Description of Capital Stock

The following is a summary of the material terms, limitations, voting powers and relative rights of our capital stock as contained in our Articles of Incorporation, which is incorporated by reference herein. This summary does not purport to be a complete description of the terms and conditions of our capital stock in all respects and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our Articles of Incorporation, our Bylaws, the WBCL and any other documents referenced in the summary descriptions and from which the summary descriptions are derived. Although we believe this summary covers the material terms and provisions of our capital stock set forth in our Articles of Incorporation, it may not contain all of the information that is important to you.

Authorized Shares of Capital Stock

Our Articles of Incorporation provide that we are authorized to issue, without shareholder action, a total of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 600,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Our Articles of Incorporation currently designate 15,000 shares of preferred stock as Series B Nonvoting Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, which we refer to as the Series B Preferred Stock, and 585,000 shares of preferred stock are not classified. As of March 31, 2020, we had 7,196,360 shares of common stock issued and 6,496,790 shares of common stock outstanding and 8,000 shares of Series B Nonvoting Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.

Common Stock

General. Our common stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ICBK.”

Rights and Preferences. Holders of the Company’s common stock have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Company’s common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the Company’s common stock are subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders of shares of any series of the Company’s preferred stock that the Company may designate in the future and the Series B Preferred Stock.

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Fully Paid and Nonassessable. All outstanding shares of the Company common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

Voting Rights. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters with respect to which shareholders are entitled to vote. Under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and the WBCL, shareholder approval is required for various matters, including the election of directors, and other “extraordinary” corporate decisions and transactions, such as the amendment of the Articles of Incorporation to authorize additional shares of common stock or to make certain changes to the corporate name, a merger with another company, the dissolution of the Company, or a sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets. The Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide for a classified board of directors consisting of three classes, as nearly equal as possible, with each class serving staggered three-year terms.

Liquidation Rights. In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the Company (whether voluntary or involuntary), each holder of common stock would be entitled to recover, after payment of all of the Company’s debts and liabilities, and subject to any liquidation preferences established for any shares of preferred stock that are outstanding or might be issued in the future, a pro rata portion of all assets of the Company available for distribution to holders of common stock.

Dividend Rights. Subject to the rights and preferences of any shares of preferred stock that have been issued or might be issued in the future, holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose.

Series B Nonvoting Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock

Voting Rights. Shares of Series B Preferred Stock are not entitled to any voting rights, except for those voting rights that may not be denied under the WBCL. Under the WBCL, Series B Preferred Stock would be entitled to vote on, among other items, increases and decreases in the number of authorized shares of Series B Preferred Stock, any change that is prejudicial to the holders of outstanding Series B Preferred Stock, and any exchange or reclassification of all or part of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock into shares of another class.

Dividends. Shares of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to non-cumulative dividends equal to the sum of the “Prime rate” (the highest quoted base rate on corporate loans at large U.S. money center commercial banks) and 0.50%, but in no case will the dividend rate be less than 4.00% per annum. Dividends payable with respect to Series B Preferred Stock have no preference in right of payment over dividends payable with respect to common stock or any other class or series of the Company’s capital stock.

Liquidation and Rank. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company (whether voluntary or involuntary), holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock would be entitled to receive $1,000 per share of Series B Preferred Stock, plus any declared but unpaid dividend from the preceding quarter, and any unpaid and accumulated quarterly dividend prorated from the first day of the calendar quarter in which the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up occurs to the effective date of such liquidation or dissolution. Shares of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to this payment upon liquidation or dissolution before any payment can be made or any assets distributed to the holders of common stock or any other class or series of the Company’s capital stock.

Conversion. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into share(s) of common stock upon the occurrence of one of two events: (i) the Company fails to pay a quarterly dividend in full within 15 calendar days of the applicable payment date on eight separate occasions, or (ii) the Company pays a dividend on any other class or series of common or preferred stock after it has omitted payment of four dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock. The conversion feature on the Series B Preferred Stock is triggered regardless of whether: (i) the omitted dividends occur with respect to consecutive or non-consecutive payment dates; or (ii) subsequent to the 15th calendar day referred to in this paragraph the Company pays such dividend. When converted, each share of

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Series B Preferred Stock will be exchanged for that number of shares of common stock having an aggregate value equal to the sum of: (i) $1,000; (ii) any declared but unpaid dividend from the preceding quarter; and (iii) the unpaid and accumulated quarterly dividend prorated from the first day of the calendar quarter in which the conversion right was exercised to the issuance of the common stock. For purposes of converting Series B Preferred Stock, the per-share value of the common stock would be the most recent per-share appraised value of the common stock on an undiluted basis. However, if no appraisal has been performed within the 18 months next preceding the date of valuation, then the per share value of the common stock is calculated by multiplying the ratio that the most recent per-share appraised value bears to per-share book value as of the date of such appraisal, by per share book value based on the Company’s audited financial statements as of the year-end next preceding the year in which the valuation occurs. Any holder of Series B Preferred Stock who exercises conversion rights is required to exercise such rights as to all of the holder’s shares of Series B Preferred Stock. However, the amount of common stock issued to any individual can never exceed 10% or more of the then-issued and outstanding shares of common stock, unless any required regulatory approval is obtained; provided, however, that in lieu of seeking and obtaining such regulatory approval, such holder of Series B Preferred Stock may elect to convert only a portion of the share of Series B Preferred Stock held, and shall retain ownership of the remainder and have an ongoing right to exercise the conversion right to those remaining shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

Redemption. Subject to approval by the Federal Reserve, but otherwise at the Company’s election and in the Company’s exclusive discretion, the Company has the right to redeem any or all of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the holder(s) of such shares. Upon redemption, each share of Series B Preferred Stock would be exchanged for: (i) one-thousand dollars ($1,000); plus (ii) any declared but unpaid quarterly dividend; plus (iii) the unpaid and accumulated quarterly dividend prorated for the then current calendar quarter.

Fully Paid and Non-Assessable. The outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

Preferred Stock—Not Classified

General. The unclassified preferred stock may be issued in one or more series and with such terms and conditions, at such times and for such consideration as our board of directors may determine. Our board of directors, without further approval of our shareholders, has the authority to fix the dividend rights and terms, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption rights and terms, liquidation preferences, sinking funds and any other rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions applicable to each series of preferred stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our common stock.

We will describe the particular terms of any series of preferred stock being offered in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. Those terms may include:

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The shares of preferred stock will, when issued against full payment of their purchase price, be fully paid and nonassessable.

Dividend Rights. If you purchase preferred stock being offered by use of this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement, you will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors, dividends at the rates and on the dates set forth in that prospectus supplement. Dividend rates may be fixed, variable or both. The nature, amount, rates, timing and other details of dividend rights for a series of preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement for such series of preferred stock and will be payable in preference to, or in such relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of our stock, as described in such applicable prospectus supplement. We are subject to various regulatory policies and requirements relating to the payment of dividends, including requirements to maintain adequate capital above regulatory minimums.

Voting Rights. The voting rights of preferred stock of any series being offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement for such series of preferred stock.

Liquidation Rights. In the event that we liquidate, dissolve or wind-up our affairs, either voluntarily or involuntarily, holders of our preferred stock will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions in the amount set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement, plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, before we make any distribution of assets to the holders of our common stock or any junior preferred stock. If we fail to pay in full all amounts payable with respect to preferred stock being offered by us and any stock having the same rank as that series of preferred stock, the holders of the preferred stock and of that other stock will share in any distribution of assets in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After the holders of each series of preferred stock and any stock having the same rank as the preferred stock are paid in full, they will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. For any series of preferred stock being offered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement, neither the sale of all or substantially all of our property or business nor a merger or consolidation by us with any other corporation will be considered a dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of our business or affairs.

Redemption. The terms, if any, on which shares of a series of preferred stock being offered may be redeemed will be described in an applicable prospectus supplement. The preferred stock of a series may be redeemed in such amount or amounts, and at such time or times, if any, as may be provided in respect of that particular series of preferred stock. Preferred stock may be redeemed by the Company only to the extent legally permissible.

Conversion Rights. The applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of preferred stock will state the terms, if any, on which shares of a series of preferred stock being offered are convertible into shares of our common stock or another series of our preferred stock.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

General. Certain provisions of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and of the WBCL discussed below may delay or make more difficult acquisitions or changes of control of the Company unless they are approved by the board of directors. These provisions could have the effect of discouraging third parties from making proposals which shareholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interests. These provisions may also make it more difficult for third parties to replace the Company’s current management without the concurrence of the board of directors. Management of the Company may consider proposing additional provisions, either by way of amendments to the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, or otherwise, for adoption at

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a shareholders’ meeting, which could contain further limitations on unsolicited takeover attempts. The Company presently has no proposals under consideration for additional antitakeover provisions.

Articles of Incorporation; Bylaws. These provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and our Bylaws include the following:

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Wisconsin Law. The Company is subject to Sections 180.1140 to 180.1144 of the WBCL, which prohibit a Wisconsin corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an interested shareholder for a period of three years following the interested shareholder’s stock acquisition date, unless before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the purchase of stock made by the interested shareholder on that stock acquisition date.

The Company may engage in a business combination with an interested shareholder after the expiration of the three-year period with respect to such shareholder only if one or more of the following is satisfied:

Section 180.1140 defines a business combination between a “resident domestic corporation” and an “interested stockholder” to include the following:

Section 180.1140(8)(a) defines an “interested stockholder” as a person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, at least 10% of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock of a resident domestic corporation or who is an affiliate or associate of the resident domestic corporation and beneficially owned at least 10% of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock within the last three years.

Section 180.1140(9)(a) defines a “resident domestic corporation” as a Wisconsin corporation that, as of the relevant date, satisfies any of the following: (i) its principal offices are located in Wisconsin; (ii) it has significant business operations located in Wisconsin; (iii) more than 10% of the holders of record of its shares are residents of Wisconsin; or (iv) more than 10% of its shares are held of record by residents in Wisconsin. The Company is a resident domestic corporation for purposes of these statutory provisions.

Wisconsin Fair Price Statute. Sections 180.1130 to 180.1133 of the WBCL provide that certain mergers, share exchanges or sales, leases, exchanges or other dispositions of assets in a transaction involving a “significant

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shareholder” require a supermajority vote of shareholders in addition to any approval otherwise required, unless shareholders receive a fair price for their shares that satisfies a statutory formula. A “significant shareholder” for this purpose is defined as a person or group who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting stock of the corporation, or is an affiliate of the corporation and beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting stock of the corporation within the last two years. Any business combination to which the statute applies must be approved by 80% of the voting power of the corporation’s stock and at least two-thirds of the voting power of the corporation’s stock not beneficially owned by the significant shareholder who is a party to the relevant transaction or any of its affiliates or associates, in each case voting together as a single group, unless the following standards have been met:

Wisconsin Control Share Voting Restrictions Statute. Pursuant to Section 180.1150 of the WBCL, unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or otherwise specified by the board of directors, the voting power of shares of a resident domestic corporation held by any person, including shares issuable upon conversion of convertible securities or upon exercise of options or warrants, in excess of 20% of the voting power in the election of directors is limited to 10% of the full voting power of those shares. The Company is governed by the provisions of this section because neither the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, nor any resolution adopted by the Company’s board of directors, provides or specifies otherwise.

Wisconsin Defensive Action Restrictions. Section 180.1134 of the WBCL provides that, in addition to the vote otherwise required by law or the articles of incorporation of a resident domestic corporation, the approval of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on the proposal is required before such corporation can take certain actions while a takeover offer is being made or after a takeover offer has been publicly announced and before it is concluded. This statute requires shareholder approval for the corporation to do either of the following: (i) acquire more than 5% of its outstanding voting shares at a price above the market value from any individual or organization that owns more than 3% of the voting shares and has held such shares for less than two years, unless the resident domestic corporation makes at least an equal offer to acquire all voting shares and all securities that may be converted into voting shares; or (ii) sell or option assets of the resident domestic corporation that amount to at least 10% of the market value of the resident domestic corporation, unless the corporation has at least three directors who are not officers or employees of the resident domestic corporation and a majority of the directors who are not officers or employees of the resident domestic corporation vote not to have this provision apply to the resident domestic corporation. The Company has more than three directors who are not officers or employees of the Company.

Constituency or Stakeholder Provision. Pursuant to Section 180.0827 of the WBCL, in discharging his or her duties to the Company and in determining what he or she believes to be in the Company’s best interests, a director or officer may, in addition to considering the effects of any action on shareholders, consider the effects of the action on employees, suppliers, customers, the communities in which the Company operates and any other factors that the director or officer considers pertinent.

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Banking Laws. The ability of a third party to acquire our stock is also limited under applicable U.S. banking laws, including regulatory approval requirements. The BHCA requires any “bank holding company” to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve before acquiring, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of our outstanding common stock. Any person other than a bank holding company is required to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve to acquire 10% or more of our common stock under the Change in bank Control Act of 1978. Federal law also prohibits any person or company from acquiring “control” of an FDIC-insured depository institution or its holding company without prior notice to the appropriate federal bank regulator. “Control” is conclusively presumed to exist upon the acquisition of 25% or more of the outstanding voting securities of a bank or bank holding company but may arise under certain circumstances between 10% and 24.99% ownership. For purposes of calculating ownership thresholds under these banking regulations, bank regulators would likely at least take the position that the minimum number of shares, and could take the position that the maximum number of shares, of the Company’s common stock that a holder is entitled to receive pursuant to securities convertible into or settled in the Company’s common stock, including pursuant to the Company’s warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock held by such holder, must be taken into account in calculating a shareholder’s aggregate holdings of the Company’s common stock.

Sole and Exclusive Forum

Our Bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to an alternative forum, the courts of the State of Wisconsin shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company to the Company or the Company’s shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the WBCL, the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each case subject to said courts having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. However, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. In addition, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such a provision, and our shareholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to this provision of our Bylaws. The exclusive forum provision, if enforced, may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits. The enforceability of similar exclusive forum provisions in other companies’ charter documents has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that, in connection with one or more actions or proceedings described above, a court could find the provision of our Bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable.

Description of Debt Securities

General

The debt securities that we may offer using this prospectus consist of notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness. Any debt securities that we offer and sell will be our direct obligations. Debt securities may be issued in one or more series. All debt securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time, and unless otherwise provided, a series of debt securities may be reopened, without the consent of the holders of outstanding debt securities, for issuance of additional debt securities of that series or to establish additional terms of that series of debt securities (with such additional terms applicable only to unissued or additional debt securities of

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that series). As required by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, for all debt securities that are publicly offered, our debt securities will be governed by a document called an indenture. The form of indenture is subject to any amendments or supplements that we may enter into with the trustee(s) setting forth the specific terms and conditions of the debt securities being issued. The indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The material terms of the indenture are summarized below and we refer you to the indenture for a detailed description of these material terms. Additional or different provisions that are applicable to a particular series of debt securities will, if material, be described in a prospectus supplement relating to the offering of debt securities of that series. These provisions may include, among other things and to the extent applicable, the following:

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Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue debt securities in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $1,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000, and interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any interest payment date or the maturity date falls on a day that is not a business day, then the payment will be made on the next business day without additional interest and with the same effect as if it were made on the originally scheduled date.

Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, the trustee will act as paying agent and registrar for the debt securities under the indenture. We may also act as paying agent under the indenture.

An applicable prospectus supplement will contain a description of U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the debt securities, to the extent applicable.

Covenants

An applicable prospectus supplement will describe any covenants, such as restrictive covenants restricting us or any of our subsidiaries from incurring, issuing, assuming or guarantying any indebtedness or restricting us or any of our subsidiaries from paying dividends or acquiring any of our or its capital stock.

Consolidation, Merger and Transfer of Assets

Unless we indicate otherwise in an applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture will permit a consolidation or merger between us and another entity and/or the sale, conveyance or lease by us of all or substantially all of our property and assets; provided, however, that:

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

Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may transfer all of our property and assets to another entity if, immediately after giving effect to the transfer, such entity is our wholly owned subsidiary. The term “wholly owned subsidiary” means any subsidiary in which we and/or our other wholly owned subsidiaries own all of the outstanding capital stock.

Modification and Waiver

Unless we indicate otherwise in an applicable prospectus supplement, under the indenture, some of our rights and obligations and some of the rights of the holders of the debt securities may be modified or amended

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with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities affected by the modification or amendment. However, the following modifications and amendments will not be effective against any holder without its consent:

Under the indenture, the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities may, on behalf of all holders of the debt securities:

Finally, we and the indenture trustee may, from time to time, amend the indenture without the consent of holders of the debt securities for certain purposes, including but not limited to the following:

Events of Default

Unless we indicate otherwise in an applicable prospectus supplement, “event of default” under the indenture will mean, with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

If an event of default occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series may declare the entire principal of all the debt securities to be due and payable immediately, except that, if the event of default is caused by certain events of

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bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the entire principal of all of the debt securities of such series will become due and payable immediately without any act on the part of the trustee or holders of the debt securities. If such a declaration occurs, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series can, subject to conditions, rescind the declaration.

The indenture requires us to furnish to the trustee, not less often than annually, a certificate from our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer, as the case may be, as to such officer’s knowledge of our compliance with all conditions and covenants under the indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default, except defaults in the payment of principal of, or interest on, any debt securities if the trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of notice is in the best interests of the holders. For purposes of this paragraph, “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an event of default under the indenture.

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 of debt securities, unless the holders offer the trustee satisfactory security or indemnity. If satisfactory security or indemnity is provided, then, subject to other rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities may direct the time, method and place of:

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

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

Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, if at any time,

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then the indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the debt securities of such series, except for (a) rights of registration of transfer and exchange, and our right of optional redemption, (b) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, (c) rights of holders to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration) and remaining rights of the holders to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, (d) the rights, obligations and immunities of the trustee under the indenture, and (e) the rights of the holders of such series of debt securities as beneficiaries thereof with respect to the property so deposited with the trustee payable to all or any of them.

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect with respect to any debt securities of any series either:

We must comply with the following conditions before the defeasance or covenant defeasance can be effected:

In connection with defeasance, any irrevocable trust agreement contemplated by the indenture must include, among other things, provision for (a) payment of the principal of and interest on such debt securities, if any, appertaining thereto when due (by redemption, sinking fund payments or otherwise), (b) the payment of the expenses of the trustee incurred or to be incurred in connection with carrying out such trust provisions, (c) rights of registration, transfer, substitution and exchange of such debt securities in accordance with the terms stated in the indenture, and (d) continuation of the rights, obligations and immunities of the trustee as against the holders of such debt securities as stated in the indenture.

The accompanying prospectus supplement may further describe any provisions permitting or restricting defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to the debt securities of a particular series.

Global Securities

Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, each debt security offered by this prospectus will be issued in the form of one or more global debt securities representing all or part of that series of debt securities. This means that we will not issue certificates for that series of debt securities to the holders. Instead, a global debt security representing that series will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a securities depositary and registered in the name of the depositary or a nominee of the depositary. Any such depositary must be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act. We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities to be represented by a global security in an applicable prospectus supplement.

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Notices

We will give notices to holders of the debt securities by mail at the addresses listed in the security register. In the case of notice in respect of unregistered securities or coupon securities, we may give notice by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in New York, New York.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, is applicable.

Regarding the Trustee

General. We will enter into the indenture with a trustee that is qualified to act under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and with any other trustees chosen by us and appointed in a supplemental indenture for a particular series of debt securities.

Resignation or Removal of Trustee. If the trustee has or acquires a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee must either eliminate its conflicting interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and the indenture. Any resignation will require the appointment of a successor trustee under the indenture in accordance with the terms and conditions of the indenture.

The trustee may resign or be removed by us with respect to one or more series of debt securities and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to any such series. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series may remove the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series.

Annual Trustee Report to Holders of Debt Securities. The trustee will be required to submit certain reports to the holders of the debt securities regarding, among other things, the trustee’s eligibility to serve as such, the priority of the trustee’s claims regarding advances made by it, and any action taken by the trustee materially affecting the debt securities.

Certificates and Opinions to Be Furnished to Trustee. The indenture provides that, in addition to other certificates or opinions specifically required by other provisions of the indenture, every application by us for action by the trustee must be accompanied by a certificate from one or more of our officers and an opinion of counsel (who may be our counsel) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent to such action have been complied with by us.

Certain Relationships in the Ordinary Course. From time to time, we may maintain deposit accounts and conduct other banking transactions with the trustee to be appointed under the indenture or its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

Description of Warrants

We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, other securities of the Company or any combination of the foregoing. Warrants may be issued alone or together with securities offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to, or separate from, those securities. The particular terms of any warrants will be described more specifically in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants.

The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants we are offering will include specific terms relating to the offering. We will file the form of any warrant agreement with the SEC, and you should read the warrant

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agreement for provisions that may be important to you. The prospectus supplement will include some or all of the following information:

Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or to exercise voting rights, if any.

Description of Depositary Shares

This following is a summary of the general terms of the deposit agreement to govern any depositary shares we may offer representing fractional interests in shares of our preferred stock, the depositary shares themselves and the related depositary receipts. This summary does not purport to be complete in all respects and is subject to and qualified entirely by reference to the relevant deposit agreement and depositary receipt with respect to the depositary shares relating to any particular series of preferred stock. A copy of the deposit agreement and form of depositary receipt relating to any depositary shares we issue will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or as an exhibit to a filing incorporated by reference in the registration statement. The specific terms of any depositary shares we may offer will be described in an applicable prospectus supplement. If so described in such applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of that series of depositary shares may differ from the general description of terms presented below.

General

We may offer fractional interests in shares of our preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock, most likely in the event that our then authorized but yet undesignated shares of preferred stock is not sufficient to offer full shares of preferred stock. If we do, we will provide for the issuance by a depositary to the public of receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest in a share of a particular series of preferred stock.

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The shares of any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of such amount as may be set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement, which we refer to in this section as the depositary. We will name the depositary in such applicable prospectus supplement. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will have a fractional interest in all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying the depositary share. Those rights include any dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under the deposit agreement. Purchasers of fractional interests in shares of the related series of preferred stock will receive depositary receipts as described in an applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless we specify otherwise in an applicable prospectus supplement, purchasers will not be entitled to receive the whole shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares.

Dividend Rights

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions in respect of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares to each record holder of depositary shares based on the number of the depositary shares owned by that holder on the relevant record date. The depositary will distribute only that amount which can be distributed without attributing to any holder of depositary shares a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed will be added to and treated as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to record holders of depositary shares.

If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property to the entitled record holders of depositary shares, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make that distribution. In that case the depositary may, with our approval, adopt the method it deems equitable and practicable for making that distribution, including any sale of property and distribution of the net proceeds from this sale to the applicable holders.

The deposit agreement will also contain provisions relating to how any subscription or similar rights offered by us to holders of the preferred stock will be made available to the holders of depositary shares.

Voting Rights

When the depositary receives notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock may vote, the depositary will mail information about the meeting contained in the notice, and any accompanying proxy materials, to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to the preferred stock. Each record holder of such depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock, will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to how the preferred stock underlying the holder’s depositary shares should be voted.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

If any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to conversion or exchange, an applicable prospectus supplement will describe the rights or obligations of each record holder of depositary receipts to convert or exchange the depositary shares.

Redemption

If the series of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to redemption, all or a part of the depositary shares will be redeemed from the redemption proceeds of that series of the preferred stock held by

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the depositary. The redemption price per depositary share will bear the same relationship to the redemption price per share of preferred stock that the depositary share bears to the underlying preferred stock. Whenever we redeem preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing the preferred stock redeemed. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as determined by the depositary.

After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be outstanding. When the depositary shares are no longer outstanding, all rights of the holders will cease, except the right to receive money or other property that the holders of the depositary shares were entitled to receive upon the redemption. Payments will be made when holders surrender their depositary receipts to the depositary.

Taxation

Owners of depositary shares will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as if they were owners of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares. If necessary, an applicable prospectus supplement will provide a description of U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the purchase and ownership of the depositary shares and the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended by agreement between us and the depositary at any time. However, certain amendments as specified in an applicable prospectus supplement will not be effective unless approved by the record holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then-outstanding. A deposit agreement may be terminated by us or the depositary only if:

Charges of Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay associated charges of the depositary for the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges that are stated to be their responsibility in the deposit agreement.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering notice to us. We may also remove the depositary at any time. Resignations or removals will take effect when a successor depositary is appointed and it accepts the appointment.

Description of Subscription Rights

This following is a summary of the general terms of the subscription rights to purchase common stock or other securities that we may offer to shareholders using this prospectus. This summary does not purport to be complete in all respects and is subject to and qualified entirely by reference to the applicable forms of subscription agent agreement and subscription certificate for a full understanding of all terms of any series of

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subscription rights. The forms of the subscription agent agreement and the subscription certificate will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or as an exhibit to a filing incorporated by reference in the registration statement. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on how to obtain copies.

Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security and may or may not be transferable. As part of any subscription rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement under which the underwriters or any other person would purchase any securities that are not purchased in such subscription rights offering. If we issue subscription rights, they will be governed by a separate subscription agent agreement that we will sign with a bank or trust company, as rights agent, that will be named in an applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation to any holders of subscription rights certificates or beneficial owners of subscription rights.

The prospectus supplement relating to any subscription rights we offer will describe the specific terms of the offering and the subscription rights, including the record date for shareholders entitled to the subscription rights distribution, the number of subscription rights issued and the number of shares of common stock or other securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the subscription rights, the exercise price of the subscription rights, the date on which the subscription rights will become effective and the date on which the subscription rights will expire, and any material U.S. federal income tax considerations.

In general, a subscription right entitles the holder to purchase for cash a specific number of shares of common stock or other securities at a specified exercise price. The rights are normally issued to shareholders as of a specific record date, may be exercised only for a limited period of time and become void following the expiration of such period. If we determine to issue subscription rights, we will accompany this prospectus with a prospectus supplement that will describe, among other things:

If fewer than all of the subscription rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in an applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date of a subscription rights offering, all unexercised subscription rights will become void.

Description of Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units

We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and us to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of our common stock or preferred stock at a future date or

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dates, which we refer to as the Stock Purchase Contracts. The price per share, and number of shares, of our common stock or preferred stock may be fixed at the time the Stock Purchase Contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the Stock Purchase Contracts. The Stock Purchase Contracts may be issued separately or as a part of units consisting of a Stock Purchase Contract and our debt securities or debt obligations of third parties, including Treasury securities, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the shares of our common stock under the Stock Purchase Contracts, which we refer to in this prospectus as Stock Purchase Units. The Stock Purchase Contracts may require holders to secure their obligations thereunder in a specified manner. The Stock Purchase Contracts also may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the Stock Purchase Units or vice-versa and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis.

An applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units. The description in the prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete, and reference will be made to the Stock Purchase Contracts, and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements, relating to the Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the Stock Purchase Units and the Stock Purchase Contracts will also be discussed in an applicable prospectus supplement.

Description of Units

As specified in an applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more debt securities, shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants or other securities, or any combination of such securities, including guarantees of any securities.

A prospectus supplement and any other offering materials relating to any units issued under the registration statement containing this prospectus will specify the terms of the units, including: