As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2018

Registration Nos.

333-221324 and 333-221324-01

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Post-Effective Amendment No. 1

to

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

41-0449260

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

420 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, California 94104

(866) 249-3302

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area

code, of Wells Fargo & Company’s principal executive offices)

 

C. Allen Parker

Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Wells Fargo & Company

420 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, California 94104

415-396-4473

(Name, address, including zip code, and

telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

41-0449260

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

375 Park Avenue, 4 th Floor

New York, New York 10152

(415) 371-2921

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area

code, of Wells Fargo Finance LLC’s principal executive offices)

 

C. Allen Parker

Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Wells Fargo & Company

420 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, California 94104

415-396-4473

(Name, address, including zip code, and

telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

With a copy to:

 

Mary E. Schaffner

Wells Fargo & Company

MAC#N9305-173

Wells Fargo Center, 17th Floor

Sixth and Marquette

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

  

Sonia A. Shewchuk

Dawn Holicky Pruitt

Faegre Baker Daniels LLP

2200 Wells Fargo Center

90 South Seventh Street

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-3901

  

Christopher S. Schell

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

450 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

 

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, please check the following box.  ☐

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

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


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

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

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

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

Wells Fargo  & Company

 

Large accelerated filer       Accelerated filer  ☐
      Smaller reporting company  ☐
Non-accelerated filer    ☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.  ☐

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
  Amount of
Registration
Fee
    (6)(7)   (7)   (7)   (8)

Wells Fargo & Company

             

Debt securities (3), warrants (4), units (5) and purchase contracts

             

Guarantees of debt securities, warrants, units and purchase contracts of Wells Fargo Finance LLC

             

Wells Fargo Finance LLC

             

Debt securities (3), warrants (4), units (5) and purchase contracts

             
               
               
               
                 

 

(1) Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or together with other securities registered hereunder.
(2) There is being registered hereby such indeterminate amount of the identified classes of securities as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are issued in units. No additional consideration will be received for the guarantees of debt securities, warrants, units and purchase contracts of Wells Fargo Finance LLC.
(3) Debt securities to be offered hereunder will consist of one or more series of debt securities, as more fully described herein.
(4) Warrants may be issued together in units with any purchase contracts, debt securities or other securities of an affiliated or unaffiliated entity of Wells Fargo & Company.
(5) The units to be offered hereunder may consist of one or more warrants, purchase contracts, debt securities, other securities of an affiliated or unaffiliated entity of Wells Fargo & Company or any combination thereof.
(6) This Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of the registered securities that may be reoffered and resold on an ongoing basis after their initial sale in market-making transactions by affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company. These securities consist of (i) an indeterminate amount of such securities that are initially being registered, and will initially be offered and sold, under this Registration Statement and (ii) an indeterminate amount of other securities of Wells Fargo & Company initially offered and sold under other registration statements. All such market-making transactions with respect to securities that are made pursuant to a prospectus supplement relating to, and after the effectiveness of, this Registration Statement are being made pursuant to the base prospectus contained in this Registration Statement.
(7) Not applicable pursuant to Form S-3 General Instruction II.E.
(8) In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), Wells Fargo & Company and Wells Fargo Finance LLC are deferring payment of all registration fees. Pursuant to Rule 457(n), no separate registration fee is required for any of the guarantees. Pursuant to Rule 457(q), no separate registration fee is required for the registration of securities to be offered solely in market-making transactions by affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company.

 

 

 


Explanatory Note

This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 (“ Amendment ”) to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-221324) (the “ Registration Statement ”) is being filed for the purpose of (i) adding Wells Fargo Finance LLC, a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, as an issuer and co-registrant to the Registration Statement hereunder, (ii) registering additional securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (iii) filing additional exhibits to the Registration Statement. This Amendment shall become effective immediately upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The base prospectus included in this Amendment may also be used by affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company, including Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors (the trade name of the retail brokerage business of Wells Fargo & Company’s affiliates, Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC), in market-making transactions in the securities described in the table above after they are initially offered and sold and in other securities of Wells Fargo & Company offered and sold under prior registration statements.


PROSPECTUS

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

420 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, California 94104

(866) 249-3302

Debt Securities

Warrants

Units

Purchase Contracts

Guarantees

WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

375 Park Avenue, 4 th Floor

New York, New York 10152

(415) 371-2921

Debt Securities

Warrants

Units

Purchase Contracts

Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Wells Fargo & Company

 

 

We, Wells Fargo & Company, may from time to time offer and sell any of our securities listed above. Our wholly-owned finance subsidiary, Wells Fargo Finance LLC, also may from time to time offer and sell any of its securities listed above. We fully and unconditionally guarantee all payments of principal, interest and other amounts payable on any securities Wells Fargo Finance LLC issues. You should read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any additional supplements to this prospectus carefully before you invest.

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.

These securities are the unsecured obligations of Wells Fargo & Company or Wells Fargo Finance LLC, as applicable, and, accordingly, all payments are subject to credit risk. If Wells Fargo & Company or Wells Fargo Finance LLC, as issuer, and Wells Fargo & Company, as guarantor, if applicable, default on their obligations, you could lose some or all of your investment. The securities are not savings accounts, deposits or other obligations of any bank subsidiary and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Deposit Insurance Fund or any other governmental agency.

We and Wells Fargo Finance LLC will use this prospectus in the initial sales of the securities. In addition, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Wells Fargo Advisors (the trade name of the retail brokerage business of our affiliates, Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC) or another of our affiliates, may use this prospectus in a market-making transaction in any of the securities after their initial sale.

Investing in the securities involves risks. You should consider the risk factors described in any accompanying supplement and in any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

This prospectus is dated April 27, 2018.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

RISK FACTORS

     2  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     3  

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

     5  

WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

     5  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     6  

RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES OF WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

     7  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES OF WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

     8  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES OF WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

     17  

BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM

     27  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS OF WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

     32  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS OF WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

     33  

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS OF WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

     34  

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS OF WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

     35  

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS OF WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

     36  

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS OF WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

     37  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

     38  

LEGAL OPINIONS

     41  

EXPERTS

     41  


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we and Wells Fargo Finance LLC filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “ SEC ,” using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. In addition, our subsidiary, Wells Fargo Finance LLC, may sell securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we or Wells Fargo Finance LLC may issue. Each time we or Wells Fargo Finance LLC 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 read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

We or Wells Fargo Finance LLC may also prepare free writing prospectuses that describe particular debt 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.

When we refer to “ Wells Fargo ,” “ we ,” “ our ” and “ us ” in this prospectus under the heading “Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges,” we mean Wells Fargo & Company and its subsidiaries. When such terms are used elsewhere in this prospectus, we refer only to Wells Fargo & Company unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise indicated.

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

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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RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the securities involves risks. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the risk factors contained in our annual and quarterly reports. Additional risk factors specific to particular securities will be detailed in one or more supplements to this prospectus. You should consult your financial, legal, tax and other professional advisors as to the risks associated with an investment in our securities and the suitability of the investment for you.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Office of Investor Education and Advocacy of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. Our SEC filings are also available at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange. For further information on obtaining copies of our public filings at the New York Stock Exchange, you should call (212) 656-3000.

We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the 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. Information that we file subsequently with the SEC will automatically update this prospectus. 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “ Exchange Act ,” on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the later of (i) the time that we sell all the securities offered by this prospectus and (ii) the date that our broker-dealer subsidiaries cease offering securities in market-making transactions pursuant to this prospectus (other than any documents or any portions of any 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 year ended December 31, 2017, including information specifically incorporated by reference into our Form 10-K from our 2017 Annual Report to Stockholders and our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and

 

  Current Reports on Form 8-K or 8-K/A filed on January 2, 2018, January 3, 2018, January 9, 2018, January 12, 2018, January 17, 2018, January 23, 2018, January 24, 2018, January 24, 2018, January 26, 2018, January 26, 2018, January 29, 2018, January 30, 2018, January 31, 2018, February 1, 2018, February 2, 2018, February 5, 2018, February 7, 2018, February 7, 2018, February 14, 2018, February 16, 2018, February 28, 2018, March 1, 2018, March 1, 2018, March 2, 2018, March 5, 2018, March 13, 2018, March 14, 2018, March 21, 2018, March 28, 2018, April 2, 2018, April 3, 2018, April 4, 2018, April 5, 2018, April 13, 2018, April 19, 2018, April 20, 2018, April 20, 2018, April 23, 2018, April 24, 2018, April 25, 2018 and April 26, 2018.

You may request a copy of these filings, other than an exhibit to a filing unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing, at no cost, by writing to or telephoning us at the following address:

Office of the Corporate Secretary

Wells Fargo & Company

MAC D1053-300

301 South College Street

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

Phone: (704) 374-3234

We will not be providing you with any financial statements for Wells Fargo Finance LLC, as permitted by the SEC in Rule 3-10(b) of Regulation S-X. Wells Fargo Finance LLC is our 100%-owned finance subsidiary, and the securities Wells Fargo Finance LLC may issue under this prospectus will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by us. As such, you should look to, read, and rely solely upon the financial statements that we file with the SEC.

 

3


You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or presented in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement. Neither we nor any underwriters or agents have authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We may only use this prospectus to sell securities if it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement. We are only offering these securities in jurisdictions where the offer is permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the dates on the front of those documents.

 

4


WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

We are a diversified, community-based financial services company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and registered as a financial holding company and a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, we provide banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through banking locations, ATMs, the internet and mobile banking, and we have international offices to support our customers who conduct business in the global economy.

We are a separate and distinct legal entity from our banking and other subsidiaries. A significant source of funds to pay dividends on our common and preferred stock and debt service on our debt is dividends from our subsidiaries. Various federal and state statutes and regulations limit the amount of dividends that our banking and other subsidiaries may pay to us without regulatory approval.

WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

Wells Fargo Finance LLC is a Delaware limited liability company and a direct, wholly-owned finance subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company.

 

5


USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, we will contribute the net proceeds that we receive from the sale of our securities to our general funds that will be available for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

    investments in or advances to our existing or future subsidiaries;

 

    repayment of obligations that have matured; and

 

    reducing our outstanding commercial paper and other debt.

Until the net proceeds have been used, they will be invested in short-term securities.

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, Wells Fargo Finance LLC intends to lend the net proceeds from the sale of its offered securities to us and/or our affiliates. We expect that we and/or our affiliates will use the proceeds from these loans for general corporate purposes, including the purposes set forth above.

 

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RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES OF WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

 

     Fiscal Year Ended December 31,

 

 
    

 

      2017      

 

   

 

      2016      

 

   

 

      2015      

 

   

 

      2014      

 

   

 

      2013      

 

 

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges:

          
          

Excluding interest on deposits

     5.01       7.49       10.74       11.05       10.68  

Including interest on deposits

     3.78       6.06       8.60       8.56       7.91  

 

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

(income before income tax expense) –

(net income from noncontrolling interests) + (fixed charges)

(fixed charges)

 

    Fixed charges, excluding interest on deposits, consist of

 

    interest on short-term borrowings and long-term debt;
    amortization of debt expense;
    capitalized interest; and
    one-third of net rental expense, which we believe is representative of the interest factor.

 

    Fixed charges, including interest on deposits, consist of all of the items listed immediately above plus interest on deposits.

We have included these ratios to comply with SEC regulations. However, we believe that the fixed charge ratios are not meaningful measures for our business due to two factors. First, even if our net income did not change, our ratios would decline if the proportion of our income that is tax-exempt increased. Conversely, our ratios would increase if the proportion of our income that is tax-exempt decreased. Second, even if our net income did not change, our ratios would decline if our interest income and interest expense increased by the same amount due to an increase in the level of interest rates. Conversely, our ratios would increase if our interest income and interest expense decreased by the same amount due to a decrease in the level of interest rates.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES OF WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

In this “Description of Debt Securities of Wells Fargo & Company” section, all references to “debt securities” refer only to debt securities issued by Wells Fargo & Company and not to any debt securities issued by any subsidiary or affiliate.

This section describes the general terms and provisions of our debt securities. The 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.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, our debt securities will be issued under an indenture dated as of February 21, 2017 between us and Citibank, N.A., as trustee, referred to in this “Description of Debt Securities of Wells Fargo & Company” section as the “ indenture .” We have summarized the material terms and provisions of the indenture in this section. We have also filed the indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should read the indenture for additional information before you buy any debt securities. The summary that follows includes references to section numbers of the indenture so that you can more easily locate these provisions.

A prospectus supplement to this prospectus may relate to a series of medium-term notes, established as a series of debt securities under the indenture. In that event, references herein to terms and conditions of debt securities being provided in the “applicable prospectus supplement” may be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, applicable product supplement and/or applicable pricing supplement for such debt securities.

General

The debt securities will be our direct unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured unsubordinated debt. The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. Holders of the debt securities may be fully subordinated to interests held by the U.S. government in the event we enter into a receivership, insolvency, liquidation or similar proceeding.

The debt securities are our unsecured senior debt securities, but our assets consist primarily of equity in our subsidiaries. We are a separate and distinct legal entity from our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to make payments on our debt securities depends on our receipt of dividends, loan payments and other funds from our subsidiaries. Various federal and state statutes and regulations limit the amount of dividends that our banking and other subsidiaries may pay us without regulatory approval. 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.

New York State law governs the indenture under which the debt securities will be issued. New York has usury laws that limit the amount of interest that can be charged and paid on loans, which includes debt securities. Under present New York usury law, the maximum permissible rate of interest, subject to some exceptions, is 16% per annum on a simple interest basis for debt securities in which less than $250,000 has been invested and 25% per annum on a simple interest basis for debt securities in which $250,000 or more has been invested. This limit may not apply to debt securities in which $2,500,000 or more has been invested. We agree, to the extent permitted by law, not to voluntarily claim the benefits of any such usury laws in connection with the debt securities.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may, from time to time, without the consent of the holders of a series of debt securities, issue additional debt securities of that series having the same terms as previously issued debt securities of that series (other than the issue date, the date, if any, that interest begins to accrue and the price to public, which may vary). Any such additional debt securities, together with the initial debt securities, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the indenture. No

 

8


additional debt securities of a series may be issued if an event of default under the 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 or face amount of the debt securities of that series;

 

    the price at which the debt securities will be issued;

 

    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 indenture;

 

    any optional 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;

 

    if the debt security may be extended at our option or renewed at a holder’s option, the provisions relating to extension of the debt security or renewal of the debt security;

 

    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;

 

    any circumstances under which the debt securities may be issued in authorized denominations other than $1,000 each or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

    any circumstances under which the depositary (the “ depositary ”) for global securities (“ global securities ” are debt securities that we issue in accordance with the indenture to represent all or part of a series of debt securities) issued under the indenture is other than The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”);

 

    any circumstances under which the debt securities may be listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system;

 

    the date or dates on which the debt securities will be issued;

 

    the date or dates on which the principal of and any premium 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;

 

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    if the amount payable on the debt security will be determined by reference to one or more equity-, commodity- or currency-based indices, exchange traded funds, securities, commodities, currencies, statistical measures of economic or financial performance, or a basket comprised of any of the foregoing, or any other measure (referred to herein as a “ market measure ”), the method by which the amount payable will be determined and information about such market measure or measures;

 

    if the debt securities will bear interest at a fixed or floating rate or at a rate determined by reference to a market measure:

 

    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;

 

    if the debt securities may be optionally or mandatorily converted or exchanged: (i) the terms on which holders of the debt securities may convert or exchange the debt securities into or for debt, equity or other securities of an entity unaffiliated with us, or into any other property or for the cash value of any such debt securities or other property; (ii) the terms on which conversion or exchange may occur, including whether any optional conversion or exchange occurs at the option of the holder or at our option; (iii) the date on which, or period during which, such conversion or exchange may occur; (iv) the initial conversion or exchange price or rate; and (v) the circumstances or manner in which the amount of any debt securities, or any other property or the cash value of any such debt securities or other property upon conversion or exchange may be adjusted;

 

    the identity of the calculation agent (the “ calculation agent ”), if applicable, for the debt securities if other than Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, one of our affiliates;

 

    the identity of the security registrar and paying agent for the debt securities if other than Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (“ Wells Fargo Bank ”), one of our affiliates;

 

    any special tax implications of the debt securities;

 

    any events of default and covenant breaches which will apply to the debt securities in addition to those contained in the indenture;

 

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

 

    any other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the indenture.

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)

Holders may present debt securities for exchange or transfer, in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the debt securities are held as global securities, the procedures for transfer will depend upon procedures of the depositary for those global securities. See “Book Entry, Delivery and Form” herein.

 

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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 in Minneapolis, Minnesota maintained by us for that purpose. On the date of this prospectus, the paying agent for the debt securities issued under the indenture is Wells Fargo Bank, acting through its corporate trust office at 600 South 4 th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415. We refer to Wells Fargo Bank, acting in this capacity for our 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)

Although we anticipate making payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on most debt securities in U.S. dollars, some debt securities may be payable in foreign currencies as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Currently, few facilities exist in the United States to convert U.S. dollars into foreign currencies and vice versa. In addition, most U.S. banks do not offer non-U.S. dollar denominated checking or savings account facilities. Accordingly, unless alternative arrangements are made, we will pay principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on debt securities that are payable in a foreign currency to an account at a bank outside the United States, which, in the case of a debt security payable in euros, will be made by credit or transfer to a euro account specified by the payee in a country for which the euro is the lawful currency.

When we refer to the payment of “principal” in this prospectus in the context of the amount payable at stated maturity or earlier redemption or repayment of a debt security whose payment is linked to the performance of a market measure, we are referring to the amount payable on such debt security at stated maturity or earlier redemption or repayment, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, other than any interest payable at such time. Such amount may be greater than, equal to or less than the stated principal or face amount of such debt security at issuance.

Fixed Rate Debt Securities

We may issue debt securities that bear interest at a fixed rate (“ fixed rate debt securities ”). Each fixed rate debt security will bear interest from the date of issuance at the annual rate specified in the applicable prospectus supplement until the principal is paid or made available for payment.

Floating Rate Debt Securities

We may issue debt securities that bear interest at a floating rate determined by reference to a base rate specified in the applicable prospectus supplement (“ floating rate debt securities ”).

Redemption and Repayment

General . Any redemption by us of debt securities may be subject to the prior approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or other appropriate Federal banking agency.

Optional Redemption By Us . If applicable, the prospectus supplement will indicate the terms of our option to redeem the debt securities offered thereby.

Repayment At Option Of Holder . If applicable, the prospectus supplement will indicate that the holder has the option to have us repay the debt securities offered thereby on a date or dates specified prior to their stated maturity date.

Open Market Purchases . 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 trustee for cancellation.

 

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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.

Conversion and Exchange

If any offered debt securities are optionally or mandatorily convertible or exchangeable into debt, equity or other securities of an entity unaffiliated with us, or into any other property or for the cash value of any such securities or other property, the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities will include the terms and conditions governing any conversions and exchanges.

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 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The Trustee

From time to time, we and certain of our subsidiaries maintain deposit accounts and conduct other banking transactions, including lending transactions, with the trustee in the ordinary course of business.

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 indenture is, and the debt securities will be, governed by and will be construed in accordance with New York law.

No Listing

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system.

Covenants

Except as otherwise set forth in the next sentence, the indenture:

 

    prohibits us and our subsidiaries from selling, pledging, assigning or otherwise disposing of shares of capital stock, or securities convertible into capital stock, of any Principal Subsidiary Bank or of any subsidiary owning, directly or indirectly, any capital stock of a Principal Subsidiary Bank; and

 

    prohibits any Principal Subsidiary Bank from issuing any shares of its capital stock or securities convertible into its capital stock.

This restriction does not apply to:

 

    sales, pledges, assignments or other dispositions or issuances of directors’ qualifying shares;

 

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    sales, pledges, assignments or other dispositions or issuances, so long as, after giving effect to the disposition and to the issuance of any shares issuable upon conversion or exchange of securities convertible or exchangeable into capital stock, we would own directly or through one or more of our subsidiaries not less than 80% of the shares of each class of capital stock of the applicable Principal Subsidiary Bank;

 

    sales, pledges, assignments or other dispositions or issuances made in compliance with an order or direction of a court or regulatory authority of competent jurisdiction; or

 

    sales of capital stock by any Principal Subsidiary Bank to its stockholders so long as before the sale we own directly or indirectly shares of the same class and the sale does not reduce the percentage of the shares of that class of capital stock owned by us. (Section 1005)

When we use the term “ subsidiary ” in this “Description of Debt Securities of Wells Fargo & Company” section, we mean any corporation of which we own more than 50% of the outstanding shares of voting stock, except for directors’ qualifying shares, directly or indirectly through one or more of our other subsidiaries. Voting stock is stock (or the equivalent thereof) that is entitled in the ordinary course to vote for the election of a majority of the directors, managers or trustees of a corporation and does not include stock (or the equivalent thereof) that is entitled to so vote only as a result of the happening of certain events and references to “corporation” refer to corporations, associations, companies (including limited liability companies) and business trusts.

When we use the term “ Principal Subsidiary Bank ” in this prospectus, we mean any commercial bank or trust company organized in the United States under Federal or state law of which we own at least a majority of the shares of voting stock directly or indirectly through one or more of our subsidiaries if such commercial bank or trust company has total assets, as set forth in its most recent statement of condition, equal to more than 10% of our total consolidated assets, as set forth in our most recent financial statements filed with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”). (Section 101) As of the date hereof, our only Principal Subsidiary Bank is Wells Fargo Bank.

Except as expressly set forth above, the indenture does not contain restrictions on our ability to:

 

    incur, assume or become liable for any type of debt or other obligation;

 

    create liens on our property for any purpose; or

 

    pay dividends or make distributions on our capital stock or repurchase or redeem our capital stock.

The indenture does not require the maintenance of any financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity. In addition, the indenture does not contain any provisions which would require us to repurchase or redeem or modify the terms of any of the debt securities upon a change of control or other event involving us which may adversely affect the creditworthiness of the debt securities.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

The indenture generally permits a consolidation or merger between us and another entity. It also permits the conveyance, transfer or lease by us of all or substantially all of our property and assets. These transactions, if a transaction other than a conveyance, transfer or lease to one or more of our subsidiaries, 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 indenture, including the payment of all amounts due on the debt securities and performance of the covenants in the indenture; and

 

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    immediately after the transaction, and giving effect to the transaction, no covenant breach (as defined below) or event of default under the indenture exists. (Section 801)

If we consolidate or merge with or into any other entity or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our assets in accordance with the requirements of the indenture, the resulting or acquiring entity will be substituted for us in the indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture. As a result, such successor entity may exercise our rights and powers under the indenture, 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 indenture and under the debt securities. (Section 802) The indenture permits us to convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our assets to one or more of our subsidiaries without any restriction and, in that event, those subsidiaries would not be required under the indenture to assume our liabilities and obligations under the indenture and the debt securities.

Modification and Waiver

Under the indenture, 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 indenture or required to consent to a waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or certain defaults under the indenture;

 

    a reduction in the requirements contained in the 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 indenture. (Section 902)

Under the indenture, 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 indenture unless we specify that such covenant or condition cannot be so waived at the time we establish the series. The indenture provides that compliance with the covenant relating to Principal Subsidiary Banks described above under “—Covenants” can be waived in this manner. (Section 1008)

In addition, under the indenture, 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 indenture, except:

 

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

 

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    a default under any provision of the 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 and Covenant Breaches

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, an “ event of default ,” with respect to any series of debt securities, means any of the following:

 

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

 

  (2) failure to pay the principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series for 30 days after the payment is due;

 

  (3) the entry by a court having jurisdiction of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of Wells Fargo in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging Wells Fargo a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving a petition seeking receivership, insolvency or liquidation of or in respect of Wells Fargo under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, trustee or similar official of Wells Fargo, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

 

  (4) the commencement by Wells Fargo of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, the appointment of a receiver for Wells Fargo under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law following consent by the Board of Directors of Wells Fargo to such appointment, or the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of Wells Fargo in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, liquidation or similar law following Wells Fargo’s consent to such decree or order; or

 

  (5) 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. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement for a particular offering of debt securities, the holders of our debt securities will not have the right to accelerate the payment of principal of the debt securities as a result of a covenant breach or our failure to perform any covenant or agreement contained in the debt securities or the indenture other than the obligations to pay principal and interest on the debt securities. (Sections 502, 513)

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, a “ covenant breach ,” when used in the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities, means any of the following:

 

  (1) failure to perform any of the covenants regarding capital stock of Principal Subsidiary Banks described above under “—Covenants”;

 

  (2) failure to perform any other covenant in the indenture that applies to debt securities of that series for 90 days after Wells Fargo has received written notice of the failure to perform in the manner specified in the indenture; or

 

  (3) any other covenant breach that may be specified for the debt securities of that series when that series is created. (Section 101)

 

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A covenant breach shall not be an event of default, and neither the trustee nor any holder of debt securities will have any acceleration rights if a covenant breach occurs or continues.

The indenture requires us to file an officers’ certificate with the trustee each year that states, to the knowledge of the certifying officer, whether or not any defaults exist under the terms of the indenture. (Section 1007). The 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, a covenant breach with respect to the debt securities of a series or an event of default under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of the applicable series. (Section 602)

Other than its duties in the case of a covenant breach or an event of default, the trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer the trustee indemnification. (Sections 601, 603) If 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 indenture or for any remedy only if:

 

    the holder has previously given the trustee written notice of a continuing covenant breach or 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 with respect to such covenant breach or event of default;

 

    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. (Section 508)

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES OF WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

In this “Description of Debt Securities of Wells Fargo Finance LLC” section, “ we ,” “ us ” or “ our ” refer only to Wells Fargo Finance LLC and not to any of our affiliates, including Wells Fargo & Company; references to “ Guarantor ” refer only to Wells Fargo & Company and not to any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; and all references to “debt securities” refer only to debt securities issued by Wells Fargo Finance LLC and not to any debt securities issued by Wells Fargo & Company.

This section describes the general terms and provisions of our debt securities. The 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.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, our debt securities will be issued under an indenture dated as of April 25, 2018 among us, as issuer, Wells Fargo & Company, as Guarantor, and Citibank, N.A., as trustee, referred to in this “Description of Debt Securities of Wells Fargo Finance LLC” section as the “ indenture .” We have summarized the material terms and provisions of the indenture in this section. We have also filed the indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should read the indenture for additional information before you buy any debt securities. The summary that follows includes references to section numbers of the indenture so that you can more easily locate these provisions.

A prospectus supplement to this prospectus may relate to a series of medium-term notes, established as a series of debt securities under the indenture. In that event, references herein to terms and conditions of debt securities being provided in the “applicable prospectus supplement” may be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, applicable product supplement and/or applicable pricing supplement for such debt securities.

General

The debt securities will be our direct unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured unsubordinated debt. Payment on the debt securities is fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Wells Fargo & Company, as Guarantor. The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue.

The assets of the Guarantor consist primarily of equity in its subsidiaries, and the Guarantor is a separate and distinct legal entity from its subsidiaries. As a result, the Guarantor’s ability to address claims of holders of our debt securities against the Guarantor under the guarantee depends on its receipt of dividends, loan payments and other funds from its subsidiaries. Various federal and state statutes and regulations limit the amount of dividends that banking and other subsidiaries may pay to the Guarantor without regulatory approval. In addition, if any of the Guarantor’s subsidiaries becomes insolvent, the direct creditors of that subsidiary will have a prior claim on its assets. The rights of the Guarantor and the rights of its creditors will be subject to that prior claim unless the Guarantor is 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.

Holders of our debt securities are our direct creditors, as well as direct creditors of the Guarantor under the related guarantee. As a finance subsidiary, we have no independent operations beyond the issuance and administration of our securities and will have no independent assets available for distributions to holders of our debt securities if they make claims in respect of the debt securities in a bankruptcy, resolution or similar proceeding. Accordingly, any recoveries by such holders will be limited to those available under the related guarantee by the Guarantor and that guarantee will rank  pari passu  with all other unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of the Guarantor. Holders of our debt securities should accordingly assume that in any such proceedings they would not have any priority over and should be treated  pari passu  with the claims of other unsecured, unsubordinated creditors of the Guarantor, including holders of debt securities issued by the Guarantor.

The indenture does not contain restrictions on our ability to:

 

    incur, assume or become liable for any type of debt or other obligation;

 

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    create liens on our property for any purpose; or

 

    pay dividends or make distributions on our capital stock or repurchase or redeem our capital stock.

The indenture does not require the maintenance of any financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity. In addition, the indenture does not contain any provisions which would require us to repurchase or redeem or modify the terms of any of the debt securities upon a change of control or other event involving us which may adversely affect the creditworthiness of the debt securities.

New York State law governs the indenture under which the debt securities will be issued. New York has usury laws that limit the amount of interest that can be charged and paid on loans, which includes debt securities. Under present New York usury law, the maximum permissible rate of interest, subject to some exceptions, is 16% per annum on a simple interest basis for debt securities in which less than $250,000 has been invested and 25% per annum on a simple interest basis for debt securities in which $250,000 or more has been invested. This limit may not apply to debt securities in which $2,500,000 or more has been invested. We agree, to the extent permitted by law, not to voluntarily claim the benefits of any such usury laws in connection with the debt securities.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may, from time to time, without the consent of the holders of a series of debt securities, issue additional debt securities of that series having the same terms as previously issued debt securities of that series (other than the issue date, the date, if any, that interest begins to accrue and the price to public, which may vary). Any such additional debt securities, together with the initial debt securities, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the indenture. No additional debt securities of a series may be issued if an event of default under the 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 or face amount of the debt securities of that series;

 

    the price at which the debt securities will be issued;

 

    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 indenture;

 

    any optional 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;

 

    if the debt security may be extended at our option or renewed at a holder’s option, the provisions relating to extension of the debt security or renewal of the debt security;

 

    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;

 

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    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;

 

    any circumstances under which the debt securities may be issued in authorized denominations other than $1,000 each or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

    any circumstances under which the depositary for global securities issued under the indenture is other than DTC;

 

    any circumstances under which the debt securities may be listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system;

 

    the date or dates on which the debt securities will be issued;

 

    the date or dates on which the principal of and any premium 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 amount payable on the debt security will be determined by reference to one or more equity-, commodity- or currency-based indices, exchange traded funds, securities, commodities, currencies, statistical measures of economic or financial performance, or a basket comprised of any of the foregoing, or any other market measure, the method by which the amount payable will be determined and information about such market measure or measures;

 

    if the debt securities will bear interest at a fixed or floating rate or at a rate determined by reference to a market measure:

 

    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 identity of the calculation agent, if applicable, for the debt securities if other than Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, one of our affiliates;

 

    the identity of the security registrar and paying agent for the debt securities if other than Wells Fargo Bank, one of our affiliates;

 

    any special tax implications of the debt securities;

 

    any events of default and covenant breaches which will apply to the debt securities in addition to those contained in the indenture;

 

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

 

    any other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the indenture.

 

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Holders may present debt securities for exchange or transfer, in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the debt securities are held as global securities, the procedures for transfer will depend upon procedures of the depositary for those global securities. See “Book Entry, Delivery and Form” herein.

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 in Minneapolis, Minnesota maintained by us for that purpose. On the date of this prospectus, the paying agent for the debt securities issued under the indenture is Wells Fargo Bank, acting through its corporate trust office at 600 South 4 th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415. We refer to Wells Fargo Bank, acting in this capacity for our 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)

Although we anticipate making payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on most debt securities in U.S. dollars, some debt securities may be payable in foreign currencies as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Currently, few facilities exist in the United States to convert U.S. dollars into foreign currencies and vice versa. In addition, most U.S. banks do not offer non-U.S. dollar denominated checking or savings account facilities. Accordingly, unless alternative arrangements are made, we will pay principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on debt securities that are payable in a foreign currency to an account at a bank outside the United States, which, in the case of a debt security payable in euros, will be made by credit or transfer to a euro account specified by the payee in a country for which the euro is the lawful currency.

When we refer to the payment of “principal” in this prospectus in the context of the amount payable at stated maturity or earlier redemption or repayment of a debt security whose payment is linked to the performance of a market measure, we are referring to the amount payable on such debt security at stated maturity or earlier redemption or repayment, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, other than any interest payable at such time. Such amount may be greater than, equal to or less than the stated principal or face amount of such debt security at issuance.

Fixed Rate Debt Securities

We may issue fixed rate debt securities. Each fixed rate debt security will bear interest from the date of issuance at the annual rate specified in the applicable prospectus supplement until the principal is paid or made available for payment.

Floating Rate Debt Securities

We may issue floating rate debt securities that bear interest at a floating rate determined by reference to a base rate specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Redemption and Repayment

Optional Redemption By Us . If applicable, the prospectus supplement will indicate the terms of our option to redeem the debt securities offered thereby.

Repayment At Option Of Holder . If applicable, the prospectus supplement will indicate that the holder has the option to have us repay the debt securities offered thereby on a date or dates specified prior to their stated maturity date.

 

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Open Market Purchases . 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 trustee for cancellation.

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.

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 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The Trustee

From time to time, we and certain of our affiliates maintain deposit accounts and conduct other banking transactions, including lending transactions, with the trustee in the ordinary course of business.

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 indenture is, and the debt securities will be, governed by and will be construed in accordance with New York law.

No Listing

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system.

Wells Fargo & Company Guarantee

The Guarantor will fully and unconditionally guarantee, on an unsecured basis, the full and punctual payment of the principal of, interest on, and all other amounts payable under the debt securities when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or upon redemption, repayment at the option of the holders of the applicable debt securities, upon acceleration or otherwise. If for any reason we do not make any required payment in respect of our debt securities when due, the Guarantor will on demand pay the unpaid amount at the same place and in the same manner that applies to payments made by us under the indenture. The guarantee is of payment and not of collection. (Section 1601)

The Guarantor’s obligations under the guarantee are unconditional and absolute. However,

 

  (1) the Guarantor will not be liable for any amount of payment that we are excused from making or any amount in excess of the amount actually due and owing by us, and

 

  (2) any defenses or counterclaims available to us (except those resulting solely from, or on account of, our insolvency or our status as debtor or subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding) will also be available to the Guarantor to the same extent as these defenses or counterclaims are available to us, whether or not asserted by us. (Section 1602)

 

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Holders of our debt securities are our direct creditors, as well as direct creditors of the Guarantor under the related guarantee. As a finance subsidiary, we have no independent operations beyond the issuance and administration of our securities and will have no independent assets available for distributions to holders of our debt securities if they make claims in respect of the debt securities in a bankruptcy, resolution or similar proceeding. Accordingly, any recoveries by such holders will be limited to those available under the related guarantee by the Guarantor and that guarantee will rank  pari passu  with all other unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of the Guarantor. Holders of our debt securities should accordingly assume that in any such proceedings they would not have any priority over and should be treated  pari passu  with the claims of other unsecured, unsubordinated creditors of the Guarantor, including holders of debt securities issued by the Guarantor.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

The indenture generally permits a consolidation or merger between us and another entity and/or between the Guarantor and another entity. It also permits the conveyance, transfer or lease by us of all or substantially all of our property and assets and/or by the Guarantor of all or substantially all of its property and assets.

With respect to us, these transactions, if a transaction other than a conveyance, transfer or lease to one or more of the Guarantor’s subsidiaries, 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 indenture, including the payment of all amounts due on the debt securities and performance of the covenants in the indenture; and

 

    immediately after the transaction, and giving effect to the transaction, no covenant breach (as defined below) or event of default under the indenture exists. (Section 801)

If we consolidate or merge with or into any other entity or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our assets in accordance with the requirements of the indenture, the resulting or acquiring entity will be substituted for us in the indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture. As a result, such successor entity may exercise our rights and powers under the indenture, 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 indenture and under the debt securities. (Section 803) The successor entity to a consolidation or merger may be the Guarantor or a subsidiary of the Guarantor. In addition, the successor entity in a conveyance, transfer or lease may be the Guarantor. The indenture also permits us to convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our assets to one or more of the Guarantor’s subsidiaries without any restriction and, in that event, those subsidiaries would not be required under the indenture to assume our liabilities and obligations under the indenture and the debt securities.

With respect to the Guarantor, these transactions, if a transaction other than a conveyance, transfer or lease to one or more of its subsidiaries, are permitted if:

 

    the resulting or acquiring entity, if other than the Guarantor, is organized and existing under the laws of a domestic jurisdiction and assumes all of the Guarantor’s responsibilities and liabilities under the indenture, including the guarantee of the payment of all amounts due on the debt securities to the extent provided in the indenture and performance of the covenants in the indenture; and

 

    immediately after the transaction, and giving effect to the transaction, no covenant breach (as defined below) or event of default under the indenture exists. (Section 802)

If the Guarantor consolidates or merges with or into any other entity or conveys, transfers or leases all or substantially all of its assets in accordance with the requirements of the indenture, the resulting or acquiring entity will be substituted for the Guarantor in the indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party

 

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to the indenture. As a result, such successor entity may exercise the Guarantor’s rights and powers under the indenture, in the name of the Guarantor and, except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the Guarantor’s properties, the Guarantor will be released from all its liabilities and obligations under the indenture and under the debt securities. (Section 803) The successor entity to a consolidation or merger may be a subsidiary of the Guarantor. In addition, the indenture permits the Guarantor to convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its assets to one or more of its subsidiaries without any restriction and, in that event, those subsidiaries would not be required under the indenture to assume the Guarantor’s liabilities and obligations under the indenture and the debt securities.

When we use the term “ subsidiary ” in respect of any specified person in this “Description of Debt Securities of Wells Fargo Finance LLC” section, we mean any corporation more than 50% of the outstanding shares of voting stock, except for directors’ qualifying shares, of which shall at the time be owned, directly or indirectly by such specified person or by one or more of the subsidiaries of such specified person, or by such specified person and one or more other subsidiaries of such specified person. Voting stock is stock (or the equivalent thereof) that is entitled in the ordinary course to vote for the election of a majority of the directors, managers or trustees of a corporation and does not include stock (or the equivalent thereof) that is entitled to so vote only as a result of the happening of certain events; references to “corporation” refer to corporations, associations, companies (including limited liability companies) and business trusts; and references to any “person” refer to any corporation.

Modification and Waiver

Under the indenture, certain of our rights and obligations and those of the Guarantor 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 indenture or required to consent to a waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or certain defaults under the indenture;

 

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

 

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

 

    make any change in the guarantee that would adversely affect any holder or release the Guarantor from the guarantee other than pursuant to the terms of the indenture; and

 

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

Under the indenture, 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 or the Guarantor, as applicable, with any covenant or condition contained in the indenture unless we specify that such covenant or condition cannot be so waived at the time we establish the series. (Section 1006)

 

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In addition, under the indenture, 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 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 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 and Covenant Breaches

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, an “ event of default ,” with respect to any series of debt securities, means any of the following:

 

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

 

  (2) failure to pay the principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series for 30 days after the payment is due;

 

  (3) the entry by a court having jurisdiction of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of Wells Fargo Finance LLC in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging Wells Fargo Finance LLC a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving a petition seeking receivership, insolvency or liquidation of or in respect of Wells Fargo Finance LLC under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, trustee or similar official of Wells Fargo Finance LLC, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

 

  (4) the commencement by Wells Fargo Finance LLC of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, the appointment of a receiver for Wells Fargo Finance LLC under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law following consent by the Board of Directors of Wells Fargo Finance LLC to such appointment, or the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of Wells Fargo Finance LLC in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, liquidation or similar law following Wells Fargo Finance LLC’s consent to such decree or order;

 

  (5) the guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect, other than in accordance with the indenture, or the Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under the guarantee, provided that no event of default with respect to the guarantee will occur as a result of, or because it is related directly or indirectly to, the insolvency of the Guarantor or the commencement of proceedings under Title 11, or the appointment of a receiver for the Guarantor under the Dodd-Frank Act or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation having separately repudiated the guarantee in any receivership of the Guarantor, or the commencement of any proceeding under any other applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, resolution or other similar law, or a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official having been appointed for or having taken possession of the Guarantor or its property, or the institution of any other comparable judicial or regulatory proceedings relative to the Guarantor, or to the creditors or property of the Guarantor; or

 

  (6) 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

 

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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. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement for a particular offering of debt securities, the holders of our debt securities will not have the right to accelerate the payment of principal of the debt securities as a result of a covenant breach or our failure to perform any covenant or agreement contained in the debt securities or the indenture other than the obligations to pay principal and interest on the debt securities. (Sections 502, 513)

Events of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or liquidation relating to the Guarantor will not constitute an event of default with respect to any series of our debt securities. In addition, failure by the Guarantor to perform any of its covenants or warranties (other than a payment default) will not constitute an event of default with respect to any series of our debt securities. Therefore, events of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or liquidation relating to the Guarantor (in the absence of any such event occurring with respect to us) will not permit any of the debt securities to be declared due and payable and the trustee is not authorized to exercise any remedy against us or the Guarantor upon the occurrence or continuation of these events with respect to the Guarantor. Instead, even if an event of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or liquidation relating to the Guarantor has occurred, the trustee and the holders of debt securities of a series will not be able to declare the relevant debt securities to be immediately due and payable unless there is an event of default with respect to that series as described above, such as our bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or liquidation or a payment default by us or the Guarantor on the relevant debt securities.  The value you receive on any series of debt securities may be significantly less than what you would have otherwise received had our debt securities been declared due and payable immediately or the trustee been authorized to exercise any remedy against us or the Guarantor upon the occurrence or continuation of these events with respect to the Guarantor.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, a “ covenant breach ,” when used in the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities, means any of the following:

 

  (1) failure to perform any covenant in the indenture that applies to debt securities of that series for 90 days after Wells Fargo Finance LLC and the Guarantor have received written notice of the failure to perform in the manner specified in the indenture; or

 

  (2) any other covenant breach that may be specified for the debt securities of that series when that series is created. (Section 101)

A covenant breach shall not be an event of default, and neither the trustee nor any holder of debt securities will have any acceleration rights if a covenant breach occurs or continues.

The indenture requires each of us and the Guarantor to file an officers’ certificate with the trustee each year that states, to the knowledge of a certifying officer, whether or not any defaults exist under the terms of the indenture. (Section 1005). The 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, a covenant breach with respect to the debt securities of a series or an event of default under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of the applicable series. (Section 602)

Other than its duties in the case of a covenant breach or an event of default, the trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer the trustee indemnification. (Sections 601, 603) If 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

 

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    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 indenture or for any remedy only if:

 

    the holder has previously given the trustee written notice of a continuing covenant breach or 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 with respect to such covenant breach or event of default;

 

    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. (Section 508)

 

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BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM

The information in this section concerning DTC, Clearstream Banking, société anonyme , or “ Clearstream ,” and Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, or “ Euroclear ,” and the book-entry system and procedures has been obtained from sources that we and Wells Fargo Finance LLC believe to be reliable, but neither we nor Wells Fargo Finance LLC have not independently verified the accuracy of this information.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the securities will be issued as fully-registered global securities which 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. Investors may elect to hold their interests in the global securities through either DTC (in the United States) or through Clearstream or through Euroclear (in Europe). 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. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Clearstream’s and Euroclear’s names on the books of their respective U.S. depositaries (collectively, the “ U.S. Depositaries ”), which in turn will hold these interests in customers’ securities accounts in the depositaries’ names on the books of DTC. 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.

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

 

    DTC notifies us or Wells Fargo Finance LLC, as applicable, that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for that global security and we or Wells Fargo Finance LLC, as applicable, do not appoint a 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 or Wells Fargo Finance LLC, as applicable, do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days after becoming aware that DTC has ceased to be registered as a clearing agency;

 

    we or Wells Fargo Finance LLC, as applicable, determine, in their sole discretion, that that debt security will be exchangeable for definitive securities in registered form and notify the trustee of such 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 or Wells Fargo Finance LLC, as applicable, 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 indenture. Accordingly, we, Wells Fargo Finance LLC, 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;

 

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    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.

DTC’s current practice is to credit 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 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. Book-entry debt securities may be more difficult to pledge because of the lack of a physical debt security.

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 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 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 and Wells Fargo Finance LLC understand that, under existing industry practices, if we or Wells Fargo Finance LLC, as applicable, 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 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.

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 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

 

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certain other organizations, some of which, and/or their representatives, own DTC. 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.

DTC has indicated that the above information with respect to DTC has been provided to its participants and other members of the financial community for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a representation, warranty or contract modification of any kind.

Clearstream

Clearstream is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. 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 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

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.

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

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, referred 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

 

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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 U.S. Depositary for Euroclear.

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 such 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 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. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, 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.

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

 

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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. None of Wells Fargo & Company, Wells Fargo Finance LLC 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.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS OF WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

In this “Description of Warrants of Wells Fargo & Company” section, all references to “warrants” refer only to warrants issued by Wells Fargo & Company and not to any warrants issued by any subsidiary or affiliate.

We may issue warrants that are debt warrants, index warrants or currency warrants. We may offer any of these warrants separately or together with one or more other types of these warrants or purchase contracts, debt securities issued by us, other securities of an entity affiliated or not affiliated with us or any combination of those securities in the form of units. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the warrants offered through that prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS OF WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

In this “Description of Warrants of Wells Fargo Finance LLC” section, “ we ,” “ us ” or “ our ” refer only to Wells Fargo Finance LLC and not to any of our affiliates, including Wells Fargo & Company; references to “ Guarantor ” refer only to Wells Fargo & Company and not to any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; and all references to “warrants” refer only to warrants issued by Wells Fargo Finance LLC and not to any warrants issued by Wells Fargo & Company.

We may issue warrants that provide the holder with the right to purchase or sell a security of an entity not affiliated with the Guarantor, a currency, a commodity or other specified securities, including indices or baskets thereof. We may offer any of these warrants separately or together with one or more other types of these warrants or purchase contracts, debt securities issued by us, other securities of an entity affiliated or not affiliated with the Guarantor or any combination of those securities in the form of units. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the warrants offered through that prospectus supplement.

The Guarantor will fully and unconditionally guarantee the full and punctual payment of amounts payable under the warrants when the same becomes due and payable, whether at expiration, upon exercise, redemption or repurchase at the option of the holders of the applicable warrants. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the guarantee.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS OF WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

In this “Description of Units of Wells Fargo & Company” section, all references to “units” refer only to units issued by Wells Fargo & Company and not to any units issued by any subsidiary or affiliate.

We may issue units that consist of any combination of warrants, purchase contracts, debt securities issued by us or other securities of an entity affiliated or not affiliated with us. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the units offered through that prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS OF WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

In this “Description of Units of Wells Fargo Finance LLC” section, “ we ,” “ us ” or “ our ” refer only to Wells Fargo Finance LLC and not to any of our affiliates, including Wells Fargo & Company; references to “ Guarantor ” refer only to Wells Fargo & Company and not to any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; and all references to “units” refer only to units issued by Wells Fargo Finance LLC and not to any units issued by Wells Fargo & Company.

We may issue units that consist of any combination of warrants, purchase contracts, debt securities issued by us or other securities of an entity affiliated or not affiliated with the Guarantor. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the units offered through that prospectus supplement.

The Guarantor will fully and unconditionally guarantee the full and punctual payment of amounts payable under the units when the same becomes due and payable, whether at expiration, upon exercise, redemption or repurchase at the option of the holders of the applicable units. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the guarantee.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS OF WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

In this “Description of Purchase Contracts of Wells Fargo & Company” section, all references to “purchase contracts” refer only to purchase contracts issued by Wells Fargo & Company and not to any purchase contracts issued by any subsidiary or affiliate.

We may issue purchase contracts, including purchase contracts issued as part of a unit, for the purchase or sale of, or settlement in cash based on the value of: (1) securities issued by us or an entity affiliated or not affiliated with us, a basket of those securities, a market measure or any combination of the above, (2) currencies, (3) commodities or (4) other property. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the purchase contracts offered through that prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS OF WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

In this “Description of Purchase Contracts of Wells Fargo Finance LLC” section, “ we ,” “ us ” or “ our ” refer only to Wells Fargo Finance LLC and not to any of our affiliates, including Wells Fargo & Company; references to “ Guarantor ” refer only to Wells Fargo & Company and not to any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; and all references to “purchase contracts” refer only to purchase contracts issued by Wells Fargo Finance LLC and not to any purchase contracts issued by Wells Fargo & Company.

We may issue purchase contracts, including purchase contracts issued as part of a unit, for the purchase or sale of a security of an entity not affiliated with the Guarantor, a currency, a commodity or other specified securities, including indices or baskets thereof. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the purchase contracts offered through that prospectus supplement.

The Guarantor will fully and unconditionally guarantee the full and punctual payment of amounts payable under the purchase contracts when the same becomes due and payable, whether at expiration, upon exercise, redemption or repurchase at the option of the holders of the applicable purchase contracts. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the guarantee.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

We are offering our securities and Wells Fargo Finance LLC is offering its securities fully and unconditionally guaranteed by us on a continuing basis through Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and through any additional agents named in the applicable pricing supplement (individually an “ agent ” and collectively the “ agents ”) who have agreed to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases of the securities. We or Wells Fargo Finance LLC, as applicable, will have the sole right to accept offers to purchase the securities, and we or Wells Fargo Finance LLC, as applicable, may reject any offer in whole or in part. Each agent may reject, in whole or in part, any offer it solicited to purchase securities. We or Wells Fargo Finance LLC, as applicable, will pay an agent, in connection with sales of these securities resulting from a solicitation that such agent made or an offer to purchase that such agent received, a commission in an amount agreed upon at the time of sale. Such commission will be set forth in the applicable pricing supplement. The discount or commission that may be received by any member of FINRA for any sales of securities pursuant to this prospectus, together with the reimbursement of any counsel fees by us and/or Wells Fargo Finance LLC, will not exceed 8.00% of the initial gross proceeds from the sale of any securities being sold.

We and Wells Fargo Finance LLC may also sell the securities to an agent as principal for its own account at a discount to be agreed upon at the time of sale. Such discount will be set forth in the applicable pricing supplement. That agent may resell the securities to investors and other purchasers at a fixed offering price or at prevailing market prices, or prices related thereto at the time of resale or otherwise, as that agent determines and as we or Wells Fargo Finance LLC, as applicable, will specify in the applicable pricing supplement. Unless the applicable pricing supplement states otherwise, any securities sold to agents as principal will be purchased at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount less the agreed upon discount. An agent may offer the securities it has purchased as principal to other dealers. The agent may sell the securities to any dealer at a discount and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, the discount allowed to any other dealer will not be in excess of the discount that the agent will receive from us or Wells Fargo Finance LLC, as applicable. After the initial public offering of securities that an agent is to resell on a fixed public offering price basis, the agent may change the public offering price and discount.

We and Wells Fargo Finance LLC may arrange for securities to be sold through agents or may sell securities directly to investors on our or Wells Fargo Finance LLC’s, as applicable, own behalf or through an affiliate. No commissions will be paid on securities sold directly by us or Wells Fargo Finance LLC. We or Wells Fargo Finance LLC, as applicable, may accept offers to purchase securities through additional agents and may appoint additional agents to solicit offers to purchase securities. Any other agents will be named in the applicable pricing supplement.

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries and an affiliate of Wells Fargo Finance LLC, will comply with Rule 5121 of the Conduct Rules of FINRA in connection with each placement of the securities in which it participates. If Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or one of our other wholly-owned subsidiaries or affiliated entities participates in a sale of the securities, such subsidiary or entity will not confirm sales to accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval of the customer in accordance with Rule 5121.

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Wells Fargo Advisors (the trade name of the retail brokerage business of Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC) or another of our and Wells Fargo Finance LLC’s affiliates may use the applicable pricing supplement, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related product supplement and/or other supplement and this prospectus for offers and sales related to market-making transactions in the securities. Such entities may act as principal or agent in these transactions, and the sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of sale.

Each of the agents may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. We and Wells Fargo Finance LLC and the agents have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities,

 

38


including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments made in respect of those liabilities. We and Wells Fargo Finance LLC have also agreed to reimburse the agents for specified expenses.

We and Wells Fargo Finance LLC estimate that we and Wells Fargo Finance LLC will spend approximately $8,000,000 for legal fees, printing fees, trustee fees, CUSIP fees, rating agency fees and other expenses allocable to the offering, including, for securities linked to an index, a licensing fee payable to the sponsor of the index.

The original public offering price of an offering of securities will include the agent discount or commission indicated in the applicable pricing supplement, the offering expenses described in the preceding paragraph associated with that offering, the projected profit our or Wells Fargo Finance LLC’s hedge counterparty expects to realize in consideration for assuming the risks inherent in hedging our or Wells Fargo Finance LLC’s obligations under the securities and any other costs identified in the applicable pricing supplement. We and Wells Fargo Finance LLC expect to hedge our or Wells Fargo Finance LLC’s, as applicable, obligations under the securities through affiliated or unaffiliated counterparties. Because hedging our and Wells Fargo Finance LLC’s obligations entails risk and may be influenced by market forces beyond our or Wells Fargo Finance LLC’s or our or Wells Fargo Finance LLC’s counterparty’s control, such hedging may result in a profit that is more or less than expected, or could result in a loss. The discount or commission, offering expenses, projected profit of our or Wells Fargo Finance LLC’s hedge counterparty and any other costs identified in the applicable pricing supplement reduce the economic terms of the securities. In addition, the fact that the original offering price includes these items is expected to adversely affect the secondary market prices of the securities. These secondary market prices are also likely to be reduced by the cost of unwinding the related hedging transaction.

When we and Wells Fargo Finance LLC issue the securities offered by this prospectus, except for securities issued upon a reopening of an existing tranche or series of securities, they will be new securities without an established trading market. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable pricing supplement, neither we nor Wells Fargo Finance LLC intend to apply for the listing of the securities on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system. An agent may make a market for the securities, as applicable laws and regulations permit, but is not obligated to do so and may discontinue making a market in any or all of the securities at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of any trading market for these securities.

When an agent acts as principal for its own account, to facilitate the offering of the securities, the agent may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. Specifically, the agent may overallot in connection with any offering of the securities, creating a short position in the securities for its own account. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the securities, the agent may bid for, and purchase, the securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities by an agent through dealers, the agent may reclaim selling concessions allowed to a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the agent repurchases previously distributed securities in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. The agents are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.

Purchasers of our and Wells Fargo Finance LLC’s securities may be required to pay stamp taxes and other charges in accordance with the laws and practices of the country of purchase in addition to the original public offering price disclosed in the applicable pricing supplement.

Agents and their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services, including investment and/or commercial banking services, for us, Wells Fargo Finance LLC, our subsidiaries or Wells Fargo Finance LLC’s affiliates in the ordinary course of their businesses. In connection with the distribution of the securities offered under this prospectus, we and Wells Fargo Finance LLC may enter into swap or other hedging transactions with, or arranged by, agents or their affiliates. These agents or their affiliates may receive compensation, trading gain or other benefits from these transactions.

 

39


Delivery of the securities will be made against payment therefor on or about the issue date specified in the applicable pricing supplement. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days after the date the securities are priced, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the applicable pricing supplement specifies that the issue date is more than two business days after the date on which the securities are priced, purchasers who wish to trade such securities at any time prior to the second business day preceding the issue date will be required, by virtue of the fact that the securities will not settle in T+2, to specify an alternative settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement; such purchasers should also consult their own advisors in this regard.

Each agent will agree that it will, to the best of its knowledge and belief, comply with all applicable securities laws and regulations in force in any jurisdiction in which it purchases, offers, sells or delivers our and Wells Fargo Finance LLC’s securities or possesses or distributes this prospectus or any other offering material and will obtain any required consent, approval or permission for its purchase, offer, sale or delivery of such securities under the laws and regulations in force in any jurisdiction to which it is subject or in which it makes purchases, offers, sales or deliveries. Neither we nor Wells Fargo Finance LLC will have any responsibility for an agent’s compliance with applicable securities laws.

In addition to the above, we may sell our securities and Wells Fargo Finance LLC may sell its securities fully and unconditionally guaranteed by us through other agents, underwriters or dealers or directly to one or more purchasers. In this case, the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement will include additional information with respect to the plan of distribution, including the terms of the offering.

 

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LEGAL OPINIONS

Faegre Baker Daniels LLP will issue an opinion about the legality of the securities offered by this prospectus. Mary E. Schaffner, who is our Senior Company Counsel, or another of our lawyers, will issue an opinion to the underwriters or agents on certain matters related to the securities. Ms. Schaffner owns, or has the right to acquire, a number of shares of our common stock which represents less than 0.1% of the total outstanding common stock. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters will be passed upon for any underwriters or agents by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP represents Wells Fargo & Company and certain of its subsidiaries in other legal matters. Ms. Schaffner may rely on Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP as to matters of New York law. The opinions of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, Ms. Schaffner and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP will be conditioned upon, and subject to certain assumptions regarding, future action that Wells Fargo & Company, Wells Fargo Finance LLC and the trustee, as applicable, are required to take in connection with the issuance and sale of any particular security, the specific terms of the securities and other matters which may affect the validity of the securities but which cannot be ascertained on the date of such opinions.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Wells Fargo & Company and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

The following is an estimate, subject to future contingencies, of the expenses to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered. These expenses relate to securities previously registered under the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-221324) and the securities being registered under this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 thereto:

 

Registration Fee

     0 (1)         

Legal Fees and Expenses*

   $ 5,000,000          

Trustee Fees and Expenses*

     1,750,000          

Accounting Fees and Expenses*

     400,000          

Blue Sky and Legal Investment Fees and Expenses*

     100,000          

Printing and Engraving Fees*

     400,000          

Rating Agency Fees*

     200,000          

Listing Fees*

     100,000          

Miscellaneous*

     50,000          
  

 

 

 

Total*

   $         8,000,000          
  

 

 

 

 

(1) Deferred in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r).

*Estimated pursuant to instruction to Item 511 of Regulation S-K.

 

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Wells Fargo & Company

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes indemnification of directors and officers of a Delaware corporation under certain circumstances against expenses, judgments and the like in connection with litigation. Article Fourteenth of the restated certificate of incorporation of Wells Fargo & Company, as amended, provides for broad indemnification of directors and officers. Wells Fargo & Company also maintains insurance coverage relating to certain liabilities of directors and officers.

Pursuant to the terms of forms of underwriting or distribution agreements filed or to be filed in connection with this Registration Statement, the directors and officers of Wells Fargo & Company will be indemnified against certain civil liabilities that they may incur under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with this Registration Statement and the related prospectus and applicable prospectus supplement.

Wells Fargo Finance LLC

Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act authorizes indemnification of members, managers or other persons under certain circumstances against all claims and demands. Section 11.4 of the limited liability company agreement of Wells Fargo Finance LLC provides for broad indemnification of members, directors and officers. Wells Fargo Finance LLC also maintains insurance coverage relating to certain liabilities of directors and officers.

Pursuant to the terms of forms of underwriting or distribution agreements filed or to be filed in connection with this Registration Statement, the directors and officers of Wells Fargo Finance LLC will be indemnified against certain civil liabilities that they may incur under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with this Registration Statement and the related prospectus and applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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ITEM 16. EXHIBITS

The exhibits to this Registration Statement are listed on the Exhibit Index to this Registration Statement, which Exhibit Index is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

(a) Each of the undersigned Registrants 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 paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by Wells Fargo & Company pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the Registration Statement.

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

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

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

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

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a Registration Statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made

 

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

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

Each of the undersigned Registrants undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of such 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, such 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 such 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 such undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by such undersigned Registrant;

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

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

(b) Each of the undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Wells Fargo & Company annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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

 

II-3


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.

 

II-4


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

       Number        

    

Description

   Form of
Filing
 
                 1(a)      Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities of Wells Fargo & Company.*   
                 1(b)      Distribution Agreement dated as of January 24, 2018 between Wells Fargo  & Company and the Agent named therein regarding the Medium-Term Notes, Series S (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to Wells Fargo’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 24, 2018).   
                 1(c)      Distribution Agreement dated as of January 24, 2018 between Wells Fargo  & Company and the Agent named therein regarding the Medium-Term Notes, Series T (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to Wells Fargo’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 24, 2018).   
                 1(d)      Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities of Wells Fargo Finance LLC.*   
                 1(e)      Form of Distribution Agreement for Debt Securities of Wells Fargo Finance LLC.*   
                 4(a)      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Wells Fargo & Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Wells Fargo  & Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed March 1, 2018).   
                 4(b)      By-Laws of Wells Fargo  & Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Wells Fargo & Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 1, 2018).   
                 4(c)      Certificate of Formation of Wells Fargo Finance LLC.      Electronic Transmission  
                 4(d)      Limited Liability Company Agreement of Wells Fargo Finance LLC.      Electronic Transmission  
                 4(e)      Senior Indenture dated as of February 21, 2017 between Wells Fargo  & Company and Citibank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(e) to Wells Fargo’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.  333-216234) dated February 24, 2017).   
                 4(f)      Form of Senior Notes of Wells Fargo & Company.*   
                 4(g)      Forms of Registered Senior Medium-Term Notes of Wells Fargo & Company.*   
                 4(h)      Senior Indenture dated as of April 25, 2018 among Wells Fargo Finance LLC, as issuer, Wells Fargo & Company, as guarantor, and Citibank, N.A., as trustee.      Electronic Transmission  
                 4(i)      Form of Senior Notes of Wells Fargo Finance LLC.*   
                 4(j)      Forms of Registered Senior Medium-Term Notes of Wells Fargo Finance LLC.*   

 

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       Number        

    

Description

   Form of
Filing
 
     Wells Fargo and certain of its consolidated subsidiaries have outstanding certain long-term debt. No individual series of such debt exceeds 10% of the total assets of Wells Fargo and its consolidated subsidiaries. Copies of instruments with respect to long-term debt will be furnished to the Commission upon request.   
                 4(k)      Form of Warrant Agreement for Wells Fargo & Company, including form of Warrant Certificate.*   
                 4(l)      Form of Warrant Agreement for Wells Fargo Finance LLC, including form of Warrant Certificate.*   
                 4(m)      Form of Unit Agreement for Wells Fargo & Company, including form of Unit Certificate.*   
                 4(n)      Form of Unit Agreement for Wells Fargo Finance LLC, including form of Unit Certificate.*   
                 4(o)      Form of Purchase Contract for Wells Fargo & Company.*   
                 4(p)      Form of Purchase Contract for Wells Fargo Finance LLC.*   
                 5(a)      Opinion of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP regarding Wells Fargo & Company.      Electronic Transmission  
                 5(b)      Opinion of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP regarding Wells Fargo Finance LLC.      Electronic Transmission  
                 12(a)      Computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges (incorporated by reference to Exhibit  12(a) to Wells Fargo’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed on March 1, 2018).   
                 23(a)      Consent of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5(a)).   
                 23(b)      Consent of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5(b)).   
                 23(c)      Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.      Electronic Transmission  
                 23(d)      Consent of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.      Electronic Transmission  
                 24(a)      Powers of Attorney of Wells Fargo & Company.      Electronic Transmission  
                 24(b)      Powers of Attorney of Wells Fargo Finance LLC.      Electronic Transmission  
                 25(a)      Statement of Eligibility of Citibank, N.A, as trustee under the Senior Indenture dated as of February 21, 2017 between Wells Fargo  & Company and Citibank, N.A.**   
                 25(b)      Statement of Eligibility of Citibank, N.A., as trustee under the Senior Indenture dated as of April 25, 2018 among Wells Fargo Finance LLC, as issuer, Wells Fargo  & Company, as guarantor, and Citibank, N.A., as trustee.      Electronic Transmission  

 

* To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference or by a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement.
** Previously filed.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Wells Fargo & Company certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Francisco, State of California, on April 27, 2018.

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Timothy J. Sloan

  Timothy J. Sloan
  President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed on April 27, 2018 by the following persons in the capacities with Wells Fargo & Company indicated:

 

/s/ Timothy J. Sloan

Timothy J. Sloan

  

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

/s/ John R. Shrewsberry

John R. Shrewsberry

  

Senior Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

/s/ Richard D. Levy

Richard D. Levy

  

Executive Vice President and Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

JOHN D. BAKER II      )   
CELESTE A. CLARK      )   
THEODORE F. CRAVER, JR.      )   
ELIZABETH A. DUKE      )    All of the Board of Directors of
DONALD M. JAMES      )    Wells Fargo & Company*
MARIA R. MORRIS      )   
KAREN B. PEETZ      )   
JUAN A. PUJADAS      )   
JAMES H. QUIGLEY      )   
RONALD L. SARGENT      )   
TIMOTHY J. SLOAN      )   
SUZANNE M. VAUTRINOT      )   

 

*Timothy J. Sloan, by signing his name hereto, does hereby sign this document on behalf of each of the directors named above pursuant to powers of attorney duly executed by the directors named and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of such directors.

 

/s/ Timothy J. Sloan

Timothy J. Sloan, Attorney-in-Fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Wells Fargo Finance LLC certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on April 27, 2018.

 

WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC
By:  

/s/ William Threadgill

  William Threadgill
  President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed on April 27, 2018 by the following persons in the capacities with Wells Fargo Finance LLC indicated:

 

/s/ William Threadgill

William Threadgill

  

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

/s/ David L. Pitelka

David L. Pitelka

  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

/s/ Greg Michael Cooley

Greg Michael Cooley

  

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

Le Roy Davis      )   
Walter E. Dolhare      )    All of the Board of Directors of
Michael F. Riley      )    Wells Fargo Finance LLC*

*William Threadgill, by signing his name hereto, does hereby sign this document on behalf of each of the directors named above pursuant to powers of attorney duly executed by the directors named and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of such directors.

 

/s/ William Threadgill

William Threadgill, Attorney-in-Fact

 

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Exhibit 4(c)

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

The undersigned person desires to form a limited liability company pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del C. §18-101 et seq., and hereby certifies as follows:

ARTICLE I

The name of the limited liability company is Wells Fargo Finance LLC.

ARTICLE II

The address of the registered office of the limited liability company in the State of Delaware is c/o Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, County of New Castle, Wilmington, Delaware 19808.

ARTICLE III

The name and address of the registered agent upon whom process against this limited liability company may be served in the State of Delaware is Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, County of New Castle, Wilmington, Delaware 19808.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Formation of the limited liability company this 22 nd day of March, 2018.

 

/s/ Mindi D. O’Hayre

Authorized Person

Mindi D. O’Hayre

Exhibit 4(d)

WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

AGREEMENT

This Limited Liability Company Agreement of Wells Fargo Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”) is made as of April 2, 2018, by Wells Fargo & Company, a Delaware corporation, as the sole member (“ Member ”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Member hereby, intending to be legally bound, agrees as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINED TERMS

Section 1.1 Definitions . Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this Article I shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, have the meanings herein specified.

Additional Member ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1 hereof.

Additional Units ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1 hereof.

Affiliate ” means with respect to a specified Person, any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the specified Person. As used in this definition, the term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Agreement ” means this Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Assignee ” means any Person who is an assignee of a Member’s limited liability company interest in the Company, or part thereof, and who does not become a Member pursuant to Section 13.1 hereof.

Authorized Person ” means any person designated by the Company as its agent pursuant to § 18.204 of the Delaware Act, including without limitation, each person designated as an Authorized Person in Section 2.1(iii) hereof.

Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company established pursuant to Article VI of this Agreement.


Capital Contribution ” means, with respect to any Unit Holder, the aggregate amount of money and the initial fair market value of any property (other than money) contributed to the Company pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof with respect to the Units held by such Unit Holder.

Certificate ” means the Certificate of Formation of the Company, initially filed on March 17, 2017, and any and all amendments thereto and restatements thereof filed on or after such date on behalf of the Company with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the Delaware Act.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any corresponding federal tax statute enacted after the date of this Agreement. A reference to a specific section of the Code refers not only to such specific section but also to any corresponding provision of any federal tax statute enacted after the date of this Agreement, as such specific section or corresponding provision is in effect on the date of application of the provisions of this Agreement containing such reference.

Company ” means Wells Fargo Finance LLC, the limited liability company hereby established under and pursuant to the Delaware Act and this Agreement.

Covered Person ” means (i) a Member, a Director, an Officer, and any Affiliate of a Member; (ii) as applicable, any officer, director, member, partner, employee, representative or agent of a Member; and (iii) any employee, representative, or agent of the Company, including without limitation any Authorized Person.

Delaware Act ” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. § 18-101, et seq ., as amended from time to time.

Director ” means any person designated as a Director of the Company by the Members or the Board pursuant to Section 6.1 or Section 15.1 of this Agreement.

Fiscal Year ” means (i) the period commencing upon the formation of the Company and ending on December 31 of the year of formation, (ii) any subsequent twelve (12) month period commencing on January 1 and ending on December 31, or (iii) any portion of the period described in Clause (ii) of this sentence for which the Company is required to allocate Profits, Losses and other items of Company income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Article VIII hereof.

Liquidating Trustee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.3 hereof.

Majority Vote ” means the approval of, or the affirmative vote by, Members holding a majority of the Units held by Members.

Manager ” means Directors when acting as the Board pursuant to the provisions of Article VI hereof, and Officers of the Company, subject to any limitations on the authority of the Directors and any Officer to act as “Manager” under the Delaware Act or this Agreement,

 

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or as otherwise imposed from time to time by the Members (in the case of Directors and Officers) and/or the Board (in the case of Officers).

Member ” means any Person named as a member in the recitals to this Agreement or who executes this Agreement as a member and includes any Person admitted as an Additional Member or a Substitute Member pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, and “Members” means two (2) or more of such Persons when acting in their capacities as members of the Company. “Members” shall also include the sole Member of the Company at any time there is only one Member. For purposes of the Delaware Act, the Members shall constitute one (1) class or group of members.

Net Cash Flow ” means, for each Fiscal Year or other period of the Company, the gross cash receipts of the Company from all sources, but excluding any amounts, such as gross receipts taxes, that are held by the Company as a collection agent or in trust for others or that are otherwise not unconditionally available to the Company, less all amounts paid by or for the account of the Company during the same Fiscal Year or other period (including, without limitation, payments of principal and interest on any Company indebtedness), and less any amounts determined by the Board to be necessary to provide a reasonable reserve for working-capital needs or any other contingencies of the Company. Net Cash Flow shall be determined in accordance with the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting and otherwise in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. Net Cash Flow shall not be reduced by depreciation, amortization, cost recovery deductions, depletion, similar allowances or other non-cash items, but shall be increased by any reduction of reserves previously established.

Officer ” means any person either initially designated by the Member or subsequently elected or appointed as an Officer of the Company by the Board pursuant to Section 7.1 or Section 15.1 hereof.

Person ” includes any individual, association, corporation, partnership (general or limited), joint venture, trust, estate, limited liability company or partnership, or other legal entity or organization.

Profits ” and “ Losses ” means, for each Fiscal Year, the net profits or net losses, as the case may be, of the Company for such Fiscal Year, determined on the accrual method of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Substitute Member ” means a Person who is admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to Section 13.1 hereof, and who is named as a Member on Schedule A to this Agreement.

Treasury Regulations ” means the income tax regulations, including temporary regulations, promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

 

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Unit ” means a limited liability company interest in the Company representing such fractional part of the limited liability company interest of all Unit Holders pursuant to this Agreement as is equal to the quotient of one (1) divided by the total number of Units.

Unit Holder ” means any Person who holds one (1) or more Units, regardless of whether such Person is a Member and regardless of whether such Units were initially acquired by such Person from the Company or by assignment from another Unit Holder.

Section 1.2 Headings . The headings and subheadings in this Agreement are included for convenience and identification only and are in no way intended to describe, interpret, define or limit the scope, extent or intent of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

ARTICLE II

THE COMPANY

Section 2.1 Formation .

(i) The Member, by the filing of the Certificate on March 22, 2018, by the “Authorized Person” (as defined in subparagraph (iii) of this Section 2.1) and the execution of this Agreement, hereby (a) ratifies, approves, and confirms the formation of, and forms the Company as a limited liability company under and pursuant to the Delaware Act, and (b) hereby subscribes and pays for the Units set forth on Schedule A for the initial Capital Contribution also set forth on Schedule A. The Member agrees that the rights, powers, duties and liabilities of the Member, Directors and Officers shall be as provided in the Delaware Act, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement.

(ii) The name and mailing address of each Member or Unit Holder shall be listed on Schedule A attached hereto. The Directors and/or Officers shall be required to update Schedule A from time to time as necessary to accurately reflect the information therein. Any amendment or revision to Schedule A made in accordance with this Agreement shall not be deemed an amendment to this Agreement. Any reference in this Agreement to Schedule A shall be deemed to be a reference to Schedule A as amended and in effect from time to time.

(iii) Mindi D. O’Hayre is hereby designated as an “Authorized Person” of the Company and the Member hereby ratifies and confirms the execution, delivery, and filing of the Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware by the Authorized Person on March 22, 2018. As of the date of this Agreement, all powers of the person named above as an “Authorized Person” shall cease, and the Member and each Officer named in, or elected or appointed pursuant to this Agreement, shall hereafter be deemed to be the designated Authorized Person and shall continue as the designated Authorized Person.

Section 2.2 Name . The name of the Company is “Wells Fargo Finance LLC”.

Section 2.3 Existence . The existence of the Company as a separate legal entity shall continue until cancellation of the Certificate in the manner required by the Delaware Act.

 

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Section 2.4 Registered Agent and Office . The Company’s registered agent and office in Delaware shall be Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, DE 19808. At any time, an Officer may designate another registered agent and/or registered office.

Section 2.5 Principal Place of Business . The principal place of business of the Company shall be at 375 Park Avenue, 4 th Floor, New York, NY 10152, which location may be changed from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Company shall have such additional offices from time to time as determined by the Board of Directors

Section 2.6 Qualification in Other Jurisdictions . Any Officer shall cause the Company to be qualified, formed or registered under assumed or fictitious name statutes or similar laws in any jurisdiction in which the Company transacts business and to file under another name in other jurisdictions if required in order to conduct business there. Any Officer, as an authorized person, within the meaning of the Delaware Act, shall execute, deliver and file any certificates (and any amendments and/or restatements thereof) necessary for the Company to qualify to do business in a jurisdiction in which the Company may wish to conduct business.

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE AND POWERS OF THE COMPANY

Section 3.1 Purpose . The purpose of the Company is to engage in all lawful activities for which limited liability companies may be formed under the Delaware Act, and to engage in any and all activities necessary, advisable or incidental thereto.

Section 3.2 Powers of the Company .

(i) The Company, acting by and through the Board and its Officers on behalf of the Company pursuant to this Agreement, shall possess and exercise all power and authority to take any and all actions necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental or convenient to or for the furtherance of the purpose set forth in Section 3.1, including, but not limited to, the power:

(a) to conduct its business, carry on its operations and have and exercise the powers granted to a limited liability company by the Delaware Act in any state, territory, district or possession of the United States, or in any foreign country that may be necessary, convenient or incidental to the accomplishment of the purpose of the Company;

(b) to acquire by purchase, lease, contribution of property or otherwise, own, hold, operate, maintain, finance, improve, lease, sell, convey, mortgage, transfer, demolish or dispose of any real or personal property that may be necessary, convenient or incidental to the accomplishment of the purpose of the Company;

(c) to enter into, perform and carry out contracts of any kind, including, without limitation, contracts with the Directors, the Officers ,any Member, any Affiliate thereof,

 

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or any agent of the Company necessary to, in connection with, convenient to, or incidental to the accomplishment of the purpose of the Company;

(d) to purchase, take, receive, subscribe for or otherwise acquire, own, hold, vote, use, employ, sell, mortgage, lend, pledge, or otherwise dispose of, and otherwise use and deal in and with, shares or other interests in or obligations of domestic or foreign corporations, associations, general or limited partnerships, trusts, limited liability companies or partnerships, or individuals or direct or indirect obligations of the United States or of any government, state, territory, governmental district or municipality or of any instrumentality of any of them;

(e) to lend money for its proper purpose, to invest and reinvest its funds, to take and hold real and personal property for the payment of funds so loaned or invested;

(f) to sue and be sued, complain and defend, and participate in administrative or other proceedings, in its name;

(g) to employ and otherwise engage employees and agents of the Company (who may be designated as Officers with titles), and define their duties and fix their compensation;

(h) to indemnify any Person in accordance with the Delaware Act;

(i) to cease its activities and cancel its Certificate;

(j) to negotiate, enter into, renegotiate, extend, renew, terminate, modify, amend, waive, execute, acknowledge or take any other action with respect to any lease, contract or security agreement in respect of any assets of the Company;

(k) to borrow money and issue evidences of indebtedness, and to secure the same by a mortgage, pledge or other lien on the assets of the Company;

(l) to pay, collect, compromise, litigate, arbitrate or otherwise adjust or settle any and all other claims or demands of or against the Company or to hold such proceeds against the payment of contingent liabilities; and

(m) to make, execute, acknowledge and file any and all documents or instruments necessary, convenient or incidental to the accomplishment of the purpose of the Company.

(ii) The Company may merge with, or consolidate into, another limited liability company or other business entity (as defined in Section 18-209(a) of the Delaware Act) upon a Majority Vote.

 

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ARTICLE IV

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS, UNITS,

AND ADVANCES

Section 4.1 Capital Contributions .

(i) The records of the Company shall reflect the cash or property that each Unit Holder has contributed or is deemed to have contributed to the capital of the Company and the agreed value of such Capital Contributions.

(ii) No Unit Holder shall be required to make any additional Capital Contribution to the Company. However, a Unit Holder (if the sole Member) may make additional Capital Contributions to the Company from time to time, and if the Unit Holder is not a Member or is not the sole Member, then the Unit Holder may make such additional Capital Contributions upon approval by a Majority Vote of the Members.

Section 4.2 Units . A Unit Holder’s limited liability company interest in the Company shall be represented by the “Unit” or “Units” held by such Unit Holder. Each Unit Holder’s respective Units shall be set forth on Schedule A attached hereto. Each Unit Holder hereby agrees that its limited liability company interest in the Company and in its Units shall for all purposes be personal property. A Unit Holder has no interest in specific Company property.

Section 4.3 Status of Capital Contributions .

(i) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the amount of a Unit Holder’s Capital Contributions may be returned to it, in whole or in part, at any time, but only with the consent of all Members. Any such returns of Capital Contributions shall be made to all Unit Holders in proportion to the number of Units then held by each Unit Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no return of a Unit Holder’s Capital Contributions shall be made hereunder if such distribution would violate applicable state law. Under circumstances requiring a return of any Capital Contribution, no Unit Holder shall have the right to demand or receive property other than cash, except as may be specifically provided in this Agreement.

(ii) No Unit Holder shall receive any interest, salary or drawing with respect to its Capital Contributions or for services rendered on behalf of the Company or otherwise in its capacity as a Unit Holder, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement.

(iii) Except as otherwise provided herein and by applicable state law, the Members shall be liable only to make their capital contributions pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof, and no Member or Assignee shall be required to lend any funds to the Company or, after a Member’s Capital Contributions have been fully paid pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof, to make any additional capital contributions to the Company. No Unit Holder shall have any personal liability for the repayment of any Capital Contribution of any other Member or Assignee.

 

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Section 4.4 Advances . If any Unit Holder shall advance any funds to the Company in excess of its Capital Contributions, the amount of such advance shall not entitle it to any increase in its share of the distributions of the Company. The amount of any such advance shall be a debt obligation of the Company to such Unit Holder and shall be repaid to it by the Company with interest at a rate equal to (i) the rate of interest set forth in any note or other writing memorializing such advance, or if the Unit Holder and the Company do not enter into any such note or other writing, then (ii) the lesser of (a) the applicable federal rate under Section 1274(d) of the Code and (b) the maximum rate permitted by applicable law, and upon such other terms and conditions as shall be mutually determined by such Unit Holder and a Manager. Any such advance shall be payable and collectible only out of Company assets, and the other Unit Holders shall not be personally obligated to repay any part thereof. No Person who makes any nonrecourse loan to the Company shall have or acquire, as a result of making such loan, any direct or indirect interest in the profits, capital or property of the Company, other than as a creditor.

ARTICLE V

MEMBERS AND MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

Section 5.1 Powers of Members . The Members shall have the power to exercise any and all rights or powers granted to the Members pursuant to the express terms of this Agreement. The Members shall also have the power to authorize the Board, by Majority Vote, to possess and exercise any right or power not already vested in the Board pursuant to Section 6.1 or any other provision of this Agreement. In addition to the foregoing, the Members have the power to exercise any and all other rights or powers of the Company and do all lawful acts and things as are not by the Delaware Act or this Agreement directed or required to be exercised or done by the Board. Except as provided herein, the Members shall have no power to bind the Company.

Section 5.2 Reimbursements . The Company may reimburse the Members for all ordinary and necessary out of pocket expenses incurred by the Members on behalf of the Company.

Section 5.3 Partition . Each Member waives any and all rights that it may have to maintain an action for partition of the Company’s property.

Section 5.4 Meetings of the Members .

(i) Meetings of the Members may be called at any time by any Member. Notice of any meeting shall be given to all Members not less than two (2) days nor more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of such meeting. Each Member may authorize any Person to act for it by proxy on all matters in which a Member is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. Every proxy must be signed by the Member or its attorney-in-fact.

(ii) The Members shall establish all other provisions relating to meetings of Members, including notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting at which any matter is to be voted on by any Members, waiver of any such notice, action by consent without a meeting, the establishment of a record date, quorum requirements, voting in person or by proxy or any other

 

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matter with respect to the exercise of any such right to vote. Any action required to be taken at any meeting of the Members may be taken without a meeting, if the Members consent in writing and the writings are filed with the minutes of meeting of the Members

(iii) All actions requiring the approval of the Members, whether under the Delaware Act or pursuant to this Agreement, shall be by Majority Vote.

(iv) Meetings of the Members may be held by means of conference telephone or by other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting

ARTICLE VI

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

Section 6.1 Board of Directors . The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of one or more Directors named in or hereafter elected by the Members as provided in this Agreement. Except as provided herein, it is intended that this grant of authority shall authorize the Board to function in all matters not otherwise reserved to the Members as if the Company were a corporation formed under the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Board were the board of directors of such corporation. The authorized number of Directors shall initially be fixed at three (3) persons. The Members from time to time hereafter shall determine the number of Directors to constitute the Board, provided that thereafter the authorized number of Directors may be increased or decreased by the Members at any time in their sole discretion, upon notice to all Directors. Each Director elected shall hold office until a successor is elected and qualified or until such Director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Directors need not be Members. Vacancies, except vacancies caused by removal pursuant to Section 6.7 of this Article VI, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of Directors may be filled by a majority of the Directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining Director, and the Directors so chosen shall hold office until the next election of Directors and until their successors are duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced.

Section 6.2 Meetings of the Board of Directors . The Board of the Company may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware. Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman of the Board or President on one (1) day notice to each Director, either personally, by telephone, by mail, by facsimile, by electronic mail or by any other means of communication; special meetings shall be called by the President or Secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request of one or more of the Directors. Whenever any notice is required to be given, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the persons attend a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business at such meeting.

 

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Section 6.3 Quorum and Acts of the Board . At all meetings of the Board a majority of the Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the Directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by this Agreement. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board, the Directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such written actions of the Board will be effective on the date such acts are approved or such earlier or later date as the Board may designate, except as may be designated or required by applicable law.

Section 6.4 Electronic Communications . Members of the Board, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 6.5 Committees of Directors . The Board may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the Directors of the Company. The Board may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.

In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Company, but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to amending this Agreement, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the Members the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Company’s property and assets, recommending to the Members a dissolution of the Company or a revocation of a dissolution; and unless the resolution of the Board designating the committee expressly so provides, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a distribution. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required.

Section 6.6 Compensation of Directors . The Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of Directors. The Directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at such meeting of the Board and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or a stated salary as Director. No such payment shall preclude any Director from serving the Company in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.

 

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Section 6.7 Removal of Directors . Unless otherwise restricted by law, any Director or the entire Board may be removed, with or without cause, by a Majority Vote. Any vacancy caused by any such removal may be filled by a Majority Vote.

Section 6.8 Directors as Agents . The Directors, to the extent of their powers set forth in this Agreement, are agents of the Company for the purposes of the Company’s business, and the actions of the Directors taken in accordance with this Agreement shall bind the Company.

Section 6.9 Directors as Managers Under the Delaware Act . Directors shall be deemed to be “Managers” of the Company within the meaning of the Delaware Act when acting collectively as the Board of the Company pursuant to this Article VI; provided, however, that no individual Director (other than a Director who is the sole member of the Board or a Director acting as the sole member of a Committee of the Board established pursuant to this Article VI), shall be considered to be a “Manager” of the Company within the meaning of the Act. The authority granted to Directors as Manager shall be subject to any powers and rights reserved to Members to manage the Company’s business by the Delaware Act or under this Agreement, and any limitations on such authority imposed by this Agreement or by the Members from time to time.

ARTICLE VII

OFFICERS

Section 7.1 Officers .

(i) Except as provided in Section 7.7 below, the Officers of the Company shall be chosen by the Board and shall include at least a President, a Treasurer, and a Secretary. The Board may also choose a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents including Executive, Senior and Assistant Vice Presidents, and one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers. A person elected or appointed to be an Officer is by such election or appointment designated a Manager by the Members for purposes of the Delaware Act. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. The Board may appoint such other Officers and agents as it shall deem necessary who shall have such titles, shall hold their offices for such terms, and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board. The Board may authorize Officers elected by the Board to appoint other Officers and agents pursuant to procedures prescribed by this Agreement, if any, or by resolution of the Board. The salaries of all Officers and agents of the Company shall be fixed by or in the manner prescribed by the Board. The Officers of the Company shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualify. Officers need not be Members. Any Officer elected or appointed by the Board may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Company shall be filled by the Board or, to the extent applicable, may be filled pursuant to Section 7.7.

 

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(ii) The initial officers of the Company shall be those persons named as “Officers” of the Company pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof and shall serve in the capacities so indicated until their successors are duly elected or appointed by the Board pursuant to Section 7.1(i) hereof.

Section 7.2 Chairman of the Board . The Chairman of the Board, if such an officer be elected, shall preside at all meetings of the Board, if then present at such meeting, and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned to him by the Board or prescribed by the by-laws. The Chairman of the Board shall in addition be the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties given to the President in Section 7.3 of this Article.

Section 7.3 President . Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the Board to the Chairman of the Board, the President shall be the chief executive officer of the Company and shall be responsible for general and active management of the business of the Company. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, if such an officer be chosen, or if there is none, the President shall preside at all meetings of the Members and the Board, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect. The President may execute bonds, mortgages, leases and other contracts, except where required by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board to some other Officer or agent of the Company.

Section 7.4 Vice President . In the absence of the President or in the event of such Officer’s inability to act, the Vice President, if any (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by the Directors, or in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election), shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice President, if any, shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board may from time to time prescribe.

Section 7.5 Secretary and Assistant Secretary . The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board and all meetings of the Members and record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Company and of the Board in a book to be kept for that purpose, may certify as necessary the accuracy and completeness of such records and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the Members and special meetings of the Board, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board, the President, under whose supervision the Secretary shall be. The Assistant Secretary, or if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board (or if there be no such determination, then in order of their election) shall, in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of the Secretary’s inability to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board may from time to time prescribe.

Section 7.5 The Treasurer . The Treasurer (who may have the title “Chief Financial Officer,” in addition to, or instead of the title “Treasurer”) shall have the custody of the Company funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Company and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Company in such depositories as may be designated by the Board. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Company as may be ordered by the Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements,

 

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and shall render to the President and the Board, at its regular meetings, or when the Board so requires, an account of all of the Treasurer’s transactions and of the financial condition of the Company.

Section 7.6 Officers as Managers and Agents .

(i) Officers shall be deemed to be “Managers” of the Company within the meaning of the Delaware Act; provided, however, the authority granted to Officers as Managers shall be subject to any powers and rights reserved to Members and/or to Directors pursuant to Section 6.9 of this Agreement to manage the Company’s business by the Delaware Act or under this Agreement, and any limitations on such authority imposed by this Agreement or by the Members or the Board from time to time.

(ii) The Officers, to the extent of their powers set forth in, or now or hereafter granted by the Board pursuant to this Agreement are also agents of the Company for the purpose of the Company’s business, and the actions of any Officer taken in accordance with this Agreement or any resolutions of the Board shall bind the Company.

Section 7.7 Election and Appointment of Officers . The Chairman of the Board, President, and any Executive Vice President, acting singly, may also appoint and terminate the appointment of any Officer of the Company, except that the Board shall have the sole authority to choose Officers holding the titles of Chairman of the Board, President, and Executive Vice President, and any Executive Vice President, acting singly, may also appoint and terminate the appointment of any other Officer of the Company having such titles and such duties as may be determined by the Chairman of the Board, President, or any such Executive Vice President as necessary for the prompt and orderly transaction of the Company’s business. All such appointments and termination of appointments shall be made in a written document filed with the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company. Any Officer appointed pursuant to this Section shall maintain his or her status as an Officer until the earlier of the filing of a written termination of such appointment with the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or the termination of such Officer’s employment with the Company.

Section 7.8 Third Party Reliance . Any person dealing with the Company or any Member, Director or Officer in connection with the business of the Company, may rely upon a certificate signed by a Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company as to:

(i) the identity of a Member, Director or Officer of the Company;

(ii) the existence or non-existence of any fact or facts that constitute a condition precedent to acts by the Board, the Members or the Officers or in any matter related to the affairs of the Company;

(iii) the Persons who are authorized to execute and deliver any instrument or document of, or on behalf of, the Company; or

(iv) any act or failure to act by the Company or as to any other matter whatsoever involving the Company, or any Member, Director or Officer.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

ALLOCATIONS

Section 8.1 Profits and Losses . Profits and Losses for any Fiscal Year shall be allocated among the Unit Holders in proportion to the number of Units held by each Unit Holder.

ARTICLE IX

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 9.1 Net Cash Flow . Except as otherwise provided in Article XIV hereof (relating to the dissolution of the Company), any distribution of the Net Cash Flow during any Fiscal Year shall be made to the Unit Holders in proportion to the number of Units held by each Unit Holder.

Section 9.2 Distribution Rules .

(i) All distributions pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof shall be at such times and in such amounts as shall be determined by the Board.

(ii) All amounts withheld pursuant to the Code or any provision of any state or local tax law with respect to any payment, distribution or allocation to the Company or the Unit Holders shall be treated as amounts distributed to the Unit Holders pursuant to this Article IX for all purposes of this Agreement. The Board is authorized to withhold from distributions, or with respect to allocations, to the Unit Holders and to pay over to any federal, state or local government any amounts required to be so withheld pursuant to the Code or any provision of any other federal, state or local law and shall allocate such amounts to those Unit Holders with respect to which such amounts were withheld.

Section 9.3 Limitations on Distribution . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not make a distribution to any Unit Holder on account of its interest in the Company if such distribution would violate Sections 18-607 or 18-804 of the Delaware Act or other applicable law.

ARTICLE X

BOOKS AND RECORDS

Section 10.1 Books, Records and Financial Statements . At all times during the continuance of the Company, the Company shall maintain, at its principal place of business, separate books of account for the Company that shall show a true and accurate record of all costs and expenses incurred, all charges made, all credits made and received and all income derived in connection with the operation of the Company business in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, and, to the extent inconsistent therewith, in accordance with this Agreement. Such books of account, together with a certified copy of this Agreement and of the Certificate, shall at all times be maintained at the principal place of business of the Company and shall be open to inspection and

 

14


examination at reasonable times by each Member and its duly authorized representative for any purpose reasonably related to such Member’s interest in the Company. The books of account and the records of the Company shall be examined by and reported upon as of the end of each Fiscal Year under the direction of the Treasurer, or if required by the Board, by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected by the Board.

Section 10.2 Accounting Method . For both financial and tax reporting purposes and for purposes of determining Profits and Losses, the books and records of the Company shall be kept on the accrual method of accounting applied in a consistent manner and shall reflect all Company transactions and be appropriate and adequate for the Company’s business.

ARTICLE XI

LIABILITY, EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION

Section 11.1 Liability . Except as otherwise provided by the Delaware Act, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no Covered Person shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a Covered Person.

Section 11.2 Exculpation .

(i) No Covered Person shall be liable to the Company or to any other Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Covered Person in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of authority conferred on such Covered Person by this Agreement, except that a Covered Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Covered Person’s (a) willful misconduct, (b) knowing violation of law, (c) with respect to a Covered Person who is a Director or an Officer, a breach of the duty of loyalty provided for in Section 11.7 of this Agreement.

(ii) Each Covered Person and Liquidating Trustee shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Company and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented by another Covered Person or Liquidating Trustee or by any other Person as to matters the Covered Person or Liquidating Trustee reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, Profits, Losses or Net Cash Flow, or the value and amount of assets or reserves or contracts, agreements or other undertakings that would be sufficient to pay claims and obligations of the Company or to make reasonable provision to pay such claims and obligations or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which distributions to Members or creditors might properly be paid.

Section 11.3 Conflicts of Interest . Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (i) whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between the Company and a Covered Person, or any Member and a

 

15


Covered Person or (ii) whenever this Agreement or any other agreement to which the Company is or may become a party provides that a Covered Person shall act in a manner that is, or provide terms that are fair to the Company or any Member, the Covered Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action, or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting practices or principles. In the absence of bad faith by the Covered Person, the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by the Covered Person shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the Covered Person at law or in equity or otherwise.

Section 11.4 Indemnification .

(i) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and this Agreement, a Covered Person shall be entitled to indemnification from the Company for any claim, liability, loss, damage and expense (collectively, a “ Loss ”) incurred by such Covered Person by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Covered Person in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of authority conferred on such Covered person by this Agreement, except that no Covered Person shall be entitled to be indemnified in respect of any Loss incurred by such Covered Person by reason of willful misconduct or a knowing violation of law with respect to such acts or omissions; provided , however , no Covered Person shall have any personal liability on account of any indemnity under this Section 11.4.

(ii) The Company may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any Member, Director, Officer, employee, or agent of the Company or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against any Loss, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such person against such Loss under this Agreement.

(iii) Unless ordered by a court having jurisdiction over the matter, any claim for indemnification under this Section 11.4 shall be made by the Company only as authorized following a determination that indemnification of the Covered Person is appropriate in the circumstances because the Covered Person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraph (ii) of this section. Such determination shall be made (a) with respect to a Covered Person who, at the time of such determination, is a Member, (1) by a majority vote of the Members who are not also recipients of, or parties to any claim, action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification is sought (the “ Non-Affected Members ”), or (2) by a committee of Non-Affected Members designated by majority vote of such Non-Affected Members, or (3) if there are no Non-Affected Members, or if the Non-Affected Members so order, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; and (b) with respect to a Covered Person who is a Director or Officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the Directors who are not recipients of, or parties to any claim, action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification is sought (the “ Non-Affected Directors ”), or (2) by a committee of Non-Affected Directors designated by majority vote of such Non-Affected Directors, or (3) if there are no Non-Affected Directors, or if the Non-Affected Directors so order, by

 

16


independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the Members, and (c) with respect to any Covered Person who is not a Member, Director, or an Officer, by the Directors acting pursuant to Section 6.3 of this Agreement. Wherever this paragraph refers to the taking of an action by the majority vote of the Non-Affected Members or the Non-Affected Directors and notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 5.4 and 6.3 of this Agreement, such action may be taken either at a meeting at which a majority of the Non-Affected Members or the Non-Affected Directors are present (even though such number would not constitute a quorum at a meeting of Members or Directors) or in writing signed by a majority of the Non-Affected Members or the Non-Affected Directors, as the case may be.

Section 11.5 Expenses . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, expenses (including legal fees) incurred by a Covered Person in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Company prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding upon receipt by the Company of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Covered Person to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in Section 11.4 hereof.

Section 11.6 Outside Businesses . Except as otherwise provided in any employment agreement or other agreement any Member, Director, Officer, or Affiliate thereof may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of any nature or description, independently or with others, similar or dissimilar to the business of the Company, and the Company, the Members, Directors, and Officers shall have no rights by virtue of this Agreement in and to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived therefrom, and the pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the business of the Company, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper. Except as otherwise provided in any employment agreement or other agreement, no Member, Director, Officer, or Affiliate thereof shall be obligated to present any particular investment opportunity to the Company even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Company, could be taken by the Company, and any Member, Director, Officer, or Affiliate thereof shall have the right to take for its own account (individually or as a partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others any such particular investment opportunity.

Section 11.7 Duties of Board and Officers . Except to the extent otherwise provided herein, each Director and Officer shall have a fiduciary duty of loyalty and care similar to that of directors and officers of business corporations organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE XII

ADDITIONAL MEMBERS AND UNITS

Section 12.1 Additional Units . If approved by Majority Vote, the Company is authorized to raise additional capital by offering and selling, or causing to be offered and sold, additional limited liability company interests in the Company (“ Additional Units ”) to any Person in such amounts and on such terms as the Members may determine. Each Person who subscribes for any of the Additional Units shall be admitted as an additional member of the Company (each, an “ Additional Member ” and collectively, the “ Additional Members ”) at the time such Person is named as a Member on Schedule A hereto. An Additional Member shall be bound by this Agreement whether or not such Additional

 

17


Member executes this Agreement. The legal fees and expenses associated with such admission shall be borne by the Company.

ARTICLE XIII

ASSIGNABILITY AND SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS

Section 13.1 Assignability of Units .

(i) A Member may assign the whole or any part of its Units or other interests in the Company to an Affiliate in such Member’s sole discretion and without the prior consent of the Board. Any such assignment shall, nevertheless, not entitle the assignee to become a Substitute Member or to be entitled to exercise or receive any of the rights, powers or benefits of a Member, other than the right to receive distributions, to which the assigning Member would be entitled, unless the assigning Member designates, in a written instrument, its assignee to become a Substitute Member. Such written instrument or Substitute Member designation does not require the approval or prior consent of the Board.

(ii) No Member may assign the whole or any part of its Units or other interests in the Company to any Person who is not an Affiliate without the prior consent of the Board, which consent may be given or withheld in the sole and absolute discretion of the Board. If the prior consent of the Board is obtained for any such assignment, such assignment shall, nevertheless, not entitle the assignee to become a Substitute Member or to be entitled to exercise or receive any of the rights, powers or benefits of a Member, other than the right to receive distributions to which the assigning Member would be entitled, unless the assigning Member designates, in a written instrument delivered to the Board or otherwise to the satisfaction of the Board, its assignee to become a Substitute Member and the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, consents to the admission of such assignee as a Member; and provided further, that such assignee shall not become a Substitute Member without having paid to the Company a fee sufficient to cover all reasonable expenses of the Company in connection with such assignee’s admission as a Substitute Member. A Substitute Member shall be bound by this Agreement whether or not such Substitute Member executes this Agreement. If a Member assigns all of its interest in the Company and the assignee of such interest is entitled to become a Substitute Member pursuant to this Section 13.1, then unless otherwise agreed, such assignee shall be admitted to the Company effective immediately prior to the effective date of the assignment, and, immediately following such admission, the assigning Member shall cease to be a Member of the Company.

Section 13.2 Recognition of Assignment by Company . No assignment, or any part thereof, that is in violation of this Article XIII shall be valid or effective, and neither the Company nor the Members shall recognize the same for the purpose of making distributions of Net Cash Flow pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof with respect to such Company interest or part thereof. Neither the Company nor the nonassigning Members shall incur any liability as a result of refusing to make any such distributions to the assignee of any such invalid assignment.

 

18


Section 13.3 Indemnification . In the case of an assignment or attempted assignment of an interest in the Company that has not received the consents required by Section 13.1 hereof, the parties engaging or attempting to engage in such assignment shall be liable to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the other Members from all costs, liabilities and damages that any of such indemnified Persons may incur (including, without limitation, incremental tax liability and lawyers’ fees and expenses) as a result of such assignment or attempted assignment and efforts to enforce the indemnity granted hereby.

Section 13.4 Effective Date of Assignment . Any valid assignment of a Member’s interest in the Company, or part thereof, pursuant to the provisions of Section 13.1 hereof shall be effective as of the close of business on the last day of the calendar month in which the Board gives its consent, if required, to such assignment (or the last day of the calendar month in which such assignment occurs, if later), unless, in the case of assignment to an Affiliate, a written instrument of the assigning Member sets forth a different effective date, or, in any case, the Board in its discretion approves a different effective date. The Company shall, from the effective date of such assignment, thereafter pay all further distributions on account of the Company interest (or part thereof) so assigned, to the assignee of such interest, or part thereof.

ARTICLE XIV

DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION

Section 14.1 No Dissolution . The Company shall not be dissolved by the admission of Additional Members or Substitute Members in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or by the death, retirement, resignation, expulsion, bankruptcy or dissolution of a Member or the occurrence of any other event under the Delaware Act that terminates the continued membership of a Member in the Company.

Section 14.2 Events Causing Dissolution . The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs shall be wound up upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

(i) the expiration of the term of the Company, as provided in Section 2.3 hereof;

(ii) a Majority Vote of the Members;

(iii) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under Section 18-802 of the Delaware Act.

Section 14.3 Notice of Dissolution . Upon the dissolution of the Company, the Person or Persons approved by a Majority Vote to carry out the winding up of the Company (the “ Liquidating Trustee ”) shall promptly notify the Members of such dissolution.

Section 14.4 Liquidation . Upon dissolution of the Company, the Liquidating Trustee shall immediately commence to wind up the Company’s affairs; provided , however , that a reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly liquidation of the assets of the Company and the satisfaction of liabilities to creditors so as to enable the Members to minimize the normal losses attendant upon a

 

19


liquidation. The Unit Holders shall continue to share Profits and Losses during liquidation in the same proportions, as specified in Article VIII hereof, as before liquidation. Each Member shall be furnished with a statement prepared by the Company’s certified public accountants that shall set forth the assets and liabilities of the Company as of the date of dissolution. The proceeds of liquidation shall be distributed, as realized, in the following order and priority:

(i) to creditors of the Company, including Unit Holders who are creditors, to the extent otherwise permitted by law, in satisfaction of the liabilities of the Company (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof), other than liabilities for distributions to Unit Holders; and

(ii) to the Unit Holders the remaining proceeds of liquidation in proportion to the number of Units held by each Unit Holder.

Section 14.5 Termination . The Company shall terminate when all of the assets of the Company, after payment of or due provision for all debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company, shall have been distributed to the Unit Holders in the manner provided for in this Article XIV, and the Certificate shall have been canceled in the manner required by the Delaware Act.

Section 14.6 Claims of the Members . The Members and Assignees shall look solely to the Company’s assets for the return of their Capital Contributions, and if the assets of the Company remaining after payment of or due provision for all debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company are insufficient to return such Capital Contributions, the Members and Assignees shall have no recourse against the Company or any other Member or Manager.

Section 14.7 Revocation of Dissolution. Notwithstanding the occurrence of an event set forth in Section 18-801(a)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of the Delaware Act, the Company shall not be dissolved if the Company is continued in accordance with Section 18-806 of the Delaware Act.

ARTICLE XV

APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 15.1 First Officers and Directors . The Member hereby designates, as the initial Officers and Directors of this Company, the persons set forth next to their respective offices in Schedule B.

ARTICLE XVI

AMENDMENTS

Section 16.1 Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the Board . The Board, without the approval of any Member may amend any provision of this Agreement, and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record all documents required or desirable in connection therewith, to reflect:

 

20


(i) a change in the name of the Company or the location of the principal place of business of the Company;

(ii) the admission, substitution, termination or withdrawal of Members or Assignees in accordance with this Agreement;

(iii) a change that is (a) of an inconsequential nature and does not adversely affect the Members or Assignees in any material respect; (b) necessary or desirable to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein that would be inconsistent with any other provisions herein, or to make any other provision with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement that will not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, in each case so long as such change does not adversely affect the Members or Assignees; (c) necessary or desirable to satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state statute, so long as such change is made in a manner which minimizes any adverse effect on the Members or Assignees; or (d) required or contemplated by this Agreement; or

(iv) any other amendments similar to the foregoing.

Section 16.2. Amendment Procedures . Except as specifically provided in Section 16.1 and Section 16.2, all amendments to this Agreement shall be made solely in accordance with the following requirements:

(i) Amendments of this Agreement may be proposed only by the Board or any Member;

(ii) If an amendment is proposed, the Board shall seek the written approval of, or call a meeting of the Members to consider and vote on such proposed amendment. A proposed amendment shall be effective upon its approval by a Majority Vote, unless a greater percentage is required by this Agreement; and

(iii) The Board shall notify all Members upon final adoption of any proposed amendment.

ARTICLE XVII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 17.1 Notices . All notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by registered or certified mail as follows:

(i) if given to the Company, in care of the President, at the Company’s mailing address set forth on Schedule A attached hereto;

 

21


(ii) if given to a Director, at such Director’s mailing address as provided to the Company; or

(iii) if given to any Member, at the address set forth opposite its name on Schedule A attached hereto, or at such other address as such Member may hereafter designate by written notice to the Company.

All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received. Whenever any notice is required to be given under this Agreement, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

Section 17.2 Failure to Pursue Remedies . The failure of any party to seek redress for violation of, or to insist upon the strict performance of, any provision of this Agreement shall not prevent a subsequent act, which would have originally constituted a violation, from having the effect of an original violation.

Section 17.3 Cumulative Remedies . The rights and remedies provided by this Agreement are cumulative and the use of any one right or remedy by any party shall not preclude or waive its right to use any or all other remedies. Said rights and remedies are given in addition to any other rights the parties may have by law, statute, ordinance or otherwise.

Section 17.4 Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of all of the parties and, to the extent permitted by this Agreement, their successors, legal representatives and assigns.

Section 17.5 Interpretation . Throughout this Agreement, nouns, pronouns and verbs shall be construed as masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural, whichever shall be applicable. All references herein to “Articles,” “Sections” and paragraphs shall refer to corresponding provisions of this Agreement.

Section 17.6 Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions hereof, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if such invalid or unenforceable provision were omitted.

Section 17.7 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all parties hereto had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one instrument.

Section 17.8 Integration . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.

 

22


Section 17.9 Governing Law . This Agreement and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, and all rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

 

23


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Members hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above stated.

 

MEMBER:

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

By   /s/ Barbara S. Brett
Name:   Barbara S. Brett
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

24


SCHEDULE A

COMPANY

 

Name

  

Mailing Address

Wells Fargo Finance LLC   

375 Park Avenue, 4 th Floor

New York, NY 10152

MEMBER(S)

 

Name

  

Mailing Address

   Number
of Units
     Initial
Capital
Contribution
 

Wells Fargo & Company

  

420 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

     1,000      $ 1,000  

 

25


SCHEDULE B

INITIAL DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF

WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Le Roy Davis

Walter E. Dolhare

Michael F. Riley

OFFICERS

 

William Threadgill    President and Chief Executive Officer
Barbara Janine Garafalo    Vice President
Le Roy Davis    Senior Vice President and Treasurer
James McMullin    Secretary
Barbara S. Brett    Senior Vice President
Greg Michael Cooley    Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
David L. Pitelka    Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 4(h)

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC,

as Issuer

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY,

as Guarantor

AND

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Trustee

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of April 25, 2018

 

 

Senior Debt Securities

 

 

 


Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and

Indenture, dated as of April 25, 2018

 

Trust Indenture Act Section    Indenture Section

§310(a)(1)

   609

(a)(2)

   609

(a)(3)

   Not Applicable

(a)(4)

   Not Applicable

(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)(1)(A)

   502, 512

(a)(1)(B)

   513

(a)(2)

   Not Applicable

(b)

   508

(c)

   104(h)

§317(a)(1)

   503

(a)(2)

   504

(b)

   1003

§318(a)

   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

     2  
ARTICLE ONE   
Definitions and Other Provisions of General Application   

Section 101.     Definitions

     2  

Act

     3  

Affiliate

     3  

Authorized Newspaper

     3  

Bearer Security

     3  

Board of Directors

     3  

Board Resolution

     4  

Business Day

     4  

Clearstream

     4  

Commission

     4  

Corporate Trust Office

     4  

corporation

     4  

coupon

     4  

Covenant Breach

     4  

Debt Securities

     5  

Defaulted Interest

     5  

Depositary

     5  

Designated Currency

     5  

Dollar or $

     5  

Eligible Instruments

     5  

Euroclear

     5  

Event of Default

     5  

Exchange Act

     5  

Exchange Rate

     5  

Exchange Rate Agent

     5  

Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate

     6  

Foreign Currency

     6  

Global Exchange Agent

     6  

Global Exchange Date

     6  

Global Security

     6  

Guarantee

     6  

Guarantor

     6  

Guarantor Request and Guarantor Order

     6  

Holder

     6  

Indenture

     6  

interest

     7  

 

i


Interest Payment Date

     7  

Issuer

     7  

Issuer Request and Issuer Order

     7  

Maturity

     7  

Officers’ Certificate

     7  

Opinion of Counsel

     7  

Original Issue Discount Security

     7  

Outstanding

     7  

Paying Agent

     8  

Person

     8  

Place of Payment

     8  

Predecessor Security

     8  

Redemption Date

     8  

Redemption Price

     9  

Registered Security

     9  

Regular Record Date

     9  

Remarketing Entity

     9  

Repayment Date

     9  

Repayment Price

     9  

Responsible Officer

     9  

Security Register

     9  

Special Record Date

     9  

Stated Maturity

     9  

Subsidiary

     9  

Trust Indenture Act

     10  

Trustee

     10  

United States

     10  

United States Alien

     10  

U.S. Government Obligations

     10  

Voting Stock

     10  

Section 102.       Compliance Certificates and Opinions

     10  

Section 103.       Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee

     11  

Section 104.       Acts of Holders

     12  

Section 105.       Notices, etc., to Trustee, Issuer and Guarantor

     13  

Section 106.       Notice to Holders; Waiver

     14  

Section 107.       Conflict with Trust Indenture Act

     15  

Section 108.       Effect of Headings and Table of Contents

     15  

Section 109.       Successors and Assigns

     15  

Section 110.       Separability Clause

     15  

Section 111.       Benefits of Indenture

     15  

Section 112.       Governing Law

     16  

Section 113.       Legal Holidays

     16  

Section 114.       Counterparts

     16  

Section 115.       Force Majeure

     16  

Section 116.       U.S.A. Patriot Act

     16  

 

ii


ARTICLE TWO   
Debt Security Forms   

Section 201.       Forms Generally

   17

Section 202.       Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

   17

Section 203.       Debt Securities in Global Form

   18
ARTICLE THREE   
The Debt Securities   

Section 301.       Amount Unlimited; Issuance in Series

   18

Section 302.       Denominations

   22

Section 303.       Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

   22

Section 304.       Temporary Debt Securities

   24

Section 305.       Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange

   27

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

   34

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

 

iii


Section 514.       Undertaking for Costs

   47

Section 515.       Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws

   48
ARTICLE SIX   
The Trustee   

Section 601.       Certain Duties and Responsibilities

   48

Section 602.       Notice of Default

   49

Section 603.       Certain Rights of Trustee

   49

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 Issuer and Guarantor

   56

Section 614.       Authenticating Agent

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

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

   58

Section 702.       Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders

   58

Section 703.       Reports by Trustee

   59

Section 704.       Reports by Issuer and Guarantor

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

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

   60

Section 802.       Guarantor May Consolidate, etc. Only on Certain Terms

   60

Section 803.       Successor Corporation Substituted

   61
ARTICLE NINE   
Supplemental Indentures   

Section 901.       Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders

   62

Section 902.       Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders

   63

Section 903.       Execution of Supplemental Indentures

   65

Section 904.       Effect of Supplemental Indentures

   65

Section 905.       Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

   65

Section 906.       Reference in Debt Securities to Supplemental Indentures

   65

 

iv


ARTICLE TEN

 

Covenants

  

Section 1001.       Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest

   65

Section 1002.       Maintenance of Office or Agency

   66

Section 1003.       Money for Debt Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust

   67

Section 1004.       Payment of Additional Amounts

   68

Section 1005.       Officers’ Certificate as to Default

   69

Section 1006.       Waiver of Certain Covenants

   69

Section 1007.       Calculation of Original Issue Discount

   70
ARTICLE ELEVEN   
Redemption of Debt Securities   

Section 1101.     Applicability of Article

   70

Section 1102.     Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee

   70

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

   70

Section 1104.     Notice of Redemption

   71

Section 1105.     Deposit of Redemption Price

   72

Section 1106.     Debt Securities Payable on Redemption Date

   72

Section 1107.     Debt Securities Redeemed in Part

   73
ARTICLE TWELVE   
Sinking Funds   

Section 1201.     Applicability of Article

   73

Section 1202.     Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Debt Securities

   74

Section 1203.     Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund

   74
ARTICLE THIRTEEN   
Repayment at the Option of Holders   

Section 1301.     Applicability of Article

   75

Section 1302.     Repayment of Debt Securities

   75

Section 1303.     Exercise of Option; Notice

   75

Section 1304.     Election of Repayment by Remarketing Entities

   76

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

   77

Section 1402.     Call, Notice and Place of Meetings

   77

Section 1403.     Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings

   77

Section 1404.     Quorum; Action

   78

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

   78

 

v


Section 1406.     Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings

     79  

ARTICLE FIFTEEN

 

Defeasance

  

Section 1501.    Termination of Issuer’s and Guarantor’s Obligations

     80  

Section 1502.     Repayment to Issuer

     81  

Section 1503.     Indemnity for Eligible Instruments

     81  

ARTICLE SIXTEEN

 

Guarantee

  

Section 1601.     The Guarantee

     81  

Section 1602.     Guarantee Unconditional

     82  

Section  1603.     Discharge; Reinstatement

     83  

Section 1604.     Waiver by the Guarantor

     83  

Section 1605.     Subrogation

     83  

Section  1606.      Stay of Acceleration

     83  

Section 1607 .     Savings Clause

     84  

Section 1608 .     Execution and Delivery of Guarantee

     84  

Section 1609.     Not Insured

     84  

Section 1610.     Release

     84  

Testimonium

     85  

Signatures

     85  

 

vi


INDENTURE (the “Indenture”) dated as of April 25, 2018, among WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (hereinafter called the “Issuer”), having its principal place of business at 375 Park Avenue, 4 th  Floor, New York, New York 10152, WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the “Guarantor”), having its principal place of business at 420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California 94104, and CITIBANK, N.A., (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 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013, Attn: Citibank Agency and Trust.

RECITALS

The Issuer 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”).

The Guarantor has duly authorized the full and unconditional guarantee of the Debt Securities and the execution and delivery of this Indenture as guarantor of the Debt Securities.

All things necessary have been done to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Issuer and the Guarantor, 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 equal and proportionate 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


(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 (a) with respect to the Issuer, either the board of directors of the Issuer or any committee of that board duly authorized to act in respect hereof and (b) with respect to the Guarantor, either the board of directors of the Guarantor, or the executive or any other committee of that board duly authorized to act in respect hereof.

 

3


“Board Resolution” means (a) with respect to the Issuer, a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer to have been duly adopted by the Board of the Issuer and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee and (b) with respect to the Guarantor, a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Guarantor to have been duly adopted by the Board of the Guarantor 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 Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, or any officer or employee of the Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, 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, regulation or executive order to close.

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, soci é t é anonyme .

“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.

“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 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013, Attn: Citibank Agency and Trust.

The term “corporation” includes corporations, associations, companies (including limited liability companies) and business trusts.

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

“Covenant Breach”, wherever used herein with respect to Debt Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Covenant Breach 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), except as may be otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 for Debt Securities of any series:

(1)    default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Issuer in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is in Section 501 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

 

4


registered or certified mail, to the Issuer and the Guarantor by the Trustee, or to the Issuer, the Guarantor 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 Covenant Breach” hereunder; or

(2)    any other Covenant Breach provided with respect to the Debt Securities of such series specified as contemplated by Section 301.

A Covenant Breach shall not be an Event of Default with respect to any Debt Security, except to the extent otherwise specifically provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to such Debt 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 Issuer 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.

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

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

“Exchange Act” shall mean 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.

 

5


“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 any composite currency or Foreign Currency, and signed by the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Senior Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer or the Treasurer of the Issuer 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.

“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.

“Guarantee” means the guarantee of the Debt Securities by the Guarantor pursuant to Article Sixteen of this Indenture.

“Guarantor” means the Person named as the “Guarantor” 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 “Guarantor” shall mean such successor Person.

“Guarantor Request” and “Guarantor Order” mean, respectively, except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, a written request or order signed in the name of the Guarantor 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 Guarantor herein shall be deemed to include any Vice President of the Guarantor 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 Guarantor or by another officer of the Guarantor duly authorized to sign by a Board Resolution, and delivered to the Trustee.

“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.

 

6


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.

“Issuer” means the Person named as the “Issuer” 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 “Issuer” shall mean such successor Person.

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

“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) with respect to the Issuer, a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer, the President , a Vice President or the Chief Financial Officer, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer, and delivered to the Trustee and (b) with respect to the Guarantor, 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 Guarantor, 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 Issuer or the Guarantor, 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.

“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;

 

7


(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 Issuer or the Guarantor) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Issuer or the Guarantor (if the Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, 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 Issuer, the Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Issuer, the Guarantor 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 Issuer, the Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Issuer, the Guarantor or of such other obligor.

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

“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, 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.

“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.

 

8


“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 Issuer or the Guarantor 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.

“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” of any specified Person means any corporation more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Voting Stock, except for directors’ qualifying shares, of which shall at the time be owned, directly or indirectly, by such specified Person or by one or more of the Subsidiaries

 

9


of such specified Person, or by such specified Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such specified Person.

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

“Voting Stock”, as applied to the stock (or the equivalent thereof) of any corporation, means stock (or the equivalent thereof) of any class or classes, however designated, having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors, managers or trustees of such corporation, other than stock (or such equivalent) having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency.

Section 102.     Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

Upon any application or request by the Issuer or the Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, shall furnish to the Trustee, if so requested by the Trustee or otherwise provided for in another provision

 

10


of this Indenture, 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.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Issuer or the Guarantor 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 is 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 Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, 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 is erroneous.

 

11


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 Issuer and the Guarantor. 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 Issuer and the Guarantor, 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 Issuer and the Guarantor 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.

 

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(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, the Issuer or the Guarantor 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 of 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 Issuer and the Guarantor, 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 Issuer and the Guarantor, 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 Issuer 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, Issuer and Guarantor.

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 Issuer or the Guarantor 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

 

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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 Issuer or the Guarantor 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 Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, 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 Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable.

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 the London Stock Exchange and such stock exchange shall so require, in London, and, if the Debt Securities of such series are then listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and such stock exchange shall so require, in Luxembourg and, if the Debt Securities of such series are then listed on any other 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, if any, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, 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 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.

 

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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.

Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to a Holder of a Global Security, such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Debt Security (or its designee), pursuant to the applicable procedures of the Depositary, not later than the latest date, if any, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice in such procedures.

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. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, such Trust Indenture Act provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.

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 Issuer or the Guarantor shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether expressed or not.

Section 110.     Separability Clause.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities or 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 coupons, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, any Paying

 

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Agent and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 112.     Governing Law.

This Indenture, the Debt Securities and coupons and the Guarantee 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.

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.      Force Majeure .

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

Section 116.      U.S.A. Patriot Act .

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

 

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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 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 Issuer and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Issuer 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 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.

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,

 

as Trustee

By    
  Authorized Signatory
Dated    

 

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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 amounts, 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 Issuer 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 Issuer and the Issuer 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 and the CUSIP numbers (which shall distinguish the Debt Securities of the series from all other Debt Securities), if available at the time the series is established;

(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

 

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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, 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 Issuer 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 Issuer 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 Issuer;

(7)      the obligation, if any, of the Issuer 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 and, if applicable, the Global Exchange Agent for such Global Security or Securities, whether such global form shall be permanent or temporary and, if applicable, the Global Exchange Date;

(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

 

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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 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 in excess 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 and, if any such currency of denomination is a composite currency, 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 Exchange Rate Agent;

(16)    if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Debt Securities of the series may be determined with reference to one or more equity-, commodity- or currency-based indices, exchange traded funds, securities, commodities, currencies, statistical measures of economic or financial performance, or a basket comprised of any of the foregoing, or any other measure, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(17)    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 or if the Exchange Rate is to be determined otherwise than as provided in Section 101;

 

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

(19)    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 such covenants, warranties or provisions, whether the provisions of Section 1006 will not apply such covenants and warranties and any addition to, deletion from or other change to the definition of “Covenant Breach” set forth in Section 101;

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

(21)    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;

(22)    if Debt Securities of the series are to be issuable as Bearer Securities, the certifications required for delivery of such Bearer Securities upon original issuance, transfer and exchange, the certifications required in connection with the payment of interest on a temporary Global Security and any other certifications or other requirements relating to such Bearer Securities; and

(23)    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

 

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the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer 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 in excess thereof and the Bearer Securities of such series, if any, shall be issuable in the denominations of $5,000.

Section 303.     Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

(a)    The Debt Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Issuer by its Chief Executive Officer, 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. 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 Issuer.

Debt Securities and coupons bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Issuer shall bind the Issuer, 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 Issuer 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 Issuer Order, without any further action by the Issuer; 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 Issuer or its agent shall have received the certification required pursuant to Section 301(22), and only if the Issuer 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 Issuer Order may be given by any one officer or employee of the Issuer, 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 Issuer 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 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 Issuer;

(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;

(C)    that the Guarantee has been duly authorized by the Guarantor; and

(D)    that when the Debt Securities and coupons, if any, have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuer in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, the Debt Securities and coupons, if any, and the Guarantee will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantor, respectively, 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 Issuer 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 Securities, then the

 

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Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section and the Issuer 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 appurtenant 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 Issuer, and the Issuer 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 Issuer, 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.

Section 304.     Temporary Debt Securities.

(a)     Pending the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of any series, the Issuer may execute, and upon receipt of documents required by Sections 301 and 303, together with an Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Debt Securities which are printed

 

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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 Issuer 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 Issuer 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 Issuer 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 pursuant to Section 301(22).

(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 Issuer shall deliver definitive Debt Securities to the Trustee or the agent appointed by the Issuer 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 such temporary Global Security, executed by the Issuer. 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 the Global Exchange Agent is 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

 

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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 the certificates signed by Euroclear and Clearstream required pursuant to Section 301(22), 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 required pursuant to Section 301(22), dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Global Exchange Date, copies of which certificate(s) 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 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 delivery by Euroclear and Clearstream to the Global Exchange Agent of a certificate or certificates in the form required pursuant to Section 301(22) 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

 

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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 required pursuant to Section 301(22) 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 Issuer in accordance with Section 1003.

Section 305.     Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

The Issuer shall cause to be kept at one of the offices or agencies to be maintained by the Issuer 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 Issuer shall provide for the registration of Registered Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities. Pursuant to Section 301, the Issuer 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 Issuer maintained for such purpose, the Issuer 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 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 Issuer 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 Issuer and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them, the Guarantor 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,

 

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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 of (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 Issuer 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 Issuer 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 Issuer 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 Issuer within 90 days after the Issuer receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Issuer’s election pursuant to Section 301(9) shall no longer be effective with respect to the Debt Securities of such series and the Issuer will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer 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.

The Issuer 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 Issuer will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer 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 Issuer 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 Issuer and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Issuer 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

 

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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 Issuer 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 Issuer or its agent shall have received from the person entitled to receive the definitive Bearer Security a certificate substantially in the form required pursuant to Section 301(22); 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 Issuer 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 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 Issuer or its agent shall have received from the person entitled to receive the definitive Bearer Security a certificate substantially in the form required pursuant to Section 301(22); 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 Issuer 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 Issuer (and the Guarantee on such Debt Securities shall be a valid obligation of the Guarantor) 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 Issuer, the Security Registrar or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer, the Security

 

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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 Issuer 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 Issuer’s own expense or without expense or without charge to the Holders.

The Issuer 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.

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 Issuer, 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 Issuer or the Guarantor would suffer adverse consequences under the United States Federal income tax laws and regulations then in effect and the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Issuer Order directing the Trustee not to make such exchanges thereafter unless and until the Trustee receives a subsequent Issuer Order to the contrary. The Issuer shall deliver copies of such Issuer 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 Issuer, or, in the case of any Registered Security, to the Trustee, or (ii) the Issuer, the Guarantor 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 Issuer, the Guarantor 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 Issuer, the Guarantor and the Trustee that such Debt Security or coupon has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Issuer 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 appurtenant 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 coupon, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security or to the Debt Security to which such

 

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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 Issuer 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 Issuer 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.

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 Issuer and the Guarantor, 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 Issuer, 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

 

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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 Issuer, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:

(1)    The Issuer 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 Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Registered Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuer 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 Issuer of such Special Record Date. Unless the Trustee is acting as the Security Registrar, promptly after such Special Record Date, the Issuer 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 Issuer, 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

 

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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 Issuer 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 Issuer to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, 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 Issuer, the Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer, the Guarantor 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 Issuer, the Guarantor, the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer, the Guarantor or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

The Issuer, the Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer, the Guarantor 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 Issuer, the Guarantor, the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer, the Guarantor or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

None of the Issuer, the Guarantor, 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.

 

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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 Issuer or any agent of the Issuer, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Issuer may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Debt Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Issuer 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 Indenture. All cancelled Debt Securities and coupons held by the Trustee shall be destroyed and certification of their destruction delivered to the Issuer unless by an Issuer Order the Issuer 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 required pursuant to Section 301(22), with only such changes as shall be approved by the Issuer and consented to by the Trustee whose consent shall not unreasonably be withheld.

Section 312.     Judgments.

The Issuer 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 Issuer to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of any series and any appurtenant 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 agrees that judgments in respect of such Debt Securities shall be given in the Designated Currency; (b) the obligation of the Issuer to make payments in the Designated Currency of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Debt Securities and any appurtenant 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

 

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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 Issuer shall pay such additional amounts as may be necessary to compensate for such shortfall; and (d) any obligation of the Issuer 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.

ARTICLE FOUR

Satisfaction and Discharge

Section 401.     Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

This Indenture shall upon Issuer 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 Issuer, 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 Issuer or the Guarantor and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or the Guarantor 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

 

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(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 Issuer,

and the Issuer or the Guarantor, 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 Title 11 of the United States Code or a successor statute is filed with respect to the Issuer within 91 days after the deposit, the obligations of the Issuer 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 Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable;

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

(3)    the Issuer or the Guarantor 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 Issuer and the Guarantor 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, the coupons and this

 

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Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer or the Guarantor acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the 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 Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, from time to time upon Issuer Request or Guarantor Request, as applicable, 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)    If this Section 402(c) is specified, as contemplated by Section 301, to be applicable to the Debt Securities of any series, the Trustee shall deliver to the Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, from time to time upon Issuer Request or Guarantor Request, as applicable, any Eligible Instruments held by it as provided in Section 403 or 1501, provided that the Issuer or the Guarantor 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 Issuer’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 Issuer 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 Issuer’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 Issuer, shall, upon Issuer Order, execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of such indebtedness, when

 

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(1)    either

(A)    with respect to all Outstanding Debt Securities of such series and related coupons, with reference to this Section 403, the Issuer or the Guarantor has deposited 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 Issuer prior to the Stated Maturity thereof, and the Issuer 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 Issuer or the Guarantor 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 Issuer or the Guarantor 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 Issuer or the Guarantor is a party or by which it is bound;

(4)    no Covenant Breach or Event of Default or event which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become a Covenant Breach or Event of Default 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(3) or Section 501(4) or event which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default under Section 501(3) or Section 501(4) 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 Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable;

(5)    the Issuer or the Guarantor has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (a) the Issuer or the Guarantor has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (b) since the date of this

 

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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 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 Issuer or the Guarantor 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 Issuer in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301; and

(8)    the Issuer or the Guarantor 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 Issuer 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 Issuer.

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 Issuer or the Guarantor; provided that the Issuer shall not be discharged from any payment obligations, and the Guarantor shall not be discharged under the Guarantee, 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 Issuer 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 Issuer and the Guarantor under this Indenture with respect to any series of Debt Securities, the obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantor 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, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

(3)    the entry by a court having jurisdiction of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Issuer in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Issuer a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving a petition seeking receivership, insolvency or liquidation of or in respect of the Issuer under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, trustee or similar official of the Issuer, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(4)    the commencement by the Issuer of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, the appointment of a receiver for the Issuer under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law following consent by the Board of Directors of the Issuer to such appointment, or the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Issuer in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, liquidation or similar law following the Issuer’s consent to such decree or order; or

(5)    the Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect, other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, or the Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under the Guarantee, provided that no Event of Default described in this clause (5) of Section 501 shall occur as a result of, or because it is related directly or indirectly to, the insolvency of the Guarantor or the commencement of any proceedings relative to the Guarantor under Title 11 of the United States Code, or the appointment of a receiver for

 

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the Guarantor under Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation having separately repudiated the Guarantee in any receivership of the Guarantor, or the commencement of any proceeding under any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, resolution or other similar law, or a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official having been appointed for or having taken possession of the Guarantor or its property, or the institution of any other comparable judicial or regulatory proceedings relative to the Guarantor, or to the creditors or property of the Guarantor; or

(6)    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 Issuer and the Guarantor (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 Issuer and the Guarantor 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 Issuer, the Guarantor and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

(1)    the Issuer or the Guarantor 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,

 

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(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.

For the avoidance of doubt, except to the extent otherwise specifically provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to a particular series of Debt Securities, neither the Trustee nor any Holders shall be entitled to accelerate the Maturity of any Debt Security, nor shall the Maturity of any Debt Security be otherwise accelerated, as a result of a Covenant Breach.

Section 503.     Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

The Issuer 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 Issuer will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities and 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 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 Issuer 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 Issuer or any other obligor upon such Debt Securities and

 

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coupons and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuer or any other obligor upon such Debt Securities and coupons, wherever situated.

If a Covenant Breach or 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 Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of a particular series or any related coupons or the property of the Issuer 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 Issuer 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 appurtenant 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;

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 exercise any remedy against the Issuer or the Guarantor as a result of, or because it is related directly or indirectly to, the insolvency of the Guarantor or the commencement of any proceedings relative to the Guarantor under Title 11 of the United States Code, or the appointment of a receiver for the Guarantor under Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of

 

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2010 or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation having separately repudiated the Guarantee in any receivership of the Guarantor, or the commencement of any proceeding under any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, resolution or other similar law, or a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official having been appointed for or having taken possession of the Guarantor or its property, or the institution of any other comparable judicial or regulatory proceedings relative to the Guarantor, or to the creditors or property of the Guarantor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee is authorized to exercise any remedy against the Issuer as a result of an Event of Default described in Section 501(3) or (4).

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 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 (including the Guarantee) 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 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 any 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

 

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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

THIRD:          The balance, if any, to the Issuer or the Guarantor.

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 Covenant Breach or 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 Covenant Breach or 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 (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders), 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

 

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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.

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 Issuer, the Guarantor, 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 Covenant Breach or Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Covenant Breach or 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;

(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

 

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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 Covenant Breach or 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 Issuer, the Guarantor 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).

 

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Section 515.     Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

The Issuer 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 Issuer (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 a Covenant Breach or 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 a Covenant Breach or 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;

 

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(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 Clause (1) under the definition of “Covenant Breach” in Section 101 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, a Covenant Breach or 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;

 

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(b)    any request or direction of the Issuer or the Guarantor mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuer Request or Issuer Order or Guarantor Request or Guarantor Order, as applicable, 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 of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(e)    the 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 Issuer or the Guarantor, personally or by agent or attorney, other than any such books or records containing information as to the affairs of the customers of the Issuer or the Guarantor or any of their 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;

(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;

(h)    the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, in its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be

 

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enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian or other Person employed by the Trustee to act hereunder in accordance with the provisions hereof; and

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

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 Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, 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 Issuer of any Debt Securities or the proceeds thereof. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representations to the Issuer’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 Issuer, the Guarantor 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 Issuer and the Guarantor 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 in writing with the Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable.

Section  607.     Compensation and Reimbursement.

Each of the Issuer and the Guarantor, jointly and severally, 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 Issuer, the Guarantor 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

 

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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 (whether asserted by the Issuer, the Guarantor, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuer and/or the Guarantor (including this section).

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantor 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 Debt Securities of more than one series or any other indenture between the Trustee and the Issuer or the Guarantor. For the purpose of determining whether a conflicting interest exists within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, a Covenant Breach or Event of Default.

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 authority, then for the purposes of this

 

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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 Issuer and the Guarantor. 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 Issuer 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 Issuer and the Guarantor. 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 Issuer 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 Issuer, the Guarantor 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 Issuer, the Guarantor 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

 

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(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 Issuer by a Board Resolution or the Guarantor 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 Issuer or the Guarantor may remove the Trustee if the Issuer shall determine by a Board Resolution or the Guarantor shall determine by a Board Resolution that the services provided by the Trustee hereunder may be obtained at a substantially lower cost to the Issuer.

(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 Issuer by a Board Resolution and the Guarantor 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 Issuer, the Guarantor 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 Issuer and the Guarantor. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Issuer and the Guarantor 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 Issuer 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

 

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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 Issuer and the Guarantor 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 Issuer and the Guarantor 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 Issuer, the Guarantor, 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 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 Issuer and the Guarantor 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 Issuer and the Guarantor shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such

 

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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 or consolidation 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 Issuer and Guarantor.

If and when the Trustee shall be or shall become a creditor, directly or indirectly, secured or unsecured, of the Issuer or the Guarantor (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 Issuer or the Guarantor (or any such other obligor).

Section 614.     Authenticating Agent.

The Trustee shall upon Issuer request appoint one or more authenticating agents (including, without limitation, the Issuer or any Affiliate thereof) 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 Issuer and, except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, 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

 

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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.

The Trustee hereby initially appoints Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as its authenticating agent.

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 Issuer and the Guarantor. 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 Issuer and the Guarantor. 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 Issuer agrees to pay to each authenticating agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.

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.

 

CITIBANK, N.A.
By    
  As Authenticating Agent for the Trustee
By    
  Authorized Signatory
Dated    

ARTICLE SEVEN

Holders’ Lists and Reports By Trustee and Issuer

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

The Issuer 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 Issuer 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

 

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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 Issuer and the Trustee that neither the Issuer 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 Issuer and the Guarantor. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing when any series of Debt Securities are listed on any stock exchange.

Section 704.     Reports by Issuer and Guarantor.

The Issuer and the Guarantor 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934 shall be deemed filed with, and delivered to, the Trustee and transmitted to the Holders at the same time as filed with the Commission, provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been filed with the Commission or transmitted to the Holders.

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 Issuer’s or the Guarantor’s respective compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

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ARTICLE EIGHT

Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease

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

The Issuer 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 other than any such conveyance, transfer or lease to one or more of the Guarantor’s Subsidiaries, unless:

(1)    the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Issuer 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 Issuer to be performed or observed;

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

(3)    the Issuer 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.

For the avoidance of doubt, the corporation or Person, as applicable, referred to in this Section 801 may be the Guarantor or any Subsidiary of the Guarantor.

Section 802.     Guarantor May Consolidate, etc. Only on Certain Terms.

The Guarantor 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 other than any such conveyance, transfer or lease to one or more of its Subsidiaries, unless:

(1)    the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Guarantor is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Guarantor 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 guarantee of the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if

 

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any) and interest (including all additional amounts, if any, payable pursuant to Section 1004) on all the Debt Securities and any related coupons to the extent provided in this Indenture and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Guarantor to be performed or observed;

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

(3)    the Guarantor 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.

For the avoidance of doubt, the corporation or Person, as applicable, referred to in this Section 802 may be any Subsidiary of the Guarantor.

Section 803.     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 Issuer substantially as an entirety to any Person pursuant to the requirements of Section 801(1), (2) and (3), the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer 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 Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor had been named as the Issuer herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the Issuer (which term for this purpose shall mean the Person named as the “Issuer” 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 coupons.

Upon any consolidation with or merger into any other corporation, or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Guarantor substantially as an entirety to any Person pursuant to the requirements of Section 802(1), (2) and (3), the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Guarantor 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 Guarantor under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor had been named as the Guarantor herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the Guarantor (which term for this purpose shall mean the Person named as the “Guarantor” 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 Guarantee.

 

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ARTICLE NINE

Supplemental Indentures

Section 901.     Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders, the Issuer, when authorized by a Board Resolution, the Guarantor, 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 merger of the Issuer with and into the Guarantor or the succession of another corporation to the Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, and the assumption by such successor of the covenants of the Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, herein and in the Debt Securities contained and, in the case of the merger of the Issuer with and into the Guarantor, to evidence the elimination of the Guarantee; or

(2)     to add to the covenants of the Issuer or the Guarantor (and make any corresponding change to the definition of “Covenant Breach” set forth in Section 101), 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 Issuer or the Guarantor; 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

(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

 

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(7)     to conform the text of this Indenture or the Debt Securities of any series to any provision of the section entitled “Description of Debt Securities of Wells Fargo Finance LLC” or any similarly captioned section in the prospectus, as supplemented by any applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, relating to the offering of such series of Debt Securities as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate; or

(8)     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

(9)     to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, 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

(10)    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 appurtenant 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 (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer), by Act of said Holders delivered to the Issuer, the Guarantor and the Trustee, the Issuer, when authorized by a Board Resolution, the Guarantor, 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 Issuer 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

 

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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(8),

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

(5)    make any change in the Guarantee that would adversely affect any Holder or release the Guarantor from the Guarantee other than pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

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.

The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any indenture supplemental hereto. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, that unless such consent shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date which is 90 days after such record date, any such consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect.

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.

 

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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 and that such supplemental indenture is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and the Guarantor. 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 Issuer shall so determine, new Debt Securities of any series and any appurtenant 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 Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Debt Securities of such series and any appurtenant coupons.

ARTICLE TEN

Covenants

Section 1001.     Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.

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

 

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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 Issuer 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 Issuer or the Guarantor in respect of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee and this Indenture may be served. If Debt Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Issuer 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 the London Stock Exchange or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Issuer will maintain a Paying Agent in London or Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Debt Securities of such series are listed on such exchange. The Issuer 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 Issuer 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 Issuer 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 Issuer 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 Issuer 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 Issuer 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

 

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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 Issuer 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 appurtenant 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 Issuer of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for any series of Debt Securities for such purposes. The Issuer 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 Issuer or the Guarantor 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 appurtenant 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 Issuer or the Guarantor shall have one or more Paying Agents with respect to any series of Debt Securities, the Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, 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 appurtenant 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 Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

The Issuer or the Guarantor 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 appurtenant 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 Issuer or the Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series or any appurtenant 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 appurtenant 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 Issuer or the Guarantor 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 Issuer Order or Guarantor Order, as applicable, direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Issuer, the Guarantor 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 Issuer, the Guarantor 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 Issuer or the Guarantor, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security of any series or any appurtenant 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 Issuer on Issuer Request or to the Guarantor on Guarantor Request, as applicable, or (if then held by the Issuer or the Guarantor) 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 Issuer or the Guarantor, as the case may be, 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 Issuer or the Guarantor 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 Issuer 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 Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable.

Section 1004.     Payment of Additional Amounts.

If the Debt Securities of a series provide for the payment of additional amounts, the Issuer 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

 

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

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

Section 1006.     Waiver of Certain Covenants.

The Issuer or the Guarantor 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

 

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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 Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 1007.     Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

The Issuer shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on Outstanding Debt Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be reasonably requested by the Trustee and relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

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 Issuer to redeem any Debt Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Issuer of less than all of the Debt Securities of any series, the Issuer shall, at least 20 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Issuer (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 Issuer 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

 

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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 Issuer 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 15 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

 

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(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 Issuer shall be given by the Issuer, or, at the Issuer’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer.

Section 1105.     Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York time, on any Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer 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 Issuer 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 Issuer 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 appurtenant coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Bearer Security may be paid after

 

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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 Issuer and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them, the Guarantor 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 Issuer, the Security Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer, the Security Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Issuer 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 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 Issuer (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 Issuer 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 Issuer 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 Issuer from time to time pay over and deliver to the Issuer any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Issuer to the Trustee of Debt Securities purchased by the Issuer having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Issuer.

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 Issuer 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 Issuer 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.

 

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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 Issuer 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 Issuer and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them, the Guarantor 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 Issuer 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

 

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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 Issuer 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 appurtenant 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 Issuer, 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 Issuer or the Guarantor would suffer adverse consequences under the United States Federal income tax laws then in effect and the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Issuer Order directing the Trustee not to make such issuances thereafter unless and until the Trustee receives a subsequent Issuer Order to the contrary. The Issuer shall deliver copies of such Issuer 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 Issuer 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 Issuer shall default in the payment of such price in which case the Issuer 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.

 

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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 Issuer, 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 Issuer 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 Issuer or the Guarantor and their respective counsel.

 

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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 a 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

 

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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 Issuer or by Holders of Debt Securities as provided in Section 1402(b), in which case the Issuer 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 any 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 Issuer, 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 Issuer s and Guarantor 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 Issuer or the Guarantor 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 Issuer’s and the Guarantor’s respective 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(3) or 501(4) 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 Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, is a party or by which it is bound, and (iii) such termination shall not relieve the Issuer 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 Issuer’s and the Guarantor’s respective 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 Issuer or the Guarantor 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.

 

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It shall be an additional condition to the deposit of cash and/or Eligible Instruments and the termination of the Issuer’s and the Guarantor’s respective 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 Issuer or the Guarantor 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 Issuer Request or Guarantor Request, acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Issuer’s and the Guarantor’s respective 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 Issuer.

The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuer upon Issuer Request or the Guarantor upon Guarantor Request, as applicable, 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 Issuer upon Issuer Request or the Guarantor upon Guarantor Request, as applicable, 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 Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series and any related coupons shall thereafter, as unsecured general creditors, look only to the Issuer or the Guarantor, as the case may be, for the payment thereof.

Section 1503.     Indemnity for Eligible Instruments.

Each of the Issuer and the Guarantor shall jointly and severally pay and shall jointly and severally 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.

ARTICLE SIXTEEN

Guarantee

Section  1601.      The Guarantee .

Subject to the provisions of this Article Sixteen, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably, fully and unconditionally guarantees, on an unsecured basis, the full and punctual payment (whether at the Stated Maturity or upon redemption, repayment at the option of the Holders,

 

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acceleration or otherwise) of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, and all other amounts payable, including property deliverable, if any, under this Indenture and each Debt Security and related coupons, if any. Upon failure by the Issuer to pay punctually any such amount, the Guarantor shall forthwith on demand pay the amount not so paid at the same place and in the same manner that applies to payments made by the Issuer under this Indenture. This Guarantee is a guarantee of payment and not of collection.

Section  1602.      Guarantee Unconditional .

Subject to the provisions of this Article Sixteen, the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder are unconditional and absolute and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, will not be released, discharged or otherwise affected by:

(a)    any extension, renewal, settlement, compromise, waiver or release in respect of any obligation of the Issuer under this Indenture or any Debt Security or coupon, by operation of law or otherwise;

(b)    any modification or amendment of or supplement to this Indenture or any Debt Security or coupon;

(c)    any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of the Issuer, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting the Issuer or its assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of the Issuer contained in this Indenture or any Debt Security or coupon;

(d)    the existence of any claim, set-off or other rights that the Guarantor may have at any time against the Issuer, the Trustee or any other Person, whether in connection with this Indenture or any unrelated transactions, provided that nothing herein prevents the assertion of any such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim;

(e)    any invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against the Issuer for any reason of this Indenture or any Debt Security or coupon, or any provision of applicable law or regulation purporting to prohibit the payment by the Issuer of the principal of, premium, if any, interest on or other amounts on any Debt Security or coupon; or

(f)    any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind by the Issuer, the Trustee or any other Person or any other circumstance whatsoever which might, but for the provisions of this paragraph, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of or defense to the Guarantor’s obligations hereunder;

provided , however , that:

(a)    under no circumstances will the Guarantor be liable at any time or place to any Holder under this Article,

(i)    for any amount of any payment that the Issuer is excused from making under the terms of any Debt Security or coupon or this Indenture, for so long as the Issuer shall be excused under such terms; or

 

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(ii)    for any amount in excess of the amount actually due and owing by the Issuer to such Holder at such time and place, after giving effect to any set-off to which the Issuer would be entitled; and

(b)    in addition but not in limitation of (a) above, any defense or counterclaim of the Issuer (other than any resulting solely from, or available to the Guarantor solely on account of, the insolvency of the Issuer or the status of the Issuer as the debtor or subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding) shall also be available to the Guarantor to the same extent that such defense or counterclaim is available to the Issuer and may be asserted as a defense or counterclaim by the Guarantor, in each case whether or not asserted by the Issuer.

Section  1603 .      Discharge; Reinstatement .

Except to the extent otherwise provided in this Article Sixteen, the Guarantor’s obligations under this Article Sixteen will remain in full force and effect until the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on and other amounts on the Debt Securities and coupons, if any, have been paid in full. If at any time any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, interest on, or other amounts on any Debt Security or coupon is rescinded or must be otherwise restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer or otherwise, the Guarantor’s obligations hereunder with respect to such payment will be reinstated as though such payment had been due but not made at such time.

Section  1604.      Waiver by the Guarantor .

The Guarantor irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand, protest and any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against the Issuer or any other Person. The Guarantor hereby agrees that, in the event of a default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, and all other amounts payable under any Debt Security or coupon, whether at its stated maturity, by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of, or by, the Holder of such Debt Security or coupon, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against the Guarantor to enforce this Guarantee without first proceeding against the Issuer.

Section  1605.      Subrogation .

Upon making any payment with respect to any obligation of the Issuer under this Article, the Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the payee against the Issuer with respect to such obligation, provided that the Guarantor may not enforce any right of subrogation with respect to such payment so long as any amount payable by the Issuer hereunder or under the Debt Securities or coupons, if any, remains unpaid.

Section  1606.      Stay of Acceleration .

If acceleration of the time for payment of any amount payable by the Issuer under this Indenture or the Debt Securities is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of this Indenture

 

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are nonetheless payable by the Guarantor hereunder forthwith on demand by the Trustee or the Holders.

Section  1607 .     Savings Clause .

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article, the Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Debt Securities, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent conveyance under applicable fraudulent conveyance provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any comparable provision of state law. To effectuate that intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of the Guarantor under the Guarantee are limited to the maximum amount that would not render the Guarantor’s obligations subject to avoidance under applicable fraudulent conveyance provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any comparable provision of state law.

Section  1608 .     Execution and Delivery of Guarantee .

The execution by the Guarantor of this Indenture evidences the Guarantee, whether or not the person signing as an officer of the Guarantor still holds that office at the time of authentication of any Debt Security. The delivery of any Debt Security by the Trustee after authentication constitutes due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantor.

Section  1609 .     Not Insured .

This Guarantee is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation of the United States of America.

Section  1610 .     Release .

The Guarantee by the Guarantor of the Debt Securities of any series shall be automatically released and discharged, without any further action by the Guarantor, the Issuer, the Trustee or the Holders of any Debt Securities, upon:

(1)    satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Section 401;

(2)    satisfaction and discharge of the Debt Securities of such series in accordance with Section 403;

(3)    termination of the Issuer’s obligations with respect to the Debt Securities of such series pursuant to the provisions of Section 1501;

 

84


(4)    merger of the Issuer with and into the Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of Section 801; or

(5)    substitution of a successor Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of Section 803.

 

85


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

 

   

WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC, as Issuer

    By   /s/ William Threadgill
     

Name:  William Threadgill

     

Title:    President and Chief Executive Officer

Attest:

   
/s/ James McMullin      
Name:  James McMullin      
Title:    Secretary      
   

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, as Guarantor

    By   /s/ Barbara S. Brett
     

Name:  Barbara S. Brett

     

Title:    Senior Vice President and

     

             Assistant Treasurer

Attest:

   
/s/ Jeannine E. Zahn      
Name:  Jeannine E. Zahn      
Title:    Assistant Secretary      
   

CITIBANK, N.A., as Trustee

    By   /s/ Cirino Emanuele
     

Name:  Cirino Emanuele

     

Title:    Senior Trust Officer

Attest:

   
/s/ Louis Piscitelli      
Name:  Louis Piscitelli      
Title:    Senior Trust Officer      

 

86

Exhibit 5(a)

Faegre Baker Daniels LLP

2200 Wells Fargo Center q 90 South Seventh Street

Minneapolis q Minnesota 55402-3901

Phone +1 612 766 7000

Fax +1 612 766 1600

April 27, 2018

Wells Fargo & Company

420 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, California 94104

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Wells Fargo & Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) of the Company and Wells Fargo Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Wells Fargo Finance”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the proposed offer and sale by the Company from time to time of the following securities:

(i) unsecured unsubordinated debt securities of the Company in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “Debt Securities”);

(ii) debt warrants, index warrants and currency warrants of the Company in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “Warrants”);

(iii) purchase contracts of the Company for the purchase or sale of, or settlement in cash based on the value of, (1) securities issued by the Company or an entity affiliated or not affiliated with the Company, a basket of those securities, a market measure or any combination of the above, (2) currencies, (3) commodities or (4) other property, in each case in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “Purchase Contracts”);

(iv) units of the Company consisting of any combination of Warrants, Purchase Contracts, Debt Securities or other securities of an entity affiliated or not affiliated with the Company in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “Units”, and together with the Debt Securities, the Warrants and the Purchase Contracts, the “Company Securities”); and


Wells Fargo & Company

April 27, 2018

Page 2

 

(v) guarantees by the Company of the following securities of Wells Fargo Finance:

(a) unsecured unsubordinated debt securities of Wells Fargo Finance (the “Wells Fargo Finance Debt Securities”) in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “Debt Security Guarantees”);

(b) warrants of Wells Fargo Finance that provide the holder with the right to purchase or sell a security of an entity not affiliated with the Company, a currency, a commodity or other specified securities, including indices or baskets thereof (the “Wells Fargo Finance Warrants”) in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “Warrant Guarantees”);

(c) purchase contracts of Wells Fargo Finance (the “Wells Fargo Finance Purchase Contracts”) for the purchase or sale of a security of an entity not affiliated with the Company, a currency, a commodity or other specified securities, including indices or baskets thereof, in each case in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “Purchase Contract Guarantees”); and

(d) units consisting of any combination of Wells Fargo Finance Debt Securities, Wells Fargo Finance Warrants, Wells Fargo Finance Purchase Contracts or other securities of an entity affiliated or not affiliated with the Company (the “Wells Fargo Finance Units” and, together with the Wells Fargo Finance Debt Securities, the Wells Fargo Finance Warrants and the Wells Fargo Finance Purchase Contracts, the “Wells Fargo Finance Securities”) in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “Unit Guarantees”, and together with the Debt Security Guarantees, the Warrant Guarantees and the Purchase Contract Guarantees, the “Guarantees” and the Guarantees, together with the Company Securities, the “Securities”).

The Securities may be offered separately or together with other Securities, in separate series, 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 Debt Securities are to be issued under the indenture filed as Exhibit 4(e) to the Registration Statement entered into by the Company and Citibank, N.A., as trustee (the “Indenture”).

The Warrants are to be issued under one or more warrant agreements in a form to be filed and incorporated into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “Warrant Agreements”), to be entered into by the Company and warrant agents to be named by the Company.


Wells Fargo & Company

April 27, 2018

Page 3

 

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”), to be entered into by the Company and purchase contract agents to be named by the Company.

The Units are to be issued under one or more unit agreements in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “Unit Agreements”), to be entered into by the Company and unit agents to be named by the Company.

The Debt Security Guarantees are to be issued under the indenture filed as Exhibit 4(h) to the Registration Statement entered into by Wells Fargo Finance, the Company and Citibank, N.A., as trustee (the “Wells Fargo Finance Indenture”).

The Warrant Guarantees are to be issued under one or more warrant agreements in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “Wells Fargo Finance Warrants Agreements”), to be entered into by Wells Fargo Finance, the Company and the warrants agents to be named by Wells Fargo Finance.

The Purchase Contract Guarantees are to be issued under one or more purchase contract agreements in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “Wells Fargo Finance Purchase Contracts”), to be entered into by Wells Fargo Finance, the Company and the purchase contract agents to be named by Wells Fargo Finance.

The Unit Guarantees are to be issued under one or more unit agreements in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “Wells Fargo Finance Unit Agreements”), to be entered into by Wells Fargo Finance, the Company and the unit agents to be named by Wells Fargo Finance.

The Indenture, the Warrant Agreements, the Purchase Contract Agreements, the Unit Agreements, the Wells Fargo Finance Indenture, the Wells Fargo Finance Warrant Agreements, the Wells Fargo Finance Purchase Contract Agreements and the Wells Fargo Finance Unit Agreements are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the “Governing Documents.”

Certain terms of the Securities to be issued by the Company from time to time will be approved by the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof or certain authorized officers of the Company as part of the corporate action taken and to be taken (the “Corporate Proceedings”) in connection with issuance of the Securities. We have examined or are otherwise familiar with the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, the By-Laws of the Company, the Registration Statement, such of the Corporate Proceedings that have occurred as of the date hereof, and such other documents, records, and instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion.


Wells Fargo & Company

April 27, 2018

Page 4

 

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

1. with respect to any Debt Securities, upon (a) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings, (b) the due execution, authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities, and (c) in the case of Debt Securities issuable upon conversion, exercise or settlement of another Security, the issuance of such Debt Securities upon conversion, exercise or settlement of such other Security in accordance with the terms of such other Security or any instrument governing such other Security providing for such conversion, exercise or settlement as approved by the Corporate Proceedings, such Debt Securities will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms. The Indenture is a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

2. with respect to any Warrants, upon (a) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings, (b) the due authorization, execution and delivery of the related Warrants Agreement, and (c) the due execution, countersignature and delivery of such Warrants, such Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

3. with respect to any Purchase Contracts, upon (a) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings and (b) the due authorization, execution and delivery of the related Purchase Contract Agreement, such Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

4. with respect to any Units, upon (a) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings, (b) the due authorization, execution and delivery of the related Unit Agreement, (c) if the Units are to be evidenced by certificates, the due execution, registration of issuance and delivery of unit certificates evidencing such Units pursuant to such Unit Agreement, and (d) completion of all actions in respect of the Securities constituting a component of such Units referred to in the applicable numbered paragraphs hereof, such Unit Agreement will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms and any certificates evidencing such Units will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in such Unit Agreement.

5. with respect to any Debt Security Guarantees, upon (a) the due authorization, execution, authentication and delivery of the related Wells Fargo Finance Debt Securities, and (b) in the case of a Debt Security Guarantee of Wells Fargo Finance Debt Securities issuable upon conversion, exercise or settlement of another Wells Fargo Finance security, the issuance of such Wells Fargo Finance Debt Securities upon conversion, exercise or settlement of such other security in accordance with the terms of such other security or any instrument governing such other security providing for such conversion, exercise or settlement as approved by the corporate proceedings of Wells Fargo Finance, such Debt Security Guarantee will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with


Wells Fargo & Company

April 27, 2018

Page 5

 

their terms. The Wells Fargo Finance Indenture is a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

6. with respect to any Warrant Guarantees, upon (a) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings, (b) the due authorization, execution and delivery of the related Wells Fargo Finance Warrant Agreement, and (c) the due execution, countersignature and delivery of the related Wells Fargo Finance Warrants, such Warrant Guarantee will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

7. with respect to any Purchase Contract Guarantees, upon (a) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings, and (b) the due authorization, execution and delivery of the related Wells Fargo Finance Purchase Contract Agreement, such Purchase Contract Guarantee will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

8. with respect to any Unit Guarantees, upon (a) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings, (b) the due authorization, execution and delivery of the related Wells Fargo Finance Unit Agreement, (c) if the Wells Fargo Finance Units are to be evidenced by certificates, the due execution, registration of issuance and delivery of unit certificates evidencing such Wells Fargo Finance Units pursuant to such Wells Fargo Finance Unit Agreement, and (d) completion of all actions in respect of the Wells Fargo Finance securities constituting a component of such Wells Fargo Finance Units referred to in the applicable numbered paragraphs hereof, such Unit Guarantee will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

The foregoing opinions as to the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability of provisions of such instruments and agreements are subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, voidable transactions, fraudulent conveyance, receivership or other laws of general application affecting creditors’ rights, (ii) general equity principles, including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith, fair dealing and the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (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 of the United States.

With respect to the foregoing opinions in paragraphs (5), (6), (7) and (8) above, we hereby advise you that (i) in the absence of an effective waiver or consent, a guarantor or other accommodation party may be discharged from its guaranty, accommodation security or other support to the extent the supported obligations are modified or other action or inaction by a creditor increases the scope of the accommodation party’s risk or otherwise detrimentally affects its interests (such as by impairing the value of collateral securing the supported obligations, negligently administering the supported obligations, or releasing the borrower or another


Wells Fargo & Company

April 27, 2018

Page 6

 

guarantor or co-accommodation party of the supported obligations); and (ii) a guarantor or other accommodation party may have the right to revoke its guaranty, accommodation security or other support with respect to supported obligations incurred after the revocation, notwithstanding the absence of an express right of revocation in the documents providing for support.

The foregoing opinions assume that (a) the Company will remain duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; (b) the consideration designated in the applicable Corporate Proceedings for any Securities shall have been received by the Company and such consideration shall be legally sufficient; (c) each party to any Governing Document other than the Company shall have complied with all legal requirements pertaining to its status as such status relates to its rights to enforce such agreements or instruments against the Company and shall have satisfied those legal requirements applicable to it to the extent necessary to make such agreements or instruments enforceable against it; (d) the Registration Statement shall have become effective under the Securities Act and will continue to be effective; (e) the Indenture and the Wells Fargo Finance Indenture shall have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (f) at the time of the execution, authentication and delivery of the Securities, the Corporate Proceedings related thereto will not have been modified or rescinded, there will not have occurred any change in the law or in the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws affecting the authorization, issuance, execution, authentication, acknowledgement, delivery, filing, validity or enforceability of such Securities or any related Governing Documents, neither the issuance and sale of such Securities nor the compliance by the Company with the terms of such Securities or the related Governing Documents will result in a violation of any agreement or instrument then binding upon the Company or any order of any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, and any other securities issuable upon conversion, exercise or settlement of such 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 other securities); (g) the Securities will be issued in accordance with, and in compliance with any limitations on issuance contained in, the Corporate Proceedings related thereto; (h) the terms of the Securities will be established in conformity with the related Governing Documents; (i) none of the particular terms of the Securities or Governing Documents hereafter established will violate, or be void or voidable under, any applicable law; (j) all certificates evidencing any Securities will be in the form required by law and approved for issuance by the Company; (k) in the case of any Securities represented by, or issuable upon conversion, exercise or settlement of, or constituting a component of, any other Securities, all actions in respect of such other Securities referred to in the applicable numbered paragraph above shall have been completed; and (l) in the case of any Security which relates to, or which guarantees a Wells Fargo Finance Security which relates to, a security of an entity affiliated or not affiliated with the Company, a basket of those securities, a currency, a commodity, an index, a basket of indices or other market measure (collectively, a “Market Measure”) , such Security or Wells Fargo Finance Security will be settled in cash based on the value of such Market Measure and neither the Company nor Wells Fargo Finance will be required to register such Market Measure under the Securities Act in connection with the issuance of the related Security or Wells Fargo Finance Security, as applicable.


Wells Fargo & Company

April 27, 2018

Page 7

 

We have also assumed (a) the accuracy and truthfulness of all public records of the Company and of all certifications, documents and other proceedings examined by us that have been produced by officials of the Company acting within the scope of their official capacities, without verifying the accuracy or truthfulness of such representations, (b) the genuineness of such signatures appearing upon such public records, certifications, documents and proceedings, and (c) 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.

We express no opinion as to (i) whether a court would award a judgment in a currency other than United States dollars or as to the enforceability of any provision specifying rates of exchange for, or requiring indemnity against loss in, converting into a specified currency the proceeds or amount of a court judgment in another currency, (ii) any agreement to submit to the jurisdiction of any particular court or other governmental authority (either as to personal jurisdiction or subject matter jurisdiction), any waivers of the right to jury trial, any waivers of service of process requirements that would otherwise be applicable, any agreement that a judgment rendered by a court in one jurisdiction may be enforced in another jurisdiction, or any provision otherwise affecting the jurisdiction or venue of courts, or (iii) any provision waiving legal, statutory or equitable defenses or other procedural, judicial or administrative rights.

The opinions herein expressed are limited to the specific issues addressed and to documents and laws existing on the date hereof. By rendering our opinion, we do not undertake to advise you with respect to any other matter or of any change in such documents and laws or in the interpretation thereof which may occur after the date hereof.

Our opinions set forth herein are limited to the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and we are expressing no opinion as to the effect of any other laws. We have assumed for the purposes of this opinion that New York law will be chosen to govern each Governing Document.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to being named in the Prospectus included therein under the caption “Legal Opinions.” In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.

 

Very truly yours,
FAEGRE BAKER DANIELS LLP
By:   /s/ Sonia A. Shewchuk
  Sonia A. Shewchuk

Exhibit 5(b)

Faegre Baker Daniels LLP

2200 Wells Fargo Center q 90 South Seventh Street

Minneapolis q Minnesota 55402-3901

Phone +1 612 766 7000

Fax +1 612 766 1600

April 27, 2018    

Wells Fargo Finance LLC

375 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10152

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Wells Fargo Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) of the Company and Wells Fargo & Company, a Delaware corporation (“Wells Fargo”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the proposed offer and sale by the Company from time to time of the following securities:

(i)        unsecured unsubordinated debt securities of the Company (the “Debt Securities”) in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions;

(ii)        warrants of the Company that provide the holder with the right to purchase or sell a security of an entity not affiliated with Wells Fargo, a currency, a commodity or other specified securities, including indices or baskets thereof (the “Warrants”) in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions;

(iii)        purchase contracts of the Company (the “Purchase Contracts”) for the purchase or sale of a security of an entity not affiliated with Wells Fargo, a currency, a commodity or other specified securities, including indices or baskets thereof, in each case in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions; and

(iv)        units consisting of any combination of Debt Securities, Warrants, Purchase Contracts or other securities of an entity affiliated or not affiliated with Wells Fargo (the “Units” and, together with the Debt Securities, the Warrants and the Purchase Contracts, the “Securities”) in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions.


Wells Fargo Finance LLC

April 27, 2018

Page 2

 

The Securities will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Wells Fargo as and to the extent provided in the applicable Governing Document (as defined below).

The Securities may be offered separately or together with other Securities, in separate series, 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 Debt Securities are to be issued under the indenture filed as Exhibit 4(h) to the Registration Statement entered into by the Company, Wells Fargo and Citibank, N.A., as trustee (the “Indenture”).

The Warrants are to be issued under one or more warrant agreements in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “Warrants Agreements”), to be entered into by the Company, Wells Fargo and the warrants agents to be named by the Company.

The Purchase Contracts are to be issued under one or more purchase contract agreements in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “Purchase Contracts”), to be entered into by the Company, Wells Fargo and the purchase contract agents to be named by the Company.

The Units are to be issued under one or more unit agreements in a form to be filed and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, with appropriate insertions (the “Unit Agreements”), to be entered into by the Company, Wells Fargo and the unit agents to be named by the Company.

The Indenture, the Warrant Agreements, the Purchase Contract Agreements and the Unit Agreements are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the “Governing Documents.”

Certain terms of the Securities to be issued by the Company from time to time will be approved by the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof or certain authorized officers of the Company as part of the corporate action taken and to be taken (the “Corporate Proceedings”) in connection with issuance of the Securities. We have examined or are otherwise familiar with the Certificate of Formation of the Company, the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, the Registration Statement, such of the Corporate Proceedings that have occurred as of the date hereof, and such other documents, records, and instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

1.        with respect to any Debt Securities, upon (a) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings, (b) the due execution, authentication and delivery of such Debt


Wells Fargo Finance LLC

April 27, 2018

Page 3

 

Securities, and (c) in the case of Debt Securities issuable upon conversion, exercise or settlement of another Security, the issuance of such Debt Securities upon conversion, exercise or settlement of such other Security in accordance with the terms of such other Security or any instrument governing such other Security providing for such conversion, exercise or settlement as approved by the Corporate Proceedings, such Debt Securities will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms. The Indenture is a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

2.        with respect to any Warrants, upon (a) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings, (b) the due authorization, execution and delivery of the related Warrants Agreement, and (c) the due execution, countersignature and delivery of such Warrants, such Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

3.        with respect to any Purchase Contracts, upon (a) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings and (b) the due authorization, execution and delivery of the related Purchase Contract Agreement, such Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

4.        with respect to any Units, upon (a) the completion of all required Corporate Proceedings, (b) the due authorization, execution and delivery of the related Unit Agreement, (c) if the Units are to be evidenced by certificates, the due execution, registration of issuance and delivery of unit certificates evidencing such Units pursuant to such Unit Agreement, and (d) completion of all actions in respect of the Securities constituting a component of such Units referred to in the applicable numbered paragraphs hereof, such Unit Agreement will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms and any certificates evidencing such Units will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in such Unit Agreement.

The foregoing opinions as to the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability of provisions of such instruments and agreements are subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, voidable transactions, fraudulent conveyance, receivership or other laws of general application affecting creditors’ rights, (ii) general equity principles, including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith, fair dealing and the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (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 of the United States.

The foregoing opinions assume that (a) the Company will remain duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; (b) the consideration designated in the applicable Corporate Proceedings for any Securities shall have been received


Wells Fargo Finance LLC

April 27, 2018

Page 4

 

by the Company and such consideration shall be legally sufficient; (c) each party to any Governing Document other than the Company shall have complied with all legal requirements pertaining to its status as such status relates to its rights to enforce such agreements or instruments against the Company and shall have satisfied those legal requirements applicable to it to the extent necessary to make such agreements or instruments enforceable against it; (d) the Registration Statement shall have become effective under the Securities Act and will continue to be effective; (e) the Indenture shall have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (f) at the time of the execution, authentication and delivery of the Securities, the Corporate Proceedings related thereto will not have been modified or rescinded, there will not have occurred any change in the law or in the Certificate of Formation or Limited Liability Company Agreement affecting the authorization, issuance, execution, authentication, acknowledgement, delivery, filing, validity or enforceability of such Securities or any related Governing Documents, neither the issuance and sale of such Securities nor the compliance by the Company with the terms of such Securities or the related Governing Documents will result in a violation of any agreement or instrument then binding upon the Company or any order of any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, and any other securities issuable upon conversion, exercise or settlement of such 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 other securities); (g) the Securities will be issued in accordance with, and in compliance with any limitations on issuance contained in, the Corporate Proceedings related thereto; (h) the terms of the Securities will be established in conformity with the related Governing Documents; (i) none of the particular terms of the Securities or Governing Documents hereafter established will violate, or be void or voidable under, any applicable law; (j) all certificates evidencing any Securities will be in the form required by law and approved for issuance by the Company; (k) in the case of any Securities represented by, or issuable upon conversion, exercise or settlement of, or constituting a component of, any other Securities, all actions in respect of such other Securities referred to in the applicable numbered paragraph above shall have been completed; and (l) in the case of any Security which relates to a security of an entity affiliated or not affiliated with Wells Fargo, a basket of those securities, a currency, a commodity, an index, a basket of indices or other market measure (collectively, a “Market Measure”) , such Security will be settled in cash based on the value of such Market Measure and the Company will not be required to register such Market Measure under the Securities Act in connection with the issuance of the related Security.

We have also assumed (a) the accuracy and truthfulness of all public records of the Company and of all certifications, documents and other proceedings examined by us that have been produced by officials of the Company acting within the scope of their official capacities, without verifying the accuracy or truthfulness of such representations, (b) the genuineness of such signatures appearing upon such public records, certifications, documents and proceedings, and (c) 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.


Wells Fargo Finance LLC

April 27, 2018

Page 5

 

We express no opinion as to (i) whether a court would award a judgment in a currency other than United States dollars or as to the enforceability of any provision specifying rates of exchange for, or requiring indemnity against loss in, converting into a specified currency the proceeds or amount of a court judgment in another currency, (ii) any agreement to submit to the jurisdiction of any particular court or other governmental authority (either as to personal jurisdiction or subject matter jurisdiction), any waivers of the right to jury trial, any waivers of service of process requirements that would otherwise be applicable, any agreement that a judgment rendered by a court in one jurisdiction may be enforced in another jurisdiction, or any provision otherwise affecting the jurisdiction or venue of courts, or (iii) any provision waiving legal, statutory or equitable defenses or other procedural, judicial or administrative rights.

The opinions herein expressed are limited to the specific issues addressed and to documents and laws existing on the date hereof. By rendering our opinion, we do not undertake to advise you with respect to any other matter or of any change in such documents and laws or in the interpretation thereof which may occur after the date hereof.

Our opinions set forth herein are limited to the laws of the State of New York and the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware, and we are expressing no opinion as to the effect of any other laws. We have assumed for the purposes of this opinion that New York law will be chosen to govern each Governing Document.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to being named in the Prospectus included therein under the caption “Legal Opinions.” In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.

 

Very truly yours,

FAEGRE BAKER DANIELS LLP

By:

 

/s/ Sonia A. Shewchuk

 

Sonia A. Shewchuk

Exhibit 23(c)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Wells Fargo & Company:

We consent to the use in the Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated April 27, 2018 of Wells Fargo & Company of our reports dated March 1, 2018, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Wells Fargo & Company and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, incorporated herein by reference and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.

/s/ KPMG LLP

San Francisco, California

April 27, 2018

 

New York

Northern California        

Washington DC

São Paulo

London

  

Paris

Madrid

Tokyo

Beijing

Hong Kong

 

LOGO

EXHIBIT 23(d)

 

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP        

450 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

  

212 450 4000 tel

212 701 5800 fax

April 27, 2018

 

Re: Registration Statement, filed by Wells Fargo  & Company and Wells Fargo Finance LLC dated April  27, 2018

Wells Fargo & Company

420 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, California 94104

Wells Fargo Finance LLC

375 Park Avenue, 4th Floor

New York, New York 10152

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special tax counsel to Wells Fargo & Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Wells Fargo Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in connection with the preparation and filing of a registration statement on Form S-3, File Nos. 333-221324 and 333-221324-01 (the “Registration Statement”), including a form of prospectus dated April 27, 2018, for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the issuance from time to time of, among other things, (i) the Company’s Medium-Term Notes, Series S and Medium-Term Notes, Series T and (ii) Wells Fargo Finance LLC’s debt securities (collectively, the “Notes”).

We hereby consent to the reference to us under the heading “United States Federal Tax Considerations” in any pricing supplement relating to the offer and sale of any particular Notes prepared and filed by the Company or Wells Fargo Finance LLC with the Securities and Exchange Commission on this date or a future date. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Exhibit 24(a)

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

Power of Attorney

of Director and/or Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director and/or officer of WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, does hereby make, constitute and appoint TIMOTHY J. SLOAN, JOHN R. SHREWSBERRY, C. ALLEN PARKER AND ANTHONY R. AUGLIERA, and each or any of them, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead and in any and all capacities, to sign and affix the undersigned’s name as such director and/or officer of said Company to a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on Form S-3 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto, and all registration statements for the same offering that are to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to be filed by said Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of debt securities of the Company; securities, currency, commodity or other types of warrants; purchase contracts for certain types of securities, currencies, or commodities; other securities related to or in any combination of any of the foregoing, including as units; and guarantees by the Company of any of foregoing types of securities issued by a subsidiary of the Company or a special purpose entity (all of the foregoing being referred to in this Power of Attorney as “Securities”) proposed to be sold by said Company from time to time, and/or proposed to be registered by the Company for re-sale and/or exchange on behalf of one or more holders of such Securities, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting documents, with said Commission, 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, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney this 24 th day of April, 2018.

 

/s/ John D. Baker II
John D. Baker II


WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

Power of Attorney

of Director and/or Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director and/or officer of WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, does hereby make, constitute and appoint TIMOTHY J. SLOAN, JOHN R. SHREWSBERRY, C. ALLEN PARKER AND ANTHONY R. AUGLIERA, and each or any of them, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead and in any and all capacities, to sign and affix the undersigned’s name as such director and/or officer of said Company to a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on Form S-3 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto, and all registration statements for the same offering that are to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to be filed by said Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of debt securities of the Company; securities, currency, commodity or other types of warrants; purchase contracts for certain types of securities, currencies, or commodities; other securities related to or in any combination of any of the foregoing, including as units; and guarantees by the Company of any of foregoing types of securities issued by a subsidiary of the Company or a special purpose entity (all of the foregoing being referred to in this Power of Attorney as “Securities”) proposed to be sold by said Company from time to time, and/or proposed to be registered by the Company for re-sale and/or exchange on behalf of one or more holders of such Securities, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting documents, with said Commission, 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, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney this 24 th day of April, 2018.

 

/s/ Celeste A. Clark
Celeste A. Clark


WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

Power of Attorney

of Director and/or Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director and/or officer of WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, does hereby make, constitute and appoint TIMOTHY J. SLOAN, JOHN R. SHREWSBERRY, C. ALLEN PARKER AND ANTHONY R. AUGLIERA, and each or any of them, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead and in any and all capacities, to sign and affix the undersigned’s name as such director and/or officer of said Company to a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on Form S-3 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto, and all registration statements for the same offering that are to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to be filed by said Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of debt securities of the Company; securities, currency, commodity or other types of warrants; purchase contracts for certain types of securities, currencies, or commodities; other securities related to or in any combination of any of the foregoing, including as units; and guarantees by the Company of any of foregoing types of securities issued by a subsidiary of the Company or a special purpose entity (all of the foregoing being referred to in this Power of Attorney as “Securities”) proposed to be sold by said Company from time to time, and/or proposed to be registered by the Company for re-sale and/or exchange on behalf of one or more holders of such Securities, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting documents, with said Commission, 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, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney this 24 th day of April, 2018.

 

/s/ Theodore F. Craver, Jr.
Theodore F. Craver, Jr.


WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

Power of Attorney

of Director and/or Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director and/or officer of WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, does hereby make, constitute and appoint TIMOTHY J. SLOAN, JOHN R. SHREWSBERRY, C. ALLEN PARKER AND ANTHONY R. AUGLIERA, and each or any of them, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead and in any and all capacities, to sign and affix the undersigned’s name as such director and/or officer of said Company to a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on Form S-3 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto, and all registration statements for the same offering that are to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to be filed by said Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of debt securities of the Company; securities, currency, commodity or other types of warrants; purchase contracts for certain types of securities, currencies, or commodities; other securities related to or in any combination of any of the foregoing, including as units; and guarantees by the Company of any of foregoing types of securities issued by a subsidiary of the Company or a special purpose entity (all of the foregoing being referred to in this Power of Attorney as “Securities”) proposed to be sold by said Company from time to time, and/or proposed to be registered by the Company for re-sale and/or exchange on behalf of one or more holders of such Securities, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting documents, with said Commission, 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, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney this 24 th day of April, 2018.

 

/s/ Elizabeth A. Duke
Elizabeth A. Duke


WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

Power of Attorney

of Director and/or Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director and/or officer of WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, does hereby make, constitute and appoint TIMOTHY J. SLOAN, JOHN R. SHREWSBERRY, C. ALLEN PARKER AND ANTHONY R. AUGLIERA, and each or any of them, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead and in any and all capacities, to sign and affix the undersigned’s name as such director and/or officer of said Company to a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on Form S-3 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto, and all registration statements for the same offering that are to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to be filed by said Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of debt securities of the Company; securities, currency, commodity or other types of warrants; purchase contracts for certain types of securities, currencies, or commodities; other securities related to or in any combination of any of the foregoing, including as units; and guarantees by the Company of any of foregoing types of securities issued by a subsidiary of the Company or a special purpose entity (all of the foregoing being referred to in this Power of Attorney as “Securities”) proposed to be sold by said Company from time to time, and/or proposed to be registered by the Company for re-sale and/or exchange on behalf of one or more holders of such Securities, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting documents, with said Commission, 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, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney this 24 th day of April, 2018.

 

/s/ Donald M. James
Donald M. James


WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

Power of Attorney

of Director and/or Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director and/or officer of WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, does hereby make, constitute and appoint TIMOTHY J. SLOAN, JOHN R. SHREWSBERRY, C. ALLEN PARKER AND ANTHONY R. AUGLIERA, and each or any of them, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead and in any and all capacities, to sign and affix the undersigned’s name as such director and/or officer of said Company to a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on Form S-3 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto, and all registration statements for the same offering that are to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to be filed by said Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of debt securities of the Company; securities, currency, commodity or other types of warrants; purchase contracts for certain types of securities, currencies, or commodities; other securities related to or in any combination of any of the foregoing, including as units; and guarantees by the Company of any of foregoing types of securities issued by a subsidiary of the Company or a special purpose entity (all of the foregoing being referred to in this Power of Attorney as “Securities”) proposed to be sold by said Company from time to time, and/or proposed to be registered by the Company for re-sale and/or exchange on behalf of one or more holders of such Securities, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting documents, with said Commission, 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, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney this 24 th day of April, 2018.

 

/s/ Maria R. Morris
Maria R. Morris


WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

Power of Attorney

of Director and/or Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director and/or officer of WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, does hereby make, constitute and appoint TIMOTHY J. SLOAN, JOHN R. SHREWSBERRY, C. ALLEN PARKER AND ANTHONY R. AUGLIERA, and each or any of them, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead and in any and all capacities, to sign and affix the undersigned’s name as such director and/or officer of said Company to a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on Form S-3 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto, and all registration statements for the same offering that are to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to be filed by said Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of debt securities of the Company; securities, currency, commodity or other types of warrants; purchase contracts for certain types of securities, currencies, or commodities; other securities related to or in any combination of any of the foregoing, including as units; and guarantees by the Company of any of foregoing types of securities issued by a subsidiary of the Company or a special purpose entity (all of the foregoing being referred to in this Power of Attorney as “Securities”) proposed to be sold by said Company from time to time, and/or proposed to be registered by the Company for re-sale and/or exchange on behalf of one or more holders of such Securities, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting documents, with said Commission, 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, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney this 24 th day of April, 2018.

 

/s/ Karen B. Peetz
Karen B. Peetz


WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

Power of Attorney

of Director and/or Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director and/or officer of WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, does hereby make, constitute and appoint TIMOTHY J. SLOAN, JOHN R. SHREWSBERRY, C. ALLEN PARKER AND ANTHONY R. AUGLIERA, and each or any of them, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead and in any and all capacities, to sign and affix the undersigned’s name as such director and/or officer of said Company to a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on Form S-3 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto, and all registration statements for the same offering that are to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to be filed by said Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of debt securities of the Company; securities, currency, commodity or other types of warrants; purchase contracts for certain types of securities, currencies, or commodities; other securities related to or in any combination of any of the foregoing, including as units; and guarantees by the Company of any of foregoing types of securities issued by a subsidiary of the Company or a special purpose entity (all of the foregoing being referred to in this Power of Attorney as “Securities”) proposed to be sold by said Company from time to time, and/or proposed to be registered by the Company for re-sale and/or exchange on behalf of one or more holders of such Securities, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting documents, with said Commission, 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, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney this 24 th day of April, 2018.

 

/s/ Juan A. Pujadas
Juan A. Pujadas


WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

Power of Attorney

of Director and/or Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director and/or officer of WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, does hereby make, constitute and appoint TIMOTHY J. SLOAN, JOHN R. SHREWSBERRY, C. ALLEN PARKER AND ANTHONY R. AUGLIERA, and each or any of them, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead and in any and all capacities, to sign and affix the undersigned’s name as such director and/or officer of said Company to a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on Form S-3 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto, and all registration statements for the same offering that are to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to be filed by said Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of debt securities of the Company; securities, currency, commodity or other types of warrants; purchase contracts for certain types of securities, currencies, or commodities; other securities related to or in any combination of any of the foregoing, including as units; and guarantees by the Company of any of foregoing types of securities issued by a subsidiary of the Company or a special purpose entity (all of the foregoing being referred to in this Power of Attorney as “Securities”) proposed to be sold by said Company from time to time, and/or proposed to be registered by the Company for re-sale and/or exchange on behalf of one or more holders of such Securities, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting documents, with said Commission, 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, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney this 24 th day of April, 2018.

 

/s/ James H. Quigley
James H. Quigley


WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

Power of Attorney

of Director and/or Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director and/or officer of WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, does hereby make, constitute and appoint TIMOTHY J. SLOAN, JOHN R. SHREWSBERRY, C. ALLEN PARKER AND ANTHONY R. AUGLIERA, and each or any of them, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead and in any and all capacities, to sign and affix the undersigned’s name as such director and/or officer of said Company to a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on Form S-3 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto, and all registration statements for the same offering that are to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to be filed by said Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of debt securities of the Company; securities, currency, commodity or other types of warrants; purchase contracts for certain types of securities, currencies, or commodities; other securities related to or in any combination of any of the foregoing, including as units; and guarantees by the Company of any of foregoing types of securities issued by a subsidiary of the Company or a special purpose entity (all of the foregoing being referred to in this Power of Attorney as “Securities”) proposed to be sold by said Company from time to time, and/or proposed to be registered by the Company for re-sale and/or exchange on behalf of one or more holders of such Securities, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting documents, with said Commission, 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, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney this 24 th day of April, 2018.

 

/s/ Ronald L. Sargent
Ronald L. Sargent


WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

Power of Attorney

of Director and/or Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director and/or officer of WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, does hereby make, constitute and appoint TIMOTHY J. SLOAN, JOHN R. SHREWSBERRY, C. ALLEN PARKER AND ANTHONY R. AUGLIERA, and each or any of them, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead and in any and all capacities, to sign and affix the undersigned’s name as such director and/or officer of said Company to a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on Form S-3 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto, and all registration statements for the same offering that are to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to be filed by said Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of debt securities of the Company; securities, currency, commodity or other types of warrants; purchase contracts for certain types of securities, currencies, or commodities; other securities related to or in any combination of any of the foregoing, including as units; and guarantees by the Company of any of foregoing types of securities issued by a subsidiary of the Company or a special purpose entity (all of the foregoing being referred to in this Power of Attorney as “Securities”) proposed to be sold by said Company from time to time, and/or proposed to be registered by the Company for re-sale and/or exchange on behalf of one or more holders of such Securities, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting documents, with said Commission, 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, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney this 24 th day of April, 2018.

 

/s/ Timothy J. Sloan
Timothy J. Sloan


WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

Power of Attorney

of Director and/or Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director and/or officer of WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, does hereby make, constitute and appoint TIMOTHY J. SLOAN, JOHN R. SHREWSBERRY, C. ALLEN PARKER AND ANTHONY R. AUGLIERA, and each or any of them, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead and in any and all capacities, to sign and affix the undersigned’s name as such director and/or officer of said Company to a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on Form S-3 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto, and all registration statements for the same offering that are to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to be filed by said Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of debt securities of the Company; securities, currency, commodity or other types of warrants; purchase contracts for certain types of securities, currencies, or commodities; other securities related to or in any combination of any of the foregoing, including as units; and guarantees by the Company of any of foregoing types of securities issued by a subsidiary of the Company or a special purpose entity (all of the foregoing being referred to in this Power of Attorney as “Securities”) proposed to be sold by said Company from time to time, and/or proposed to be registered by the Company for re-sale and/or exchange on behalf of one or more holders of such Securities, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting documents, with said Commission, 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, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney this 24 th day of April, 2018.

 

/s/ Suzanne M. Vautrinot
Suzanne M. Vautrinot

Exhibit 24(b)

WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

Power of Attorney

of Director and/or Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director and/or officer of WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, does hereby make, constitute and appoint WILLIAM THREADGILL, DAVID L. PITELKA, AND JAMES MCMULLIN, and each or any of them, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead and in any and all capacities, to sign and affix the undersigned’s name as such director and/or officer of said Company to a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on Form S-3 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto, and all registration statements for the same offering that are to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to be filed by said Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of debt securities of the Company; securities, currency, commodity or other types of warrants; purchase contracts for certain types of securities, currencies, or commodities; and other securities related to or in any combination of any of the foregoing, including as units (all of the foregoing being referred to in this Power of Attorney as “Securities”) proposed to be sold by said Company from time to time, and/or proposed to be registered by the Company for re-sale and/or exchange on behalf of one or more holders of such Securities, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting documents, with said Commission, 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, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney this 25 th day of April, 2018.

 

/s/ Le Roy Davis
Le Roy Davis


WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

Power of Attorney

of Director and/or Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director and/or officer of WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, does hereby make, constitute and appoint WILLIAM THREADGILL, DAVID L. PITELKA, AND JAMES MCMULLIN, and each or any of them, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead and in any and all capacities, to sign and affix the undersigned’s name as such director and/or officer of said Company to a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on Form S-3 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto, and all registration statements for the same offering that are to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to be filed by said Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of debt securities of the Company; securities, currency, commodity or other types of warrants; purchase contracts for certain types of securities, currencies, or commodities; and other securities related to or in any combination of any of the foregoing, including as units (all of the foregoing being referred to in this Power of Attorney as “Securities”) proposed to be sold by said Company from time to time, and/or proposed to be registered by the Company for re-sale and/or exchange on behalf of one or more holders of such Securities, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting documents, with said Commission, 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, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney this 25 th day of April, 2018.

 

/s/ Walter E. Dolhare
Walter E. Dolhare


WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

Power of Attorney

of Director and/or Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director and/or officer of WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, does hereby make, constitute and appoint WILLIAM THREADGILL, DAVID L. PITELKA, AND JAMES MCMULLIN, and each or any of them, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead and in any and all capacities, to sign and affix the undersigned’s name as such director and/or officer of said Company to a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on Form S-3 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto, and all registration statements for the same offering that are to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to be filed by said Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of debt securities of the Company; securities, currency, commodity or other types of warrants; purchase contracts for certain types of securities, currencies, or commodities; and other securities related to or in any combination of any of the foregoing, including as units (all of the foregoing being referred to in this Power of Attorney as “Securities”) proposed to be sold by said Company from time to time, and/or proposed to be registered by the Company for re-sale and/or exchange on behalf of one or more holders of such Securities, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting documents, with said Commission, 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, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney this 25 th day of April, 2018.

 

/s/ Michael F. Riley
Michael F. Riley

Exhibit 25(b)

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee

Pursuant to Section 305 (b)(2)       

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

A National Banking Association

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization

if not a U.S. national bank)

  

13-5266470

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No. )

399 Park Avenue,

New York, New York

(Address of principal executive office)

  

10043

(Zip Code)

Citibank, N.A.

388 Greenwich Street, 14 th floor

New York, N.Y. 10013

(212) 816-5805

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

 

 

WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  

41-0449260

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

375 Park Avenue, 4th Floor

New York, New York

(Address of principal executive offices)

  

10152

(Zip Code)

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

41-0449260

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

420 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, California

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

94104

(Zip Code)

 

 

SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES OF WELLS FARGO FINANCE LLC AND GUARANTEES OF

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY WITH RESPECT TO THE DEBT SECURITIES

(Title of Indenture Securities)


Item 1. General Information.

Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

  (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

 

Name   Address
Comptroller of the Currency   Washington, D.C.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York   33 Liberty Street, New York, NY
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation   Washington, D.C.

 

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

Yes.

Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor.

If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None.

Items 3-15. Not Applicable.


Item 16. List of Exhibits.

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

Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as exhibits hereto.

Exhibit 1 – Copy of Articles of Association of the Trustee, as now in effect.

(Exhibit 1 to T-1 filed as exhibit to the Filing 305B2 dated October 5, 2012 under File No. 333-183223).

Exhibit 2 – Copy of certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business. (Exhibit 2 to T-1 filed May 5, 2014 under File No. 333-195697).

Exhibit 3 – Copy of authorization of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 3 to T-1 filed May 5, 2014 under File No. 333-195697).

Exhibit 4 – Copy of existing By-Laws of the Trustee. (Exhibit 4 to T-1 filed as exhibit to the Filing 305B2 dated October 5, 2012 under File No. 333-183223).

Exhibit 5 – Not applicable.

Exhibit 6 – The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. (Exhibit 6 to T-1 filed May 5, 2014 under File No. 333-195697).

Exhibit 7 – Copy of the latest Report of Condition of Citibank, N.A. (as of December 31, 2017- attached)

Exhibit 8 – Not applicable.

Exhibit 9 – Not applicable.

 

 


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee, Citibank, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York and State of New York, on the 25th day of April, 2018.

 

CITIBANK, N.A.
By   /s/ Cirino Emanuele
  Cirino Emanuele
  Senior Trust Officer


Exhibit 7

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET    Citigroup Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

     December 31,  

In millions of dollars

   2017     2016  

Assets

    

Cash and due from banks

   $ 23,775     $ 23,043  

Deposits with banks

     156,741       137,451  

Federal funds sold and securities borrowed or purchased under agreements to resell (including $132,949 and $133,204 as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, at fair value)

     232,478       236,813  

Brokerage receivables

     38,384       28,887  

Trading account assets (including $99,460 and $80,986 pledged to creditors at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)

     251,556       243,925  

Investments:

    

Available for sale (including $9,493 and $8,239 pledged to creditors as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)

     290,914       299,424  

Held to maturity (including $435 and $843 pledged to creditors as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)

     53,320       45,667  

Non-marketable equity securities (including $1,206 and $1,774 at fair value as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)

     8,056       8,213  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 352,290     $ 353,304  

Loans:

    

Consumer (including $25 and $29 as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, at fair value)

     333,656       325,063  

Corporate (including $4,349 and $3,457 as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, at fair value)

     333,378       299,306  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans, net of unearned income

   $ 667,034     $ 624,369  

Allowance for loan losses

     (12,355     (12,060
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total loans, net

   $ 654,679     $ 612,309  

Goodwill

     22,256       21,659  

Intangible assets (other than MSRs)

     4,588       5,114  

Mortgage servicing rights (MSRs)

     558       1,564  

Other assets (including $19,793 and $15,729 as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, at fair value)

     105,160       128,008  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,842,465     $ 1,792,077  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table presents certain assets of consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs), which are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet above. The assets in the table below include those assets that can only be used to settle obligations of consolidated VIEs, presented on the following page, and are in excess of those obligations. Additionally, the assets in the table below include third-party assets of consolidated VIEs only and exclude intercompany balances that eliminate in consolidation.

 

     December 31,  

In millions of dollars

   2017     2016  

Assets of consolidated VIEs to be used to settle obligations of consolidated VIEs

    

Cash and due from banks

   $ 52     $ 142  

Trading account assets

     1,129       602  

Investments

     2,498       3,636  

Loans, net of unearned income

    

Consumer

     54,656       53,401  

Corporate

     19,835       20,121  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans, net of unearned income

   $ 74,491     $ 73,522  

Allowance for loan losses

     (1,930     (1,769
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total loans, net

   $ 72,561     $ 71,753  

Other assets

     154       158  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets of consolidated VIEs to be used to settle obligations of consolidated VIEs

   $ 76,394     $ 76,291  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Statement continues on next page.


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(Continued)

   Citigroup Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

     December 31,  

In millions of dollars, except shares and per share amounts

   2017     2016  

Liabilities

    

Non-interest-bearing deposits in U.S. offices

   $ 126,880     $ 136,698  

Interest-bearing deposits in U.S. offices (including $303 and $434 as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, at fair value)

     318,613       300,972  

Non-interest-bearing deposits in offices outside the U.S.

     87,440       77,616  

Interest-bearing deposits in offices outside the U.S. (including $1,162 and $778 as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, at fair value)

     426,889       414,120  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deposits

   $ 959,822     $ 929,406  

Federal funds purchased and securities loaned or sold under agreements to repurchase (including $40,638 and $33,663 as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, at fair value)

     156,277       141,821  

Brokerage payables

     61,342       57,152  

Trading account liabilities

     124,047       139,045  

Short-term borrowings (including $4,627 and $2,700 as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, at fair value)

     44,452       30,701  

Long-term debt (including $31,392 and $26,254 as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, at fair value)

     236,709       206,178  

Other liabilities (including $15,084 and $10,796 as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, at fair value)

     58,144       61,631  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 1,640,793     $ 1,565,934  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

    

Preferred stock ($1.00 par value; authorized shares: 30 million), issued shares: 770,120 as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, at aggregate liquidation value

   $ 19,253     $ 19,253  

Common stock ($0.01 par value; authorized shares: 6 billion), issued shares: 3,099,523,273 and 3,099,482,042 as of December  31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively

     31       31  

Additional paid-in capital

     108,008       108,042  

Retained earnings

     138,425       146,477  

Treasury stock, at cost: December  31, 2017—529,614,728 shares and December 31, 2016—327,090,192 shares

     (30,309     (16,302

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (34,668     (32,381
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Citigroup stockholders’ equity

   $ 200,740     $ 225,120  

Noncontrolling interest

     932       1,023  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

   $ 201,672     $ 226,143  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 1,842,465     $ 1,792,077  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table presents certain liabilities of consolidated VIEs, which are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet above. The liabilities in the table below include third-party liabilities of consolidated VIEs only and exclude intercompany balances that eliminate in consolidation. The liabilities also exclude amounts where creditors or beneficial interest holders have recourse to the general credit of Citigroup.

 

     December 31,  

In millions of dollars

   2017      2016  

Liabilities of consolidated VIEs for which creditors or beneficial interest holders do not have recourse to the general credit of Citigroup

     

Short-term borrowings

   $ 10,079      $ 10,697  

Long-term debt

     30,492        23,919  

Other liabilities

     611        1,275  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs for which creditors or beneficial interest holders do not have recourse to the general credit of Citigroup

   $ 41,182      $ 35,891  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.