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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Act on July 10, 2015

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Minnesota   95-3848122

(State or other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200

Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

(952) 476-9800

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

 

 

Thomas W. Stoelk

Chief Financial Officer

315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200

Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

(952) 476-9800

 

 

With a copy to:

W. Morgan Burns

Dawn Holicky Pruitt

Faegre Baker Daniels LLP

2200 Wells Fargo Center

90 South Seventh Street

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-3901

(612) 766-7000

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

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

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

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

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


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

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box:   ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box:   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

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

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered (1)

 

Amount

to be

Registered (2)

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price

Per Unit

 

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price (3)

 

Amount of

Registration Fee

Common Stock, par value $.001, Preferred Stock, par value $.001, Senior Debt Securities, Subordinated Debt Securities Warrants, Purchase Contracts, Units, Depositary Shares

  $500,000,000   (4)   $500,000,000   $58,100

 

 

(1) Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or together with other securities registered hereunder.
(2) Includes (i) such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may be issued from time to time at indeterminate prices, plus such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may be issued in exchange for, or upon conversion of, Senior or Subordinated Debt Securities or Preferred Stock or exercise of Warrants registered hereunder; (ii) such indeterminate number of shares of Preferred Stock as may be issued from time to time at indeterminate prices, plus such indeterminate number of shares of Preferred Stock as may be issued in exchange for, or upon conversion of, Senior or Subordinated Debt Securities or exercise of Warrants registered hereunder; (iii) such indeterminate number of Depositary Shares as may be issued from time to time at indeterminate prices, plus such indeterminate number of Depositary Shares as may be issued in exchange for, or upon conversion of, Senior or Subordinated Debt Securities or exercise of Warrants registered hereunder; (iv) such indeterminate principal amount of Senior or Subordinated Debt Securities as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices, plus such indeterminate principal amount of Senior or Subordinated Debt Securities as may be issued upon exercise of Warrants registered hereunder; (v) such indeterminate number of Warrants as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices; (vi) such indeterminate number of Units as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices; and (vii) such indeterminate amount of Purchase Contracts that may require the holder thereof to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, or Senior or Subordinated Debt Securities. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the securities registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of securities as may be issuable with respect to the securities being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(3) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In no event will the aggregate initial offering price of the securities issued under this registration statement exceed the amount registered above. No separate consideration will be received for securities that are issued upon conversion or exchange of Senior or Subordinated Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or for securities that are issued upon exercise of Warrants.
(4) Omitted pursuant to General Instruction II.D of Form S-3. The proposed maximum offering price per unit will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance of securities registered hereunder.

 

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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PROSPECTUS

$500,000,000

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Senior Debt Securities

Subordinated Debt Securities

Warrants

Purchase Contracts

Units

 

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts and units that we may issue. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. Such prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” before you invest.

We may offer and sell these securities through underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to purchasers. We will provide the names of any such agents and underwriters used in connection with the sale of any of these securities, as well as any fees, commissions or discounts we may pay to such agents and/or underwriters in connection with the sale of these securities, in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed in NYSE MKT under the symbol “NOG.”

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. See “ Risk Factors ” on page 4 of this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement hereto, as well as documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

 

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

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2015.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

About this Prospectus

  1   

Where You Can Find More Information

  1   

Information Incorporated by Reference

  2   

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

  3   

Risk Factors

  4   

Our Company

  4   

Use of Proceeds

  5   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

  6   

Description of Capital Stock

  7   

Description of Debt Securities

  10   

Description of the Warrants

  25   

Description of Purchase Contracts

  26   

Description of Units

  27   

Plan of Distribution

  28   

Legal Matters

  30   

Experts

  30   

 

 

The distribution of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and the offering of the securities in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement come should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. This prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or “SEC,” using a “shelf” registration process. Under this process, we may sell common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts or units in one or more offerings up to an aggregate initial offering price of $500,000,000. We may sell these securities either separately or in units.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts or units that we may issue. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. Such prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” before you invest. We may also prepare free writing prospectuses that describe particular securities. Any free writing prospectus should also be read in connection with this prospectus and with any prospectus supplement referred to therein. For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to an applicable prospectus supplement may also refer to a free writing prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires.

The registration statement that contains this prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration statement, contains additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. That registration statement can be read at the SEC web site or at the SEC offices mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

When we refer to “our company,” “we,” “us” or “our” in this prospectus or when we otherwise refer to ourselves in this prospectus, we mean Northern Oil and Gas, Inc., a Minnesota corporation.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are required to comply with the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the “Exchange Act,” and accordingly we file annual reports, quarterly reports, current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read or obtain a copy of these reports at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room and their copy charges by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website that contains registration statements, reports, proxy information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the website is www.sec.gov .

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the “Securities Act,” to register the securities offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. The term “registration statement” means the original registration statement and any and all amendments thereto, including the schedules and exhibits to the original registration statement or any amendment. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement are part of that registration statement. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the securities we are offering pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and you should refer to the copy of that contract or other documents filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. You may read or obtain a copy of the registration statement at the SEC’s public reference facilities and website referred to above.

 

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INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus certain information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Some information contained in this prospectus updates the information incorporated by reference, and information that we file subsequently with the SEC will automatically update this prospectus as well as our other filings with the SEC. In other words, in the case of a conflict or inconsistency between information set forth in this prospectus and/or information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, (i) following the date of the registration statement that contains this prospectus but prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement or (ii) after the date of this prospectus and prior to the time that we sell all the securities offered by this prospectus (in each case, other than any portions of any such documents that are not deemed “filed” under the Exchange Act in accordance with the Exchange Act and applicable SEC rules):

 

    Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2015, including information specifically incorporated by reference into our Form 10-K from our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders;

 

    Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on May 8, 2015;

 

    Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on each of January 5, 2015, April 13, 2015, May 18, 2015, and May 28, 2015;

 

    Form 8-A filed with the SEC on March 19, 2008; and

 

    The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (No. 333-146596), including any amendments or reports filed with the SEC on October 10, 2007 for the purpose of updating such description.

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

Thomas W. Stoelk

Chief Financial Officer

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.

315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200

Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

(952) 476-9800

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We are including the following discussion to inform our existing and potential security holders generally of some of the risks and uncertainties that can affect our company and to take advantage of the “safe harbor” protection for forward-looking statements afforded by applicable federal securities laws.

All statements other than statements of historical facts included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus regarding our financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations, industry conditions, and indebtedness covenant compliance are forward-looking statements. When used in this prospectus, forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “should,” “may” or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Items contemplating or making assumptions about actual or potential future sales, market size, collaborations, and trends or operating results also constitute such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors (many of which are beyond our control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, include the following: changes in crude oil and natural gas prices; the pace of drilling and completions activity on our properties; our ability to acquire additional development opportunities; changes in our reserves estimates or the value thereof; general economic or industry conditions; nationally or the regions in which our company conducts business; changes in the interest rate environment; legislation or regulatory requirements; conditions of the securities markets; our ability to raise or access capital; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines; financial or political instability; acts of war or terrorism; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technical factors affecting our operations, products and prices.

We have based any forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, results actually achieved may differ materially from expected results in these statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. You should consider carefully the statements under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, which describe factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. We do not undertake, and specifically disclaim, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements other than as may be required by applicable law or regulation.

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference, and under similar headings in our subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K, as well as the other risks and uncertainties described or incorporated by reference in any prospectus supplement we may authorize. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any of those risks. In such case, the trading price of our securities could decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment. See the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus.

OUR COMPANY

We are an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas properties, primarily in the Bakken and Three Forks formations within the Williston Basin in North Dakota and Montana. We believe the location, size and concentration of our acreage position in one of North America’s leading unconventional oil-resource plays provide us with drilling and development opportunities that result in significant long-term value.

Our primary focus is oil exploration and production through non-operated working interests in wells drilled and completed in spacing units that include our acreage. As a non-operator, we are able to diversify our investment exposure by participating in a large number of gross wells, as well as entering into more project areas by partnering with numerous experienced operating partners. In addition, because we can elect to participate on a well-by-well basis, we believe we have increased flexibility in the timing and amount of our capital expenditures because we are not burdened with various contractual development agreements or a large operating support staff. Further, we are able to avoid exploratory costs incurred by many oil and gas producers.

We were incorporated in Minnesota in 2010 as the successor to a business formed in 2007. Our executive offices are located at 315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200, Wayzata, Minnesota 55391, and our telephone number is 952-476-9800. We maintain an Internet website at www.northernoil.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information contained on our website as part of this prospectus.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, the net proceeds from the sale by us of the securities to which this prospectus relates will be used for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include, without limitation, acquisitions, additions to working capital, capital expenditures, and repayment of debt. Net proceeds may be temporarily invested prior to use.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

The following table sets forth the historical ratio of our earnings to our fixed charges for the periods indicated. As of the date of this prospectus, we have no preferred stock outstanding and accordingly, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends is equal to the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and is not disclosed separately.

 

Year Ended December 31,

    Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2015 (1)
 
2010   2011     2012     2013     2014    
18.2x     67.6x        6.5x        3.0x        6.6x        —     

 

(1) Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by approximately $378.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 due primarily to a non-cash impairment charge.

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is calculated as follows:

        (earnings)        

(fixed charges)

For purposes of calculating the ratios, earnings consist of:

 

    pre-tax income from continuing operations before adjustment for income or loss from equity investees;

 

    fixed charges;

 

    amortization of capitalized interest;

 

    distributed income of equity investees;

 

    our share of pre-tax losses of equity investees for which charges arising from guarantees are included in fixed charges;

 

    minus capitalized interest;

 

    minus preference security dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries; and

 

    minus the noncontrolling interest in pre-tax income of subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges.

For purposes of calculating the ratios, fixed charges consist of:

 

    interest expensed and capitalized;

 

    amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness;

 

    an estimate of the interest portion of rental expense, and

 

    preference security dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

This section describes the general terms of our capital stock. Our capital stock may be offered directly or in connection with the conversion, exchange or exercise of other securities. We have filed our articles of incorporation, and our bylaws, as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should read our articles of incorporation and bylaws for additional information before you buy any capital stock or any securities which may be exercised or exchangeable for or converted into capital stock.

General

The following description of our capital stock is subject to and qualified in its entirety by our articles of incorporation and bylaws, which are incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and by the provisions of applicable Minnesota law. Under our articles of incorporation, we are authorized to issue up to 95,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.001 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.001 per share. Our common stock is listed in NYSE MKT under the symbol “NOG.”

Common Stock

Shares Outstanding

As of June 30, 2015, 61,603,071 shares of common stock were outstanding. All of the outstanding shares of common stock are validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable.

Voting Rights

Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the shareholders. Holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights.

Dividends

Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose.

Rights Upon Liquidation

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of preferred stock, if any, then outstanding.

Preemptive or Conversion Rights

The holders of our common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock.

Preferred Stock

As of June 30, 2015, no shares of our preferred stock are outstanding. Unless required by law or by any stock exchange, the authorized shares of preferred stock will be available for issuance without further action by our shareholders. Our board of directors is able to determine, with respect to any series of preferred stock, the terms and rights of that series. If we offer preferred stock, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms, including the following if applicable:

 

    the designation of the series;

 

    the number of shares of the series;

 

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    whether dividends, if any, will be cumulative or non-cumulative and the dividend rate of the series;

 

    the dates at which dividends, if any, will be payable;

 

    the redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series;

 

    the terms and amounts of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series;

 

    the amounts payable on shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of our company;

 

    whether the shares of the series will be convertible into shares of any other class or series, or any other security, of our company or any other corporation, and, if so, the specification of the other class or series or other security, the conversion price or prices or rate or rates, any rate adjustments, the date or dates as of which the shares will be convertible and all other terms and conditions upon which the conversion may be made;

 

    restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series; and

 

    the voting rights, if any, of the holders of the series.

Accordingly, we could issue a series of preferred stock that could, depending on the terms of the series, impede or discourage an acquisition attempt or other transaction that some, or a majority, of common shareholders might believe to be in their best interests or in which common shareholders might receive a premium for their common stock over the market price of the common stock.

Depositary Shares

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

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

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

Anti-Takeover Provisions

Advance Notice Requirements for Director Nominations and Shareholder Proposals

Our bylaws provide that shareholders seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring business before an annual meeting of shareholders must provide timely notice of their proposal in writing to our corporate secretary.

 

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Generally, to be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting. Our bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a shareholder’s notice.

These provisions may impede shareholders’ ability to bring matters before an annual meeting of shareholders or make nominations for directors at an annual meeting of shareholders and may delay, deter or prevent tender offers or takeover attempts that shareholders may believe are in their best interests, including tender offers or attempts that might allow shareholders to receive premiums over the market price of their common stock.

Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act

Section 302A.671 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act applies, with certain exceptions, to any acquisitions of our voting stock from a person other than us, and other than in connection with certain mergers and exchanges to which we are a party and certain tender offers or exchange offers approved in advance by a disinterested board committee, resulting in the beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the voting power of our then outstanding stock. Section 302A.671 requires approval of the granting of voting rights for the shares received pursuant to any such acquisitions by a vote of our shareholders holding a majority of the voting power of our outstanding shares and a majority of the voting power of our outstanding shares that are not held by the acquiring person, our officers or those non-officer employees, if any, who are also our directors. Similar voting requirements are imposed for acquisitions resulting in beneficial ownership of 33-1/3% or more or a majority of the voting power of our then outstanding stock. In general, shares acquired without this approval are denied voting rights in excess of the 20%, 33-1/3% or 50% thresholds and, to that extent, can be called for redemption at their then fair market value by us within 30 days after the acquiring person has failed to deliver a timely information statement to us or the date our shareholders voted not to grant voting rights to the acquiring person’s shares.

Section 302A.673 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act generally prohibits any business combination by us, or any subsidiary of ours, with any shareholder that beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our outstanding shares (an “interested shareholder”) within four years following the time the interested shareholder crosses the 10% stock ownership threshold, unless the business combination is approved by a committee of disinterested members of our board of directors before the time the interested shareholder crosses the 10% stock ownership threshold.

Section 302A.675 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act generally prohibits an offeror from acquiring our shares within two years following the offeror’s last purchase of our shares pursuant to a takeover offer with respect to that class, unless our shareholders are able to sell their shares to the offeror upon substantially equivalent terms as those provided in the earlier takeover offer. This statute will not apply if the acquisition of shares is approved by a committee of disinterested members of our board of directors before the purchase of any shares by the offeror pursuant to the earlier takeover offer.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Wells Fargo Shareowner Services.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This section describes the general terms and provisions of our debt securities, which could be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. A prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the debt securities offered through that prospectus supplement and any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to those debt securities.

The senior debt securities will be issued under an indenture, referred to herein as the “ senior indenture ,” between us and the trustee named in the applicable prospectus supplement. The subordinated debt securities will be issued under an indenture, referred to herein as the “ subordinated indenture ,” between us and the trustee named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We have summarized the anticipated material terms and provisions of the senior and subordinated indentures in this section. We have also filed the form of the indentures summarized in this section as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should read the applicable indenture for additional information before you buy any debt securities. The summary that follows includes references to section numbers of the indentures so that you can more easily locate these provisions.

General

The debt securities will be our direct unsecured obligations. Neither of the indentures limits the amount of debt securities that we may issue. Both indentures permit us to issue debt securities from time to time and debt securities issued under an indenture will be issued as part of a series that has been established by us under such indenture. (Section 301)

The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally with all of our other subordinated debt securities and, together with such other subordinated debt securities, will be subordinated to all of our existing and future Senior Debt (as defined below). See “—Subordination” below.

The debt securities are our unsecured senior or subordinated debt securities, as the case may be, but our assets include equity in our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to make payments on our debt securities may depend in part on our receipt of dividends, loan payments and other funds from our subsidiaries. In addition, if any of our subsidiaries becomes insolvent, the direct creditors of that subsidiary will have a prior claim on its assets. Our rights and the rights of our creditors, including your rights as an owner of our debt securities, will be subject to that prior claim, unless we are also a direct creditor of that subsidiary. This subordination of creditors of a parent company to prior claims of creditors of its subsidiaries is commonly referred to as structural subordination.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may, without the consent of the holders of a series of debt securities, issue additional debt securities of that series having the same ranking and the same interest rate, maturity date and other terms (except for the price to public and issue date) as such debt securities. Any such additional debt securities, together with the initial debt securities, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the applicable indenture. No additional debt securities of a series may be issued if an event of default under the applicable indenture has occurred and is continuing with respect to that series of debt securities.

A prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. (Section 301) These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

    the title and type of the debt securities;

 

    any limit on the total principal amount of the debt securities of that series;

 

    the price at which the debt securities will be issued;

 

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    the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on the debt securities will be payable;

 

    the maturity date or dates of the debt securities or the method by which those dates can be determined;

 

    if the debt securities will bear interest:

 

    the interest rate on the debt securities or the method by which the interest rate may be determined;

 

    the date from which interest will accrue;

 

    the record and interest payment dates for the debt securities; and

 

    the first interest payment date;

 

    the place or places where:

 

    we can make payments on the debt securities;

 

    the debt securities can be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange; and

 

    notices and demands can be given to us relating to the debt securities and under the applicable indenture;

 

    any optional redemption provisions that would permit us to elect redemption of the debt securities, or the holders of the debt securities to elect repayment of the debt securities, before their final maturity;

 

    any sinking fund provisions that would obligate us to redeem the debt securities before their final maturity;

 

    whether the debt securities will be convertible into shares of capital stock and, if so, the terms and conditions of any such conversion;

 

    if the debt securities will be issued in bearer form, the terms and provisions contained in the bearer securities and in the applicable indenture specifically relating to the bearer securities;

 

    the currency or currencies in which the debt securities will be denominated and payable, if other than U.S. dollars and, if a composite currency, any special provisions relating thereto;

 

    any circumstances under which the debt securities may be paid in a currency other than the currency in which the debt securities are denominated and any provisions relating thereto;

 

    whether the provisions described below under the heading “—Defeasance” will not apply to the debt securities;

 

    any events of default that will apply to the debt securities in addition to those contained in the applicable indenture;

 

    any additions or changes to the covenants contained in the applicable indenture and the ability, if any, of the holders to waive our compliance with those additional or changed covenants;

 

    whether all or part of the debt securities will not be issued as permanent global securities and the extent to which the description of the book-entry procedures described below under “—Book-Entry, Delivery and Form” will not apply to such global securities—a “ global security ” is a debt security that we issue in accordance with the applicable indenture to represent all or part of a series of debt securities;

 

    whether all or part of the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part as temporary global securities and, if so, the depositary for those temporary global securities and any special provisions dealing with the payment of interest and any terms relating to the ability to exchange interests in a temporary global security for interests in a permanent global security or for definitive debt securities;

 

    the identity of the trustee, security registrar and paying agent for the debt securities;

 

    any material tax implications of the debt securities;

 

    any special provisions relating to the payment of any additional amounts on the debt securities; and

 

    any other terms of the debt securities.

 

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When we use the term “ holder ” in this prospectus with respect to a registered debt security, we mean the person in whose name such debt security is registered in the security register. (Section 101)

Exchange and Transfer

Any debt securities of a series can be exchanged for other debt securities of that series so long as the other debt securities are denominated in authorized denominations and have the same aggregate principal amount and same terms as the debt securities that were surrendered for exchange. The debt securities may be presented for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or accompanied by a satisfactory written instrument of transfer, at the office or agency maintained by us for that purpose in any place of payment that we may designate. However, holders of global securities may transfer and exchange global securities only in the manner and to the extent set forth under “—Book-Entry, Delivery and Form” below. There will be no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but we may require holders to pay any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange of the debt securities. (Sections 305, 1002) If the applicable prospectus supplement refers to any office or agency, in addition to the security registrar, initially designated by us where holders can surrender the debt securities for registration of transfer or exchange, we may at any time rescind the designation of any such office or agency or approve a change in the location. However, we will be required to maintain an office or agency in each place of payment for that series. (Section 1002)

We will not be required to:

 

    register the transfer of or exchange debt securities to be redeemed for a period of 15 calendar days preceding the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption; or

 

    register the transfer of or exchange any registered debt security selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed or unpaid portion of that registered debt security being redeemed in part. (Section 305)

Interest and Principal Payments

Payments. Holders may present debt securities for payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, register the transfer of the debt securities and exchange the debt securities at the agency maintained by us for such purpose and identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. We refer to the applicable trustee acting in the capacity of a paying agent for the debt securities as the “ paying agent .”

Any money that we pay to the paying agent for the purpose of making payments on the debt securities and that remains unclaimed two years after the payments were due will, at our request, be returned to us and after that time any holder of a debt security can only look to us for the payments on the debt security. (Section 1003)

Recipients of Payments. The paying agent will pay interest to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the applicable record date. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the “ record date ” for any interest payment date is the date 15 calendar days prior to that interest payment date, whether or not that day is a business day. A “ business day ” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close in New York, New York. However, upon maturity, redemption or repayment, the paying agent will pay any interest due to the person to whom it pays the principal of the debt security. The paying agent will make the payment on the date of maturity, redemption or repayment, whether or not that date is an interest payment date. The paying agent will make the initial interest payment on a debt security on the first interest payment date falling after the date of issuance, unless the date of issuance is less than 15 calendar days before an interest payment date. In that case, the paying agent will pay interest on the next succeeding interest payment date to the holder of record on the record date corresponding to the succeeding interest payment date. An “ interest payment date ” for any debt security means a date on which, under the terms of that debt security, regularly scheduled interest is payable.

 

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Book-Entry Debt Securities. The paying agent will make payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, to the account of The Depository Trust Company, referred to herein as “ DTC ,” or other depositary specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, as holder of book-entry debt securities, by wire transfer of immediately available funds. The “ depositary ” means the depositary for global securities issued under the applicable indenture and, unless provided otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, means DTC. We expect that the depositary, upon receipt of any payment, will immediately credit its participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the book-entry debt securities as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by the depositary’s participants to owners of beneficial interests in the book-entry debt securities will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of those participants.

Certificated Debt Securities. Except as indicated below for payments of interest at maturity, redemption or repayment, the paying agent will make payments of interest either:

 

    by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to payment as shown on the security register; or

 

    by wire transfer to an account designated by a holder, if the holder has given written notice not later than 10 calendar days prior to the applicable interest payment date. (Section 307)

Payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, upon maturity, redemption or repayment on a debt security will be made in immediately available funds against presentation and surrender of the debt security at the office of the paying agent.

Redemption and Repayment of Debt Securities

Optional Redemption by Us . If applicable, the prospectus supplement will indicate the terms of our option to redeem the debt securities. We will mail a notice of redemption to each holder which, in the case of global securities, will be the depositary, as holder of the global securities, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption, or within the redemption notice period designated in the applicable prospectus supplement, to the address of each holder as that address appears upon the books maintained by the security registrar. The debt securities will not be subject to any sinking fund.

A partial redemption of the debt securities may be effected by such method as the applicable trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and may provide for the selection for redemption of a portion of the principal amount of debt securities held by a holder equal to an authorized denomination. If we redeem less than all of the debt securities and the debt securities are then held in book-entry form, the redemption will be made in accordance with the depositary’s customary procedures. We have been advised that it is DTC’s practice to determine by the lot the amount of each participant in the debt securities to be redeemed.

Unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the debt securities called for redemption.

Repayment at Option of Holder. If applicable, the prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities will indicate that the holder has the option to have us repay a debt security of that series on a date or dates specified prior to its stated maturity date. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the repayment price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the debt security, together with accrued interest to the date of repayment.

For us to repay a debt security, the paying agent must receive at least 30 days but not more than 45 days prior to the repayment date:

 

    the debt security with the form entitled “Option to Elect Repayment” on the reverse of the debt security duly completed; or

 

   

a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or a letter from a member of a national securities exchange, or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company in the United

 

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States setting forth the name of the holder of the debt security, the principal amount of the debt security, the principal amount of the debt security to be repaid, the certificate number or a description of the tenor and terms of the debt security, a statement that the option to elect repayment is being exercised and a guarantee that the debt security to be repaid, together with the duly completed form entitled “Option to Elect Repayment” on the reverse of the debt security, will be received by the paying agent not later than the fifth business day after the date of the telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter. However, the telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter will only be effective if that debt security and form duly completed are received by the paying agent by the fifth business day after the date of that telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter.

Exercise of the repayment option by the holder of a debt security will be irrevocable. The holder may exercise the repayment option for less than the entire principal amount of the debt security but, in that event, the principal amount of the debt security remaining outstanding after repayment must be an authorized denomination.

If a debt security is represented by a global security, the depositary or the depositary’s nominee will be the holder of the debt security and therefore will be the only entity that can exercise a right to repayment. In order to ensure that the depositary’s nominee will timely exercise a right to repayment of a particular debt security, the beneficial owner of the debt security must instruct the broker or other direct or indirect participant through which it holds an interest in the debt security to notify the depositary of its desire to exercise a right to repayment. Different firms have different cut-off times for accepting instructions from their customers and, accordingly, each beneficial owner should consult the broker or other direct or indirect participant through which it holds an interest in a debt security in order to ascertain the cut-off time by which an instruction must be given in order for timely notice to be delivered to the depositary.

We may purchase debt securities at any price in the open market or otherwise. Debt securities so purchased by us may, at our discretion, be held or resold or surrendered to the applicable trustee for cancellation.

Denominations

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be issued only in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 each and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

Each of the indentures generally permits a consolidation or merger between us and another entity. They also permit the sale or transfer by us of all or substantially all of our property and assets. These transactions are permitted if:

 

    the resulting or acquiring entity, if other than us, is organized and existing under the laws of a domestic jurisdiction and assumes all of our responsibilities and liabilities under the applicable indenture, including the payment of all amounts due on the debt securities and performance of the covenants in the applicable indenture; and

 

    immediately after the transaction, and giving effect to the transaction, no event of default under the applicable indenture exists. (Section 801)

If we consolidate or merge with or into any other entity or sell or lease all or substantially all of our assets according to the terms and conditions of the indentures, the resulting or acquiring entity will be substituted for us in the indentures with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indentures. As a result, such successor entity may exercise our rights and powers under the indentures, in our name and, except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of our properties, we will be released from all our liabilities and obligations under the indentures and under the debt securities. (Section 802)

 

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Modification and Waiver

Under each of the indentures, certain of our rights and obligations and certain of the rights of holders of the debt securities may be modified or amended with the consent of the holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series of debt securities affected by the modification or amendment, acting as one class. However, the following modifications and amendments will not be effective against any holder without its consent:

 

    a change in the stated maturity date of any payment of principal or interest;

 

    a reduction in payments due on the debt securities;

 

    a change in the place of payment or currency in which any payment on the debt securities is payable;

 

    a limitation of a holder’s right to sue us for the enforcement of payments due on the debt securities;

 

    a reduction in the percentage of outstanding debt securities required to consent to a modification or amendment of the applicable indenture or required to consent to a waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the applicable indenture or certain defaults under the applicable indenture;

 

    a reduction in the requirements contained in the applicable indenture for quorum or voting;

 

    a limitation of a holder’s right, if any, to repayment of debt securities at the holder’s option; and

 

    a modification of any of the foregoing requirements contained in the applicable indenture. (Section 902)

Under each of the indentures, the holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series of debt securities affected by a particular covenant or condition, acting as one class, may, on behalf of all holders of such series of debt securities, waive compliance by us with any covenant or condition contained in the applicable indenture unless we specify that such covenant or condition cannot be so waived at the time we establish the series.

In addition, under each of the indentures, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series of debt securities may, on behalf of all holders of that series, waive any past default under the applicable indenture, except:

 

    a default in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities of that series; or

 

    a default under any provision of the applicable indenture which itself cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of each outstanding debt security of that series. (Section 513)

Events of Default

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, an “ event of default ,” when used in the senior indenture or the subordinated indenture with respect to any series of debt securities issued thereunder, means any of the following:

 

    failure to pay interest on any debt security of that series for 30 days after the payment is due;

 

    failure to pay the principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series when due;

 

    failure to deposit any sinking fund payment on debt securities of that series when due;

 

    failure to perform any other covenant in the applicable indenture that applies to debt securities of that series for 90 days after we have received written notice of the failure to perform in the manner specified in the applicable indenture;

 

    certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; or

 

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    any other event of default that may be specified for the debt securities of that series when that series is created. (Section 501)

If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series may declare the entire principal of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If such a declaration occurs, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series can, subject to conditions, rescind the declaration. (Sections 502, 513)

Each of the indentures requires us to file an officers’ certificate with the applicable trustee each year that states, to the knowledge of the certifying officers, whether or not any defaults exist under the terms of the applicable indenture. (Section 1005) The applicable trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default, except defaults in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any sinking fund installment, if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders. For purposes of this paragraph, “ default ” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an event of default under the applicable indenture with respect to the debt securities of the applicable series. (Section 602)

Other than its duties in the case of a default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer that trustee reasonable indemnification. (Sections 601, 603) If reasonable indemnification is provided, then, subject to other rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, with respect to the debt securities of that series, direct the time, method and place of:

 

    conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee; or

 

    exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee. (Sections 512, 603)

The holder of a debt security of any series will have the right to begin any proceeding with respect to the applicable indenture or for any remedy only if:

 

    the holder has previously given the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;

 

    the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made a written request of, and offered reasonable indemnification to, the trustee to begin such proceeding;

 

    the trustee has not started such proceeding within 60 days after receiving the request; and

 

    the trustee has not received directions inconsistent with such request from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series during those 60 days. (Section 507)

However, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute right to receive payment of principal of and any premium and interest on the debt security when due and to institute suit to enforce this payment.

Defeasance

Defeasance and Discharge. At the time that we establish a series of debt securities under the applicable indenture, we can provide that the debt securities of that series are subject to the defeasance and discharge provisions of that indenture. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities offered thereby will be subject to the defeasance and discharge provisions of the applicable indenture, and we will be discharged from our obligations on the debt securities of that series if:

 

   

we deposit with the applicable trustee, in trust, sufficient money or, if the debt securities of that series are denominated and payable in U.S. dollars only, Eligible Instruments, to pay the principal, any

 

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interest, any premium and any other sums due on the debt securities of that series, such as sinking fund payments, on the dates the payments are due under the applicable indenture and the terms of the debt securities;

 

    we deliver to the applicable trustee an opinion of counsel that states that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if no deposit had been made; and

 

    if the debt securities of that series are listed on any domestic or foreign securities exchange, the debt securities will not be delisted as a result of the deposit. (Section 403)

When we use the term “ Eligible Instruments ” in this section, we mean monetary assets, money market instruments and securities that are payable in U.S. dollars only and essentially risk free as to collection of principal and interest, including:

 

    direct obligations of the United States backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; or

 

    any obligation of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States if the timely payment of the obligation is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States. (Section 101)

In the event that we deposit money and/or Eligible Instruments in trust and discharge our obligations under a series of debt securities as described above, then:

 

    the applicable indenture, including, in the case of subordinated debt securities, the subordination provisions contained in the subordinated indenture, will no longer apply to the debt securities of that series; however, certain obligations to compensate, reimburse and indemnify the trustee, to register the transfer and exchange of debt securities, to replace lost, stolen or mutilated debt securities, to maintain paying agencies and the trust funds and to pay additional amounts, if any, required as a result of U.S. withholding taxes imposed on payments to non-U.S. persons will continue to apply; and

 

    holders of debt securities of that series can only look to the trust fund for payment of principal, any premium and any interest on the debt securities of that series. (Section 403)

Defeasance of Certain Covenants and Certain Events of Default. At the time that we establish a series of debt securities under the applicable indenture, we can provide that the debt securities of that series are subject to the covenant defeasance provisions of that indenture. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities offered thereby will be subject to the covenant defeasance provisions of the applicable indenture, and if we make the deposit and deliver the opinion of counsel described above in this section under the heading “—Defeasance and Discharge,” we will not have to comply with any covenant we designate when we establish the series of debt securities. In the event of a covenant defeasance, our obligations under the applicable indenture and the debt securities, other than with respect to the covenants specifically designated upon establishing the debt securities, will remain in effect. (Section 1501)

If we exercise our option not to comply with certain covenants as described above and the debt securities of the series become immediately due and payable because an event of default has occurred, other than as a result of an event of default specifically relating to any of such covenants, the amount of money and/or Eligible Instruments on deposit with the applicable trustee will be sufficient to pay the principal, any interest, any premium and any other sums, due on the debt securities of that series, such as sinking fund payments, on the date the payments are due under the applicable indenture and the terms of the debt securities, but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due at the time of acceleration. However, we would remain liable for the balance of the payments. (Section 1501)

 

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Subordination

The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate to all of our existing and future Senior Debt, as defined below. Our “ Senior Debt ” includes the senior debt securities and means the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, rent under, and any other amounts payable on or in or in respect of any of our indebtedness (including, without limitation, any obligations in respect of such indebtedness and any interest accruing after the filing of a petition by or against us under any bankruptcy law, whether or not allowed as a claim after such filing in any proceeding under such bankruptcy law), whether outstanding on the date of the senior indenture or thereafter created, incurred, assumed, guaranteed or in effect guaranteed by us (including all deferrals, renewals, extensions, refinancings or refundings of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to the foregoing). However, Senior Debt does not include:

 

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

 

    our indebtedness to any of our subsidiaries;

 

    our trade payables and accrued expenses (including, without limitation, accrued compensation) for goods, services or materials purchased or provided in the ordinary course of business; and

 

    any particular indebtedness in which the instrument creating or evidencing the same expressly provides that such indebtedness shall not be senior in right of payment to, or is pari passu with, or is subordinated or junior to, the subordinated debt securities.

If certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur, we will first pay all Senior Debt, including any interest accrued after the events occur, in full before we make any payment or distribution, whether in cash, securities or other property, on account of the principal of or interest on the subordinated debt securities. In such an event, we will pay or deliver directly to the holders of Senior Debt any payment or distribution otherwise payable or deliverable to holders of the subordinated debt securities. We will make the payments to the holders of Senior Debt according to priorities existing among those holders until we have paid all Senior Debt, including accrued interest, in full. Notwithstanding the subordination provisions discussed in this paragraph, we may make payments or distributions on the subordinated debt securities so long as:

 

    the payments or distributions consist of securities issued by us or another company in connection with a plan of reorganization or readjustment; and

 

    payment on those securities is subordinate to outstanding Senior Debt and any securities issued with respect to Senior Debt under such plan of reorganization or readjustment at least to the same extent provided in the subordination provisions of the subordinated debt securities. (Section 1601 of the subordinated indenture)

If such events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur, after we have paid in full all amounts owed on Senior Debt:

 

    the holders of subordinated debt securities,

 

    together with the holders of any of our other obligations ranking equal with those subordinated debt securities,

will be entitled to receive from our remaining assets any principal, premium or interest due at that time on the subordinated debt securities and such other obligations before we make any payment or other distribution on account of any of our capital stock or obligations ranking junior to those subordinated debt securities.

If we violate the subordinated indenture by making a payment or distribution to holders of the subordinated debt securities before we have paid all of the Senior Debt in full, then such holders of the subordinated debt securities will be deemed to have received the payments or distributions in trust for the benefit of, and will have to pay or transfer the payments or distributions to, the holders of the Senior Debt outstanding at the time. The

 

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payment or transfer to the holders of the Senior Debt will be made according to the priorities existing among those holders. Notwithstanding the subordination provisions discussed in this paragraph, holders of subordinated debt securities will not be required to pay, or transfer payments or distributions to, holders of Senior Debt so long as:

 

    the payments or distributions consist of securities issued by us or another company in connection with a plan of reorganization or readjustment; and

 

    payment on those securities is subordinated to outstanding Senior Debt and any securities issued with respect to Senior Debt under such plan of reorganization or readjustment at least to the same extent provided in the subordination provisions of those subordinated debt securities. (Section 1601 of the subordinated indenture)

Because of the subordination, if we become insolvent, holders of Senior Debt may receive more, ratably, and holders of the subordinated debt securities having a claim pursuant to those securities may receive less, ratably, than our other creditors.

We may modify or amend the subordinated indenture as provided under “—Modification and Waiver” above. However, the modification or amendment may not, without the consent of the holders of all Senior Debt outstanding, modify any of the provisions of the subordinated indenture relating to the subordination of the subordinated debt securities in a manner that would adversely affect the holders of Senior Debt. (Section 902 of the subordinated indenture)

Payment of Additional Amounts

Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not pay any additional amounts on the debt securities offered thereby to compensate any beneficial owner for any United States tax withheld from payments on such debt securities.

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

We have obtained the information in this section concerning DTC, Clearstream Banking S.A., or “ Clearstream ,” and Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, or “ Euroclear ,” and the book-entry system and procedures from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be issued as fully registered global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC and registered, at the request of DTC, in the name of Cede & Co. Beneficial interests in the global securities will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct or indirect participants in DTC. The direct and indirect participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers. Investors may elect to hold their interests in the global securities through either DTC (in the United States) or (in Europe) through Clearstream or through Euroclear. Investors may hold their interests in the global securities directly if they are participants of such systems, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in these systems. Interests held through Clearstream and Euroclear will be recorded on DTC’s books as being held by the U.S. Depositary for each of Clearstream and Euroclear (the “ U.S. Depositaries ”), which U.S. Depositaries will, in turn, hold interests on behalf of their participants’ customers’ securities accounts. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, beneficial interests in the global securities will be held in denominations of $1,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Except as set forth below, the global securities may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee.

 

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Debt securities represented by a global security can be exchanged for definitive securities in registered form only if:

 

    DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint a qualified successor depositary within 90 days after receiving that notice;

 

    at any time DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days after becoming aware that DTC has ceased to be registered as a clearing agency;

 

    we in our sole discretion determine that such global security will be exchangeable for definitive securities in registered form or elect to terminate the book-entry system through DTC and notify the applicable trustee of our decision; or

 

    an event of default with respect to the debt securities represented by that global security has occurred and is continuing.

A global security that can be exchanged as described in the preceding sentence will be exchanged for definitive securities issued in authorized denominations in registered form for the same aggregate amount. The definitive securities will be registered in the names of the owners of the beneficial interests in the global security as directed by DTC.

We will make principal and interest payments on all debt securities represented by a global security to the paying agent which in turn will make payment to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the sole registered owner and the sole holder of the debt securities represented by a global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Accordingly, we, the applicable trustee and any paying agent will have no responsibility or liability for:

 

    any aspect of DTC’s records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in a debt security represented by a global security;

 

    any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and its participants or the relationship between those participants and the owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through those participants; or

 

    the maintenance, supervision or review of any of DTC’s records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

We understand that DTC’s current practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts on each payment date with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global security as shown on DTC’s records, upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information. The underwriters or agents for the debt securities represented by a global security will initially designate the accounts to be credited. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for customer accounts registered in “street name,” and will be the sole responsibility of those participants, and not of DTC or its nominee, the trustee, any agent of ours, or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements. Book-entry notes may be more difficult to pledge because of the lack of a physical note.

DTC

So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global security, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner and holder of the debt securities represented by that global security for all purposes of the debt securities. Owners of beneficial interests in the debt securities will not be entitled to have debt securities registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered owners or holders of debt securities under the applicable

 

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indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that person is not a DTC participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of debt securities. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in certificated form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial owners may experience delays in receiving distributions on their debt securities since distributions will initially be made to DTC and must then be transferred through the chain of intermediaries to the beneficial owner’s account.

We understand that, under existing industry practices, if we request holders to take any action, or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to take any action which a holder is entitled to take under the applicable indenture, then DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to take that action and those participants would authorize the beneficial owners owning through such participants to take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

Beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and transfers of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants for that global security. The conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to its participants and by its participants to owners of beneficial interests in the debt securities will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect.

We understand that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“ DTCC ”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries.

DTC holds the securities of its participants and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants. The electronic book-entry system eliminates the need for physical certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, including underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of which, and/or their representatives, own DTCC. Banks, brokers, dealers, trust companies and others that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly, also have access to DTC’s book-entry system. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

The above information with respect to DTC has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a representation, warranty or contract modification of any kind.

Clearstream

We understand that Clearstream was incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as an international clearing system. Clearstream holds securities for its participating organizations, or “ Clearstream Participants ,” and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to Clearstream Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic securities markets in several countries. As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector ( Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier ). Clearstream Participants are recognized

 

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financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Clearstream’s U.S. Participants are limited to securities brokers and dealers and banks. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream Participant either directly or indirectly.

Distributions with respect to debt securities held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. Depositary for Clearstream.

Euroclear

We understand that Euroclear was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear, or “ Euroclear Participants ,” and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear performs various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interacts with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., or the “ Euroclear Operator ,” under contract with Euroclear plc, a U.K. corporation. All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not Euroclear plc. Euroclear plc establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants include banks, including central banks, securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly. Euroclear is an indirect participant in DTC.

The Euroclear Operator is a Belgian bank. As such it is regulated by the Belgian Banking and Finance Commission and the National Bank of Belgium.

Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law, which we will refer to herein as the “ Terms and Conditions .” The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear Participants, and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear Participants.

Distributions with respect to debt securities held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear Participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the Euroclear Operator.

We further understand that investors that acquire, hold and transfer interests in the debt securities by book-entry through accounts with the Euroclear Operator or any other securities intermediary are subject to the laws and contractual provisions governing their relationship with their intermediary, as well as the laws and contractual provisions governing the relationship between such an intermediary and each other intermediary, if any, standing between themselves and the global securities.

Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, initial settlement for the debt securities will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in

 

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the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System. Secondary market trading between Clearstream Participants and/or Euroclear Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in immediately available funds.

Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream Participants or Euroclear Participants, on the other, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. Depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. Depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving debt securities through DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream Participants and Euroclear Participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. Depositaries.

Because of time-zone differences, credits of debt securities received through Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in such debt securities settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear Participants or Clearstream Participants on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of sales of debt securities by or through a Clearstream Participant or a Euroclear Participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.

If the debt securities are cleared only through Euroclear and Clearstream (and not DTC), you will be able to make and receive through Euroclear and Clearstream payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices, and other transactions involving any securities held through those systems only on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers, and other institutions are open for business in the United States. In addition, because of time-zone differences, U.S. investors who hold their interests in the securities through these systems and wish to transfer their interests, or to receive or make a payment or delivery or exercise any other right with respect to their interests, on a particular day may find that the transaction will not be effected until the next business day in Luxembourg or Brussels, as applicable. Thus, U.S. investors who wish to exercise rights that expire on a particular day may need to act before the expiration date.

Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of debt securities among participants of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be modified or discontinued at any time. Neither we nor any paying agent will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective direct or indirect participants of their obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

Conversion and Exchange

If any offered debt securities are convertible into shares of any of our capital stock at the option of the holders or exchangeable for shares of any of our capital stock at our option, the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities will include the terms and conditions governing any conversions and exchanges.

 

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Notices

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, any notices required to be given to the holders of the debt securities in global form will be given to the depositary.

Governing Law

The indentures are, and the debt securities will be, governed by and will be construed in accordance with New York law.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

This section describes the general terms and provisions of the warrants. A prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the warrants offered through that prospectus supplement and any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to those warrants.

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, or depositary shares. Warrants may be issued alone or together with common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, or depositary shares offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from those securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, which will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The securities warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not act as an agent or trustee for any holders of warrants.

We have summarized the material terms and provisions of the warrant agreements and warrants in this section. We will file the form of warrant agreement for common stock (including the form of warrant), the form of warrant agreement for preferred stock (including the form of warrant), the form of warrant agreement for debt securities (including the form of warrant) with the SEC either as an exhibit to an amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K. You should read the applicable forms of warrant agreement and warrant certificate for additional information before you buy any warrants.

General

If we offer warrants, the applicable prospectus supplement will identify the warrant agent and describe the terms of the warrants, including the following:

 

    the offering price;

 

    the currency for which warrants may be purchased;

 

    the designation, aggregate principal amount, currency of denomination and payment, and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

    if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities issued with the warrants and the number of warrants issued with such securities;

 

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

 

    the principal amount of securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant, and the price at and the currency in which the principal amount of such securities may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

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

 

    United States federal income tax considerations;

 

    whether the warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form; and

 

    any other terms of the warrants.

You may, at the corporate trust offices of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement:

 

    exchange warrant certificates for new warrant certificates of different denominations;

 

    if the warrant certificates are in registered form, present them for registration of transfer; and

 

    exercise warrant certificates.

Before exercising warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon exercise, including the right to receive payments on such securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the indenture.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

The following is a general description of the terms of the purchase contracts we may issue from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any purchase contracts and, if applicable, prepaid purchase contracts. The description in the prospectus supplement will be qualified in its entirety by reference to (1) the purchase contracts, (2) the collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable, relating to such purchase contracts and (3) if applicable, the prepaid purchase contracts and the document pursuant to which such prepaid purchase contracts will be issued.

We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to holders, a fixed or varying number of shares of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities at a future date or dates. The consideration may be fixed at the time that the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the purchase contracts. Any purchase contract may include anti-dilution provisions to adjust the number of shares issuable pursuant to such purchase contract, as applicable, upon the occurrence of certain events.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may, from time to time, issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. A prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the units offered under that prospectus supplement, and any special considerations, including tax considerations, applicable to investing in those units. You must review the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable unit agreement for a full understanding of the specific terms of any units. We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of unit agreement, including a form of unit certificate, if any, that describes the terms of the series of units we are offering. While the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement and incorporated documents. The terms of any units offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.

General

Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time, or at any time before a specified date.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement and any incorporated documents the terms of the series of units, including the following:

 

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

 

    any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described below; and

 

    any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer, or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units.

The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under the other sections describing the securities offered by this prospectus, will apply to each unit and to any of such other securities included in each unit.

Issuance in Series

We may issue units in such amounts and in such numerous distinct series as we determine.

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Units

Each unit agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable unit agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any unit. A single bank or trust company may act as unit agent for more than one series of units. A unit agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable unit agreement or unit, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a unit, without the consent of the related unit agent or the holder of any other unit, may enforce by appropriate legal action its rights as holder under any security included in the unit.

Title

We, the unit agent, and any of their agents may treat the registered holder of any unit certificate as an absolute owner of the units evidenced by that certificate for any purposes and as the person entitled to exercise the rights attaching to the units so requested, despite any notice to the contrary.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities described in this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

    on the NYSE MKT (including through at-the-market offerings);

 

    in the over-the-counter market;

 

    in privately negotiated transactions;

 

    to purchasers directly;

 

    to underwriters for public offering and sale by them;

 

    in a block trade in which a broker/dealer will attempt to sell a block of securities as agent but may position and

 

    resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

    through agents;

 

    through dealers; or

 

    through a combination of any of the foregoing methods of sale.

Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities offered under this prospectus may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit on the resale of the offered securities by them may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any underwriters or agents will be identified and their compensation, including any underwriting discount or commission, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement to the extent required. The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe other terms of the offering, including the initial public offering price, any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchanges on which the offered securities may be listed.

The distribution of the securities offered under this prospectus may occur from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

We may determine the price or other terms of the securities offered under this prospectus by use of an electronic auction. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement how any auction will be conducted to determine the price or any other terms of the securities, how potential investors may participate in the auction and, where applicable, the nature of the underwriters’ obligations with respect to the auction.

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the debt securities offered under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement from us at the public offering price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitation of these contracts.

We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make as a result of those certain civil liabilities.

In connection with any offering of the securities offered under this prospectus, underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of such securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale

 

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by underwriters of a greater number of securities than the underwriters are required to purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities while the offering is in progress.

Underwriters may also impose a penalty bid in any offering of securities offered under this prospectus through a syndicate of underwriters. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the other underwriters have repurchased securities sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

These activities by underwriters may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities offered under this prospectus. As a result, the price of such securities may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by underwriters at any time. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

Underwriters or agents and their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

Some or all of the securities may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters that purchase the securities for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the trading markets for any securities.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities and certain other matters will be passed upon for us by Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

EXPERTS

The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and the effectiveness of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

Grant Thornton LLP will be the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015.

Certain estimates of our oil and gas reserves used herein were based in part upon reports prepared by Ryder Scott Company, L.P., independent consulting petroleum engineers. These estimates are included herein in reliance on the authority of such firm as an expert in such matters.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses (other than underwriting compensation), all of which will be paid by us, to be incurred in connection with the registration and sale of the securities:

 

SEC Registration Fee

$ 58,100   

Rating Agency Fees

  *   

Legal Fees and Expenses

  *   

Accounting Fees and Expenses

  *   

Trustee’s Fees and Expenses

  *   

Blue Sky Fees

  *   

Printing and Engraving Fees

  *   

Miscellaneous

  *   
  

 

 

 

Total

$ *   
  

 

 

 

 

* Estimated expenses are not presently known.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

General Corporation Law of Minnesota

We are subject to Minnesota Statutes Section 302A.521, which provides that a corporation shall indemnify any person made or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by reason of the former or present official capacity (as defined in Section 302A.521 of the Minnesota Statutes) of that person against judgments, penalties, fines, including, without limitation, excise taxes assessed against such person with respect to an employee benefit plan, settlements and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees and disbursements, incurred by such person in connection with the proceeding, if, with respect to the acts or omissions of that person complained of in the proceeding, that person:

 

    has not been indemnified therefor by another organization or employee benefit plan;

 

    acted in good faith;

 

    received no improper personal benefit and Section 302A.255 (with respect to director conflicts of interest), if applicable, has been satisfied;

 

    in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful; and

 

    in the case of acts or omissions occurring in such person’s performance in an official capacity, such person must have acted in a manner such person reasonably believed was in the best interests of the corporation or, in certain limited circumstances, not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.

In addition, Section 302A.521, subdivision 3 requires payment by the registrant, upon written request, of reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition in certain instances. A decision as to required indemnification is made by a majority of the disinterested board of directors present at a meeting at which a disinterested quorum is present, or by a designated committee of disinterested directors, by special legal counsel, by the disinterested shareholders, or by a court.

Our articles of incorporation allow us to indemnify our directors to the fullest extent permitted by the Minnesota Business Corporation Act. Our bylaws provide that we will indemnify any of our officers, directors, employees, and agents to the fullest extent permitted by Minnesota law. Our bylaws also provide that we may

 

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purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person in such person’s official capacity against any liability asserted against and incurred by such person in or arising from that capacity, whether or not the Company would otherwise be required to indemnify the person against the liability.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted for our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

Reference is made to the forms of Underwriting Agreement, which will be included or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to this registration statement for provisions regarding indemnification of the Registrant’s officers, directors and controlling persons against specified liabilities.

 

Item 16. Exhibits

A list of exhibits included as part of this registration statement is set forth in the Exhibit Index which immediately following the signature page and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 17. Undertakings

 

(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

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

 

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

 

  (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

 

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

provided, however, that subparagraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form SF-3, or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

  (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

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

 

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

 

  (B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or

 

  (5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

  (i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424,

 

  (ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;

 

  (iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

 

  (iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

 

(b) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c)

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of

 

II-3


Table of Contents
  expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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

 

II-4


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Wayzata, State of Minnesota, on July 10, 2015.

 

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.

By:

 

/s/ Thomas W. Stoelk

  Thomas W. Stoelk,
  Chief Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each of the undersigned directors of the Registrant does hereby make, constitute and appoint Michael L. Reger and Thomas W. Stoelk, and each of them or their respective successors as officers of the Registrant, either of whom may act without the joinder of the other, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead, to sign on his or her behalf, individually and in the capacities stated below, a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on Form S-3 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting documents, to be filed by the Registrant with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of securities of the Registrant that may be offered by the Registrant, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts necessary or incidental to the performance and execution of the powers herein expressly granted.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacity and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Michael L. Reger

Michael L. Reger

   Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Director   July 10, 2015

/s/ Thomas W. Stoelk

Thomas W. Stoelk

   Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer   July 10, 2015

/s/ Lisa Bromiley

Lisa Bromiley

   Director   July 10, 2015

/s/ Robert Grabb

Robert Grabb

   Director   June 15, 2015

/s/ Delos Cy Jamison

Delos Cy Jamison

   Director   July 10, 2015

/s/ Jack King

Jack King

   Director   July 10, 2015

/s/ Richard Weber

Richard Weber

   Director   July 10, 2015

 

II-5


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  

Method of Filing

  1.1

   Form of Underwriting Agreement for Common Stock*   

  1.2

   Form of Underwriting Agreement for Preferred Stock*   

  1.3

   Form of Underwriting Agreement for Depositary Shares*   

  1.4

   Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities*   

  1.5

   Form of Underwriting Agreement for Warrants*   

  1.6

   Form of Underwriting Agreement for Purchase Contracts*   

  1.7

   Form of Underwriting Agreement for Units*   

  4.1

   Specimen Common Stock Certificate of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 2, 2010.

  4.2

   Articles of Incorporation of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 2, 2010.

  4.3

   Bylaws of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 2, 2010.

  4.4

   Statement of Designation of Preferred Stock*   

  4.5

   Form of Preferred Stock Certificate*   

  4.6

   Form of Deposit Agreement (including form of Depositary Receipt*   

  4.7

   Form of Senior Indenture    Filed Herewith

  4.8

   Form of Subordinated Indenture    Filed Herewith

  4.9

   Form of Senior Note*   

  4.10

   Form of Subordinated Note*   

  4.11

   Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement (including form of Common Stock Warrant Certificate)*   

  4.12

   Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement (including form of Preferred Stock Warrant Certificate)*   

  4.13

   Form of Depositary Share Warrant Agreement (including form of Depositary Share Warrant Certificate)*   

 

II-6


Table of Contents

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  

Method of Filing

  4.14

   Form of Debt Warrant Agreement (including form of Debt Warrant Certificate)*   

  4.15

   Form of Purchase Contract (including form of Purchase Contract Certificate)*   

  4.16

   Form of Unit Agreement (including form of Unit Certificate)*   

  5.1

   Opinion of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP    Filed Herewith

12.1

   Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges    Filed Herewith

23.1

   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP    Filed Herewith

23.2

   Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.    Filed Herewith

23.3

   Consent of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)    Filed Herewith

24.1

   Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto)    Filed Herewith

25.1

   Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under the Senior Debt Indenture**   

25.2

   Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture**   

 

* To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and to be incorporated herein by reference or by a post-effective amendment to this registration statement.
** To be filed on Form T-1 pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

II-7

Exhibit 4.7

 

 

 

NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.

TO

[                                         ]

Trustee

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of [                    ]

 

 

Senior Debt Securities

 

 

 


Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and

Indenture, dated as of [                    ]

 

Trust Indenture Act Section    Indenture Section
§310(a)(1)    609
        (a)(2)    609
        (a)(3)    Not Applicable
        (a)(4)    Not Applicable
        (a)(5)    609
        (b)    608, 610
§311(a)    613
        (b)    613
§312(a)    701, 702(a)
        (b)    702(b)
        (c)    702(c)
§313(a)    703(a)
        (b)    703(a)
        (c)    703(a)
        (d)    703(b)
§314(a)    704, 1005
        (b)    Not Applicable
        (c)(1)    102
        (c)(2)    102
        (c)(3)    Not Applicable
        (d)    Not Applicable
        (e)    102
§315(a)    601
        (b)    602
        (c)    601
        (d)    601
        (e)    514
§316(a)    101
        (a)(1)(A)    104(h), 502,
   512
        (a)(1)(B)    104(h), 513
        (a)(2)    Not Applicable
        (b)    508
        (c)    104(h)
§317(a)(1)    503
        (a)(2)    504
        (b)    1003
§318(a)    107
        (c)    107

 

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


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

Parties

       1   

Recitals

       1   
  ARTICLE ONE   
  Definitions and Other Provisions of General Application   

Section 101.

 

Definitions

     1   

Act

     2   

Affiliate

     2   

Authorized Newspaper

     2   

Bearer Security

     2   

Board of Directors

     2   

Board Resolution

     2   

Business Day

     3   

Clearstream

     3   

Commission

     3   

Company

     3   

Company Request and Company Order

     3   

corporation

     3   

coupon

     3   

Debt Securities

     3   

Defaulted Interest

     3   

Depositary

     3   

Designated Currency

     4   

Dollar or $

     4   

Eligible Instruments

     4   

Euro

     4   

Euroclear

     4   

Event of Default

     4   

Exchange Act

     4   

Exchange Rate

     4   

Exchange Rate Agent

     4   

Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate

     4   

Foreign Currency

     4   

Global Exchange Agent

     4   

Global Exchange Date

     5   

Global Security

     5   

Holder

     5   

Indenture

     5   

interest

     5   


Interest Payment Date

  5   

Maturity

  5   

Officers’ Certificate

  5   

Opinion of Counsel

  5   

Original Issue Discount Security

  5   

Outstanding

  6   

Paying Agent

  6   

Person

  6   

Place of Payment

  6   

Predecessor Security

  7   

Redemption Date

  7   

Redemption Price

  7   

Registered Security

  7   

Regular Record Date

  7   

Remarketing Entity

  7   

Repayment Date

  7   

Repayment Price

  7   

Responsible Officer

  7   

Security Register

  7   

Special Record Date

  7   

Stated Maturity

  8   

Trust Indenture Act

  8   

Trustee

  8   

United States

  8   

United States Alien

  8   

U.S. Government Obligations

  8   

Section 102.

Compliance Certificates and Opinions

  8   

Section 103.

Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee

  9   

Section 104.

Acts of Holders

  10   

Section 105.

Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company

  12   

Section 106.

Notice to Holders; Waiver

  12   

Section 107.

Conflict with Trust Indenture Act

  13   

Section 108.

Effect of Headings and Table of Contents

  14   

Section 109.

Successors and Assigns

  14   

Section 110.

Separability Clause

  14   

Section 111.

Benefits of Indenture

  14   

Section 112.

Governing Law

  14   

Section 113.

Legal Holidays

  14   

Section 114.

Counterparts

  15   

Section 115.

Exemption from Individual Liability

  15   
ARTICLE TWO
Debt Security Forms

Section 201.

Forms Generally

  15   

Section 202.

Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

  16   

Section 203.

Debt Securities in Global Form

  16   

 

ii


ARTICLE THREE
The Debt Securities

Section 301.

Amount Unlimited; Issuance in Series

  17   

Section 302.

Denominations

  20   

Section 303.

Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

  21   

Section 304.

Temporary Debt Securities

  24   

Section 305.

Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange

  26   

Section 306.

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Debt Securities

  30   

Section 307.

Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved

  31   

Section 308.

Persons Deemed Owners

  33   

Section 309.

Cancellation

  33   

Section 310.

Computation of Interest

  34   

Section 311.

Certification by a Person Entitled to Delivery of a Bearer Security

  34   

Section 312.

Judgments

  34   
ARTICLE FOUR
Satisfaction and Discharge

Section 401.

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

  35   

Section 402.

Application of Trust Money and Eligible Instruments

  36   

Section 403.

Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance of Debt Securities of any Series

  37   
ARTICLE FIVE
Remedies

Section 501.

Events of Default

  40   

Section 502.

Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment

  41   

Section 503.

Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee

  42   

Section 504.

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

  43   

Section 505.

Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Debt Securities or Coupons

  44   

Section 506.

Application of Money Collected

  44   

Section 507.

Limitation on Suits

  45   

Section 508.

Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest

  45   

Section 509.

Restoration of Rights and Remedies

  46   

Section 510.

Rights and Remedies Cumulative

  46   

Section 511.

Delay or Omission Not Waiver

  46   

Section 512.

Control by Holders of Debt Securities

  46   

Section 513.

Waiver of Past Defaults

  47   

Section 514.

Undertaking for Costs

  47   

Section 515.

Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws

  48   

 

iii


    ARTICLE SIX       
  The Trustee   

Section 601.

 

Certain Duties and Responsibilities

     48   

Section 602.

 

Notice of Default

     49   

Section 603.

 

Certain Rights of Trustee

     50   

Section 604.

 

Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Debt Securities

     51   

Section 605.

 

May Hold Debt Securities or Coupons

     51   

Section 606.

 

Money Held in Trust

     51   

Section 607.

 

Compensation and Reimbursement

     51   

Section 608.

 

Disqualification; Conflicting Interests

     52   

Section 609.

 

Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility

     52   

Section 610.

 

Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor

     53   

Section 611.

 

Acceptance of Appointment by Successor

     55   

Section 612.

 

Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

     56   

Section 613.

 

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company

     56   

Section 614.

 

Authenticating Agent

     56   
  ARTICLE SEVEN   
  Holders’ Lists and Reports By Trustee and Company   

Section 701.

 

Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders

     58   

Section 702.

 

Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders

     59   

Section 703.

 

Reports by Trustee

     59   

Section 704.

 

Reports by Company

     59   
  ARTICLE EIGHT   
  Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease   

Section 801.

 

Company May Consolidate, etc. Only on Certain Terms

     60   

Section 802.

 

Successor Corporation Substituted

     60   
  ARTICLE NINE   
  Supplemental Indentures   

Section 901.

 

Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders

     61   

Section 902.

 

Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders

     62   

Section 903.

 

Execution of Supplemental Indentures

     63   

Section 904.

 

Effect of Supplemental Indentures

     64   

Section 905.

 

Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

     64   

Section 906.

 

Reference in Debt Securities to Supplemental Indentures

     64   

 

iv


  ARTICLE TEN    
Covenants

Section 1001.

Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest

  64   

Section 1002.

Maintenance of Office or Agency

  65   

Section 1003.

Money for Debt Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust

  66   

Section 1004.

Payment of Additional Amounts

  67   

Section 1005.

Officers’ Certificate as to Default

  68   

Section 1006.

Waiver of Certain Covenants

  68   
ARTICLE ELEVEN
Redemption of Debt Securities

Section 1101.

Applicability of Article

  69   

Section 1102.

Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee

  69   

Section 1103.

Selection by Trustee of Debt Securities to be Redeemed

  69   

Section 1104.

Notice of Redemption

  70   

Section 1105.

Deposit of Redemption Price

  71   

Section 1106.

Debt Securities Payable on Redemption Date

  71   

Section 1107.

Debt Securities Redeemed in Part

  72   
ARTICLE TWELVE
Sinking Funds

Section 1201.

Applicability of Article

  72   

Section 1202.

Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Debt Securities

  73   

Section 1203.

Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund

  73   
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
Repayment at the Option of Holders

Section 1301.

Applicability of Article

  74   

Section 1302.

Repayment of Debt Securities

  74   

Section 1303.

Exercise of Option; Notice

  74   

Section 1304.

Election of Repayment by Remarketing Entities

  75   

Section 1305.

Securities Payable on the Repayment Date

  76   
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
Meetings of Holders of Debt Securities

Section 1401.

Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called

  76   

Section 1402.

Call, Notice and Place of Meetings

  76   

Section 1403.

Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings

  77   

Section 1404.

Quorum; Action

  77   

Section 1405.

Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings

  78   

Section 1406.

Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings

  79   

 

v


ARTICLE FIFTEEN
Defeasance

Section 1501.

Termination of Company’s Obligations

  79   

Section 1502.

Repayment to Company

  80   

Section 1503.

Indemnity for Eligible Instruments

  81   

Exhibit A-1

Exhibit A-2

Exhibit B

 

vi


INDENTURE (the “Indenture”) dated as of [                    ], between NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC., a Minnesota corporation (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal place of business at 315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200, Wayzata, Minnesota 55391, and [                    ], (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), a national banking association duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America having its Corporate Trust Office at [                                             ].

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Debt Securities”).

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

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Debt Securities of any series created and issued on or after the date hereof by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed for the benefit of all Holders of such Debt Securities or of any such series, 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 unless the context otherwise requires:

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

(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act or by Commission rule or regulation under the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 905, have the meanings assigned to them therein;


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

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

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

“Act” when used with respect to any Holder has the meaning specified in Section 104.

“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.

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper in an official language of the country of publication or in the English language customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, and of general circulation in the place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any Business Day.

“Bearer Security” means any Debt Security established pursuant to Section 201 which is payable to bearer including, without limitation, unless the context otherwise indicates, a Debt Security in global bearer form.

“Board of Directors” means either the board of directors of the Company, or the executive or any other committee of that board duly authorized to act in respect hereof.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee. Where any provision of this Indenture refers to action to be taken pursuant to a Board Resolution (including the establishment of any series of the Debt Securities and the forms and terms thereof), such action may be taken by any committee of the Board of the Company or any officer or employee of the Company authorized to take such action by a Board Resolution.

 

2


“Business Day”, when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means any day which is not a Saturday or Sunday and which is not a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking S.A.

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

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

“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President (any references to a Vice President of the Company herein shall be deemed to include any Vice President of the Company whether or not designated by a number or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, an Assistant Controller, Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or by another officer of the Company duly authorized to sign by a Board Resolution, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date of original execution of this Indenture is located at [                                        ].

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

The term “coupon” means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

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

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307.

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Debt Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of a Global Security, the Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section 301 until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each

 

3


person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Debt Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.

“Designated Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 312.

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

“Eligible Instruments” means monetary assets, money market instruments and securities that are payable in Dollars only and essentially risk free as to collection of principal and interest, including U.S. Government Obligations.

“Euro” means the single currency of the European Monetary Union as defined under EC Regulation 1103/97 adopted under Article 235 of the EU Treaty and under EC Regulation 974/98 adopted under Article 109l(4) of the EU Treaty or under any successor European legislation from time to time.

“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., 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.

“Exchange Rate” shall have the meaning specified as contemplated in Section 301.

“Exchange Rate Agent” shall have the meaning specified as contemplated in Section 301.

“Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate”, with respect to any date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any series of Debt Securities, means a certificate setting forth the applicable Exchange Rate and the amounts payable in Dollars and Foreign Currencies in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Debt Securities denominated in Euro, any other composite currency or Foreign Currency, and signed by the Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the President, a Vice President, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the Company or the Exchange Rate Agent appointed pursuant to Section 301, and delivered to the Trustee.

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

“Global Exchange Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

 

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“Global Exchange Date” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

“Global Security” means a Debt Security issued to evidence all or part of a series of Debt Securities in accordance with Section 303.

“Holder”, with respect to a Registered Security, means a Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered in the Security Register and, with respect to a Bearer Security or a coupon, means the bearer thereof.

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

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

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

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

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, an Assistant Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture) be an employee of or counsel for the Company, or who may be other counsel, which is delivered to the Trustee.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Debt Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

 

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“Outstanding”, when used with respect to Debt Securities means, as of the date of determination, all Debt Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(i) Debt Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(ii) Debt Securities or portions thereof for whose payment or redemption money or Eligible Instruments 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 Debt Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto; provided, however, that if such Debt Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and

(iii) Debt Securities in exchange for or in lieu of which other Debt Securities have been authenticated and delivered, or which have been paid, pursuant to this Indenture;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Debt Securities Outstanding have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Debt Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt 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 relying upon such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Debt Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Debt Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Debt Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

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

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

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

 

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

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

“Redemption Price”, when used with respect to any Debt Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

“Registered Security” means any Debt Security in the form of Registered Securities established pursuant to Section 201 which is registered in the Security Register.

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

“Remarketing Entity”, when used with respect to Debt Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity, means any person designated by the Company to purchase any such Debt Securities.

“Repayment Date”, when used with respect to any Debt Security to be repaid upon exercise of an option for repayment by the Holder, means the date fixed for such repayment pursuant to this Indenture.

“Repayment Price”, when used with respect to any Debt Security to be repaid upon exercise of an option for repayment by the Holder, means the price at which it is to be repaid pursuant to this Indenture.

“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any vice president, any assistant vice president, any senior trust officer or assistant trust officer, any trust officer, or any other officer associated with the corporate trust department of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

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

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

 

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

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 905.

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

“United States” means the United States of America (including the District of Columbia) and its possessions.

“United States Alien” means any Person who, for United States Federal income tax purposes, is a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual, a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust, or a foreign partnership one or more of the members of which is, for United States Federal income tax purposes, a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual or a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

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, if so requested by the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an

 

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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 shall include:

(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition 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 or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition 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 with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

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

 

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

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 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. If Debt Securities of a series are issuable in whole or in part 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 may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Debt Securities voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article Fourteen, 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 and so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Debt Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1406.

(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 Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership of Registered Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.

(d) The principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depositary, by any trust company, bank, banker or other depositary, 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 deposit with such depositary, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities in the amount and with the serial numbers 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

 

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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.

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

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

(g) For purposes of determining the principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series the Holders of which are required, requested or permitted to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other Act under this Indenture, (i) each Original Issue Discount Security shall be deemed to have the principal amount determined by the Trustee that could be declared to be due and payable pursuant to the terms of such Original Issue Discount Security as of the date there is delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company, such Act by Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series and (ii) each Debt Security denominated in a Foreign Currency or composite currency shall be deemed to have the principal amount determined by the Exchange Rate Agent by converting the principal amount of such Debt Security in the currency in which such Debt Security is denominated into Dollars at the Exchange Rate as of the date such Act is delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company, by Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series (or, if there is no such rate on such date, such rate on the date determined as specified as contemplated in Section 301).

(h) The Company may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders of Debt Securities of any series entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted by Section 512 or Section 513. Such record date shall be the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders of such Debt Securities furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 701 prior to such solicitation.

 

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Section 105. Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided), if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (which may be via original or facsimile) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and which shall be deemed delivered when actually received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, 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 the attention of its Secretary at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided, however , that (a) the party providing such electronic instructions or directions, subsequent to the transmission thereof, shall provide the originally executed instructions or directions to the Trustee in a timely manner and (b) such originally executed instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such instructions or directions. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions or directions notwithstanding such instructions or directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction or direction or if the subsequent written instruction or direction is never received. The party providing instructions or directions by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods, as aforesaid, agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

Section 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, (1) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Registered Securities if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of a Registered Security affected by such event, at such Holder’s 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; and (2) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Bearer Securities by publication thereof in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York

 

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and, if the Debt Securities of such series are then listed on any stock exchange outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, in any other required city outside the United States or, if not practicable, in Europe on a Business Day at least twice, the first such publication to be not later than the latest date and not earlier than the earliest date prescribed for the giving of such notice.

In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service or for any other reason, it shall be impossible or impracticable to mail notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities when said notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is to be given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder of a Registered Security shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice by publication to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided above.

In case, by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible or impracticable to make publication of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, then such method of publication or notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient publication of such notice. Neither failure to give notice by publication to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of any notice mailed to Holders of Registered Securities as provided above.

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.

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

Section 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.

 

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Section 108. 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 109. 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 110. Separability Clause.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities or any coupons 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 111. Benefits of Indenture.

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities or any coupons, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, any Paying Agent and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 112. Governing Law.

This Indenture and the Debt Securities and any coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Section 113. Legal Holidays.

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or Stated Maturity of any Debt Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities or coupons) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or at the Stated Maturity, and no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.

 

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Section 114. Counterparts.

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 115. Exemption from Individual Liability.

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

ARTICLE TWO

Debt Security Forms

Section 201. Forms Generally.

The Registered Securities, if any, and the Bearer Securities and related coupons, if any, of each series shall be in substantially the form (including temporary or permanent global form) as shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon, as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities or coupons, as evidenced by their signatures on the Debt Securities or coupons. If the form of Debt

 

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Securities of any series or coupons (including any such Global Security) is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 303 for the authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities or coupons.

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, Debt Securities in bearer form other than Debt Securities in temporary or permanent global form shall have coupons attached.

The definitive Debt Securities and coupons, if any, shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities, as evidenced by the execution of such Debt Securities and coupons.

Section 202. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

This is one of the Debt Securities, of the series designated herein, described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

[                                         ],
as Trustee
By

 

Authorized Signatory
Dated 

 

Section 203. Debt Securities in Global Form.

If Debt Securities of a series are issuable in whole or in part in global form, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, then, notwithstanding clause (10) of Section 301 and the provisions of Section 302, such Global Security shall represent such of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Debt Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Debt Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Debt Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 303 or Section 304.

 

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The provisions of the last sentence of Section 303(g) shall apply to any Debt Securities represented by a Debt Security in global form if such Debt Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Debt 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 respect to the reduction in the principal amount of Debt Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 303(g).

Global Securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form.

ARTICLE THREE

The Debt Securities

Section 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuance in Series.

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

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

(1) the title of the Debt Securities of the series;

(2) the limit, if any, upon the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107 or 1303 and except for any Debt Securities which, pursuant to Section 303, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

(3) the date or dates on which the principal and premium, if any, of the Debt Securities of the series are payable;

(4) the rate or rates, if any, at which the Debt Securities of the series shall bear interest, or the method or methods by which such rate or rates may be determined,

 

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the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable, the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date and the circumstances, if any, in which the Company may defer interest payments;

(5) the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 1002, the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Debt Securities of the series shall be payable, any Registered Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, Debt Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange and notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Debt Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served and where notices to Holders pursuant to Section 106 will be published;

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

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

(8) whether Debt Securities of the series are to be issuable as Registered Securities, Bearer Securities or both, whether Debt Securities of the series are to be issuable with or without coupons or both and, in the case of Bearer Securities, the date as of which such Bearer Securities shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first Debt Security of such series of like tenor and term to be issued;

(9) whether the Debt Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities and, in such case, the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities, whether such global form shall be permanent or temporary and, if applicable, the Global Exchange Date and Global Exchange Agent;

(10) if Debt Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in the form of a temporary Global Security, the circumstances under which the temporary Global Security can be exchanged for definitive Debt Securities and whether the definitive Debt Securities will be Registered and/or Bearer Securities and will be in global form and whether interest in respect of any portion of such Global Security payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date prior to the Global Exchange Date shall be paid to any clearing organization with respect to a portion of such Global Security held for its account and, in such event, the terms and conditions (including any certification requirements) upon which any such interest payment received by a clearing organization

 

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will be credited to the Persons entitled to interest payable on such Interest Payment Date if other than as provided in this Article Three;

(11) whether, and under what conditions, additional amounts will be payable to Holders of Debt Securities of the series pursuant to Section 1004;

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

(13) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Debt Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502;

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

(15) the currency or currencies in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities will be made, the currency or currencies, if any, in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or the interest on Registered Securities, at the election of each of the Holders thereof, may also be payable and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made, and the Exchange Rate and the person who shall be the Exchange Rate Agent for the Debt Securities of such series;

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

(17) any Events of Default with respect to Debt Securities of such series, if not set forth herein;

(18) any other covenant or warranty included for the benefit of the Debt Securities of the series in addition to (and not inconsistent with) those set forth herein for the benefit of Debt Securities of all series, or any other covenant or warranty included for the benefit of Debt Securities of the series in lieu of any covenant or warranty set forth herein for the benefit of Debt Securities of all series, or any provision that any covenant or warranty set forth herein for the benefit of Debt Securities of all series shall not be for the benefit of Debt Securities of such series, or any combination of

 

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such covenants, warranties or provisions and whether the provisions of Section 1006 will not apply such covenants and warranties;

(19) the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the Company’s obligations under this Indenture may be terminated through the deposit of money or Eligible Instruments as provided in Articles Four and Fifteen;

(20) the Person or Persons who shall be Security Registrar for the Debt Securities of such series if other than the Trustee, and the place or places where the Security Register for such series shall be maintained and the Person or Persons who will be the initial Paying Agent or Agents, if other than the Trustee; and

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

All Debt Securities of any one series and the coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series, if any, shall be substantially identical except, in the case of Registered Securities, as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution and set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

Debt Securities of any particular series may be issued at various times, with different dates on which the principal or any installment of principal is payable, with different rates of interest, if any, or different methods by which rates of interest may be determined, with different dates on which such interest may be payable and with different Redemption or Repayment Dates and may be denominated in different currencies or payable in different currencies.

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

Section 302. Denominations.

Debt Securities of each series shall be issuable in such form and denominations as shall be specified in the form of Debt Security for such series approved or established pursuant to Section 201 or in the Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 301. In the absence of any specification with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Registered Securities of such series, if any, shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof and the Bearer Securities of such series, if any, shall be issuable in denominations of $5,000.

 

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Section 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

(a) The Debt Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President, and by its Treasurer or one of its Assistant Treasurers or its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries under its corporate seal reproduced thereon. The signature of any of these officers on the Debt Securities may be manual or facsimile. Coupons shall bear the facsimile signature of an authorized officer of the Company.

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

(b) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, Debt Securities of any series may be executed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication, and, except as otherwise provided in this Article Three, shall thereupon be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee upon Company Order, without any further action by the Company; provided, however, that, in connection with its original issuance, a Bearer Security may be delivered only outside the United States and, except in the case of a temporary Global Security, only if the Company or its agent shall have received the certification required pursuant to Sections 304(b)(iii) and (iv), unless such certification shall have been provided earlier pursuant to section 304(b)(v) hereof, and only if the Company has no reason to know that such certification is false.

To the extent authorized in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, such written Company Order may be given by any one officer or employee of the Company, may be electronically transmitted, and may provide instructions as to registration of holders, principal amounts, rates of interest, maturity dates and other matters contemplated by such Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture to be so instructed in respect thereof. Before authorizing and delivering the first Debt Securities of any series (and upon request of the Trustee thereafter), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee (i) the certificates called for under Sections 201 and 301 hereof and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel described in the next sentence.

 

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In authenticating such Debt Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to any such Debt Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, prior to the initial authentication of such Debt Securities, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(i) a Board Resolution relating thereto and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant to such resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

(ii) an executed supplemental indenture, if any, relating thereto;

(iii) an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the form and terms of the Debt Securities of such series and coupons, if any, pursuant to Sections 201 and 301 and stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the issuance of such Debt Securities have been complied with; and

(iv) an Opinion of Counsel stating

(A) that the form of such Debt Securities and coupons, if any, has been established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or by a supplemental indenture as permitted by Section 201 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(B) that the terms of such Debt Securities and coupons, if any, have been established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or by a supplemental indenture as permitted by Section 301 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(C) that such Debt Securities and coupons, if any, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee 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, as to enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and the application of general principles of equity and except further as enforcement thereof may be limited by (i) requirements that a claim with respect to any Debt Securities denominated other than in Dollars (or a Foreign Currency or currency unit judgment in respect of such claim) be converted into Dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law or (ii) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments in Foreign Currencies or currency units or payments outside the United States.

(c) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 301 that the Debt Securities of a series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global

 

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Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section and the Company Order with respect to such series, authenticate and deliver one or more Global Securities in permanent or temporary form that (i) shall represent and shall be denominated in an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series to be represented by one or more Global Securities, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or the nominee of such Depositary and (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions.

(d) The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debt Securities under this Section 303 if the issuance of such Debt Securities will adversely affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Debt Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

(e) If all the Debt Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Opinion of Counsel at the time of issuance of each Debt Security, but such Opinion of Counsel, with appropriate modifications, may instead be delivered at or prior to the time of the first issuance of Debt Securities of such series.

(f) Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Each Bearer Security shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated by Section 301.

(g) No Debt Security or coupon attached thereto shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Debt Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee, and such certificate upon any Debt Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Debt Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Except as permitted by Section 306, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security unless all related coupons for interest then matured have been detached and cancelled. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Debt Security or portion thereof shall have been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Debt 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) stating that such Debt Security or portion thereof has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Debt Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

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

 

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Section 304. Temporary Debt Securities.

(a) Pending the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon receipt of documents required by Sections 301 and 303, together with a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Debt Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any denomination, substantially of the tenor and terms of the definitive Debt Securities in lieu of which they are issued in registered form or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or more coupons or without coupons, and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Debt Securities may determine, as evidenced by their signatures on such Debt Securities. In the case of Debt Securities of any series issuable as Bearer Securities, such temporary Debt Securities may be in global form, representing all or any part of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series.

(b) Unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301:

(i) Except in the case of temporary Debt Securities in global form, if temporary Debt Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Debt Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of such series, the related temporary Debt Securities shall be exchangeable for such definitive Debt Securities upon surrender of the temporary Debt Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in the Place of Payment for such series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Debt Securities of any series (accompanied, if applicable, by all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default appertaining thereto), the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Debt Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms and of authorized denominations; provided, however, that no Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a Registered Security; and provided, further, that a Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 305.

(ii) If Debt Securities of any series are issued in temporary global form, any such temporary Global Security shall, unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301, be delivered to the Depositary for the benefit of Euroclear and Clearstream, for credit to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of such Debt Securities (or to such other accounts as they may direct).

(iii) 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 “Global Exchange Date”), the Company shall deliver definitive Debt Securities to the Trustee or the agent appointed by the Company pursuant to Section 301 to effect the exchange of the temporary Global Security for definitive Debt Securities (the “Global Exchange Agent”), in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of

 

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such temporary Global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the Global Exchange Date, such temporary Global Security shall be surrendered by the Depositary to the Global Exchange Agent, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Debt Securities without charge and the Trustee or the Global Exchange Agent, if authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 614, shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such temporary Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Debt Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor and terms as the portion of such temporary Global Security to be exchanged. Upon any exchange of a part of such temporary Global Security for definitive Debt Securities, the portion of the principal amount and any interest thereon so exchanged shall be endorsed by the Global Exchange Agent on a schedule to such temporary Global Security, whereupon the principal amount and interest payable with respect to such temporary Global Security shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount so exchanged and endorsed. The definitive Debt Securities to be delivered in exchange for any such temporary Global Security shall be in bearer form, registered form, global registered form or global bearer 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, in the case of the exchange of the temporary Global Security for definitive Bearer Securities (including a definitive Global Bearer Security), upon such presentation by the Depositary, such temporary Global Security shall be accompanied by a certificate signed by Euroclear as to the portion of such temporary Global Security held for its account then to be exchanged and a certificate signed by Clearstream as to the portion of such temporary Global Security held for its account then to be exchanged, each in the form set forth in Exhibit B to this Indenture, unless such certificate(s) shall have been provided earlier pursuant to section 304(b)(v) hereof; and provided, further, that definitive Bearer Securities (including a definitive Global Bearer Security) shall be delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary Global Security only in compliance with the requirements of Section 303.

(iv) The interest of a beneficial owner of Debt Securities of a series in a temporary Global Security shall be exchanged for definitive Debt Securities of the same series and of like tenor and terms following the Global Exchange Date when the account holder instructs Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, to request such exchange on such account holder’s behalf and, in the case of the exchange of the temporary Global Security for definitive Bearer Securities (including a definitive Global Bearer Security), unless such certificate(s) shall have been provided earlier pursuant to Section 304(b)(v) hereof, the account holder delivers to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 and, if applicable, A-2 to this Indenture, dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Global Exchange Date, copies of which certificate shall be available from the offices of Euroclear and Clearstream, the Global Exchange Agent, any authenticating agent appointed for such series of Debt 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 Debt

 

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Securities must bear the cost of insurance, postage, transportation and the like in the event that such Person does not take delivery of such definitive Debt Securities in person at the offices of Euroclear and Clearstream. Definitive Debt Securities in bearer form to be delivered in exchange for any portion of a temporary Global Security shall be delivered only outside the United States.

(v) Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Debt Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debt Securities of the same series and of like tenor and terms authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that interest payable on a temporary Global Security on an Interest Payment Date shall be payable to Euroclear and Clearstream on such Interest Payment Date only if there has been delivered by Euroclear and Clearstream to the Global Exchange Agent a certificate or certificates in the form set forth in Exhibit B to this Indenture dated no earlier than the first Interest Payment Date, for credit without further interest on or after such Interest Payment Date to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of such temporary Global Security on such Interest Payment Date and who have each delivered to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 and, if applicable, A-2 to this Indenture dated no earlier than the first Interest Payment Date. Any interest so received by Euroclear and Clearstream and not paid as herein provided prior to the Global Exchange Date shall be returned to the Global Exchange Agent which, upon expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date, shall repay such interest to the Company in accordance with Section 1003.

Section 305. Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

The Company shall cause to be kept at one of the offices or agencies to be maintained by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Section 305 and Section 1002, with respect to the Debt Securities of each series which are Registered Securities, a register (herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities. Pursuant to Section 301, the Company shall appoint, with respect to Debt Securities of each series which are Registered Securities, a “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering such Debt Securities and transfers and exchanges of such Debt Securities as herein provided.

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

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 form and

 

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denomination, of like tenor and terms and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Registered Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Bearer Securities may not be delivered in exchange for Registered Securities.

At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities or Bearer Securities of any series may be issued in exchange for Bearer Securities (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to a Bearer Security in global form) of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and terms and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency, with all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default 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, such exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company and the Trustee 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 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 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 exchange for a Registered Security of the same series and like tenor and terms 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 date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date of payment, as the case may be.

Whenever any Debt Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Debt Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

If at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities of a series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Debt Securities of such series or if at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities of such series shall no longer be eligible under Section 303(h), the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to the Debt Securities of such series. If a successor Depositary for the Debt Securities of such series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company’s election pursuant to Section 301(9) shall no longer be effective with respect to the Debt Securities of such series and the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Debt Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Debt Securities of such series in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such series in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

 

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The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Debt Securities of any series issued in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities. In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Debt Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Debt Securities of such series in definitive form and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such series in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

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

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

(b) to such Depositary a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities delivered to Holders thereof.

In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver Debt Securities (a) in definitive registered form in authorized denominations, if the Debt Securities of such series are issuable as Registered Securities, (b) in definitive bearer form in authorized denominations, with coupons attached, if the Debt Securities of such series are issuable as Bearer Securities or (c) as either Registered or Bearer Securities, as shall be specified by the beneficial owner thereof, if the Debt Securities of such series are issuable in either form; provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Global Security unless the Company or its agent shall have received from the person entitled to receive the definitive Bearer Security a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 and, if applicable, A-2 hereto; and provided further that delivery of a Bearer Security shall occur only outside the United States; and provided further that no definitive Bearer Security will be issued if the Company has reason to know that any such certificate is false.

Upon the exchange of a Global Security for Debt Securities in definitive form, such Global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee. Registered Securities issued in

 

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exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Registered Securities to the persons in whose names such Debt Securities are so registered. The Trustee shall deliver Bearer Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section to the persons, and in such authorized denominations, as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee; provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Global Security unless the Company or its agent shall have received from the person entitled to receive the definitive Bearer Security a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 and, if applicable, A-2 hereto; and provided further that delivery of a Bearer Security shall occur only outside the United States; and provided further that no definitive Bearer Security will be issued if the Company has reason to know that any such certificate is false.

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

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

No charge to any Holder shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, registration of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, other than exchanges expressly provided in this Indenture to be made at the Company’s own expense or without expense or without charge to the Holders.

The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Debt Securities of any particular series to be redeemed for a period of fifteen days preceding the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if Registered Securities are outstanding and there is no publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption of Debt Securities of such series selected for redemption under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of such Registered Security being redeemed in part, or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption except that such a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of like tenor and terms of that series, provided that such Registered Security shall be simultaneously surrendered for redemption.

 

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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the exchange of Bearer Securities into Registered Securities shall be subject to applicable laws and regulations in effect at the time of exchange; neither the Company, the Trustee nor the Security Registrar shall exchange any Bearer Securities into Registered Securities if it has received an Opinion of Counsel that as a result of such exchanges the Company would suffer adverse consequences under the United States Federal income tax laws and regulations then in effect and the Company has delivered to the Trustee a Company Order directing the Trustee not to make such exchanges thereafter unless and until the Trustee receives a subsequent Company Order to the contrary. The Company shall deliver copies of such Company Orders to the Security Registrar.

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

If (i) any mutilated Debt Security or a Bearer Security with a mutilated coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to a Paying Agent outside the United States designated by the Company, or, in the case of any Registered Security, to the Trustee, or (ii) the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Debt Security or coupon, and there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company and the Trustee that such Debt Security or coupon has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its written request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for any such mutilated Debt Security or Bearer Security with a mutilated coupon appertaining to it or to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains (with all related coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen) or in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security, a new Debt Security of like tenor and terms and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security or to the Debt Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains; provided, however, that any such new Bearer Security will be delivered only in compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 305.

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security or coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Debt Security, pay such Debt Security or coupon; provided, however, that payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and any interest on Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States; and provided, further, that, with respect to any such coupons, interest represented thereby (but not any additional amounts payable as provided in Section 1004), shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto.

Upon the issuance of any new Debt Security or coupons 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 and printing expenses) connected therewith.

 

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Every new Debt Security of any series, with its coupons, if any, issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security, or in exchange for a Bearer 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 Debt Security and its coupons, if any, or the destroyed, lost or stolen coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and any such new Debt Security and coupons, if any, shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Debt 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 Debt Securities or coupons.

Section 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

Interest on any Registered Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Registered Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. 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. At the option of the Company, payment of interest on any Registered Security may be made by check in the currency designated for such payment pursuant to the terms of such Registered Security mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by wire transfer to an account in such currency designated by such Person in writing not later than ten days prior to the date of such payment.

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

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the 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

 

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the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money and/or, to the extent such Debt Securities are denominated and payable in Dollars only, Eligible Instruments the payments of principal and interest on which when due (and without reinvestment and providing no tax liability will be imposed upon the Trustee or the Holder of such Registered Securities) will provide money in such amounts as will (together with any money irrevocably deposited in trust with the Trustee, without investment) be equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money and/or Eligible Instruments when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the written notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date. Unless the Trustee is acting as the Security Registrar, promptly after such Special Record Date, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with a list, or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee with respect thereto, of the names and addresses of, and principal amounts of Registered Securities of such series held by, the Holders appearing on the Security Register at the close of business on such Special Record Date. In the name and at the expense of the Company, the Trustee shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Registered Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the 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 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 the Registered Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

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

Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 1002, the Holder of any coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security shall be entitled to receive the interest payable on such coupon upon presentation and surrender of such coupon on or after the Interest Payment Date of such coupon at an office or agency maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002.

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 of the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 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.

The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security and the bearer of any coupon as the absolute owner of such Bearer Security or coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Bearer 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 Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 309. Cancellation.

Unless otherwise provided with respect to a series of Debt Securities, all Debt Securities and coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment, transfer, exchange or credit against any sinking fund payment pursuant to this Indenture, shall, if surrendered to the Company or any agent of the Company, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Debt Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Debt Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No Debt Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Debt Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this

 

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Indenture. All cancelled Debt Securities and coupons held by the Trustee shall be destroyed and certification of their destruction delivered to the Company unless by a Company Order the Company shall direct that the cancelled Debt Securities or coupons be returned to it.

Section 310. Computation of Interest.

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

Section 311. Certification by a Person Entitled to Delivery of a Bearer Security.

Whenever any provision of this Indenture or a Debt Security contemplates that certification be given by a Person entitled to delivery of a Bearer Security, such certification shall be provided substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 and, if applicable, A-2 hereto, with only such changes as shall be approved by the Company and consented to by the Trustee whose consent shall not unreasonably be withheld.

Section 312. Judgments.

The Company may provide, pursuant to Section 301, for the Debt Securities of any series that, to the fullest extent possible under applicable law and except as may otherwise be specified as contemplated in Section 301, (a) the obligation, if any, of the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of any series and any related coupons in a Foreign Currency, composite currency or Dollars (the “Designated Currency”) as may be specified pursuant to Section 301 is of the essence and that judgments in respect of such Debt Securities shall be given in the Designated Currency; (b) the obligation of the Company to make payments in the Designated Currency of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Debt Securities and any related coupons shall, notwithstanding any payment in any other currency (whether pursuant to a judgment or otherwise), be discharged only to the extent of the amount in the Designated Currency that the Holder receiving such payment may, in accordance with normal banking procedures, purchase with the sum paid in such other currency (after any premium and cost of exchange) in the country of issue of the Designated Currency in the case of Foreign Currency or Dollars or in the international banking community in the case of a composite currency on the Business Day immediately following the day on which such Holder receives such payment; (c) if the amount in the Designated Currency that may be so purchased for any reason falls short of the amount originally due, the Company shall pay such additional amounts as may be necessary to compensate for such shortfall; and (d) any obligation of the Company not discharged by such payment shall be due as a separate and independent obligation and, until discharged as provided herein, shall continue in full force and effect.

 

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ARTICLE FOUR

Satisfaction and Discharge

Section 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities herein expressly provided for and rights to receive payments of principal and interest thereon and any right to receive additional amounts, as provided in Section 1004) and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture when

(1) either

(A) all Debt Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered and all coupons appertaining thereto (other than (i) coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities surrendered in exchange for Registered Securities and maturing after such exchange, surrender of which is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 305, (ii) Debt Securities and coupons which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, (iii) coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities called for redemption or surrendered for repayment and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date or Repayment Date, as appropriate, surrender of which has been waived as provided in Section 1106 or 1303 and (iv) Debt Securities and coupons for whose payment money and/or Eligible Instruments have 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 cancelled or for cancellation; or

(B) all such Debt Securities 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) 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,

 

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and the Company, in the case of (B)(i), (B)(ii) or (B)(iii) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose money and/or, to the extent such Debt Securities are denominated and payable in Dollars only, Eligible Instruments the payments of principal and interest on which when due (and without reinvestment and providing no tax liability will be imposed upon the Trustee or the Holders of Debt Securities) will provide money in such amounts as will (together with any money irrevocably deposited in trust with the Trustee, without investment) be sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Debt Securities and coupons of such series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, and any mandatory sinking fund, repayment or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor to the date of such deposit (in the case of Debt Securities and coupons which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, if any, and all Repayment Dates (in the case of Debt Securities repayable at the option of the Holders thereof); provided, however, that in the event a petition for relief under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law is filed with respect to the Company within 91 days after the deposit, the obligations of the Company under the Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series shall not be deemed terminated or discharged, and in such event the Trustee shall be required to return the deposited money and Eligible Instruments then held by the Trustee to the Company;

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

(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 have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607 and, if money or Eligible Instruments shall have been deposited with 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 such satisfaction and discharge.

Section 402. Application of Trust Money and Eligible Instruments.

(a) Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Eligible Instruments deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401, 403 or 1501 shall be held in trust and such money and the principal and interest received on such Eligible Instruments shall be applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Debt Securities, any 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

 

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Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money or Eligible Instruments have been deposited with the Trustee.

(b) The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any Eligible Instruments or money held by it as provided in Section 403 or 1501 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such Eligible Instruments or money were deposited or received.

(c) The Trustee shall deliver to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any Eligible Instruments held by it as provided in Section 403 or 1501, provided that the Company in substitution therefor simultaneously delivers to the Trustee, money or other Eligible Instruments which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, would then be sufficient to satisfy the Company’s payment obligations in respect of the Debt Securities in the manner contemplated by Section 403 or 1501.

Section 403. Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance of Debt Securities of any Series.

If this Section 403 is specified, as contemplated by Section 301, to be applicable to Debt Securities of any series, then, notwithstanding Section 401, (i) the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the Outstanding Debt Securities of any such series and related coupons; (ii) the provisions of this Indenture as it relates to such Outstanding Debt Securities and related coupons shall no longer be in effect (except as to the rights of Holders of Debt Securities to receive, from the trust fund described in subparagraph (1) below, payment of (x) the principal of (and premium, if any) and any installment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such Debt Securities and related coupons on the Stated Maturity of such principal (and premium, if any) or installment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest or (y) any mandatory sinking fund, repayment or analogous payments applicable to the Debt Securities of that series on that day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Debt Securities, the Company’s obligations with respect to such Debt Securities under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002, 1003 and 1004 and the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, including those under Section 607 hereof); and (iii) the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, upon Company Order, execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of such indebtedness, when

(1) either

(A) with respect to all Outstanding Debt Securities of such series and related coupons, with reference to this Section 403, the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the

 

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requirements of Section 609 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Section 403 applicable to it) irrevocably, as trust funds in trust, money and/or, to the extent such Debt Securities are denominated and payable in Dollars only, Eligible Instruments the payments of principal and interest on which when due (and without reinvestment and providing no tax liability will be imposed upon the Trustee or the Holders of such Debt Securities) will provide money in such amounts as will (together with any money irrevocably deposited in trust with the Trustee, without investment) be sufficient to pay and discharge (i) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series and related coupons on the Stated Maturity of such principal or interest or, if such series may be redeemed by the Company prior to the Stated Maturity thereof, and the Company shall have given irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to effect such redemption, at the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to Article Eleven, and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to Debt Securities of such series on the date on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Debt Securities; or

(B) the Company has properly fulfilled such other means of satisfaction and discharge as is specified, as contemplated by Section 301, to be applicable to the Debt Securities of such series;

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable with respect to the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series and related coupons;

(3) such deposit will not result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

(4) no Event of Default or event which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default pursuant to Section 501(1), (2), (3), (5) or (6) with respect to the Debt Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit and no Event of Default under Section 501(5) or Section 501(6) or event which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default under Section 501(5) or Section 501(6) shall have occurred and be continuing on the 91 st day after such date; provided , however , that should that condition fail to be satisfied on or before such 91 st day, the Trustee shall promptly, upon satisfactory receipt of evidence of such failure, return such deposit to the Company;

(5) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (a) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (b) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of Debt Securities and related coupons of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal

 

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income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;

(6) if the Debt Securities of that series are then listed on any domestic or foreign securities exchange, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such deposit, defeasance and discharge will not cause such Debt Securities to be delisted;

(7) such deposit shall have been effected in compliance with any additional terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301; and

(8) 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 the entire indebtedness of all Outstanding Debt Securities and related coupons have been complied with.

Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in Section 403(1)(A) above shall be irrevocable and shall be made under the terms of an escrow or trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee. If any Outstanding Debt Securities of such series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory sinking fund requirement, the applicable escrow or trust agreement shall provide therefor and the Company shall make such arrangements as are satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

Upon the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in this Section 403 with respect to all the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, the terms and conditions of such series, including the terms and conditions with respect thereto set forth in this Indenture, shall no longer be binding upon, or applicable to, the Company; provided that the Company shall not be discharged from any payment obligations in respect of Debt Securities of such series which are deemed not to be Outstanding under clause (iii) of the definition thereof if such obligations continue to be valid obligations of the Company under applicable law.

Notwithstanding the cessation, termination and discharge of all obligations, covenants and agreements (except as provided above in this Section 403) of the Company under this Indenture with respect to any series of Debt Securities, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, and the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003, shall survive with respect to such series of Debt Securities.

 

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ARTICLE FIVE

Remedies

Section 501. Events of Default.

“Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to Debt Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law, 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 any Debt Security of such series or a related coupon, if any, when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Debt Security of such series at its Maturity; or

(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Debt Security of such series; or

(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of Debt Securities of a series other than such series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee, or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

 

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(6) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or

(7) any other Event of Default, if any, provided with respect to Debt Securities of such series specified as contemplated by Section 301.

Section 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of such series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Debt Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of and all accrued but unpaid interest on all the Debt Securities of such series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by such Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. Upon payment of such amount, all obligations of the Company in respect of the payment of principal of the Debt Securities of such series shall terminate.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Debt 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 Debt Securities of such series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

 

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(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay

(A) all overdue installments of interest on all Debt Securities of such series and any related coupons,

(B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Debt Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Debt Securities,

(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of interest on each Debt Security and any related coupons at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Debt 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 Debt Securities of such series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Debt Securities of such series which 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:

(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Debt Security or any related coupon when such interest 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, if any, on) any Debt Security at the Maturity thereof,

the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities and any related coupons, the amount then due and payable on such Debt Securities and coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest upon the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and, upon overdue installments of interest, at the rate or rates prescribed

 

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therefor in such Debt 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 Debt Securities and coupons 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 Debt Securities and coupons, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Debt 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 Debt 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 proceedings, or any voluntary or involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter constituted, relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of a particular series or any related coupons or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of such Debt Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise,

(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Debt Securities of such series and any related coupons and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(2) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

 

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and any receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607.

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

Section 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Debt Securities or Coupons.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Debt Securities or coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Debt 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 Debt 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 (and premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Debt Securities or any 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 under Section 607;

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities and any coupons, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Debt Securities and any coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively. The Holders of each series of Debt Securities denominated in Euro, any other composite currency or a Foreign Currency and any matured coupons relating thereto shall be entitled to receive a ratable portion of the amount determined by the Exchange Rate Agent by converting the principal amount Outstanding of such series of

 

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Debt Securities and matured but unpaid interest on such series of Debt Securities in the currency in which such series of Debt Securities is denominated into Dollars at the Exchange Rate as of the date of declaration of acceleration of the Maturity of the Debt Securities; and

THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Company.

Section 507. Limitation on Suits.

No Holder of any Debt Securities of any series or any related coupons shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of such series;

(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(5) 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 Debt Securities of such series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders.

Section 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Debt Security or coupon shall have the right which is absolute and unconditional to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 307) interest on such Debt

 

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Security or payment of such coupon on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Debt Security or coupon (or, in the case of redemption or repayment, on the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

Section 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceedings 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 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 had been instituted.

Section 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Debt 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 an 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, as the case may be.

Section 512. Control by Holders of Debt Securities.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, provided, that

(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture;

 

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(2) subject to the provisions of Section 601, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, determine that the proceedings so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series not joining in any such direction; and

(3) the Trustee may take any other action deemed necessary by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

Section 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities of any such series and any related coupons waive 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, if any) or interest on any Debt Security of such series, 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 Debt Security of such series or coupons 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 impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 514. Undertaking for Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Debt Security or coupon by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having a due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant, but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company or the 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 Debt Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security or the payment of any coupons on or after the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities

 

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expressed in such Debt Security or coupon (or, in the case of redemption or repayment, on or after the Redemption Date or Repayment Date, as the case may be).

Section 515. 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 whenever 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 benefits 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.

ARTICLE SIX

The Trustee

Section 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

(a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default,

(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(b) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that

 

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(i) this subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of subsection (a) of this Section 601;

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

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, determined as provided in Sections 101, 104 and 512, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series; and

(iv) 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.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

Section 602. Notice of Default.

If a default occurs hereunder with respect to Debt Securities of any series the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Debt Securities of such series notice of such default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(4) with respect to Debt Securities of such series no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof; and provided further , that, except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security of such series or related coupons or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Debt Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of such series.

 

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Section 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 601:

(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any signature, resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

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

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

(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series or any related coupons pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney, other than any such books or records containing information as to the affairs of the customers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; provided that the Trustee may examine such books and records relating to customers to the extent that such books and records contain information as to any payments made to such customers in their capacity as Holders of Debt Securities; and provided further that the Trustee shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation; and

 

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(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder; no Exchange Rate Agent, Global Exchange Agent, Depositary or Paying Agent shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any of them.

Section 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Debt Securities.

The recitals contained herein and in the Debt Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, and in any coupons, and the information in any registration statement, including all attachments thereto, except information provided by the Trustee therein, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities of any series or any coupons. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Debt Securities or the proceeds thereof. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representations as to the Company’s ability or authority to issue Bearer Securities or the lawfulness thereof.

Section 605. May Hold Debt Securities or Coupons.

The Trustee, any Paying Agent, the Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company or the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities and coupons, and, subject to Sections 608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such agent.

Section 606. Money Held in Trust.

Money held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent shall be under any liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

Section 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.

The Company agrees

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder which shall have been separately agreed to from time to time in writing by the Company and the Trustee (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

 

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(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct; and

(3) to fully indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages or expenses (including taxes other than taxes based upon the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or 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.

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

Section 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.

If the Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent permitted by such Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest with respect to Debt Securities of any series by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to any particular series of Debt Securities.

Section 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $5,000,000, and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority; provided, however, that if Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Trust Indenture Act at any time permit a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of any other jurisdiction to serve as trustee of an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, this Section 609 shall be automatically amended to permit a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of any such other jurisdiction to serve as Trustee hereunder. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining

 

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authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign promptly in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor .

(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee under Section 611.

(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Debt 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 at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.

(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Debt Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days of receipt of such Act specifying removal, the removed Trustee may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.

(d) If at any time:

(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 with respect to the Debt Securities of any series after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Debt Security of such series for at least six months, or

(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 with respect to any series of Debt Securities and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or

(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Debt Securities or a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall have been entered in respect of the Trustee in an involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law; or a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall have been entered for the appointment of a

 

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receiver, custodian, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Trustee or of its property or affairs, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation, winding up or liquidation, or

(4) the Trustee shall commence a voluntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, custodian, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Trustee or its property or affairs, 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, or shall take corporate action in furtherance of any such action,

then, in any such case, (i) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to such series or (ii) subject to Section 514, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Debt Security of any series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee. In addition, the Company may remove the Trustee if the Company shall determine by a Board Resolution that the services provided by the Trustee hereunder may be obtained at a substantially lower cost to the Company.

(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Debt Securities, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Debt Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt 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 Debt Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Debt Security of such series for at least six months may, subject to Section 514, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.

 

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(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register and, if Debt Securities of such series are issuable as Bearer Securities, by publishing notice of such event once in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment located outside the United States. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

(a) In the case of an appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Debt Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges due under Section 607 hereof, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

(b) In the case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee upon payment of its charges and each successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt 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 Debt Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt 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

 

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become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on the 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 Debt Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

Section 612. 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 executing or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Debt Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion, consolidation or sale to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Debt Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Debt Securities. In case any Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Debt Securities, in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee.

Section 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

If and when the Trustee shall be or shall become a creditor, directly or indirectly, secured or unsecured, of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).

Section 614. Authenticating Agent.

The Trustee shall upon Company request appoint one or more authenticating agents with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities which shall be authorized on behalf of the Trustee in authenticating Debt Securities of such series in connection with the issue,

 

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delivery, registration of transfer, exchange, partial redemption or repayment of such Debt Securities. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication of Debt Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication 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 must be acceptable to the Company and must be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any State, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000, authorized under such laws to do a trust business and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authorities or the equivalent foreign authority in the case of an authenticating agent who is not organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

Any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency business of an authenticating agent shall continue to be an authenticating agent without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or such authenticating agent.

An authenticating agent may at any time resign with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any authenticating agent with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities 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 an authenticating agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee promptly may appoint a successor authenticating agent. Any successor authenticating agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all rights, powers and duties of its predecessor 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 Trustee agrees to pay to each authenticating agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payment, subject to the provisions of Section 607.

The provisions of Sections 104, 111, 306, 309, 603, 604, 605 and 607 shall be applicable to any authenticating agent.

Pursuant to each appointment made under this Section, the Debt Securities of each series covered by such appointment may have endorsed thereon, in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:

 

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This is one of the Debt Securities, of the series designated herein, described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

[                    ]
By

 

As Authenticating Agent for the Trustee
By

 

Authorized Signatory
Dated

 

ARTICLE SEVEN

Holders’ Lists and Reports By Trustee and Company

Section 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee with respect to Debt Securities of each series for which it acts as Trustee:

(1) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after the Regular Record Date in respect of the Debt Securities of such series or on May 15 and November 15 of each year with respect to each series of Debt Securities for which there are no Regular Record Dates, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Registered Securities as of such Regular Record Date or May 1 or November 1, as the case may be, and

(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

provided, however, that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar, no such list need be furnished.

 

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Section 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders of Registered Securities contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders of Registered Securities received by the Trustee in its capacity as Paying Agent or Security Registrar, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished. The Trustee shall preserve for at least two years the names and addresses of Holders of Bearer Securities filed with the Trustee by such Holders.

(b) The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Debt Securities, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.

(c) Every Holder of Debt Securities or coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to the names and addresses of the Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 703. Reports by Trustee.

(a) Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 after the first issuance of Debt Securities pursuant to this Indenture and at any other time required by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture and such other matters as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act in the manner required by the Trust Indenture Act.

(b) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Debt Securities of such series are listed, with the Commission and also with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any series of Debt Securities are listed on any stock exchange.

Section 704. Reports by Company.

The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to Holders such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the time and in the manner pursuant to such Act; provided that such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days of filing with 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

 

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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).

ARTICLE EIGHT

Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease

Section 801. Company May Consolidate, etc. Only on Certain Terms.

The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:

(1) the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any political subdivision thereof or any State thereof and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including all additional amounts, if any, payable pursuant to Section 1004) on all the Debt Securities and any related coupons and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing; and

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been met.

Section 802. Successor Corporation Substituted.

Upon any consolidation with or merger into any other corporation, or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 801, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease of the properties and assets

 

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of the Company substantially as an entirety, the Company (which term for this purpose shall mean the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument or any successor corporation which shall theretofore have become such in the manner presented in this Article) shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Debt Securities and any coupons.

ARTICLE NINE

Supplemental Indentures

Section 901. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by 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 corporation to the Company, and the assumption by such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Debt Securities contained; or

(2) to add to the covenants of the Company, for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities or coupons (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Debt Securities or coupons, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

(3) to add any additional Events of Default (and if such Events of Default are to be applicable to less than all series of Debt Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely to be applicable to such series); or

(4) to add to, change or eliminate 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 (or premium, if any) on Registered Securities or of principal (or premium, if any) or any interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities in uncertificated form, provided any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

 

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(5) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture, provided that any such change or elimination (a) shall become effective only when there is no Debt Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provisions or (b) shall not apply to any Debt Security Outstanding; or

(6) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301; or

(7) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 611(b); or

(8) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or to make any other additions to, deletions from and other changes to the provisions hereof, provided such other provisions shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

(9) to add to or change or eliminate any provision of this Indenture as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act, provided such action shall not adversely affect the interest of Holders of Debt Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect.

Section 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of all series affected by such supplemental indenture, acting together as a class, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders under this Indenture of such Debt Securities of such series and any related coupons; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security or coupon affected thereby,

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal or any installment of principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Debt Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the interest thereon or any premium payable upon redemption or repayment thereof, or change any obligation of the Company to pay additional amounts pursuant to

 

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Section 1004 (except as contemplated by Section 801(1) and permitted by Section 901(1)), or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or change any Place of Payment, or the coin or currency in which any Debt Security or the interest thereon or any coupon 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, on or after the Redemption Date or Repayment Date, as the case may be); or

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 1404 for quorum or voting; or

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section 1006, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 1006, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Section 611(b) and 901(7); or

(4) adversely affect the right to repayment, if any, of Debt Securities of any series at the option of the Holders thereof.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Debt Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Debt 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 Debt Securities of any other series.

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of the Debt Securities 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.

Section 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such

 

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supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties 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 Debt Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder and of any coupons 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 Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 906. Reference in Debt Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Debt 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 Debt Securities of any series and any related coupons so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Debt Securities of such series and any related coupons.

ARTICLE TEN

Covenants

Section 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Debt Securities and any related coupons that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities and any related coupons in accordance with the terms of the Debt Securities, any related coupons and this Indenture. Any interest due on Bearer Securities on or before Maturity, other than additional amounts, if any, payable as provided in Section 1004 in respect of principal of (or premium, if any, on) such a Debt 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.

 

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Section 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Debt Securities an office or agency where Debt Securities (but, except as otherwise provided below, unless such Place of Payment is located outside the United States, not Bearer Securities) may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Debt Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Debt Securities and this Indenture may be served. If Debt Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company will maintain, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, an office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series which is located outside the United States where Debt Securities of such series and the related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment (including payment of any additional amounts payable on Debt Securities of such series pursuant to Section 1004); provided, however, that if the Debt Securities of such series are listed on any stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent in any required city located outside the United States so long as the Debt Securities of such series are listed on such exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of any such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices or demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all presentations, surrenders, notices and demands, 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 1004) at the place specified for the purpose pursuant to Section 301(5).

No payment of principal of, premium or interest on Bearer Securities shall be made at any office or agency of the Company in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States; provided, however, payment of principal of and any premium and interest denominated in Dollars (including additional amounts payable in respect thereof) on any Bearer Security may be made at an office or agency of, and designated by, the Company located in the United States if (but only if) payment of the full amount of such principal, premium, interest or additional amounts in Dollars at all offices 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 and the Trustee receives an Opinion of Counsel that such payment within the United States is legal. Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Debt Securities, at the option of the Holder of any Bearer Security or related coupon, payment may be made by check in the currency designated for such payment pursuant to the terms of such Bearer Security presented or mailed to an address outside the United States or by transfer to an account in such currency maintained by the payee with a bank located outside the United States.

 

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The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies (in or outside of such Place of Payment) where the Debt Securities of one or more series and any related coupons (subject to the preceding paragraph) may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for any series of Debt Securities for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation and any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

Section 1003. Money for Debt 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 Debt Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debt Securities of such series and any related coupons, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest 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 with respect to any series of Debt Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debt Securities of such series and any related coupons, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

The Company will cause each Paying Agent with respect to any series of Debt Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will

(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Debt Securities of such series and any related coupons in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series or any related coupons) in the making of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Debt Securities of such series or any related coupons; and

 

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(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 terminating its obligations under this Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any series or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

Any principal and interest received on the Eligible Instruments deposited with the Trustee or any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security of any series or any related coupons or any money on deposit with the Trustee or any Paying Agent representing amounts deducted from the Redemption Price or Repayment Price with respect to unmatured coupons not presented upon redemption or exercise of the Holder’s option for repayment pursuant to Section 1106 or 1303 and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Debt Security or any coupon appertaining thereto shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money (including the principal and interest received on Eligible Instruments deposited with the Trustee), 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 of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and each Place of Payment or mailed to each such Holder, or both, 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 or mailing, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 1004. Payment of Additional Amounts.

If the Debt Securities of a series provide for the payment of additional amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Debt Security of any series or any coupon appertaining thereto additional amounts upon the terms and subject to the conditions provided therein. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on, or in respect of, any Debt Security of any series or any related coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Debt Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of additional amounts provided for in the terms of such Debt Securities and this Section to the extent that, in

 

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such context, additional amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section and express mention of the payment of additional amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding additional amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

If the Debt 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 Debt Securities (or if the Debt Securities of that series will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal (and premium, if any) is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal (and premium, if any) 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 premium, if any) or interest on the Debt Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Debt Securities of that series or the related coupons who are United States Aliens without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Debt Securities of that 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 Debt Securities or coupons and the Company will pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the additional amounts, if any, required by the terms of such Debt Securities and the first paragraph of this Section. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section.

Section 1005. Officers’ Certificate as to Default.

The Company will deliver to the Trustee, on or before a date not more than four months after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers’ Certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture, and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature thereof of which they may have knowledge.

Section 1006. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant or condition applicable to the Debt Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301 unless such covenant or condition is determined pursuant to Section 301 not to be subject to this provision if, before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all series of the Debt Securities at the time Outstanding to which such covenant or condition applies shall, acting together as a class, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance

 

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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 covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

Redemption of Debt Securities

Section 1101. Applicability of Article.

Debt Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Debt 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 Debt Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all of the Debt Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount and the tenor and terms of the Debt Securities of any series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Debt Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Debt Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.

Section 1103. Selection by Trustee of Debt Securities to be Redeemed.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Debt Securities of any series, if less than all the Debt Securities of any series with like tenor and terms are to be redeemed, the particular Debt Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series with like tenor and terms not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Debt Securities of such series or any integral multiple thereof which is also an authorized denomination) of the principal amount of Registered Securities or Bearer Securities (if issued in more than one authorized denomination) of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Debt Securities of such series.

 

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The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Debt Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Debt 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 Debt Securities shall relate, in the case of any Debt Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Debt Security which 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 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Debt Securities to be redeemed.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date;

(2) the Redemption Price;

(3) if less than all Outstanding Debt Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Debt Securities to be redeemed;

(4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Debt Security to be redeemed, and that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date;

(5) the Place or Places of Payment where such Debt Securities, together in the case of Bearer Securities with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price;

(6) that Bearer Securities may be surrendered for payment only at such place or places which are outside the United States, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002;

(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case; and

(8) the CUSIP number, if any.

A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 106 need not identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed.

 

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Notice of redemption of Debt Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company, or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 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, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money and/or, to the extent the Debt Securities to be redeemed are denominated and payable in Dollars only, Eligible Instruments the payments of principal and interest on which when due (and without reinvestment and providing no tax liability will be imposed upon the Trustee or the Holders of the Debt Securities to be redeemed) will provide money on or prior to the Redemption Date in such amounts as will (together with any money irrevocably deposited in trust with the Trustee, without investment) be sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Debt Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date; provided, however, that deposits with respect to Bearer Securities shall be made with a Paying Agent or Paying Agents located outside the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301.

Section 1106. Debt Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Debt Securities to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Debt Securities shall cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Debt Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Debt Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of coupons for such interest (at an office or agency located outside the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 1002), and provided further, that 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 Debt Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all related coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Bearer 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

 

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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 Bearer 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 without interest thereon; provided, however, that interest represented by coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons at an office or agency located outside of the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 1002.

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

Section 1107. Debt Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company, the Security Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Security Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Debt Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or Registered Securities of the same series and of like tenor and terms, of any authorized denominations as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Debt 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 Debt Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Debt Securities of such series.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the term of Debt Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, the amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Debt Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of such series.

 

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Section 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Debt Securities.

The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Debt Securities of a 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) may apply as a credit Debt Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Debt Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities as provided for by the terms of such series; provided that such Debt Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Debt Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Debt Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Debt Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 1202, the principal amount of Debt Securities to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Debt Securities for redemption, except upon Company Request, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall at the request of the Company from time to time pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Debt Securities purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Company.

Section 1203. Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Debt Securities (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by crediting Debt Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202 and the basis for any such credit and, prior to or concurrently with the delivery of such Officers’ Certificate, will also deliver to the Trustee any Debt Securities to be so credited and not theretofore delivered to the Trustee. Not less than 30 days (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Debt 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 Debt Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1105, 1106 and 1107.

 

73


ARTICLE THIRTEEN

Repayment at the Option of Holders

Section 1301. Applicability of Article.

Debt Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity shall be repaid in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for Debt Securities of such series) in accordance with this Article.

Section 1302. Repayment of Debt Securities.

Each Debt Security which is subject to repayment in whole or in part at the option of the Holder thereof on a Repayment Date shall be repaid at the applicable Repayment Price together with interest accrued to such Repayment Date as specified pursuant to Section 301.

Section 1303. Exercise of Option; Notice.

Each Holder desiring to exercise such Holder’s option for repayment shall, as conditions to such repayment, surrender the Debt Security to be repaid in whole or in part together with written notice of the exercise of such option at any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment, not less than 30 nor more than 45 days prior to the Repayment Date; provided, however, that surrender of Bearer Securities together with written notice of exercise of such option shall be made at an office or agency located outside the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 1002. Such notice, which shall be irrevocable, shall specify the principal amount of such Debt Security to be repaid, which shall be equal to the minimum authorized denomination for such Debt Security or an integral multiple thereof, and shall identify the Debt Security to be repaid and, in the case of a partial repayment of the Debt Security, shall specify the denomination or denominations of the Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series to be issued to the Holder for the portion of the principal of the Debt Security surrendered which is not to be repaid.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for repayment shall not be accompanied by all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default, such Bearer Security may be paid after deducting from the Repayment 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

 

74


Bearer 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 Repayment Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted without interest thereon; 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.

The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver without service charge to the Holder of any Registered Security so surrendered a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination specified in the foregoing notice, in an aggregate principal amount equal to any portion of the principal of the Registered Security so surrendered which is not to be repaid.

The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver without service charge to the Holder of any Bearer Security so surrendered a new Registered Security or Securities or new Bearer Security or Securities (and all related unmatured coupons and matured coupons in default) or any combination thereof of the same series of any authorized denomination or denominations specified in the foregoing notice, in an aggregate principal amount equal to any portion of the principal of the Debt Security so surrendered which is not to be paid; provided, however, that the issuance of a Registered Security therefor shall be subject to applicable laws and regulations, including provisions of the United States Federal income tax laws and regulations in effect at the time of the exchange; neither the Company, the Trustee nor the Security Registrar shall issue Registered Securities for Bearer Securities if it has received an Opinion of Counsel that as a result of such issuance the Company would suffer adverse consequences under the United States Federal income tax laws then in effect and the Company has delivered to the Trustee a Company Order directing the Trustee not to make such issuances thereafter unless and until the Trustee receives a subsequent Company Order to the contrary. The Company shall deliver copies of such Company Order to the Security Registrar.

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

Section 1304. Election of Repayment by Remarketing Entities.

The Company may elect, with respect to Debt Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity, at any time prior to any Repayment Date to designate one or more Remarketing Entities to purchase, at a price equal to the Repayment Price, Debt Securities of such series from the Holders thereof who give notice and surrender their Debt Securities in accordance with Section 1303.

 

75


Section 1305. Securities Payable on the Repayment Date.

Notice of exercise of the option of repayment having been given and the Debt Securities so to be repaid having been surrendered as aforesaid, such Debt Securities shall, unless purchased in accordance with Section 1304, on the Repayment Date become due and payable at the price therein specified and from and after the Repayment Date such Debt Securities shall cease to bear interest and shall be paid on the Repayment Date, and the coupons for such interest appertaining to Bearer Securities so to be repaid, except to the extent provided above, shall be void, unless the Company shall default in the payment of such price in which case the Company shall continue to be obligated for the principal amount of such Debt Securities and shall be obligated to pay interest on such principal amount at the rate borne by such Debt Securities from time to time until payment in full of such principal amount.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

Meetings of Holders of Debt Securities

Section 1401. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

If Debt Securities of a series are issuable in whole or in part as Bearer Securities, a meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of such 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 Act provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Debt Securities of such series.

Section 1402. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series issuable as Bearer Securities for any purpose specified in Section 1401, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or in London as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Debt 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 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1401, 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 Debt Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the

 

76


case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or in London for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

Section 1403. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Debt 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 Debt 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 Debt 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 1404. Quorum; Action.

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of such series. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Debt Securities of such series, be dissolved. In the absence of a quorum in any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairperson 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 chairperson of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of this reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 1402(a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Debt 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 only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series, 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 Act 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 Debt 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 Debt Securities of that series.

 

77


Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Debt Securities of such series and the related coupons, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

Section 1405. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of such series in regard to proof of the holding of Debt Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Debt 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, in the case of Bearer Securities, 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 shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairperson of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Debt Securities as provided in Section 1402(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Debt Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairperson. A permanent chairperson 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 Debt Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

(c) At any meeting each Holder of a Debt Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount (or the equivalent in Euro, any other composite currency or a Foreign Currency) of Debt Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Debt Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairperson of the meeting not to be Outstanding. The chairperson of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Debt Security of such series or proxy.

(d) Any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 1402 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 Debt Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

 

78


Section 1406. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings .

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairperson 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 triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in triplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1402 and, if applicable, Section 1401. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairperson 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.

ARTICLE FIFTEEN

Defeasance

Section 1501. Termination of Company’s Obligations.

If this Section 1501 is specified, as contemplated by Section 301, to be applicable to any series of Debt Securities and if the Company deposits irrevocably in trust with the Trustee money and/or, to the extent such Debt Securities are denominated and payable in Dollars only, Eligible Instruments the payments of principal and interest on which when due (and without reinvestment and providing no tax liability will be imposed upon the Trustee or the Holders of such Debt Securities) will provide money in such amounts as will (together with any money irrevocably deposited in trust with the Trustee, without investment) be sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and any installment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest when due on the Debt Securities of such series and any coupons appertaining thereto and any mandatory sinking fund, repayment or analogous payments thereon on the scheduled due dates therefor at the Stated Maturity thereof, the Company’s obligations under any covenant determined pursuant to Section 301 to be subject to this Section shall terminate with respect to the Debt Securities of the series for which such deposit was made; provided, however , that (i) no Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of such series under Section 501(5) or 501(6) or event that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute such an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date, (ii) such deposit

 

79


will not result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, and (iii) such termination shall not relieve the Company of its obligations under the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture to pay when due the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest and additional amounts on such Debt Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto if such Debt Securities or coupons are not paid (or payment is not provided for) when due from the money and Eligible Instruments (and the proceeds thereof) so deposited.

It shall be a condition to the deposit of cash and/or Eligible Instruments and the termination of the Company’s obligations pursuant to the provisions of this Section with respect to the Debt Securities of any series under any covenant determined pursuant to Section 301 to be subject to this Section that the Company deliver to the Trustee (i) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that: (a) Holders of Debt Securities of such series and any coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and termination and (b) such Holders (and future Holders) will be subject to tax in the same amount, manner and timing as if such deposit and termination had not occurred, (ii) an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that under the laws in effect on the date such money and/or Eligible Instruments are deposited with the Trustee, the amount thereof will be sufficient, after payment of all Federal, state and local taxes in respect thereof payable by the Trustee, to pay principal (and premium, if any) and interest when due on the Debt Securities of such series and any coupons appertaining thereto; and (iii) an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated in this Section have been complied with.

It shall be an additional condition to the deposit of cash and/or Eligible Instruments and the termination of the Company’s obligations pursuant to the provisions of this Section under any covenant determined pursuant to Section 301 to be subject to this Section, with respect to the Debt Securities of any series then listed on the New York Stock Exchange, that the Company deliver an Opinion of Counsel that the Debt Securities of such series will not be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange as a result of such deposit and termination.

After a deposit as provided herein, the Trustee shall, upon Company Request, acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s obligations pursuant to the provisions of this Section with respect to the Debt Securities of such series under any covenant determined pursuant to Section 301 to be subject to this Section.

Section 1502. Repayment to Company.

The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company upon Company Request any money or Eligible Instruments not required for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of any series and any related coupons for which money or Eligible Instruments have been deposited pursuant to Section 1501 held by them at any time.

 

80


The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company upon Company Request any money held by them for the payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest that remains unclaimed for two years after the Maturity of the Debt Securities for which a deposit has been made pursuant to Section 1501. After such payment to the Company, the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series and any related coupons shall thereafter, as unsecured general creditors, look only to the Company for the payment thereof.

Section 1503. Indemnity for Eligible Instruments.

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

 

81


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

 

NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.
By

 

Its

 

[                    ]
By

 

Its

 

 

82


EXHIBIT A-1

[Form of Certificate of Beneficial Ownership by a

Non-United States Person or by Certain Other Persons]

Certificate

NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.

[Insert title or sufficient description of

Debt Securities to be delivered]

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture dated as of [                    ] (the “Indenture”) between Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. and [            ] (the “Trustee”), covering the above-captioned Debt Securities. This is to certify that as of the date hereof,              principal amount of Debt Securities credited to you for our account (i) is owned by persons that are not United States Persons, as defined below; (ii) is owned by United States Persons that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v)) (“financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States Persons who acquired the Debt Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Debt Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such United States financial institution encloses herewith a certificate in the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Indenture); or (iii) is owned by United States or foreign financial institutions for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), which United States or foreign financial institutions described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)) certify that they have not acquired the Debt Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States Person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

[Insert if certificate does not relate to an interest payment—We undertake to advise you by tested telex followed by written confirmation if the above statement as to beneficial ownership is not correct on the date of delivery of the above-captioned Debt Securities in bearer form as to all of such Debt Securities with respect to such of said Debt Securities as then appear in your books as being held for our account.] We understand that this certificate is required in connection with United States tax laws. We irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings with respect to the matters covered by this certificate. “United States Person” shall mean a citizen or resident of the United States of America (including the District of Columbia), a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or an estate or trust that is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of the source of its income.

[This certificate excepts and does not relate to              principal amount of Debt Securities credited to you for our account and to which we are not now able to make the certification set forth above. We understand that definitive Debt Securities cannot be delivered and interest cannot be paid until we are able to so certify with respect to such principal amount of Debt Securities.]*


Dated:

 

[To be dated on or after                      (the date determined as provided in the Indenture)]

 

[Name of Person Entitled to Receive Bearer
Security]

 

(Authorized Signatory)
Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

* Delete if inappropriate

 

A-2


EXHIBIT A-2

[Form of Certificate of Status as a

Foreign Branch of a United States Financial Institution]

Certificate

NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.

[Insert title or sufficient description of

Debt Securities to be delivered]

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture dated as of [                    ] (the “Indenture”), between Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. and [            ], relating to the offering of the above-captioned Debt Securities (the “Debt Securities”). Unless herein defined, terms used herein have the same meaning as given to them in the Indenture.

The undersigned represents that it is a branch located outside the United States of a United States securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution (as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v)) that holds customers’ securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business and agrees, and authorizes you to advise the issuer or the issuer’s agent, that it will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the regulations thereunder and is not purchasing for resale directly or indirectly to a United States Person or to a person within the United States or its possessions. We undertake to advise you by tested telex followed by written confirmation if the statement in the immediately preceding sentence is not correct on the date of delivery of the above-captioned Debt Securities in bearer form.

We understand that this certificate is required in connection with the United States tax laws. We irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings with respect to the matters covered by this certificate.

 

Dated:

 

[To be dated on or after                      (the date determined as provided in the Indenture)]

 

[Name of Person Entitled to Receive Bearer
Security]

 

(Authorized Signatory)
Name:

 

Title:

 


EXHIBIT B

[Form of Certificate to be Given by Euroclear and Clearstream

in Connection with the Exchange of All or a Portion of a

Temporary Global Security or to Obtain

Interest Prior to Exchange]

Certificate

NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.

[Insert title or sufficient description of Debt Securities to be delivered]

We refer to that portion,             , of the Global Security representing the above-captioned issue [which is herewith submitted to be exchanged for definitive Debt Securities]* [for which we are seeking to obtain payment of interest]* (the “Submitted Portion”). This is to certify, pursuant to the Indenture dated as of [                    ] (the “Indenture”) between Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. and [            ] (the “Trustee”), that we have received in writing, by tested telex or by electronic transmission from member organizations with respect to each of the persons appearing in our records as being entitled to a beneficial interest in the Submitted Portion a Certificate of Beneficial Ownership by a Non-United States Person or by Certain Other Persons [and, in some cases, a Certificate of Status as a Foreign Branch of a United States Financial Institution, authorizing us to inform the issuer or the issuer’s agent that it will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the regulations thereunder]* substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 [and A-2]* to the Indenture.

We hereby request that you deliver to the office of              in              definitive Bearer Securities in the denominations on the attached Schedule A.

We further certify that as of the date hereof we have not received any notification from any of the persons giving such certificates to the effect that the statements made by them with respect to any part of the Submitted Portion are no longer true and cannot be relied on as of the date hereof.

 

Dated:

 

 

[                    
                    , as
Operator of the Euroclear System] [Clearstream]
By:

 

 

* Delete if inappropriate.

Exhibit 4.8

 

 

 

NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.

TO

[                                         ]

Trustee

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of [                    ]

 

 

Subordinated Debt Securities

 

 

 


Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and

Indenture, dated as of [                    ]

 

Trust Indenture Act Section    Indenture Section
§310(a)(1)    609

(a)(2)

   609

(a)(3)

   Not Applicable

(a)(4)

   Not Applicable

(a)(5)

   609

(b)

   608, 610
§311(a)    613

(b)

   613
§312(a)    701, 702(a)

(b)

   702(b)

(c)

   702(c)
§313(a)    703(a)

(b)

   703(a)

(c)

   703(a)

(d)

   703(b)
§314(a)    704, 1005

(b)

   Not Applicable

(c)(1)

   102

(c)(2)

   102

(c)(3)

   Not Applicable

(d)

   Not Applicable

(e)

   102
§315(a)    601

(b)

   602

(c)

   601

(d)

   601

(e)

   514
§316(a)    101

(a)(1)(A)

   104(h), 502,
   512

(a)(1)(B)

   104(h), 513

(a)(2)

   Not Applicable

(b)

   508

(c)

   104(h)
§317(a)(1)    503

(a)(2)

   504

(b)

   1003
§318(a)    107

(c)

   107

 

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


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

Parties

     1   

Recitals

     1   
ARTICLE ONE   
Definitions and Other Provisions of General Application   

Section 101.

  

Definitions

     1   

Act

     2   

Affiliate

     2   

Authorized Newspaper

     2   

Bankruptcy Law

     2   

Bearer Security

     2   

Board of Directors

     2   

Board Resolution

     2   

Business Day

     3   

Capital Stock

     3   

Clearstream

     3   

Commission

     3   

Company

     3   

Company Request and Company Order

     3   

corporation

     3   

coupon

     3   

Debt Securities

     4   

Defaulted Interest

     4   

Depositary

     4   

Designated Currency

     4   

Dollar or $

     4   

Eligible Instruments

     4   

Euro

     4   

Euroclear

     4   

Event of Default

     4   

Exchange Act

     4   

Exchange Rate

     4   

Exchange Rate Agent

     4   

Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate

     4   

Foreign Currency

     5   

GAAP

     5   

Global Exchange Agent

     5   

Global Exchange Date

     5   

Global Security

     5   


Holder

  5   

Indebtedness

  5   

Indenture

  6   

interest

  6   

Interest Payment Date

  6   

Maturity

  6   

Officers’ Certificate

  6   

Opinion of Counsel

  6   

Original Issue Discount Security

  6   

Outstanding

  7   

Paying Agent

  7   

Person

  7   

Place of Payment

  7   

Predecessor Security

  8   

ranking junior to the Debt Securities

  8   

ranking on a parity with the Debt Securities

  8   

Redemption Date

  8   

Redemption Price

  8   

Registered Security

  8   

Regular Record Date

  8   

Remarketing Entity

  8   

Repayment Date

  9   

Repayment Price

  9   

Responsible Officer

  9   

Security Register

  9   

Senior Debt

  9   

Special Record Date

  10   

Stated Maturity

  10   

Subsidiary

  10   

Trust Indenture Act

  10   

Trustee

  10   

United States

  10   

United States Alien

  10   

U.S. Government Obligations

  10   

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., to Trustee and Company

  14   

Section 106.

Notice to Holders; Waiver

  15   

Section 107.

Conflict with Trust Indenture Act

  16   

Section 108.

Effect of Headings and Table of Contents

  16   

Section 109.

Successors and Assigns

  16   

Section 110.

Separability Clause

  16   

Section 111.

Benefits of Indenture

  16   

Section 112.

Governing Law

  16   

Section 113.

Legal Holidays

  16   

 

ii


Section 114.

Counterparts

  17   

Section 115.

Exemption from Individual Liability

  17   
ARTICLE TWO   
Debt Security Forms   

Section 201.

Forms Generally

  17   

Section 202.

Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

  18   

Section 203.

Debt Securities in Global Form

  18   
ARTICLE THREE   
The Debt Securities   

Section 301.

Amount Unlimited; Issuance in Series

  19   

Section 302.

Denominations

  22   

Section 303.

Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

  23   

Section 304.

Temporary Debt Securities

  26   

Section 305.

Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange

  28   

Section 306.

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Debt Securities

  32   

Section 307.

Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved

  33   

Section 308.

Persons Deemed Owners

  35   

Section 309.

Cancellation

  35   

Section 310.

Computation of Interest

  36   

Section 311.

Certification by a Person Entitled to Delivery of a Bearer Security

  36   

Section 312.

Judgments

  36   
ARTICLE FOUR   
Satisfaction and Discharge   

Section 401.

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

  37   

Section 402.

Application of Trust Money and Eligible Instruments

  38   

Section 403.

Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance of Debt Securities of any Series

  39   
ARTICLE FIVE   
Remedies   

Section 501.

Events of Default

  42   

Section 502.

Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment

  43   

Section 503.

Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee

  44   

Section 504.

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

  45   

Section 505.

Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Debt Securities or Coupons

  46   

Section 506.

Application of Money Collected

  46   

Section 507.

Limitation on Suits

  47   

Section 508.

Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest

  48   

Section 509.

Restoration of Rights and Remedies

  48   

Section 510.

Rights and Remedies Cumulative

  48   

Section 511.

Delay or Omission Not Waiver

  48   

 

iii


Section 512.

Control by Holders of Debt Securities

  49   

Section 513.

Waiver of Past Defaults

  49   

Section 514.

Undertaking for Costs

  49   

Section 515.

Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws

  50   
ARTICLE SIX   
The Trustee   

Section 601.

Certain Duties and Responsibilities

  50   

Section 602.

Notice of Default

  51   

Section 603.

Certain Rights of Trustee

  52   

Section 604.

Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Debt Securities

  53   

Section 605.

May Hold Debt Securities or Coupons

  53   

Section 606.

Money Held in Trust

  53   

Section 607.

Compensation and Reimbursement

  54   

Section 608.

Disqualification; Conflicting Interests

  54   

Section 609.

Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility

  54   

Section 610.

Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor

  55   

Section 611.

Acceptance of Appointment by Successor

  57   

Section 612.

Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

  58   

Section 613.

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company

  59   

Section 614.

Authenticating Agent

  59   
ARTICLE SEVEN   
Holders’ Lists and Reports By Trustee and Company   

Section 701.

Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders

  60   

Section 702.

Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders

  61   

Section 703.

Reports by Trustee

  61   

Section 704.

Reports by Company

  61   
ARTICLE EIGHT   
Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease   

Section 801.

Company May Consolidate, etc. Only on Certain Terms

  62   

Section 802.

Successor Corporation Substituted

  63   
ARTICLE NINE   
Supplemental Indentures   

Section 901.

Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders

  63   

Section 902.

Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders

  64   

Section 903.

Execution of Supplemental Indentures

  66   

Section 904.

Effect of Supplemental Indentures

  66   

Section 905.

Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

  66   

Section 906.

Reference in Debt Securities to Supplemental Indentures

  66   

 

iv


ARTICLE TEN   
Covenants   

Section 1001.

Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest

  67   

Section 1002.

Maintenance of Office or Agency

  67   

Section 1003.

Money for Debt Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust

  68   

Section 1004.

Payment of Additional Amounts

  70   

Section 1005.

Officers’ Certificate as to Default

  71   

Section 1006.

Waiver of Certain Covenants

  71   
ARTICLE ELEVEN   
Redemption of Debt Securities   

Section 1101.

Applicability of Article

  71   

Section 1102.

Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee

  71   

Section 1103.

Selection by Trustee of Debt Securities to be Redeemed

  72   

Section 1104.

Notice of Redemption

  72   

Section 1105.

Deposit of Redemption Price

  73   

Section 1106.

Debt Securities Payable on Redemption Date

  73   

Section 1107.

Debt Securities Redeemed in Part

  74   
ARTICLE TWELVE   
Sinking Funds   

Section 1201.

Applicability of Article

  75   

Section 1202.

Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Debt Securities

  75   

Section 1203.

Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund

  76   
ARTICLE THIRTEEN   
Repayment at the Option of Holders   

Section 1301.

Applicability of Article

  76   

Section 1302.

Repayment of Debt Securities

  76   

Section 1303.

Exercise of Option; Notice

  76   

Section 1304.

Election of Repayment by Remarketing Entities

  78   

Section 1305.

Securities Payable on the Repayment Date

  78   
ARTICLE FOURTEEN   
Meetings of Holders of Debt Securities   

Section 1401.

Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called

  78   

Section 1402.

Call, Notice and Place of Meetings

  79   

Section 1403.

Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings

  79   

Section 1404.

Quorum; Action

  79   

Section 1405.

Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings

  80   

Section 1406.

Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings

  81   

 

v


ARTICLE FIFTEEN   
Defeasance   

Section 1501.

Termination of Company’s Obligations

  82   

Section 1502.

Repayment to Company

  83   

Section 1503.

Indemnity for Eligible Instruments

  83   
ARTICLE SIXTEEN   
Subordination of Debt Securities   

Section 1601.

Debt Securities Subordinate to Senior Debt

  84   

Section 1602.

Trustee and Holders of Debt Securities May Rely on Certificate of Liquidating Agent; Trustee May Require Further Evidence as to Ownership of Senior Debt; Trustee Not Fiduciary to Holders of Senior Debt

  86   

Section 1603.

Payment Permitted If No Default

  86   

Section 1604.

Trustee Not Charged with Knowledge of Prohibition

  87   

Section 1605.

Trustee to Effectuate Subordination

  87   

Section 1606.

Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Debt

  87   

Section 1607.

Article Applicable to Paying Agents

  87   

Section 1608.

Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Company or Holders of Senior Debt

  88   

Exhibit A-1

Exhibit A-2

Exhibit B

 

vi


INDENTURE (the “Indenture”) dated as of [                    ], between NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC., a Minnesota corporation (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal place of business at 315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200, Wayzata, Minnesota 55391, and [                    ], (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), a national banking association duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America having its Corporate Trust Office at [                                        ].

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its subordinated debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Debt Securities”).

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

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Debt Securities of any series created and issued on or after the date hereof by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed for the benefit of all Holders of such Debt Securities or of any such series, 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 unless the context otherwise requires:

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

(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act or by Commission rule or regulation under the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 905, have the meanings assigned to them therein;


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

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

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

“Act” when used with respect to any Holder has the meaning specified in Section 104.

“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.

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper in an official language of the country of publication or in the English language customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, and of general circulation in the place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any Business Day.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code (or any successor thereto) or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

“Bearer Security” means any Debt Security established pursuant to Section 201 which is payable to bearer including, without limitation, unless the context otherwise indicates, a Debt Security in global bearer form.

“Board of Directors” means either the board of directors of the Company, or the executive or any other committee of that board duly authorized to act in respect hereof.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee. Where any provision of this Indenture refers to action to be taken pursuant to a Board Resolution

 

2


(including the establishment of any series of the Debt Securities and the forms and terms thereof), such action may be taken by any committee of the Board of the Company or any officer or employee of the Company authorized to take such action by a Board Resolution.

“Business Day”, when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means any day which is not a Saturday or Sunday and which is not a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking S.A.

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

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

“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President (any references to a Vice President of the Company herein shall be deemed to include any Vice President of the Company whether or not designated by a number or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, an Assistant Controller, Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or by another officer of the Company duly authorized to sign by a Board Resolution, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date of original execution of this Indenture is located at [                                        ].

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

The term “coupon” means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

 

3


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

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307.

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

“Designated Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 312.

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

“Eligible Instruments” means monetary assets, money market instruments and securities that are payable in Dollars only and essentially risk free as to collection of principal and interest, including U.S. Government Obligations.

“Euro” means the single currency of the European Monetary Union as defined under EC Regulation 1103/97 adopted under Article 235 of the EU Treaty and under EC Regulation 974/98 adopted under Article 109l(4) of the EU Treaty or under any successor European legislation from time to time.

“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., 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.

“Exchange Rate” shall have the meaning specified as contemplated in Section 301.

“Exchange Rate Agent” shall have the meaning specified as contemplated in Section 301.

“Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate”, with respect to any date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any series of Debt Securities, means a certificate setting forth the applicable Exchange Rate and the amounts payable in Dollars and Foreign Currencies in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Debt Securities denominated in Euro, any other composite currency or Foreign Currency, and signed

 

4


by the Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the President, a Vice President, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the Company or the Exchange Rate Agent appointed pursuant to Section 301, and delivered to the Trustee.

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

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as used by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and/or the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, consistently applied.

“Global Exchange Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

“Global Exchange Date” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

“Global Security” means a Debt Security issued to evidence all or part of a series of Debt Securities in accordance with Section 303.

“Holder”, with respect to a Registered Security, means a Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered in the Security Register and, with respect to a Bearer Security or a coupon, means the bearer thereof.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, all obligations of such Person, whether or not contingent:

(i)(a) for borrowed money (including, but not limited to, any indebtedness secured by a security interest, mortgage or other lien on the assets of such Person that is (1) given to secure all or part of the purchase price of property subject thereto, whether given to the vendor of such property or to another, or (2) existing on property at the time of acquisition thereof), (b) evidenced by a note, debenture, bond or other similar written instrument, (c) under a lease required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under GAAP, or under any lease or related document (including a purchase agreement) that provides that such Person is contractually obligated to purchase or cause a third party to purchase and thereby guarantee a minimum residual value of the lease property to the lessor and such Person’s obligations under such lease or related document to purchase or to cause a third party to purchase such leased property, (d) in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances (including reimbursement obligations with respect to any of the foregoing), (e) obligations secured by a mortgage, pledge, lien, charge or similar encumbrance to which the property or assets of such Person are subject, whether or not the obligation secured thereby shall have been assumed by or shall otherwise be such Person’s legal liability, (f) in respect of the balance of deferred and unpaid purchase price of any property or assets, and (g) under interest rate or currency swap agreements, cap, floor and collar agreements, spot and forward contracts and similar agreements and arrangements;

 

5


(ii) with respect to any obligation of others of the type described in the preceding clause (i) or under clause (iii) below assumed by or guaranteed in any manner by such Person (including, without limitation, through “take or pay” and similar arrangements), contingent or otherwise (and the obligations of such Person under any such assumptions, guarantees or other such arrangements); and

(iii) any and all deferrals, renewals, extensions, refinancing and refunding of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, any of the foregoing.

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be (i) the accreted value thereof, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; and (ii) the principal amount thereof, together with any interest thereon that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.

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

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

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

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

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, an Assistant Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture) be an employee of or counsel for the Company, or who may be other counsel, which is delivered to the Trustee.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Debt Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

 

6


“Outstanding”, when used with respect to Debt Securities means, as of the date of determination, all Debt Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(i) Debt Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(ii) Debt Securities or portions thereof for whose payment or redemption money or Eligible Instruments 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 Debt Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto; provided, however, that if such Debt Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and

(iii) Debt Securities in exchange for or in lieu of which other Debt Securities have been authenticated and delivered, or which have been paid, pursuant to this Indenture;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Debt Securities Outstanding have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Debt Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt 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 relying upon such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Debt Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Debt Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Debt Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

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

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

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

 

7


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

“ranking junior to the Debt Securities”, when used with respect to any obligation of the Company shall mean any obligation of the Company which (a) ranks junior to and not equally with or prior to the Debt Securities (or any other obligations of the Company ranking on a parity with the Debt Securities) in right of payment upon the happening of any event of the kind specified in the first sentence of the second paragraph in Section 1601 or (b) is specifically designated as ranking junior to the Debt Securities by express provision in the instrument creating or evidencing such obligation. The securing of any obligations of the Company, otherwise ranking junior to the Debt Securities, shall be deemed to prevent such obligations from constituting obligations ranking junior to the Debt Securities.

“ranking on a parity with the Debt Securities”, when used with respect to any obligation of the Company shall mean any obligation of the Company which (a) ranks equally with and not prior to the Debt Securities in right of payment upon the happening of any event of the kind specified in the first sentence of the second paragraph in Section 1601 or (b) is specifically designated as ranking on a parity with the Debt Securities by express provision in the instrument creating or evidencing such obligation. The securing of any obligations of the Company, otherwise ranking on a parity with the Debt Securities, shall not be deemed to prevent such obligations from constituting obligations ranking on a parity with the Debt Securities.

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

“Redemption Price”, when used with respect to any Debt Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

“Registered Security” means any Debt Security in the form of Registered Securities established pursuant to Section 201 which is registered in the Security Register.

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

“Remarketing Entity”, when used with respect to Debt Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity, means any person designated by the Company to purchase any such Debt Securities.

 

8


“Repayment Date”, when used with respect to any Debt Security to be repaid upon exercise of an option for repayment by the Holder, means the date fixed for such repayment pursuant to this Indenture.

“Repayment Price”, when used with respect to any Debt Security to be repaid upon exercise of an option for repayment by the Holder, means the price at which it is to be repaid pursuant to this Indenture.

“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any vice president, any assistant vice president, any senior trust officer or assistant trust officer, any trust officer, or any other officer associated with the corporate trust department of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

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

“Senior Debt” means the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, rent under, and any other amounts payable on or in respect of any Indebtedness of the Company (including, without limitation, any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness in respect of such Indebtedness and any interest accruing after the filing of a petition by or against the Company under any Bankruptcy Law, whether or not allowed as a claim after such filing in any proceeding under such Bankruptcy Law), whether outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred, assumed, guaranteed or in effect guaranteed by the Company (including all deferrals, renewals, extensions, refinancing or refunding of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to the foregoing); provided, however , that Senior Debt does not include:

(i) any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the Company;

(ii) Indebtedness of the Company to any Subsidiary of the Company;

(iii) trade payables and accrued expenses (including, without limitation, accrued compensation) of the Company for goods, services or materials purchased or provided in the ordinary course of business, and

(iv) any particular Indebtedness in which the instrument creating or evidencing the same expressly provides that such Indebtedness shall not be senior in right of payment to, or is pari passu with, or is subordinated or junior to, the Debt Securities.

 

9


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

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

“Subsidiary” means, in respect of any Person, any corporation, association, partnership 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 within the control of such Person to satisfy) to vote in the election of directors, managers, general partners or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person, (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 905.

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

“United States” means the United States of America (including the District of Columbia) and its possessions.

“United States Alien” means any Person who, for United States Federal income tax purposes, is a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual, a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust, or a foreign partnership one or more of the members of which is, for United States Federal income tax purposes, a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual or a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such 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

 

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received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

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, if so requested by the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, 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 shall include:

(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition 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 or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition 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 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.

 

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Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinions 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 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 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. If Debt Securities of a series are issuable in whole or in part 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 may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Debt Securities voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article Fourteen, 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 and so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Debt Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1406.

(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 Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership of Registered Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.

 

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(d) The principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depositary, by any trust company, bank, banker or other depositary, 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 deposit with such depositary, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities in the amount and with the serial numbers 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.

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

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

(g) For purposes of determining the principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series the Holders of which are required, requested or permitted to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other Act under this Indenture, (i) each Original Issue Discount Security shall be deemed to have the principal amount determined by the Trustee that could be declared to be due and payable pursuant to the terms of such Original Issue Discount Security as of the date there is delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company, such Act by Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series and (ii) each Debt Security denominated in a Foreign Currency or composite currency shall be deemed to have the principal amount determined by the Exchange Rate Agent by converting the principal amount of such Debt Security in the currency in which such Debt Security is denominated into Dollars at the Exchange Rate as of the date such Act is delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company, by Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series (or, if there is no such rate on such date, such rate on the date determined as specified as contemplated in Section 301).

 

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(h) The Company may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders of Debt Securities of any series entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted by Section 512 or Section 513. Such record date shall be the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders of such Debt Securities furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 701 prior to such solicitation.

Section 105. Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided), if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (which may be via original or facsimile) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and which shall be deemed delivered when actually received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, 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 the attention of its Secretary at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided, however , that (a) the party providing such electronic instructions or directions, subsequent to the transmission thereof, shall provide the originally executed instructions or directions to the Trustee in a timely manner and (b) such originally executed instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such instructions or directions. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions or directions notwithstanding such instructions or directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction or direction or if the subsequent written instruction or direction is never received. The party providing instructions or directions by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods, as aforesaid, agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

 

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Section 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, (1) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Registered Securities if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of a Registered Security affected by such event, at such Holder’s 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; and (2) such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders of Bearer Securities by publication thereof in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York and, if the Debt Securities of such series are then listed on any stock exchange outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, in any other required city outside the United States or, if not practicable, in Europe on a Business Day at least twice, the first such publication to be not later than the latest date and not earlier than the earliest date prescribed for the giving of such notice.

In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service or for any other reason, it shall be impossible or impracticable to mail notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities when said notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is to be given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder of a Registered Security shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice by publication to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided above.

In case, by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible or impracticable to make publication of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, then such method of publication or notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient publication of such notice. Neither failure to give notice by publication to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of any notice mailed to Holders of Registered Securities as provided above.

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.

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

 

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Section 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.

Section 108. 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 109. 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 110. Separability Clause.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities or any coupons 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 111. Benefits of Indenture.

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities or any coupons, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, any Paying Agent and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 112. Governing Law.

This Indenture and the Debt Securities and any coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Section 113. Legal Holidays.

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or Stated Maturity of any Debt Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities or coupons) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or at the Stated Maturity, and no interest shall accrue on the

 

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amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.

Section 114. Counterparts.

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 115. Exemption from Individual Liability.

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

ARTICLE TWO

Debt Security Forms

Section 201. Forms Generally.

The Registered Securities, if any, and the Bearer Securities and related coupons, if any, of each series shall be in substantially the form (including temporary or permanent global form) as shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed

 

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thereon, as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities or coupons, as evidenced by their signatures on the Debt Securities or coupons. If the form of Debt Securities of any series or coupons (including any such Global Security) is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 303 for the authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities or coupons.

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, Debt Securities in bearer form other than Debt Securities in temporary or permanent global form shall have coupons attached.

The definitive Debt Securities and coupons, if any, shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities, as evidenced by the execution of such Debt Securities and coupons.

Section 202. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

This is one of the Debt Securities, of the series designated herein, described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

[                    ],
as Trustee
By

 

Authorized Signatory
Dated

 

Section 203. Debt Securities in Global Form.

If Debt Securities of a series are issuable in whole or in part in global form, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, then, notwithstanding clause (10) of Section 301 and the provisions of Section 302, such Global Security shall represent such of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Debt Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Debt Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the

 

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amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Debt Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 303 or Section 304.

The provisions of the last sentence of Section 303(g) shall apply to any Debt Securities represented by a Debt Security in global form if such Debt Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Debt 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 respect to the reduction in the principal amount of Debt Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 303(g).

Global Securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form.

ARTICLE THREE

The Debt Securities

Section 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuance in Series.

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

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

(1) the title of the Debt Securities of the series;

(2) the limit, if any, upon the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107 or 1303 and except for any Debt Securities which, pursuant to Section 303, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

(3) the date or dates on which the principal and premium, if any, of the Debt Securities of the series are payable;

 

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

(5) the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 1002, the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Debt Securities of the series shall be payable, any Registered Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, Debt Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange and notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Debt Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served and where notices to Holders pursuant to Section 106 will be published;

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

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

(8) whether Debt Securities of the series are to be issuable as Registered Securities, Bearer Securities or both, whether Debt Securities of the series are to be issuable with or without coupons or both and, in the case of Bearer Securities, the date as of which such Bearer Securities shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first Debt Security of such series of like tenor and term to be issued;

(9) whether the Debt Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities and, in such case, the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities, whether such global form shall be permanent or temporary and, if applicable, the Global Exchange Date and Global Exchange Agent;

(10) if Debt Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in the form of a temporary Global Security, the circumstances under which the temporary Global Security can be exchanged for definitive Debt Securities and whether the definitive Debt Securities will be Registered and/or Bearer Securities and will be in global form and whether interest in respect of any portion of such Global Security payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date prior to the Global Exchange Date shall be paid to any clearing organization with respect to a portion of such Global Security held for its account and, in such event, the terms and conditions (including any certification

 

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requirements) upon which any such interest payment received by a clearing organization will be credited to the Persons entitled to interest payable on such Interest Payment Date if other than as provided in this Article Three;

(11) whether, and under what conditions, additional amounts will be payable to Holders of Debt Securities of the series pursuant to Section 1004;

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

(13) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Debt Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502;

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

(15) the currency or currencies in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities will be made, the currency or currencies, if any, in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or the interest on Registered Securities, at the election of each of the Holders thereof, may also be payable and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made, and the Exchange Rate and the person who shall be the Exchange Rate Agent for the Debt Securities of such series;

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

(17) any Events of Default with respect to Debt Securities of such series, if not set forth herein;

(18) any other covenant or warranty included for the benefit of the Debt Securities of the series in addition to (and not inconsistent with) those set forth herein for the benefit of Debt Securities of all series, or any other covenant or warranty included for the benefit of Debt Securities of the series in lieu of any covenant or warranty set forth herein for the benefit of Debt Securities of all series, or any provision that any covenant or warranty set forth herein for the benefit of Debt Securities of all series shall not be for the benefit of Debt Securities of such series, or any combination of

 

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such covenants, warranties or provisions and whether the provisions of Section 1006 will not apply such covenants and warranties;

(19) the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the Company’s obligations under this Indenture may be terminated through the deposit of money or Eligible Instruments as provided in Articles Four and Fifteen;

(20) the Person or Persons who shall be Security Registrar for the Debt Securities of such series if other than the Trustee, and the place or places where the Security Register for such series shall be maintained and the Person or Persons who will be the initial Paying Agent or Agents, if other than the Trustee; and

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

All Debt Securities of any one series and the coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities of such series, if any, shall be substantially identical except, in the case of Registered Securities, as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution and set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

Debt Securities of any particular series may be issued at various times, with different dates on which the principal or any installment of principal is payable, with different rates of interest, if any, or different methods by which rates of interest may be determined, with different dates on which such interest may be payable and with different Redemption or Repayment Dates and may be denominated in different currencies or payable in different currencies.

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

Section 302. Denominations.

Debt Securities of each series shall be issuable in such form and denominations as shall be specified in the form of Debt Security for such series approved or established pursuant to Section 201 or in the Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 301. In the absence of any specification with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Registered Securities of such series, if any, shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof and the Bearer Securities of such series, if any, shall be issuable in denominations of $5,000.

 

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Section 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

(a) The Debt Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President, and by its Treasurer or one of its Assistant Treasurers or its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries under its corporate seal reproduced thereon. The signature of any of these officers on the Debt Securities may be manual or facsimile. Coupons shall bear the facsimile signature of an authorized officer of the Company.

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

(b) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, Debt Securities of any series may be executed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication, and, except as otherwise provided in this Article Three, shall thereupon be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee upon Company Order, without any further action by the Company; provided, however, that, in connection with its original issuance, a Bearer Security may be delivered only outside the United States and, except in the case of a temporary Global Security, only if the Company or its agent shall have received the certification required pursuant to Sections 304(b)(iii) and (iv), unless such certification shall have been provided earlier pursuant to section 304(b)(v) hereof, and only if the Company has no reason to know that such certification is false.

To the extent authorized in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, such written Company Order may be given by any one officer or employee of the Company, may be electronically transmitted, and may provide instructions as to registration of holders, principal amounts, rates of interest, maturity dates and other matters contemplated by such Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture to be so instructed in respect thereof. Before authorizing and delivering the first Debt Securities of any series (and upon request of the Trustee thereafter), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee (i) the certificates called for under Sections 201 and 301 hereof and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel described in the next sentence.

 

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In authenticating such Debt Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to any such Debt Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, prior to the initial authentication of such Debt Securities, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(i) a Board Resolution relating thereto and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant to such resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

(ii) an executed supplemental indenture, if any, relating thereto;

(iii) an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the form and terms of the Debt Securities of such series and coupons, if any, pursuant to Sections 201 and 301 and stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the issuance of such Debt Securities have been complied with; and

(iv) an Opinion of Counsel stating

(A) that the form of such Debt Securities and coupons, if any, has been established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or by a supplemental indenture as permitted by Section 201 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(B) that the terms of such Debt Securities and coupons, if any, have been established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or by a supplemental indenture as permitted by Section 301 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(C) that such Debt Securities and coupons, if any, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee 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, as to enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and the application of general principles of equity and except further as enforcement thereof may be limited by (i) requirements that a claim with respect to any Debt Securities denominated other than in Dollars (or a Foreign Currency or currency unit judgment in respect of such claim) be converted into Dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law or (ii) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments in Foreign Currencies or currency units or payments outside the United States.

(c) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 301 that the Debt Securities of a series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global

 

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Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section and the Company Order with respect to such series, authenticate and deliver one or more Global Securities in permanent or temporary form that (i) shall represent and shall be denominated in an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series to be represented by one or more Global Securities, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or the nominee of such Depositary and (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions.

(d) The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debt Securities under this Section 303 if the issuance of such Debt Securities will adversely affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Debt Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

(e) If all the Debt Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Opinion of Counsel at the time of issuance of each Debt Security, but such Opinion of Counsel, with appropriate modifications, may instead be delivered at or prior to the time of the first issuance of Debt Securities of such series.

(f) Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Each Bearer Security shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated by Section 301.

(g) No Debt Security or coupon attached thereto shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Debt Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee, and such certificate upon any Debt Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Debt Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Except as permitted by Section 306, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security unless all related coupons for interest then matured have been detached and cancelled. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Debt Security or portion thereof shall have been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Debt 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) stating that such Debt Security or portion thereof has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Debt Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

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

 

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Section 304. Temporary Debt Securities.

(a) Pending the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon receipt of documents required by Sections 301 and 303, together with a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Debt Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any denomination, substantially of the tenor and terms of the definitive Debt Securities in lieu of which they are issued in registered form or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or more coupons or without coupons, and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Debt Securities may determine, as evidenced by their signatures on such Debt Securities. In the case of Debt Securities of any series issuable as Bearer Securities, such temporary Debt Securities may be in global form, representing all or any part of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series.

(b) Unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301:

(i) Except in the case of temporary Debt Securities in global form, if temporary Debt Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Debt Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of such series, the related temporary Debt Securities shall be exchangeable for such definitive Debt Securities upon surrender of the temporary Debt Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in the Place of Payment for such series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Debt Securities of any series (accompanied, if applicable, by all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default appertaining thereto), the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Debt Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms and of authorized denominations; provided, however, that no Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a Registered Security; and provided, further, that a Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 305.

(ii) If Debt Securities of any series are issued in temporary global form, any such temporary Global Security shall, unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301, be delivered to the Depositary for the benefit of Euroclear and Clearstream, for credit to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of such Debt Securities (or to such other accounts as they may direct).

(iii) 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 “Global Exchange Date”), the Company shall deliver definitive Debt Securities to the Trustee or the agent appointed by the Company pursuant to Section 301 to effect the exchange of the temporary Global Security for definitive Debt Securities (the “Global Exchange Agent”), in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of

 

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such temporary Global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the Global Exchange Date, such temporary Global Security shall be surrendered by the Depositary to the Global Exchange Agent, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Debt Securities without charge and the Trustee or the Global Exchange Agent, if authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 614, shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such temporary Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Debt Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor and terms as the portion of such temporary Global Security to be exchanged. Upon any exchange of a part of such temporary Global Security for definitive Debt Securities, the portion of the principal amount and any interest thereon so exchanged shall be endorsed by the Global Exchange Agent on a schedule to such temporary Global Security, whereupon the principal amount and interest payable with respect to such temporary Global Security shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount so exchanged and endorsed. The definitive Debt Securities to be delivered in exchange for any such temporary Global Security shall be in bearer form, registered form, global registered form or global bearer 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, in the case of the exchange of the temporary Global Security for definitive Bearer Securities (including a definitive Global Bearer Security), upon such presentation by the Depositary, such temporary Global Security shall be accompanied by a certificate signed by Euroclear as to the portion of such temporary Global Security held for its account then to be exchanged and a certificate signed by Clearstream as to the portion of such temporary Global Security held for its account then to be exchanged, each in the form set forth in Exhibit B to this Indenture, unless such certificate(s) shall have been provided earlier pursuant to section 304(b)(v) hereof; and provided, further, that definitive Bearer Securities (including a definitive Global Bearer Security) shall be delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary Global Security only in compliance with the requirements of Section 303.

(iv) The interest of a beneficial owner of Debt Securities of a series in a temporary Global Security shall be exchanged for definitive Debt Securities of the same series and of like tenor and terms following the Global Exchange Date when the account holder instructs Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, to request such exchange on such account holder’s behalf and, in the case of the exchange of the temporary Global Security for definitive Bearer Securities (including a definitive Global Bearer Security), unless such certificate(s) shall have been provided earlier pursuant to Section 304(b)(v) hereof, the account holder delivers to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 and, if applicable, A-2 to this Indenture, dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Global Exchange Date, copies of which certificate shall be available from the offices of Euroclear and Clearstream, the Global Exchange Agent, any authenticating agent appointed for such series of Debt 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 Debt

 

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Securities must bear the cost of insurance, postage, transportation and the like in the event that such Person does not take delivery of such definitive Debt Securities in person at the offices of Euroclear and Clearstream. Definitive Debt Securities in bearer form to be delivered in exchange for any portion of a temporary Global Security shall be delivered only outside the United States.

(v) Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Debt Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debt Securities of the same series and of like tenor and terms authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that interest payable on a temporary Global Security on an Interest Payment Date shall be payable to Euroclear and Clearstream on such Interest Payment Date only if there has been delivered by Euroclear and Clearstream to the Global Exchange Agent a certificate or certificates in the form set forth in Exhibit B to this Indenture dated no earlier than the first Interest Payment Date, for credit without further interest on or after such Interest Payment Date to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of such temporary Global Security on such Interest Payment Date and who have each delivered to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 and, if applicable, A-2 to this Indenture dated no earlier than the first Interest Payment Date. Any interest so received by Euroclear and Clearstream and not paid as herein provided prior to the Global Exchange Date shall be returned to the Global Exchange Agent which, upon expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date, shall repay such interest to the Company in accordance with Section 1003.

Section 305. Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

The Company shall cause to be kept at one of the offices or agencies to be maintained by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Section 305 and Section 1002, with respect to the Debt Securities of each series which are Registered Securities, a register (herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities. Pursuant to Section 301, the Company shall appoint, with respect to Debt Securities of each series which are Registered Securities, a “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering such Debt Securities and transfers and exchanges of such Debt Securities as herein provided.

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

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 form and

 

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denomination, of like tenor and terms and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Registered Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Bearer Securities may not be delivered in exchange for Registered Securities.

At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities or Bearer Securities of any series may be issued in exchange for Bearer Securities (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to a Bearer Security in global form) of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and terms and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency, with all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default 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, such exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company and the Trustee 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 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 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 exchange for a Registered Security of the same series and like tenor and terms 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 date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date of payment, as the case may be.

Whenever any Debt Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Debt Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

If at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities of a series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Debt Securities of such series or if at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities of such series shall no longer be eligible under Section 303(h), the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to the Debt Securities of such series. If a successor Depositary for the Debt Securities of such series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company’s election pursuant to Section 301(9) shall no longer be effective with respect to the Debt Securities of such series and the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Debt Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Debt Securities of such series in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such series in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

 

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The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Debt Securities of any series issued in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities. In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Debt Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Debt Securities of such series in definitive form and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such series in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

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

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

(b) to such Depositary a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities delivered to Holders thereof.

In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver Debt Securities (a) in definitive registered form in authorized denominations, if the Debt Securities of such series are issuable as Registered Securities, (b) in definitive bearer form in authorized denominations, with coupons attached, if the Debt Securities of such series are issuable as Bearer Securities or (c) as either Registered or Bearer Securities, as shall be specified by the beneficial owner thereof, if the Debt Securities of such series are issuable in either form; provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Global Security unless the Company or its agent shall have received from the person entitled to receive the definitive Bearer Security a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 and, if applicable, A-2 hereto; and provided further that delivery of a Bearer Security shall occur only outside the United States; and provided further that no definitive Bearer Security will be issued if the Company has reason to know that any such certificate is false.

Upon the exchange of a Global Security for Debt Securities in definitive form, such Global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee. Registered Securities issued in

 

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exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Registered Securities to the persons in whose names such Debt Securities are so registered. The Trustee shall deliver Bearer Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section to the persons, and in such authorized denominations, as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee; provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Global Security unless the Company or its agent shall have received from the person entitled to receive the definitive Bearer Security a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 and, if applicable, A-2 hereto; and provided further that delivery of a Bearer Security shall occur only outside the United States; and provided further that no definitive Bearer Security will be issued if the Company has reason to know that any such certificate is false.

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

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

No charge to any Holder shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, registration of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, other than exchanges expressly provided in this Indenture to be made at the Company’s own expense or without expense or without charge to the Holders.

The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Debt Securities of any particular series to be redeemed for a period of fifteen days preceding the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if Registered Securities are outstanding and there is no publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption of Debt Securities of such series selected for redemption under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of such Registered Security being redeemed in part, or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption except that such a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of like tenor and terms of that series, provided that such Registered Security shall be simultaneously surrendered for redemption.

 

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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the exchange of Bearer Securities into Registered Securities shall be subject to applicable laws and regulations in effect at the time of exchange; neither the Company, the Trustee nor the Security Registrar shall exchange any Bearer Securities into Registered Securities if it has received an Opinion of Counsel that as a result of such exchanges the Company would suffer adverse consequences under the United States Federal income tax laws and regulations then in effect and the Company has delivered to the Trustee a Company Order directing the Trustee not to make such exchanges thereafter unless and until the Trustee receives a subsequent Company Order to the contrary. The Company shall deliver copies of such Company Orders to the Security Registrar.

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

If (i) any mutilated Debt Security or a Bearer Security with a mutilated coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to a Paying Agent outside the United States designated by the Company, or, in the case of any Registered Security, to the Trustee, or (ii) the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Debt Security or coupon, and there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company and the Trustee that such Debt Security or coupon has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its written request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for any such mutilated Debt Security or Bearer Security with a mutilated coupon appertaining to it or to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains (with all related coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen) or in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security, a new Debt Security of like tenor and terms and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security or to the Debt Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains; provided, however, that any such new Bearer Security will be delivered only in compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 305.

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security or coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Debt Security, pay such Debt Security or coupon; provided, however, that payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and any interest on Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States; and provided, further, that, with respect to any such coupons, interest represented thereby (but not any additional amounts payable as provided in Section 1004), shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto.

Upon the issuance of any new Debt Security or coupons 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 and printing expenses) connected therewith.

 

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Every new Debt Security of any series, with its coupons, if any, issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security, or in exchange for a Bearer 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 Debt Security and its coupons, if any, or the destroyed, lost or stolen coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and any such new Debt Security and coupons, if any, shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Debt 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 Debt Securities or coupons.

Section 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

Interest on any Registered Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Registered Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. 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. At the option of the Company, payment of interest on any Registered Security may be made by check in the currency designated for such payment pursuant to the terms of such Registered Security mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by wire transfer to an account in such currency designated by such Person in writing not later than ten days prior to the date of such payment.

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

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the 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

 

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the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money and/or, to the extent such Debt Securities are denominated and payable in Dollars only, Eligible Instruments the payments of principal and interest on which when due (and without reinvestment and providing no tax liability will be imposed upon the Trustee or the Holder of such Registered Securities) will provide money in such amounts as will (together with any money irrevocably deposited in trust with the Trustee, without investment) be equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money and/or Eligible Instruments when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the written notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date. Unless the Trustee is acting as the Security Registrar, promptly after such Special Record Date, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with a list, or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee with respect thereto, of the names and addresses of, and principal amounts of Registered Securities of such series held by, the Holders appearing on the Security Register at the close of business on such Special Record Date. In the name and at the expense of the Company, the Trustee shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Registered Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the 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 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 the Registered Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

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

Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 1002, the Holder of any coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security shall be entitled to receive the interest payable on such coupon upon presentation and surrender of such coupon on or after the Interest Payment Date of such coupon at an office or agency maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002.

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 of the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 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.

The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security and the bearer of any coupon as the absolute owner of such Bearer Security or coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Bearer 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 Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 309. Cancellation.

Unless otherwise provided with respect to a series of Debt Securities, all Debt Securities and coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment, transfer, exchange or credit against any sinking fund payment pursuant to this Indenture, shall, if surrendered to the Company or any agent of the Company, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Debt Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Debt Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No Debt Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Debt Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this

 

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Indenture. All cancelled Debt Securities and coupons held by the Trustee shall be destroyed and certification of their destruction delivered to the Company unless by a Company Order the Company shall direct that the cancelled Debt Securities or coupons be returned to it.

Section 310. Computation of Interest.

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

Section 311. Certification by a Person Entitled to Delivery of a Bearer Security.

Whenever any provision of this Indenture or a Debt Security contemplates that certification be given by a Person entitled to delivery of a Bearer Security, such certification shall be provided substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 and, if applicable, A-2 hereto, with only such changes as shall be approved by the Company and consented to by the Trustee whose consent shall not unreasonably be withheld.

Section 312. Judgments.

The Company may provide, pursuant to Section 301, for the Debt Securities of any series that, to the fullest extent possible under applicable law and except as may otherwise be specified as contemplated in Section 301, (a) the obligation, if any, of the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of any series and any related coupons in a Foreign Currency, composite currency or Dollars (the “Designated Currency”) as may be specified pursuant to Section 301 is of the essence and that judgments in respect of such Debt Securities shall be given in the Designated Currency; (b) the obligation of the Company to make payments in the Designated Currency of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Debt Securities and any related coupons shall, notwithstanding any payment in any other currency (whether pursuant to a judgment or otherwise), be discharged only to the extent of the amount in the Designated Currency that the Holder receiving such payment may, in accordance with normal banking procedures, purchase with the sum paid in such other currency (after any premium and cost of exchange) in the country of issue of the Designated Currency in the case of Foreign Currency or Dollars or in the international banking community in the case of a composite currency on the Business Day immediately following the day on which such Holder receives such payment; (c) if the amount in the Designated Currency that may be so purchased for any reason falls short of the amount originally due, the Company shall pay such additional amounts as may be necessary to compensate for such shortfall; and (d) any obligation of the Company not discharged by such payment shall be due as a separate and independent obligation and, until discharged as provided herein, shall continue in full force and effect.

 

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ARTICLE FOUR

Satisfaction and Discharge

Section 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect, including the provisions of Article Sixteen hereof (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities herein expressly provided for and rights to receive payments of principal and interest thereon and any right to receive additional amounts, as provided in Section 1004) and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture when

(1) either

(A) all Debt Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered and all coupons appertaining thereto (other than (i) coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities surrendered in exchange for Registered Securities and maturing after such exchange, surrender of which is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 305, (ii) Debt Securities and coupons which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, (iii) coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities called for redemption or surrendered for repayment and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date or Repayment Date, as appropriate, surrender of which has been waived as provided in Section 1106 or 1303 and (iv) Debt Securities and coupons for whose payment money and/or Eligible Instruments have 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 cancelled or for cancellation; or

(B) all such Debt Securities 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) 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,

 

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and the Company, in the case of (B)(i), (B)(ii) or (B)(iii) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose money and/or, to the extent such Debt Securities are denominated and payable in Dollars only, Eligible Instruments the payments of principal and interest on which when due (and without reinvestment and providing no tax liability will be imposed upon the Trustee or the Holders of Debt Securities) will provide money in such amounts as will (together with any money irrevocably deposited in trust with the Trustee, without investment) be sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Debt Securities and coupons of such series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, and any mandatory sinking fund, repayment or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor to the date of such deposit (in the case of Debt Securities and coupons which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, if any, and all Repayment Dates (in the case of Debt Securities repayable at the option of the Holders thereof); provided, however, that in the event a petition for relief under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law is filed with respect to the Company within 91 days after the deposit, the obligations of the Company under the Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series shall not be deemed terminated or discharged, and in such event the Trustee shall be required to return the deposited money and Eligible Instruments then held by the Trustee to the Company;

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

(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 have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607 and, if money or Eligible Instruments shall have been deposited with 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 such satisfaction and discharge.

Section 402. Application of Trust Money and Eligible Instruments.

(a) Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Eligible Instruments deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401, 403 or 1501 shall be held in trust and such money and the principal and interest received on such Eligible Instruments shall be applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Debt Securities, any 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

 

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Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money or Eligible Instruments have been deposited with the Trustee.

(b) The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any Eligible Instruments or money held by it as provided in Section 403 or 1501 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such Eligible Instruments or money were deposited or received.

(c) The Trustee shall deliver to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any Eligible Instruments held by it as provided in Section 403 or 1501, provided that the Company in substitution therefor simultaneously delivers to the Trustee, money or other Eligible Instruments which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, would then be sufficient to satisfy the Company’s payment obligations in respect of the Debt Securities in the manner contemplated by Section 403 or 1501.

Section 403. Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance of Debt Securities of any Series.

If this Section 403 is specified, as contemplated by Section 301, to be applicable to Debt Securities of any series, then, notwithstanding Section 401, (i) the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the Outstanding Debt Securities of any such series and related coupons; (ii) the provisions of this Indenture as it relates to such Outstanding Debt Securities and related coupons shall no longer be in effect, including the provisions of Article Sixteen hereof (except as to the rights of Holders of Debt Securities to receive, from the trust fund described in subparagraph (1) below, payment of (x) the principal of (and premium, if any) and any installment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such Debt Securities and related coupons on the Stated Maturity of such principal (and premium, if any) or installment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest or (y) any mandatory sinking fund, repayment or analogous payments applicable to the Debt Securities of that series on that day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Debt Securities, the Company’s obligations with respect to such Debt Securities under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002, 1003 and 1004 and the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, including those under Section 607 hereof); and (iii) the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, upon Company Order, execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of such indebtedness, when

(1) either

(A) with respect to all Outstanding Debt Securities of such series and related coupons, with reference to this Section 403, the Company has deposited

 

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or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 609 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Section 403 applicable to it) irrevocably, as trust funds in trust, money and/or, to the extent such Debt Securities are denominated and payable in Dollars only, Eligible Instruments the payments of principal and interest on which when due (and without reinvestment and providing no tax liability will be imposed upon the Trustee or the Holders of such Debt Securities) will provide money in such amounts as will (together with any money irrevocably deposited in trust with the Trustee, without investment) be sufficient to pay and discharge (i) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series and related coupons on the Stated Maturity of such principal or interest or, if such series may be redeemed by the Company prior to the Stated Maturity thereof, and the Company shall have given irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to effect such redemption, at the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to Article Eleven, and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to Debt Securities of such series on the date on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Debt Securities; or

(B) the Company has properly fulfilled such other means of satisfaction and discharge as is specified, as contemplated by Section 301, to be applicable to the Debt Securities of such series;

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable with respect to the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series and related coupons;

(3) such deposit will not result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

(4) no Event of Default or event which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default pursuant to Section 501(1), (2), (3), (5) or (6) with respect to the Debt Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit and no Event of Default under Section 501(5) or Section 501(6) or event which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default under Section 501(5) or Section 501(6) shall have occurred and be continuing on the 91 st day after such date; provided , however , that should that condition fail to be satisfied on or before such 91 st day, the Trustee shall promptly, upon satisfactory receipt of evidence of such failure, return such deposit to the Company;

(5) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (a) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (b) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of Debt Securities and

 

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related coupons of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;

(6) if the Debt Securities of that series are then listed on any domestic or foreign securities exchange, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such deposit, defeasance and discharge will not cause such Debt Securities to be delisted;

(7) such deposit shall have been effected in compliance with any additional terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301; and

(8) 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 the entire indebtedness of all Outstanding Debt Securities and related coupons have been complied with.

Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in Section 403(1)(A) above shall be irrevocable and shall be made under the terms of an escrow or trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee. If any Outstanding Debt Securities of such series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory sinking fund requirement, the applicable escrow or trust agreement shall provide therefor and the Company shall make such arrangements as are satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

Upon the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in this Section 403 with respect to all the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, the terms and conditions of such series, including the terms and conditions with respect thereto set forth in this Indenture, shall no longer be binding upon, or applicable to, the Company; provided that the Company shall not be discharged from any payment obligations in respect of Debt Securities of such series which are deemed not to be Outstanding under clause (iii) of the definition thereof if such obligations continue to be valid obligations of the Company under applicable law.

Notwithstanding the cessation, termination and discharge of all obligations, covenants and agreements (except as provided above in this Section 403) of the Company under this Indenture with respect to any series of Debt Securities, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, and the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003, shall survive with respect to such series of Debt Securities.

 

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ARTICLE FIVE

Remedies

Section 501. Events of Default.

“Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to Debt Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law, 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 any Debt Security of such series or a related coupon, if any, when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Debt Security of such series at its Maturity; or

(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Debt Security of such series; or

(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of Debt Securities of a series other than such series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee, or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

 

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(6) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or

(7) any other Event of Default, if any, provided with respect to Debt Securities of such series specified as contemplated by Section 301.

Section 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of such series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Debt Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of and all accrued but unpaid interest on all the Debt Securities of such series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by such Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. Upon payment of such amount, all obligations of the Company in respect of the payment of principal of the Debt Securities of such series shall terminate.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Debt 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 Debt Securities of such series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

 

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(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay

(A) all overdue installments of interest on all Debt Securities of such series and any related coupons,

(B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Debt Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Debt Securities,

(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of interest on each Debt Security and any related coupons at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Debt 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 Debt Securities of such series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Debt Securities of such series which 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:

(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Debt Security or any related coupon when such interest 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, if any, on) any Debt Security at the Maturity thereof,

the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities and any related coupons, the amount then due and payable on such Debt Securities and coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest upon the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and, upon overdue installments of interest, at the rate or rates prescribed

 

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therefor in such Debt 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 Debt Securities and coupons 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 Debt Securities and coupons, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Debt 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 Debt 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 proceedings, or any voluntary or involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter constituted, relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of a particular series or any related coupons or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of such Debt Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise,

(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Debt Securities of such series and any related coupons and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(2) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

 

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and any receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607.

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

Section 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Debt Securities or Coupons.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Debt Securities or coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Debt 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 Debt 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 (and premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Debt Securities or any 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 under Section 607;

SECOND: To the payment of amounts then due and unpaid to the holders of Senior Debt, to the extent required by Article Sixteen;

THIRD: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities and any coupons, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Debt Securities and any coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively. The Holders of each series of Debt Securities denominated in Euro, any

 

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other composite currency or a Foreign Currency and any matured coupons relating thereto shall be entitled to receive a ratable portion of the amount determined by the Exchange Rate Agent by converting the principal amount Outstanding of such series of Debt Securities and matured but unpaid interest on such series of Debt Securities in the currency in which such series of Debt Securities is denominated into Dollars at the Exchange Rate as of the date of declaration of acceleration of the Maturity of the Debt Securities; and

FOURTH: The balance, if any, to the Company.

Section 507. Limitation on Suits.

No Holder of any Debt Securities of any series or any related coupons shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of such series;

(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(5) 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 Debt Securities of such series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders.

 

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Section 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Debt Security or coupon shall have the right which is absolute and unconditional to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 307) interest on such Debt Security or payment of such coupon on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Debt Security or coupon (or, in the case of redemption or repayment, on the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder, subject, however , to the provisions of Article Sixteen.

Section 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceedings 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 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 had been instituted.

Section 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Debt 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 an 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, as the case may be.

 

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Section 512. Control by Holders of Debt Securities.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, provided, that

(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture;

(2) subject to the provisions of Section 601, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, determine that the proceedings so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series not joining in any such direction; and

(3) the Trustee may take any other action deemed necessary by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

Section 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities of any such series and any related coupons waive 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, if any) or interest on any Debt Security of such series, 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 Debt Security of such series or coupons 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 impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 514. Undertaking for Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Debt Security or coupon by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the

 

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filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having a due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant, but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company or the 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 Debt Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security or the payment of any coupons on or after the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Debt Security or coupon (or, in the case of redemption or repayment, on or after the Redemption Date or Repayment Date, as the case may be).

Section 515. 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 whenever 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 benefits 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.

ARTICLE SIX

The Trustee

Section 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

(a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default,

(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

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(b) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that

(i) this subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of subsection (a) of this Section 601;

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

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, determined as provided in Sections 101, 104 and 512, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series; and

(iv) 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.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

Section 602. Notice of Default.

If a default occurs hereunder with respect to Debt Securities of any series the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Debt Securities of such series notice of such default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(4) with respect to Debt Securities of such series no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof; and provided further , that, except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security of such series or related coupons or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Debt Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors,

 

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the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of such series.

Section 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 601:

(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any signature, resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

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

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

(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series or any related coupons pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney, other than any such books or records containing information as to the affairs of the customers of the Company

 

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or any of its subsidiaries; provided that the Trustee may examine such books and records relating to customers to the extent that such books and records contain information as to any payments made to such customers in their capacity as Holders of Debt Securities; and provided further that the Trustee shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation; and

(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder; no Exchange Rate Agent, Global Exchange Agent, Depositary or Paying Agent shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any of them.

Section 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Debt Securities.

The recitals contained herein and in the Debt Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, and in any coupons, and the information in any registration statement, including all attachments thereto, except information provided by the Trustee therein, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities of any series or any coupons. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Debt Securities or the proceeds thereof. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representations as to the Company’s ability or authority to issue Bearer Securities or the lawfulness thereof.

Section 605. May Hold Debt Securities or Coupons.

The Trustee, any Paying Agent, the Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company or the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities and coupons, and, subject to Sections 608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such agent.

Section 606. Money Held in Trust.

Money held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent shall be under any liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

 

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Section 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.

The Company agrees

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder which shall have been separately agreed to from time to time in writing by the Company and the Trustee (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct; and

(3) to fully indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages or expenses (including taxes other than taxes based upon the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or 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.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section the Trustee shall have a claim prior to the Debt Securities and any coupons upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on particular Debt Securities or any coupons. The claims of the Trustee under this Section shall not be subject to the provisions of Article Sixteen.

Section 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.

If the Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent permitted by such Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest with respect to Debt Securities of any series by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to any particular series of Debt Securities.

Section 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and organized and doing business

 

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under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $5,000,000, and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority; provided, however, that if Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Trust Indenture Act at any time permit a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of any other jurisdiction to serve as trustee of an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, this Section 609 shall be automatically amended to permit a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of any such other jurisdiction to serve as Trustee hereunder. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation 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 promptly in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor .

(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee under Section 611.

(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Debt 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 at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.

(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Debt Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days of receipt of such Act specifying removal, the removed Trustee may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.

(d) If at any time:

(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 with respect to the Debt Securities of any series after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Debt Security of such series for at least six months, or

 

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(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 with respect to any series of Debt Securities and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or

(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Debt Securities or a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall have been entered in respect of the Trustee in an involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law; or a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall have been entered for the appointment of a receiver, custodian, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Trustee or of its property or affairs, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation, winding up or liquidation, or

(4) the Trustee shall commence a voluntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, custodian, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Trustee or its property or affairs, 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, or shall take corporate action in furtherance of any such action,

then, in any such case, (i) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to such series or (ii) subject to Section 514, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Debt Security of any series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee. In addition, the Company may remove the Trustee if the Company shall determine by a Board Resolution that the services provided by the Trustee hereunder may be obtained at a substantially lower cost to the Company.

(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Debt Securities, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Debt Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall,

 

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forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Debt Security of such series for at least six months may, subject to Section 514, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.

(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register and, if Debt Securities of such series are issuable as Bearer Securities, by publishing notice of such event once in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment located outside the United States. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

(a) In the case of an appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Debt Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges due under Section 607 hereof, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

(b) In the case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee upon payment of its charges and each successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt 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 Debt Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that or those series

 

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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 Debt Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on the 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 Debt Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

Section 612. 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 executing or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Debt Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion, consolidation or sale to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Debt Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Debt Securities. In case any Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Debt Securities, in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee.

 

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Section 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

If and when the Trustee shall be or shall become a creditor, directly or indirectly, secured or unsecured, of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).

Section 614. Authenticating Agent.

The Trustee shall upon Company request appoint one or more authenticating agents with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities which shall be authorized on behalf of the Trustee in authenticating Debt Securities of such series in connection with the issue, delivery, registration of transfer, exchange, partial redemption or repayment of such Debt Securities. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication of Debt Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication 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 must be acceptable to the Company and must be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any State, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000, authorized under such laws to do a trust business and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authorities or the equivalent foreign authority in the case of an authenticating agent who is not organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

Any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency business of an authenticating agent shall continue to be an authenticating agent without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or such authenticating agent.

An authenticating agent may at any time resign with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any authenticating agent with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities 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 an authenticating agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee promptly may appoint a successor authenticating agent. Any successor authenticating agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all rights, powers and duties of its predecessor 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 Trustee agrees to pay to each authenticating agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payment, subject to the provisions of Section 607.

 

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The provisions of Sections 104, 111, 306, 309, 603, 604, 605 and 607 shall be applicable to any authenticating agent.

Pursuant to each appointment made under this Section, the Debt Securities of each series covered by such appointment may have endorsed thereon, in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Debt Securities, of the series designated herein, described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

[                                         ]
By

 

As Authenticating Agent for the Trustee
By

 

Authorized Signatory
Dated

 

ARTICLE SEVEN

Holders’ Lists and Reports By Trustee and Company

Section 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee with respect to Debt Securities of each series for which it acts as Trustee:

(1) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after the Regular Record Date in respect of the Debt Securities of such series or on May 15 and November 15 of each year with respect to each series of Debt Securities for which there are no Regular Record Dates, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Registered Securities as of such Regular Record Date or May 1 or November 1, as the case may be, and

 

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(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

provided, however, that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar, no such list need be furnished.

Section 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders of Registered Securities contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders of Registered Securities received by the Trustee in its capacity as Paying Agent or Security Registrar, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished. The Trustee shall preserve for at least two years the names and addresses of Holders of Bearer Securities filed with the Trustee by such Holders.

(b) The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Debt Securities, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.

(c) Every Holder of Debt Securities or coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to the names and addresses of the Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 703. Reports by Trustee.

(a) Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 after the first issuance of Debt Securities pursuant to this Indenture and at any other time required by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture and such other matters as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act in the manner required by the Trust Indenture Act.

(b) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Debt Securities of such series are listed, with the Commission and also with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any series of Debt Securities are listed on any stock exchange.

Section 704. Reports by Company.

The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to Holders such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be

 

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required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the time and in the manner pursuant to such Act; provided that such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days of filing with 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).

ARTICLE EIGHT

Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease

Section 801. Company May Consolidate, etc. Only on Certain Terms.

The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:

(1) the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any political subdivision thereof or any State thereof and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including all additional amounts, if any, payable pursuant to Section 1004) on all the Debt Securities and any related coupons and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing; and

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been met.

 

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Section 802. Successor Corporation Substituted.

Upon any consolidation with or merger into any other corporation, or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 801, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety, the Company (which term for this purpose shall mean the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument or any successor corporation which shall theretofore have become such in the manner presented in this Article) shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Debt Securities and any coupons.

ARTICLE NINE

Supplemental Indentures

Section 901. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by 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 corporation to the Company, and the assumption by such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Debt Securities contained; or

(2) to add to the covenants of the Company, for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities or coupons (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Debt Securities or coupons, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

(3) to add any additional Events of Default (and if such Events of Default are to be applicable to less than all series of Debt Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely to be applicable to such series); or

(4) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate

 

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any restrictions on the payment of principal (or premium, if any) on Registered Securities or of principal (or premium, if any) or any interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities in uncertificated form, provided any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

(5) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture, provided that any such change or elimination (a) shall become effective only when there is no Debt Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provisions or (b) shall not apply to any Debt Security Outstanding; or

(6) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301; or

(7) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 611(b); or

(8) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or to make any other additions to, deletions from and other changes to the provisions hereof, provided such other provisions shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

(9) to add to or change or eliminate any provision of this Indenture as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act, provided such action shall not adversely affect the interest of Holders of Debt Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect.

Section 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of all series affected by such supplemental indenture, acting together as a class, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any

 

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manner the rights of the Holders under this Indenture of such Debt Securities of such series and any related coupons; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security or coupon affected thereby,

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal or any installment of principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Debt Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the interest thereon or any premium payable upon redemption or repayment thereof, or change any obligation of the Company to pay additional amounts pursuant to Section 1004 (except as contemplated by Section 801(1) and permitted by Section 901(1)), or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or change any Place of Payment, or the coin or currency in which any Debt Security or the interest thereon or any coupon 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, on or after the Redemption Date or Repayment Date, as the case may be); or

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 1404 for quorum or voting; or

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section 1006, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 1006, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Section 611(b) and 901(7); or

(4) adversely affect the right to repayment, if any, of Debt Securities of any series at the option of the Holders thereof;

and provided, further , that no change shall be made in the provisions of Article Sixteen that will affect adversely the holders of Senior Debt without the consent of the holders of all Senior Debt outstanding.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Debt Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Debt 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 Debt Securities of any other series.

 

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It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of the Debt Securities 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.

Section 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties 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 Debt Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder and of any coupons 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 Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 906. Reference in Debt Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Debt 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 Debt Securities of any series and any related coupons so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Debt Securities of such series and any related coupons.

 

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ARTICLE TEN

Covenants

Section 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Debt Securities and any related coupons that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities and any related coupons in accordance with the terms of the Debt Securities, any related coupons and this Indenture. Any interest due on Bearer Securities on or before Maturity, other than additional amounts, if any, payable as provided in Section 1004 in respect of principal of (or premium, if any, on) such a Debt 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.

Section 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Debt Securities an office or agency where Debt Securities (but, except as otherwise provided below, unless such Place of Payment is located outside the United States, not Bearer Securities) may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Debt Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Debt Securities and this Indenture may be served. If Debt Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company will maintain, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, an office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series which is located outside the United States where Debt Securities of such series and the related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment (including payment of any additional amounts payable on Debt Securities of such series pursuant to Section 1004); provided, however, that if the Debt Securities of such series are listed on any stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent in any required city located outside the United States so long as the Debt Securities of such series are listed on such exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of any such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices or demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all presentations, surrenders, notices and demands, 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 1004) at the place specified for the purpose pursuant to Section 301(5).

No payment of principal of, premium or interest on Bearer Securities shall be made at any office or agency of the Company in the United States or by check mailed to any

 

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address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States; provided, however, payment of principal of and any premium and interest denominated in Dollars (including additional amounts payable in respect thereof) on any Bearer Security may be made at an office or agency of, and designated by, the Company located in the United States if (but only if) payment of the full amount of such principal, premium, interest or additional amounts in Dollars at all offices 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 and the Trustee receives an Opinion of Counsel that such payment within the United States is legal. Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Debt Securities, at the option of the Holder of any Bearer Security or related coupon, payment may be made by check in the currency designated for such payment pursuant to the terms of such Bearer Security presented or mailed to an address outside the United States or by transfer to an account in such currency maintained by the payee with a bank located outside the United States.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies (in or outside of such Place of Payment) where the Debt Securities of one or more series and any related coupons (subject to the preceding paragraph) may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for any series of Debt Securities for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation and any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

Section 1003. Money for Debt 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 Debt Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debt Securities of such series and any related coupons, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest 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 with respect to any series of Debt Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debt Securities of such series and any related coupons, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

 

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The Company will cause each Paying Agent with respect to any series of Debt Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will

(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Debt Securities of such series and any related coupons in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series or any related coupons) in the making of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Debt Securities of such series or any related coupons; 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 terminating its obligations under this Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any series or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

Any principal and interest received on the Eligible Instruments deposited with the Trustee or any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security of any series or any related coupons or any money on deposit with the Trustee or any Paying Agent representing amounts deducted from the Redemption Price or Repayment Price with respect to unmatured coupons not presented upon redemption or exercise of the Holder’s option for repayment pursuant to Section 1106 or 1303 and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Debt Security or any coupon appertaining thereto shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money (including the principal and interest received on Eligible Instruments deposited with the Trustee), 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 of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and each Place of Payment or mailed to each such Holder, or both, notice that such money remains

 

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unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 1004. Payment of Additional Amounts.

If the Debt Securities of a series provide for the payment of additional amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Debt Security of any series or any coupon appertaining thereto additional amounts upon the terms and subject to the conditions provided therein. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on, or in respect of, any Debt Security of any series or any related coupon or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Debt Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of additional amounts provided for in the terms of such Debt Securities and this Section to the extent that, in such context, additional amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section and express mention of the payment of additional amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding additional amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

If the Debt 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 Debt Securities (or if the Debt Securities of that series will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal (and premium, if any) is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal (and premium, if any) 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 premium, if any) or interest on the Debt Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Debt Securities of that series or the related coupons who are United States Aliens without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Debt Securities of that 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 Debt Securities or coupons and the Company will pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the additional amounts, if any, required by the terms of such Debt Securities and the first paragraph of this Section. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section.

 

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Section 1005. Officers’ Certificate as to Default.

The Company will deliver to the Trustee, on or before a date not more than four months after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers’ Certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture, and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature thereof of which they may have knowledge.

Section 1006. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant or condition applicable to the Debt Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301 unless such covenant or condition is determined pursuant to Section 301 not to be subject to this provision if, before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all series of the Debt Securities at the time Outstanding to which such covenant or condition applies shall, acting together as a class, 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 covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

Redemption of Debt Securities

Section 1101. Applicability of Article.

Debt Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Debt 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 Debt Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all of the Debt Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount and the tenor and terms of the Debt Securities of any series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Debt Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the

 

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terms of such Debt Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.

Section 1103. Selection by Trustee of Debt Securities to be Redeemed.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Debt Securities of any series, if less than all the Debt Securities of any series with like tenor and terms are to be redeemed, the particular Debt Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series with like tenor and terms not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Debt Securities of such series or any integral multiple thereof which is also an authorized denomination) of the principal amount of Registered Securities or Bearer Securities (if issued in more than one authorized denomination) of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Debt Securities of such series.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Debt Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Debt 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 Debt Securities shall relate, in the case of any Debt Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Debt Security which 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 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Debt Securities to be redeemed.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date;

(2) the Redemption Price;

(3) if less than all Outstanding Debt Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Debt Securities to be redeemed;

 

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(4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Debt Security to be redeemed, and that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date;

(5) the Place or Places of Payment where such Debt Securities, together in the case of Bearer Securities with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price;

(6) that Bearer Securities may be surrendered for payment only at such place or places which are outside the United States, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002;

(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case; and

(8) the CUSIP number, if any.

A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 106 need not identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed.

Notice of redemption of Debt Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company, or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 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, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money and/or, to the extent the Debt Securities to be redeemed are denominated and payable in Dollars only, Eligible Instruments the payments of principal and interest on which when due (and without reinvestment and providing no tax liability will be imposed upon the Trustee or the Holders of the Debt Securities to be redeemed) will provide money on or prior to the Redemption Date in such amounts as will (together with any money irrevocably deposited in trust with the Trustee, without investment) be sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Debt Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date; provided, however, that deposits with respect to Bearer Securities shall be made with a Paying Agent or Paying Agents located outside the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301.

Section 1106. Debt Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Debt Securities to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price

 

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therein specified and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Debt Securities shall cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Debt Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Debt Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of coupons for such interest (at an office or agency located outside the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 1002), and provided further, that 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 Debt Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all related coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Bearer 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 Bearer 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 without interest thereon; provided, however, that interest represented by coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons at an office or agency located outside of the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 1002.

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

Section 1107. Debt Securities Redeemed in Part.

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

 

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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 Debt Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Debt Securities of such series.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the term of Debt Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, the amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Debt Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of such series.

Section 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Debt Securities.

The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Debt Securities of a 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) may apply as a credit Debt Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Debt Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities as provided for by the terms of such series; provided that such Debt Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Debt Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Debt Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Debt Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 1202, the principal amount of Debt Securities to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Debt Securities for redemption, except upon Company Request, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall at the request of the Company from time to time pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Debt Securities purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Company.

 

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Section 1203. Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Debt Securities (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by crediting Debt Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202 and the basis for any such credit and, prior to or concurrently with the delivery of such Officers’ Certificate, will also deliver to the Trustee any Debt Securities to be so credited and not theretofore delivered to the Trustee. Not less than 30 days (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Debt 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 Debt Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1105, 1106 and 1107.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

Repayment at the Option of Holders

Section 1301. Applicability of Article.

Debt Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity shall be repaid in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for Debt Securities of such series) in accordance with this Article.

Section 1302. Repayment of Debt Securities.

Each Debt Security which is subject to repayment in whole or in part at the option of the Holder thereof on a Repayment Date shall be repaid at the applicable Repayment Price together with interest accrued to such Repayment Date as specified pursuant to Section 301.

Section 1303. Exercise of Option; Notice.

Each Holder desiring to exercise such Holder’s option for repayment shall, as conditions to such repayment, surrender the Debt Security to be repaid in whole or in part

 

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together with written notice of the exercise of such option at any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment, not less than 30 nor more than 45 days prior to the Repayment Date; provided, however, that surrender of Bearer Securities together with written notice of exercise of such option shall be made at an office or agency located outside the United States except as otherwise provided in Section 1002. Such notice, which shall be irrevocable, shall specify the principal amount of such Debt Security to be repaid, which shall be equal to the minimum authorized denomination for such Debt Security or an integral multiple thereof, and shall identify the Debt Security to be repaid and, in the case of a partial repayment of the Debt Security, shall specify the denomination or denominations of the Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series to be issued to the Holder for the portion of the principal of the Debt Security surrendered which is not to be repaid.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for repayment shall not be accompanied by all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default, such Bearer Security may be paid after deducting from the Repayment 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 Bearer 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 Repayment Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted without interest thereon; 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.

The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver without service charge to the Holder of any Registered Security so surrendered a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination specified in the foregoing notice, in an aggregate principal amount equal to any portion of the principal of the Registered Security so surrendered which is not to be repaid.

The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver without service charge to the Holder of any Bearer Security so surrendered a new Registered Security or Securities or new Bearer Security or Securities (and all related unmatured coupons and matured coupons in default) or any combination thereof of the same series of any authorized denomination or denominations specified in the foregoing notice, in an aggregate principal amount equal to any portion of the principal of the Debt Security so surrendered which is not to be paid; provided, however, that the issuance of a Registered Security therefor shall be subject to applicable laws and regulations, including provisions of the United States Federal income tax laws and regulations in effect at the time of the exchange; neither the Company, the Trustee nor the Security Registrar shall issue Registered Securities for Bearer Securities if it has received an Opinion of Counsel that as a result of such issuance the Company would suffer adverse consequences under the United States Federal income tax laws then in effect and the Company has delivered to the Trustee a Company Order directing the Trustee not to make such issuances thereafter unless and until the Trustee receives a subsequent Company Order to the contrary. The Company shall deliver copies of such Company Order to the Security Registrar.

 

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

Section 1304. Election of Repayment by Remarketing Entities.

The Company may elect, with respect to Debt Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity, at any time prior to any Repayment Date to designate one or more Remarketing Entities to purchase, at a price equal to the Repayment Price, Debt Securities of such series from the Holders thereof who give notice and surrender their Debt Securities in accordance with Section 1303.

Section 1305. Securities Payable on the Repayment Date.

Notice of exercise of the option of repayment having been given and the Debt Securities so to be repaid having been surrendered as aforesaid, such Debt Securities shall, unless purchased in accordance with Section 1304, on the Repayment Date become due and payable at the price therein specified and from and after the Repayment Date such Debt Securities shall cease to bear interest and shall be paid on the Repayment Date, and the coupons for such interest appertaining to Bearer Securities so to be repaid, except to the extent provided above, shall be void, unless the Company shall default in the payment of such price in which case the Company shall continue to be obligated for the principal amount of such Debt Securities and shall be obligated to pay interest on such principal amount at the rate borne by such Debt Securities from time to time until payment in full of such principal amount.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

Meetings of Holders of Debt Securities

Section 1401. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

If Debt Securities of a series are issuable in whole or in part as Bearer Securities, a meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of such 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 Act provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Debt Securities of such series.

 

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Section 1402. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series issuable as Bearer Securities for any purpose specified in Section 1401, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or in London as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Debt 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 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1401, 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 Debt Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or in London for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

Section 1403. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Debt 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 Debt 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 Debt 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 1404. Quorum; Action.

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of such series. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Debt Securities of such series, be dissolved. In the absence of a quorum in any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairperson 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 chairperson of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of this reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in

 

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Section 1402(a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Debt 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 only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series, 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 Act 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 Debt 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 Debt Securities of that series.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Debt Securities of such series and the related coupons, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

Section 1405. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of such series in regard to proof of the holding of Debt Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Debt 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, in the case of Bearer Securities, 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 shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairperson of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Debt Securities as provided in Section 1402(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Debt Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like

 

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manner appoint a temporary chairperson. A permanent chairperson 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 Debt Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

(c) At any meeting each Holder of a Debt Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount (or the equivalent in Euro, any other composite currency or a Foreign Currency) of Debt Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Debt Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairperson of the meeting not to be Outstanding. The chairperson of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Debt Security of such series or proxy.

(d) Any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 1402 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 Debt Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 1406. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairperson 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 triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in triplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1402 and, if applicable, Section 1401. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairperson 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.

 

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ARTICLE FIFTEEN

Defeasance

Section 1501. Termination of Company’s Obligations.

If this Section 1501 is specified, as contemplated by Section 301, to be applicable to any series of Debt Securities and if the Company deposits irrevocably in trust with the Trustee money and/or, to the extent such Debt Securities are denominated and payable in Dollars only, Eligible Instruments the payments of principal and interest on which when due (and without reinvestment and providing no tax liability will be imposed upon the Trustee or the Holders of such Debt Securities) will provide money in such amounts as will (together with any money irrevocably deposited in trust with the Trustee, without investment) be sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and any installment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest when due on the Debt Securities of such series and any coupons appertaining thereto and any mandatory sinking fund, repayment or analogous payments thereon on the scheduled due dates therefor at the Stated Maturity thereof, the Company’s obligations under any covenant determined pursuant to Section 301 to be subject to this Section shall terminate with respect to the Debt Securities of the series for which such deposit was made; provided, however , that (i) no Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of such series under Section 501(5) or 501(6) or event that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute such an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date, (ii) such deposit will not result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, and (iii) such termination shall not relieve the Company of its obligations under the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture to pay when due the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest and additional amounts on such Debt Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto if such Debt Securities or coupons are not paid (or payment is not provided for) when due from the money and Eligible Instruments (and the proceeds thereof) so deposited.

It shall be a condition to the deposit of cash and/or Eligible Instruments and the termination of the Company’s obligations pursuant to the provisions of this Section with respect to the Debt Securities of any series under any covenant determined pursuant to Section 301 to be subject to this Section that the Company deliver to the Trustee (i) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that: (a) Holders of Debt Securities of such series and any coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and termination and (b) such Holders (and future Holders) will be subject to tax in the same amount, manner and timing as if such deposit and termination had not occurred, (ii) an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that under the laws in effect on the date such money and/or Eligible Instruments are deposited with the Trustee, the amount thereof will be sufficient, after payment of all Federal, state and local taxes in respect thereof payable by the Trustee, to pay principal (and premium, if any) and interest when due on the Debt Securities of such series and any coupons appertaining thereto; and (iii) an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel,

 

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each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated in this Section have been complied with.

It shall be an additional condition to the deposit of cash and/or Eligible Instruments and the termination of the Company’s obligations pursuant to the provisions of this Section under any covenant determined pursuant to Section 301 to be subject to this Section, with respect to the Debt Securities of any series then listed on the New York Stock Exchange, that the Company deliver an Opinion of Counsel that the Debt Securities of such series will not be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange as a result of such deposit and termination.

After a deposit as provided herein, the Trustee shall, upon Company Request, acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s obligations pursuant to the provisions of this Section with respect to the Debt Securities of such series under any covenant determined pursuant to Section 301 to be subject to this Section.

Section 1502. Repayment to Company.

The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company upon Company Request any money or Eligible Instruments not required for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of any series and any related coupons for which money or Eligible Instruments have been deposited pursuant to Section 1501 held by them at any time.

The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company upon Company Request any money held by them for the payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest that remains unclaimed for two years after the Maturity of the Debt Securities for which a deposit has been made pursuant to Section 1501. After such payment to the Company, the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series and any related coupons shall thereafter, as unsecured general creditors, look only to the Company for the payment thereof.

Section 1503. Indemnity for Eligible Instruments.

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

 

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ARTICLE SIXTEEN

Subordination of Debt Securities

Section 1601. Debt Securities Subordinate to Senior Debt.

The Company covenants and agrees that anything in this Indenture or the Debt Securities of any series to the contrary notwithstanding, the indebtedness evidenced by the Debt Securities of each series and any coupons appurtenant thereto is subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Debt to the extent provided herein, and each Holder of Debt Securities of each series and coupons appurtenant thereto, by such Holder’s acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees to the subordination herein provided and shall be bound by the provisions hereof. Senior Debt shall continue to be Senior Debt and entitled to the benefits of these subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of the Senior Debt or extension or renewal of the Senior Debt.

In the event of

(i) any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, readjustment, composition or other similar proceeding relating to the Company, its creditors or its property,

(ii) any proceeding for the liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the Company, voluntary or involuntary, whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings,

(iii) any assignment by the Company for the benefit of creditors, or

(iv) any other marshalling of the assets of the Company,

all Senior Debt (including any interest thereon accruing after the commencement of any such proceedings) shall first be paid in full before any payment or distribution, whether in cash, securities or other property, shall be made to any Holder of any of the Debt Securities or coupons appurtenant thereto on account thereof. Any payment or distribution, whether in cash, securities or other property (other than securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment the payment of which is subordinate, at least to the extent provided in these subordination provisions with respect to the indebtedness evidenced by the Debt Securities, to the payment of all Senior Debt at the time outstanding and to any securities issued in respect thereof under any such plan of reorganization or readjustment), which would otherwise (but for these subordination provisions) be payable or deliverable in respect of the Debt Securities of any series or coupons appurtenant thereto shall be paid or delivered directly to the holders of Senior Debt in accordance with the priorities then existing among such holders until all Senior Debt (including any interest thereon accruing after the commencement of any such proceedings) shall have been paid in full. In the event of any such proceeding, after payment in full of all sums owing with respect to Senior Debt, the Holders of the Debt Securities and coupons appurtenant thereto, together with the holders of any obligations of the Company ranking on a parity with the Debt Securities, shall be entitled to be paid from the remaining assets of the Company the amounts at the time due and owing on account of unpaid principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities and such other obligations before any payment or other distribution, whether in cash, property or otherwise, shall be made on account of any capital stock or any obligations of the Company ranking junior to the Debt Securities and such other obligations.

 

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In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of any character or any security, whether in cash, securities or other property (other than securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment the payment of which is subordinate, at least to the extent provided in these subordination provisions with respect to the indebtedness evidenced by the Debt Securities, to the payment of all Senior Debt at the time outstanding and to any securities issued in respect thereof under any such plan of reorganization or readjustment), shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder in contravention of any of the terms hereof such payment or distribution or security shall be received in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered and transferred to, the holders of the Senior Debt at the time outstanding in accordance with the priorities then existing among such holders for application to the payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid, to the extent necessary to pay all such Senior Debt in full. In the event of the failure of the Trustee or any Holder to endorse or assign any such payment, distribution or security, each holder of Senior Debt is hereby irrevocably authorized to endorse or assign the same.

No present or future holder of any Senior Debt shall be prejudiced in the right to enforce subordination of the indebtedness evidenced by the Debt Securities by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company. Nothing contained herein shall impair, as between the Company and the Holders of Debt Securities of each series, the obligation of the Company to pay to such Holders the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Debt Securities and coupons appurtenant thereto or prevent the Trustee or the Holder from exercising all rights, powers and remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law or hereunder upon a default or Event of Default hereunder, all subject to the rights of the holders of the Senior Debt to receive cash, securities or other property otherwise payable or deliverable to the Holders.

Senior Debt shall not be deemed to have been paid in full unless the holders thereof shall have received cash, securities or other property equal to the amount of such Senior Debt then outstanding. Upon the payment in full of all Senior Debt, the Holders of Debt Securities of each series and coupons appurtenant thereto, if any, shall be subrogated to all rights of any holders of Senior Debt to receive any further payments or distributions applicable to the Senior Debt until the indebtedness evidenced by the Debt Securities of such series and coupons appertaining thereto, if any, shall have been paid in full, and such payments or distributions received by such Holders, by reason of such subrogation, of cash, securities or other property which otherwise would be paid or distributed to the holders of Senior Debt shall, as between the Company and its creditors other than the holders of Senior Debt, on the one hand, and such Holders, on the other hand, be deemed to be a payment by the Company on account of Senior Debt, and not on account of the Debt Securities of such series.

The Trustee and Holders will take such action (including, without limitation, the delivery of this Indenture to an agent for the holders of Senior Debt or consent to the filing of a financing statement with respect hereto) as may, in the opinion of counsel designated by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Senior Debt at the time outstanding, be necessary or appropriate to assure the effectiveness of the subordination effected by these provisions.

 

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The provisions of this Section 1601 shall not impair any rights, interests, remedies or powers of any secured creditor of the Company in respect of any security interest the creation of which is not prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture.

Section 1602. Trustee and Holders of Debt Securities May Rely on Certificate of Liquidating Agent; Trustee May Require Further Evidence as to Ownership of Senior Debt; Trustee Not Fiduciary to Holders of Senior Debt.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article Sixteen, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon an order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution or winding up or liquidation or reorganization or arrangement proceedings are pending or upon a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Debt and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Sixteen. In the absence of any such bankruptcy trustee, receiver, assignee or other Person, the Trustee shall be entitled to rely upon a written notice by a Person representing himself or herself to be a holder of Senior Debt (or a trustee or representative on behalf of such holder) as evidence that such Person is a holder of such Senior Debt (or is such a trustee or representative). In the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith, that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Debt to participate in any payments or distributions pursuant to this Article Sixteen, the Trustee may request such person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Debt held by such Person, as to the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, and as to other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Sixteen, and if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may offer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive payment. The Trustee, however, shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Debt.

Section 1603. Payment Permitted If No Default.

Nothing contained in this Article Sixteen or elsewhere in this Indenture, or in any of the Debt Securities, shall prevent (a) the Company at any time, except during the pendency of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings referred to in Section 1601, from making payments of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Debt Securities or (b) the application by the Trustee or any Paying Agent of any moneys deposited with it hereunder to payments of the principal of or interest on the Debt Securities, if, at the time of such deposit, the Trustee or such Paying Agent, as the case may be, did not have the written notice provided for in Section 1604 of any event prohibiting the making of such

 

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deposit, or if, at the time of such deposit (whether or not in trust) by the Company with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) such payment would not have been prohibited by the provisions of this Article, and the Trustee or any Paying Agent shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary received by it on or after such date.

Section 1604. Trustee Not Charged with Knowledge of Prohibition.

Anything in this Article Sixteen or elsewhere in this Indenture contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall not at any time be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment of money to or by the Trustee and shall be entitled conclusively to assume that no such facts exist and that no event specified in Section 1601 has happened, until the Trustee shall have received an Officers’ Certificate to that effect or notice in writing to that effect signed by or on behalf of the holder or holders, or their representatives, of Senior Debt who shall have been certified by the Company or otherwise established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee to be such holder or holders or representatives or from any trustee under any indenture pursuant to which such Senior Debt shall be outstanding. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee and to the Paying Agent of any facts which would prohibit the payment of money to or by the Trustee or any Paying Agent.

Section 1605. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.

Each Holder of Debt Securities or coupons by such Holder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee in such Holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as between such Holder and holders of Senior Debt as provided in this Article and appoints the Trustee its attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 1606. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Debt.

The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article with respect to any Senior Debt which may at the time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Debt; provided that nothing in this Article shall deprive the Trustee of any rights as such holder and provided further that nothing in this Article shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 607.

Section 1607. Article Applicable to Paying Agents.

In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article shall in such case (unless the context shall otherwise require) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if the Paying Agent were named in this Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee, provided, however , that Sections 1604 and 1606 shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if the Company or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.

 

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Section 1608. Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Company or Holders of Senior Debt.

No right of any present or future holders of any Senior Debt to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or be otherwise charged with. The holders of Senior Debt may, at any time or from time to time and in their absolute discretion, change the manner, place or terms of payment, change or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, any such Senior Debt, or amend or supplement any instrument pursuant to which any such Senior Debt is issued or by which it may be secured, or release any security therefor, or exercise or refrain from exercising any other of their rights under the Senior Debt including, without limitation, the waiver of default thereunder, all without notice to or assent from the Holders of the Debt Securities or the Trustee and without affecting the obligations of the Company, the Trustee or the Holders of the Debt Securities under this Article.

 

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

 

NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.
By

 

Its

 

[                                     ]
By

 

Its

 

 

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EXHIBIT A-1

[Form of Certificate of Beneficial Ownership by a

Non-United States Person or by Certain Other Persons]

Certificate

NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.

[Insert title or sufficient description of

Debt Securities to be delivered]

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture dated as of [                    ] (the “Indenture”) between Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. and [                    ] (the “Trustee”), covering the above-captioned Debt Securities. This is to certify that as of the date hereof,                      principal amount of Debt Securities credited to you for our account (i) is owned by persons that are not United States Persons, as defined below; (ii) is owned by United States Persons that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v)) (“financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States Persons who acquired the Debt Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Debt Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such United States financial institution encloses herewith a certificate in the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Indenture); or (iii) is owned by United States or foreign financial institutions for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), which United States or foreign financial institutions described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)) certify that they have not acquired the Debt Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States Person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

[Insert if certificate does not relate to an interest payment—We undertake to advise you by tested telex followed by written confirmation if the above statement as to beneficial ownership is not correct on the date of delivery of the above-captioned Debt Securities in bearer form as to all of such Debt Securities with respect to such of said Debt Securities as then appear in your books as being held for our account.] We understand that this certificate is required in connection with United States tax laws. We irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings with respect to the matters covered by this certificate. “United States Person” shall mean a citizen or resident of the United States of America (including the District of Columbia), a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or an estate or trust that is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of the source of its income.

[This certificate excepts and does not relate to                      principal amount of Debt Securities credited to you for our account and to which we are not now able to make the certification set forth above. We understand that definitive Debt Securities cannot be delivered and interest cannot be paid until we are able to so certify with respect to such principal amount of Debt Securities.]*


Dated:

 

[To be dated on or after                      (the date determined as provided in the Indenture)]

 

[Name of Person Entitled to Receive Bearer Security]

 

(Authorized Signatory)
Name:

 

Title:

 

 

* Delete if inappropriate

 

A-2


EXHIBIT A-2

[Form of Certificate of Status as a

Foreign Branch of a United States Financial Institution]

Certificate

NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.

[Insert title or sufficient description of

Debt Securities to be delivered]

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture dated as of [                    ] (the “Indenture”), between Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. and [                    ], relating to the offering of the above-captioned Debt Securities (the “Debt Securities”). Unless herein defined, terms used herein have the same meaning as given to them in the Indenture.

The undersigned represents that it is a branch located outside the United States of a United States securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution (as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v)) that holds customers’ securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business and agrees, and authorizes you to advise the issuer or the issuer’s agent, that it will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the regulations thereunder and is not purchasing for resale directly or indirectly to a United States Person or to a person within the United States or its possessions. We undertake to advise you by tested telex followed by written confirmation if the statement in the immediately preceding sentence is not correct on the date of delivery of the above-captioned Debt Securities in bearer form.

We understand that this certificate is required in connection with the United States tax laws. We irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings with respect to the matters covered by this certificate.

 

Dated:

 

[To be dated on or after                      (the date determined as provided in the Indenture)]

 

[Name of Person Entitled to Receive Bearer Security]

 

(Authorized Signatory)
Name:

 

Title:

 


EXHIBIT B

[Form of Certificate to be Given by Euroclear and Clearstream

in Connection with the Exchange of All or a Portion of a

Temporary Global Security or to Obtain

Interest Prior to Exchange]

Certificate

NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.

[Insert title or sufficient description of Debt Securities to be delivered]

We refer to that portion,                     , of the Global Security representing the above-captioned issue [which is herewith submitted to be exchanged for definitive Debt Securities]* [for which we are seeking to obtain payment of interest]* (the “Submitted Portion”). This is to certify, pursuant to the Indenture dated as of [                    ] (the “Indenture”) between Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. and [                    ] (the “Trustee”), that we have received in writing, by tested telex or by electronic transmission from member organizations with respect to each of the persons appearing in our records as being entitled to a beneficial interest in the Submitted Portion a Certificate of Beneficial Ownership by a Non-United States Person or by Certain Other Persons [and, in some cases, a Certificate of Status as a Foreign Branch of a United States Financial Institution, authorizing us to inform the issuer or the issuer’s agent that it will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the regulations thereunder]* substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 [and A-2]* to the Indenture.

We hereby request that you deliver to the office of                                          in                                          definitive Bearer Securities in the denominations on the attached Schedule A.

We further certify that as of the date hereof we have not received any notification from any of the persons giving such certificates to the effect that the statements made by them with respect to any part of the Submitted Portion are no longer true and cannot be relied on as of the date hereof.

 

Dated:

 

[                                         
                                         , as
Operator of the Euroclear System] [Clearstream]
By:

 

 

* Delete if inappropriate.

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO

Faegre Baker Daniels LLP

2200 Wells Fargo Center, 90 South Seventh Street

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-3901

Phone  +1 612 766 7000

Fax  +1 612 766 1600

July 10, 2015

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.

315 Manitoba Avenue – Suite 200

Wayzata, MN 55391

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Northern Oil and Gas, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “ Registration Statement ”) of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), relating to the proposed offer and sale from time to time of the following securities (the “ Securities ”) having an aggregate initial offering price of up to $500,000,000:

 

  (i) common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”), issuable directly, including as a component of Units (as defined below), or in exchange for or upon conversion of Debt Securities (as defined below) or Preferred Stock (as defined below) or upon exercise of Warrants (as defined below) or pursuant to Purchase Contracts (as defined below);

 

  (ii) preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the “ Preferred Stock ”), issuable directly, including as a component of Units, or in exchange for or upon conversion of Debt Securities or upon exercise of Warrants or pursuant to Purchase Contracts;

 

  (iii) fractional shares of Preferred Stock represented by depositary shares (the “ Depositary Shares ”), issuable directly, including as a component of Units, or in exchange for or upon conversion of Debt Securities or upon exercise of Warrants or pursuant to Purchase Contracts;

 

  (iv) unsecured senior debt securities of the Company, issuable directly, including as a component of Units, or upon exercise of Warrants or pursuant to Purchase Contracts (the “ Senior Debt Securities ”);

 

  (v) unsecured subordinated debt securities of the Company, issuable directly, including as a component of Units, or upon exercise of Warrants or pursuant to Purchase Contracts (the “ Subordinated Debt Securities ,” and, together with the Senior Debt Securities, the “ Debt Securities ”);

 

  (vi) purchase contracts for the purchase of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Debt Securities (the “ Purchase Contracts ”), issuable directly, including as a component of Units;

 

  (vii) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Debt Securities of the Company (the “ Warrants ”), issuable directly, including as a component of Units; and


  (viii) units consisting of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or a combination of such Securities (the “ Units ”).

The Securities may be offered separately or together with other Securities, in separate series, and in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in the prospectus and one or more supplements to the prospectus (collectively, the “ Prospectus ”) constituting a part of the Registration Statement, and in the Registration Statement.

The Common Stock is to be issued under the Articles of Incorporation of the Company (the “ Articles of Incorporation ”). Each series of Preferred Stock is to be issued under the Articles of Incorporation and one or more statements of designations to be approved by the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof and filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota in accordance with Chapter 302A.401 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act (each, a “ Statement of Designation ”). The Depositary Shares are to be issued under one or more deposit agreements in a form to be filed and incorporated into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (each, a “ Deposit Agreement ”). The Senior Debt Securities are to be issued under an indenture substantially in the form filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “ Senior Indenture ”), to be entered into by the Company and a trustee to be named by the Company (the “ Senior Trustee ”). The Subordinated Debt Securities are to be issued under an indenture substantially in the form filed as Exhibit 4.8 to the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “ Subordinated Indenture ”), to be entered into by the Company and a trustee to be named by the Company (the “ Subordinated Trustee ”). The Warrants are to be issued under warrant agreements in a form to be filed and incorporated into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “ Warrant Agreements ”). The Purchase Contracts are to be issued under one or more purchase contract agreements in a form to be filed and incorporated into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “ Purchase Contract Agreements ”). The Units are to be issued under one or more unit purchase agreements in a form to be filed and incorporated into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “ Unit Purchase Agreements ”). The Articles of Incorporation, each Statement of Designation, each Deposit Agreement, the Senior Indenture, any supplements thereto, the Subordinated Indenture, any supplements thereto, each Warrant Agreement, each Purchase Contract Agreement and each Unit Purchase Agreement are referred to herein individually as a “ Governing Document ” and collectively as the “ Governing Documents .”

As part of the corporate actions taken and to be taken (the “ Corporate Proceedings ”) in connection with the issuance of any Securities to be issued and sold from time to time under the Registration Statement, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board of Directors ”), or a committee thereof or officers of the Company to whom such authority has been properly delegated by the Board of Directors, will be required to, before such Securities are issued under the Registration Statement, duly authorize the issuance.

We have examined or are otherwise familiar with the Articles of Incorporation and the By-Laws of the Company (the “ By-Laws ”), the Registration Statement, the form of Senior Indenture, the form of Subordinated Indenture and such other documents, records and instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion.

Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

 

  1. with respect to any Common Stock, upon (a) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings, (b) the due execution, registration of issuance and delivery of certificates representing such Common Stock, and (c) in the case of Common Stock issuable in exchange for or upon conversion of Debt Securities or Preferred Stock or upon exercise of Warrants or pursuant to Purchase Contracts or issued as a component of Units, the completion of the actions in respect of such Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants, Purchase Contracts or Units referred to in paragraph 2, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 hereof (as the case may be), such Common Stock will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable;

 

  2.

with respect to any Preferred Stock, upon (a) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings, (b) the due authorization, execution, acknowledgement, delivery and filing with, and recording by, the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota of a Statement of Designations in respect of such Preferred Stock, (c) the due execution, registration of issuance, and delivery of certificates representing such Preferred Stock, and (d) in the case of Preferred Stock issuable in connection with Depositary Shares, in exchange for or upon conversion of Debt Securities or upon exercise of Warrants or pursuant to Purchase


  Contracts or issued as a component of Units, the completion of the actions in respect of such Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Purchase Contracts, Warrants or Units referred to in paragraph 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 hereof (as the case may be), such Preferred Stock will be duly and validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable;

 

  3. with respect to any Depositary Shares, upon (a) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings, (b) the due authorization, execution, and delivery of a Deposit Agreement in respect of such Depositary Shares, (c) the due authorization, execution, acknowledgement, delivery and filing with, and recording by, the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota of a Statement of Designations in respect of the Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Shares, (d) the due execution, registration of issuance, and delivery of certificates representing such Preferred Stock to the depositary or custodian for deposit in accordance with the terms of such Deposit Agreement, and the recordation of such Preferred Stock on the books of the Company in the name of such depositary or custodian, or its nominee, (e) the due execution, registration of issuance, and delivery of depositary receipts evidencing such Depositary Shares pursuant to such Deposit Agreement, and (f) in the case of Depositary Shares issuable in exchange for or upon conversion of Debt Securities or upon exercise of Warrants or pursuant to Purchase Contracts or issued as a component of Units, the completion of the actions in respect of such Debt Securities, Warrants, Purchase Contracts or Units referred to in paragraph 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 (as the case may be), such Deposit Agreement will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company and the depositary receipts evidencing such Depositary Shares will be valid and binding obligations of the Company and will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in such Deposit Agreement;

 

  4. upon the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Senior Indenture, the Senior Indenture will be a valid and binding obligation of the Company;

 

  5. upon the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Subordinated Indenture, the Subordinated Indenture will be a valid and binding obligation of the Company;

 

  6. with respect to any Senior Debt Securities, upon (a) the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company of the Senior Indenture, (b) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings, (c) the due execution and delivery by the Company of such Senior Debt Securities, (d) the due authentication by the Senior Trustee of such Senior Debt Securities pursuant to the Senior Indenture, and (e) in the case of Senior Debt Securities issuable upon exercise of Warrants or pursuant to Purchase Contracts or issued as a component of Units, the completion of the actions in respect of such Warrants, Purchase Contracts or Units referred to in paragraph 8, 9 or 10 hereof (as the case may be), such Senior Debt Securities will be valid and binding obligations of the Company;

 

  7. with respect to any Subordinated Debt Securities, upon (a) the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company of the Subordinated Indenture, (b) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings, (c) the due execution and delivery by the Company of such Subordinated Debt Securities, (d) the due authentication by the Subordinated Trustee of such Subordinated Debt Securities pursuant to the Subordinated Indenture, and (e) in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities issuable upon exercise of Warrants or pursuant to Purchase Contracts or issued as a component of Units, the completion of the actions in respect of such Warrants, Purchase Contracts or Units referred to in paragraph 8, 9 or 10 hereof (as the case may be), such Subordinated Debt Securities will be valid and binding obligations of the Company;

 

  8. with respect to any Warrants, upon (a) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings, (b) the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company of the Warrant Agreements pursuant to which such Warrants are to be issued, (c) the due execution, registration of issuance, and delivery of warrant certificates evidencing such Warrants pursuant to such Warrant Agreement, countersigned by the warrant agent pursuant to such Warrant Agreement, and (d) in the case of Warrants issued as a component of Units, the completion of the actions in respect of such Units referred to in paragraph 10 hereof, such Warrant Agreement will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company and the warrant certificates evidencing such Warrants will be valid and binding obligations of the Company and will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in such Warrant Agreement;


  9. with respect to Purchase Contracts, upon (a) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings, (b) the due authorization, execution, and delivery of a Purchase Contract Agreement in respect of such Purchase Contracts, (c) the due execution, registration of issuance, and delivery of certificates evidencing Purchase Contracts pursuant to such Purchase Contract Agreement, (d) the due authentication by the purchase contract agent under such Purchase Contract Agreement of such certificates, and due execution of each such certificate by the holder thereof or by the purchase contract agent as attorney-in-fact for such holder, and (e) in the case of Purchase Contracts issued as a component of Units, the completion of the actions in respect of such Units referred to in paragraph 10 hereof, such Purchase Contract Agreement will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company and the certificates evidencing such Purchase Contracts will be the valid and binding obligations of the Company and will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in such Purchase Contract Agreement; and

 

  10. with respect to Units, upon (a) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings, (b) the due authorization, execution, and delivery of a Unit Purchase Agreement in respect of such Units, (c) if such Units will be evidenced by certificates, the due execution, registration of issuance, and delivery of such certificates pursuant to such Unit Purchase Agreement, and (d) the completion of the actions in respect of any Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants and/or Purchase Contracts comprising such Units referred to in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and/or 9 hereof (as the case may be), such Unit Purchase Agreement will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company and the certificates evidencing such Units (if applicable) will be the valid and binding obligations of the Company and will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in such Unit Purchase Agreement.

The foregoing opinions are subject to the limitation that the validity, binding effect, or enforceability of the provisions of any agreement or instrument is limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, receivership, and other laws of general application affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, (ii) general principles of equity, including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith, fair dealing, and the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, (iii) public policy considerations that may limit the rights of parties to obtain specific remedies or enforce specific terms, and (iv) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States.

The foregoing opinions assume that (a) the Registration Statement and any amendments relating thereto shall have become effective under the Securities Act and will continue to be effective, (b) the Company is and will remain duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Minnesota, (c) at the time any Securities or Governing Documents are authorized, issued, executed, authenticated, acknowledged, delivered or filed (as the case may be), (i) there will not have occurred any change in the law or in the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws affecting the authorization, issuance, execution, authentication, acknowledgement, delivery, filing, validity or enforceability of such Securities or Governing Documents, and (ii) no relevant Corporate Proceedings or other corporate actions will have been modified or rescinded, (d) none of the particular terms of any Securities or Governing Documents established after the date hereof will violate, or be void or voidable under, any applicable law, (e) neither the authorization, issuance, execution, authentication, acknowledgement, delivery or filing of any Securities or Governing Documents, nor the compliance by the Company with the terms of such Securities or Governing Documents, will result in a violation of or default under any agreement or instrument then binding upon the Company or any order of any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company then in effect, (f) the Securities will be issued in accordance with, and in compliance with any limitations on issuance contained in, the Corporate Proceedings related thereto, (g) the Company will have received legally sufficient consideration for all Securities, (h) each party to any Securities or Governing Documents (other than the Company) will have complied with all legal requirements pertaining to its status as such status relates to the right to enforce such agreements or instruments against the Company and will have satisfied those legal requirements applicable to it to the extent necessary to make such agreements or instruments enforceable against it, (i) the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture will have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (j) the terms of the Securities will be established in conformity with the applicable Governing Documents and the Securities will be issued within the limits of the then remaining authorized but unreserved and unissued amounts of such Securities under the Governing Documents, (k) a prospectus supplement describing each class or series of Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement, to the extent required by applicable law, will be timely filed with the


Commission, (l) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange, or exercise of, or upon purchase pursuant to, any other Securities will have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance (in each case, within the limits of the then remaining authorized but unreserved and unissued amounts of such Securities), and any issuance of such Securities will be effected in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in such other Securities and the Governing Documents related thereto, and (m) all certificates evidencing any Securities will be in the form required by law and approved for issuance by the Company.

We have relied upon certificates of public officials as to the accuracy of all matters addressed therein and, with respect to certain factual matters, upon certificates of and information provided by officers and employees of the Company as to the accuracy of such factual matters, in each case without independent verification thereof or other investigation. We have assumed, without investigation, the following: (a) the genuineness of signatures appearing upon certifications, documents, and proceedings, (b) each document submitted to us for review is accurate and complete, each such document that is an original is authentic, each such document that is a copy conforms to an authentic original, and all signatures on each such document are genuine, (c) the legal capacity of natural persons who are involved on behalf of the Company to enter into and perform the referenced instrument or agreement or to carry out their role in the transactions contemplated thereby, and (d) that New York law has been or will be chosen to govern each Deposit Agreement, the Senior Indenture, the Subordinated Indenture, each Warrant Agreement, each Purchase Contract Agreement and each Unit Purchase Agreement, and all Securities issued thereunder and/or certificates evidencing such Securities.

Without limiting any other qualifications set forth herein, the opinions expressed herein are subject to the effect of generally applicable laws that (a) provide for the enforcement of oral waivers or modifications where a material change of position in reliance thereon has occurred or provide that a course of performance may operate as a waiver, (b) limit the enforcement of provisions of instruments or agreements that purport to require waiver of the obligations of good faith, fair dealing, diligence and reasonableness, (c) limit the availability of a remedy under certain circumstances where another remedy has been elected, (d) limit the enforceability of provisions releasing, exculpating or exempting a party from, or requiring indemnification of or contribution to a party for, liability for its own action or inaction, to the extent the action or inaction involves negligence, recklessness, willful misconduct or unlawful conduct or insofar as such provisions otherwise contravene public policy, (e) may, where less than all of an instrument or agreement may be unenforceable, limit the enforceability of the balance of the instrument or agreement to circumstances in which the unenforceable portion is not an essential part of the agreed exchange, (f) govern and afford judicial discretion regarding the determination of damages and entitlement to attorneys’ fees and other costs, (g) may permit a party who has materially failed to render or offer performance required by a contract to cure that failure unless either permitting a cure would unreasonably hinder the aggrieved party from making substitute arrangements for performance or it is important under the circumstances to the aggrieved party that performance occur by the date stated in the instrument or agreement, (h) may require mitigation of damages, (i) may limit the enforceability of certain waivers, and (j) provide a time limitation after which a remedy may not be enforced (i.e., statutes of limitation).

Although Debt Securities may be denominated in currencies or composite currencies other than the United States dollar, we express no opinion as to whether a court would award a judgment in a currency or composite currency other than United States dollars. Further, we express no opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision specifying rates of exchange for, or requiring indemnity against loss in, converting into a specified currency or composite currency the proceeds or amount of a court judgment in another currency.

Our opinions set forth herein are limited to the laws of the States of Minnesota and New York, and we express no opinion as to the effect of any other laws.

This opinion is rendered as of the date first written above and is expressly limited to the matters set forth above, and we render no opinion, whether by implication or otherwise, as to any other matters relating to the Company, the Securities or the Governing Documents.


We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to being named in the Registration Statement under the caption “Legal Opinions” with respect to the matters stated therein without implying or admitting that we are “experts” within the meaning of the Securities Act, or other rules and regulations of the Commission issued thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement, including this exhibit.

 

Very truly yours,
FAEGRE BAKER DANIELS LLP
By:

/s/ Dawn Holicky Pruitt

Dawn Holicky Pruitt

Exhibit 12.1

Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.

 

    

 

Year Ended December 31,

     Three Months
Ended March 31,

2015 (2)
 
     2010      2011      2012      2013      2014     

Earnings Before Income Taxes

   $ 11,336,300       $ 67,446,792       $ 115,286,396       $ 84,834,650       $ 263,112,945       $ (365,218,572

Add:

                 

Fixed Charges

     655,116         1,006,306         19,819,598         38,688,300         46,517,384         13,212,860   

Subtract:

                 

Capitalized Interest

     59,711         405,984         5,929,473         5,976,981         4,409,544         737,751   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Earnings Before Fixed Charges

  11,931,705      68,047,114      129,176,521      117,545,969      305,220,785      (352,743,463

Fixed Charges

Interest Expense

  583,376      585,982      13,874,909      32,709,056      42,105,676      12,474,298   

Capitalized Interest

  59,711      405,984      5,929,473      5,976,981      4,409,544      737,751   

Estimated Interest Component of Rent

  12,029      14,340      15,216      2,263      2,164      811   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Fixed Charges

  655,116      1,006,306      19,819,598      38,688,300      46,517,384      13,212,860   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(1)

  18.2x      67.6x      6.5x      3.0x      6.6x      —     

 

(1) The Company had no preferred stock outstanding for any period presented, and accordingly, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends is the same as the ratio of earnings to fixed charges.
(2) Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by approximately $378.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 due primarily to a non-cash impairment charge.

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our reports dated February 27, 2015, relating to the financial statements of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc., and the effectiveness of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2014, and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

 

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota

July 10, 2015

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.

The undersigned hereby consents to the references to our firm in the form and context in which they appear in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. We hereby further consent to the incorporation by reference of estimates of oil and gas reserves contained in our report “ SEC Parameters—Estimated Net Reserves and Income Data—Certain Leasehold Interests of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.—As of December 31, 2014, ” which report appears in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

\s\ Ryder Scott Company, L.P.

RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.

Denver, Colorado

July 10, 2015