (ii) the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each signatory thereto, (iii) the Transaction Documents represent the valid and binding obligation of each signatory thereto (except the Company), enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms; (iv) the Units, the Purchase Contracts and the Amortizing Notes have been paid for and delivered by you in accordance with the terms of the Purchase

 

2


Banc of California, Inc.

May 21, 2014

 

Agreement, (v) all of the representations and warranties contained in the Transaction Documents, with respect to factual (but not legal) matters, are accurate, true and correct; (vi) to the extent that the Registration Statement or the Prospectus contains disclosure which you or the Trustee or Purchase Contract Agent has specifically provided for inclusion therein, such disclosure is accurate in all material respects; (vii) each of the parties thereto have complied and will comply with all terms (including the covenants) contained in the Transaction Documents; (viii) the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and the performance and consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents by each of the signatories thereto will not violate, conflict with or result in a breach of, or require any consent under, the charters, by-laws or equivalent organizational documents of any such party; (ix) the execution, delivery and performance by each party of its obligations under the Transaction Documents will comply with generally applicable laws and with any requirement or restriction imposed by any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award of any governmental entity or regulatory agency having jurisdiction over it or any of its assets, and will not result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument then binding upon it or result in the creation or imposition of any lien upon or with respect to any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to any agreement or instrument then binding upon it and (xi) the Units, Purchase Contracts and Amortizing Notes have been duly authenticated and delivered by the Purchase Contract Agent and/or the Trustee, as applicable, in accordance with the requirements of the Purchase Contract Agreement and the Indenture, respectively.

(b) Our opinions are subject to the effect of (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally; (ii) the application of general principles of equity including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief, regardless of whether enforcement is considered in proceedings at law or in equity; (iii) the application of public policy, including with respect to rights to indemnity and contribution; and (iv) 12 U.S.C. § 1818(b)(6)(D) (or any successor statute) and similar bank regulatory powers.

(c) The provisions of the Transaction Documents that permit any party thereto to take action or make determinations, or to benefit from indemnities and similar undertakings of any party to such agreements, may be subject to the requirement that such action be taken or such determinations be made, and any action or inaction by such party that may give rise to a request for payment under such an undertaking be taken or not taken, on a reasonable basis and in good faith, and may also be subject to public policy and equitable limitations.

(d) We express no opinion as to the validity or enforceability of (i) any indemnification or contribution provisions of the Transaction Documents to the extent they purport to relate to liabilities resulting from or based upon a party’s own negligence, recklessness, willful misconduct or intentional malfeasance or any violation of federal or state securities or “Blue Sky” laws; (ii) any provisions of the Transaction Documents relating to delay or omission of enforcement of rights or remedies, waivers of defenses, waivers of notices, or waivers of benefits of usury, appraisement, valuation, stay, extension, moratorium, redemption, statutes of limitation or other non-waivable benefits bestowed by operation of law; and (iii) any exculpation clauses, clauses relating to releases of unmatured claims, clauses purporting to waive unmatured rights, severability clauses, and clauses similar in substance or nature to those expressed in the foregoing clause (ii) and this clause (iii).

 

3


Banc of California, Inc.

May 21, 2014

 

(e) We express no opinion as to effect of the laws of any jurisdiction wherein any holder of the Units, Purchase Contracts or Amortizing Notes may be located which limit rates of interest that may be charged or collected by such holder.

(f) We express no opinion with respect to the lawfulness or enforceability of (i) broadly or vaguely stated waivers or waivers of rights granted by law where such waivers are against public policy or prohibited by law; (ii) the enforceability of confession of judgment provisions; (iii) the enforceability of provisions imposing penalties, liquidated damages or other economic remedies; (iv) any provisions in the Transaction Documents which subject the Company to any claim for deficiency resulting from a judgment being rendered in a currency other than the currency called for in the Transaction Documents; or (v) the effect of any provision of the Transaction Documents which is intended to permit modification thereof only by means of an agreement in writing signed by the parties thereto.

(g) We express no opinion as to (i) whether a federal or state court outside of the State of New York would give effect to the choice of New York law provided for in the Transaction Documents, (ii) provisions of the Transaction Documents that relate to subject matter jurisdiction of any federal court in the United States of America to adjudicate any controversy relating to the Transaction Documents, or the transactions contemplated thereby, (iii) any waiver of objections to venue, inconvenient forum, or the like, set forth in the Transaction Documents, (iv) the waiver of jury trial set forth in the Transaction Documents (v) the effect (if any) of any law of any jurisdiction (except the State of New York) in which any enforcement of the Transaction Documents may be sought or (vi) any provisions of any Transaction Document that purports to provide for a rate of interest after judgment.

(h) We express no opinion with respect to: (i) broadly or vaguely stated waivers or waivers of rights granted by law where such waivers are against public policy or prohibited by law, (ii) the enforceability of confession of judgment provisions and (iii) the enforceability of provisions imposing interest penalties, forfeitures or liquidated damages, in each case, insofar as they are contained in the Transaction Documents.

(i) We express no opinion with respect to any provisions of the Transaction Documents insofar as they purport to create rights of set-off.

(j) We express no opinion as to the effect of Section 210(p) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

(k) We express no opinion as to the validity, legally binding effect or enforceability of any provision in the Transaction Documents that requires or relates to adjustments to the settlement rate in an amount that a court would determine in the circumstances under applicable law to be commercially unreasonably or a penalty or forfeiture.

(l) We express no opinion as to whether, or the extent to which, the laws of any particular jurisdiction apply to the subject matter hereof, including, without limitation, the enforceability of the governing law provision contained in the Units, the Notes, the Purchase Contract Agreement and the Indenture.

 

4


Banc of California, Inc.

May 21, 2014

 

This letter speaks only as of its date and is delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act. We hereby consent to the filing of a copy of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on the date hereof, and to the use of our name in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement under the caption “Legal Matters.” 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 Act.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

 

5