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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 16, 2021

Registration Statement No. 333-_______

 

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

FEDNAT HOLDING COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Florida

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

65-0248866

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

 

 

Michael H. Braun

Chief Executive Officer and President

FedNat Holding Company

14050 N.W. 14th Street, Suite 180

Sunrise, FL 33323

(800) 293-2532

 

 

Copies to:

Nina S. Gordon, Esq.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

2 South Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 2100

Miami, Florida 33131

Telephone: (305) 373-9400

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

 

 

From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective

(Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public)

 

 

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 “larger accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      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

 

Amount

to be

registered

 

Proposed

maximum

offering price

per unit

 

Proposed

maximum

aggregate

offering price (6)

 

Amount of

registration fee (8)

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

  (1)   (1)        

Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share

  (1)   (1)        

Debt Securities

  (2)   (2)        

Warrants

  (3)   (3)        

Units

  (4)   (4)        

Total

  (5)   (5)   $150,000,000(7)   $16,365.00(9)

 

 

(1)

Subject to Note (5), includes such indeterminate amount of common stock or preferred stock as may be issued upon conversion, exchange, exercise or settlement of any other securities registered hereunder that provide for conversion, exchange, exercise or settlement into common stock or preferred stock. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the securities being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock as may be issuable with respect to the securities being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

(2)

Subject to Note (5), such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities as may be offered from time to time (which may be senior or subordinated).

(3)

The warrants covered by this registration statement may be common stock warrants, preferred stock warrants or debt security warrants.

(4)

Consisting of some or all of the securities listed above, in any combination.

(5)

Such indeterminate number or amount of Registrant’s common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or units as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices, in U.S. dollars, up to an aggregate maximum offering price of all securities issued pursuant to this registration statement of $150,000,000.

(6)

Estimated solely for purpose of calculating the registration fee. No separate consideration will be received for common stock, preferred stock or debt securities that are issued upon conversion or exchange of debt securities or preferred stock registered hereunder, but separate consideration may be received upon exercise of warrants.

(7)

As of July 12, 2021, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates, or the public float, was approximately $53,808,609, which was calculated based on 16,455,232 shares of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates and based on a price of $3.27 per share, the last reported sale price for our common stock on July 12, 2021. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell our common stock in a public primary offering with a value exceeding one-third of our public float in any 12-month period unless our public float subsequently rises to $75.0 million or more.

(8)

Pursuant to Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act, the registrant is offsetting a portion of the registration fee due under this registration statement with the remaining amount of the filing fee associated with the unsold securities from the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-3, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2018, as amended (File No. 333-225464), registering securities for a maximum aggregate offering price of $150 million. Of that amount, securities with an aggregate offering price of approximately $133.3 million remain unsold. A portion of the associated filing fee for the unsold securities (approximately $16,605), calculated under Rule 457(o), is hereby used to offset the entire amount of the current registration fee due of $16,365.00.

(9)

Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

 

 

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

 

 

 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JULY 16, 2021

PROSPECTUS

$150,000,000

Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants and Units

Offered by

FedNat Holding Company

 

 

We may offer and sell, from time to time, up to $150,000,000 in the aggregate of the securities identified above in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities.

We will provide the specific terms of these securities and the prices and terms of any offerings of the securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplements carefully before you invest.

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “FNHC.” On July 15, 2021, the closing price of our common stock, as reported by the NASDAQ Global Market, was $2.76 per share.

We may offer these securities directly to investors, through agents, underwriters or dealers on a continuous or delayed basis. Each prospectus supplement will provide the terms of the plan of distribution relating to each offering of securities.

Investing in our securities involves risks, which we describe in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other documents that we subsequently file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and which we will describe in supplements to this prospectus, as described in “Risk Factors” on page 1 of this prospectus.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is ________, 2021

 


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     ii  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     iii  

FEDNAT HOLDING COMPANY

     1  

RISK FACTORS

     1  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     1  

DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

     2  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     6  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     16  

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

     17  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     18  

LEGAL MATTERS

     20  

EXPERTS

     20  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     20  

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     20  

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are offering securities and soliciting offers to buy securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any related prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of the document containing the information. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such dates.

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These statements are therefore entitled to the protection of the safe harbor provisions of these laws. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “budget,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “envision,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “indicate,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possibly,” “potential,” “predict,” “probably,” “pro-forma,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. These and other important factors may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Management cautions that the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assume that such statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Factors that might cause such a difference include, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties discussed under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and discussed from time to time in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from our expectations are:

 

   

uncertainties related to estimates, assumptions and projections relating to unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and other accounting policies;

 

   

the costs of reinsurance, along with the terms and conditions thereof, assessments charged by various governmental agencies;

 

   

pricing competition and other initiatives by competitors;

 

   

the risk of non-collectability of reinsurance;

 

   

trends in claims and coverage issues (including, but not limited to, the frequency and severity of claims that we might experience now and in the future that differ from the historical trends we may use in pricing and underwriting decisions);

 

   

the impact of new regulations adopted in Florida and in other states in which we do business that affect the property and casualty insurance market;

 

   

our ability to obtain regulatory approval for requested rate changes and the timing thereof;

 

   

climate change;

 

   

the statutorily approved assessments that support property and casualty insurance pools and associations, which will cause our revenues and operating performance to fluctuate;

 

   

weather conditions and natural disasters (including, but not limited to, the severity and frequency of storms, hurricanes, tornados and hail);

 

   

inflation and other changes in economic conditions, including changes in financial markets;

 

   

legislative and regulatory developments;

 

   

security breaches and other system disruptions;

 

   

the implications of having debt outstanding, including the potential failure to comply with the covenants in our note indentures, which failure could arise as a result of events beyond our control;

 

   

dependence on investment income and the composition of our investment portfolio;

 

   

the adequacy of our liability for loss, loss reserves and loss adjustment expense;

 

   

our relationship with insurance agents, and our ability to recruit and retain them;

 

   

claims experience and catastrophe losses;

 

   

ratings by industry services;

 

   

reliance on key personnel;

 

   

acts of war and terrorist activities, among other man-made disasters;

 

   

court decisions and trends in litigation and health care; and

 

   

other factors set forth in this prospectus, any related prospectus supplement, or in our other filings with the SEC.

 

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Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and in the information incorporated by reference are made only as of the date hereof. We do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to update any such statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any such statements to reflect future events or developments.

In making your decision, you should only rely on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You must rely on your own examination of our Company.

This prospectus summarizes certain documents and other information in a manner we believe to be accurate, but we refer you to the actual documents for a more complete understanding of what we discuss in this prospectus. We will make conformed copies of the actual documents available to you upon request.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process, relating to the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and units described in this prospectus. Under this shelf process, we may sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total offering price of $150,000,000.

As of July 12, 2021, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates, or the public float, was approximately $53,808,609, which was calculated based on 16,455,232 shares of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates and on a price of $3.27 per share, the last reported sale price for our common stock on July 12, 2021. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell our common stock in a public primary offering with a value exceeding one-third of our public float in any 12-month period unless our public float subsequently rises to $75.0 million or more.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For additional information regarding us and the offered securities, please refer to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms the “Company,” “FedNat,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to FedNat Holding Company and our subsidiaries.

 

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FEDNAT HOLDING COMPANY

Overview

We are a regional insurance holding company that controls substantially all aspects of the insurance underwriting, distribution and claims processes through our subsidiaries and contractual relationships with independent agents and general agents.

We, through our wholly owned subsidiaries, are authorized to underwrite, and/or place homeowners multi-peril, federal flood and other lines of insurance in Florida and other states. We market, distribute and service our own and third-party insurers’ products and other services through a network of independent and general agents.

FedNat Insurance Company, our largest wholly owned insurance subsidiary, is licensed as an admitted carrier to write homeowners property and casualty insurance by the state insurance departments in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.

Maison Insurance Company, an insurance subsidiary that we acquired on December 2, 2019, is licensed as an admitted carrier to write homeowners property and casualty insurance as well as wind/hail only exposures by the state insurance departments in Louisiana, Texas and Florida.

Monarch National Insurance Company, an insurance subsidiary, is licensed to write homeowners property and casualty insurance in Florida.

Through our wholly owned subsidiary, FedNat Underwriters, Inc., we serve as managing general agent for FedNat Insurance Company, Maison Insurance Company and Monarch National Insurance Company.

Corporate Information

We were incorporated in Florida in 1991, and changed our name from 21st Century Holding Company to Federated National Holding Company in 2012 and to FedNat Holding Company in 2018. Our principal executive offices are located at 14050 N.W. 14th Street, Suite 180, Sunrise, Florida 33323, and our telephone number is (800) 293-2532. Our website is www.fednat.com. The information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and such information should not be considered to be part of this prospectus.

For further information regarding us and our financial information, you should refer to our filings with the SEC. See “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the specific risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement or in any of our filings with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, incorporated by reference herein, before making an investment decision. For more information, see “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

The risks described in the documents referred to above are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations could suffer. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, we may use the net proceeds from the sale of the offered securities for any combination of capital expenditures, working capital, repayment of indebtedness and other general corporate purposes, including infusions of capital to our insurance subsidiaries. Until we use the net proceeds in the manner described above, we may temporarily use them to make short-term investments or reduce borrowings.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our capital stock does not constitute a complete description of all of the terms of our capital stock and should be read in conjunction with our articles of incorporation and bylaws which have been filed by us with the SEC.

Capital Stock

Our authorized capital stock currently consists of:

 

   

50,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, and

 

   

1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value.

The following summary describes the material terms of our common stock and our preferred stock. The description of our capital stock is qualified by reference to our articles of incorporation and bylaws.

Common Stock

Our common stock is listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “FNHC” and, accordingly, is registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. As of July 12, 2021, we had outstanding 17,442,845 shares of our common stock held by approximately 142 shareholders of record. In addition, we currently have reserved for issuance under our equity incentive compensation plans (including shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options) a total of 388,797 shares of our common stock.

Dividends. Subject to the rights of the holders of our preferred stock, holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends that may be declared by our board of directors out of legally available funds. The ability of our board of directors to declare and pay dividends is limited by our outstanding indentures.

Voting Rights. Except as otherwise required by law or as may be provided in the resolutions of our board of directors authorizing the issuance of any class or series of preferred stock, the holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders and do not have cumulative voting rights.

Liquidation Rights. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, whether voluntary or involuntary, and after the holders of our preferred stock have been paid in full the amounts to which they are entitled, if any, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets available for distribution after payment in full to our creditors and holders of our preferred stock, if any.

Other Provisions. The holders of our common stock are not entitled to preemptive or similar rights. The outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that our board of directors may designate and we may issue in the future.

Preferred Stock

We are currently authorized to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, none of which are issued and outstanding. Our board of directors, in its sole discretion, may designate and issue one or more classes or series of preferred stock from our authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock, which generally will have rights and preferences senior to our common stock. Subject to limitations imposed by law or our articles of incorporation, our board of directors is empowered to determine:

 

   

the voting rights, whether special or conditional, full or limited, of each class or series of preferred stock,

 

   

the designation of and the number of shares comprising the class or series of preferred stock,

 

   

the preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, with respect to any class or series,

 

   

the redemption prices and terms applicable, if any, to any class or series of preferred stock,

 

   

whether or not the shares of a class or series will be subject to a retirement or sinking fund and the terms applicable thereto,

 

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the dividend rights and dividend rate, if any, for any class or series of preferred stock,

 

   

the amounts payable on the series upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up,

 

   

the terms and conditions of any conversion rights for the class or series of preferred stock, if any, and

 

   

the terms and conditions of any other special rights and protective provisions that our board of directors deems advisable.

Our ability to pay dividends is limited by outstanding indentures. As of the date of this prospectus, we have $21.0 million outstanding of Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026, or the 2026 Notes, issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of April 19, 2021, and $100.0 million outstanding of Senior Unsecured Notes due 2029, or the 2029 Notes, pursuant to an indenture dated as of March 5, 2019 indenture, as supplemented on March 5, 2020 and April 19, 2021. The indentures for these notes have certain covenants and restrictions that will restrict our ability to pay dividends on any preferred stock that we may issue. We intend to disclose in the applicable prospectus supplement the covenants and restrictions that are applicable to the preferred stock then being offered.

Florida Statutory Anti-Takeover Provisions

General. The Florida Business Corporation Act, as amended, or the FBCA, contains provisions that apply to us and that are designed to enhance the ability of our board of directors to respond to and potentially defer attempts to acquire control of the Company. These provisions may discourage altogether takeover attempts which have not been approved by our board of directors. This could include takeover attempts that our non-affiliate shareholders deem to be in their best interest and which may represent a current premium for their shares in relation to prevailing market prices of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market. These provisions may also adversely affect the price that a potential purchaser would be willing to pay for our common stock and, therefore, deprive you of the opportunity to obtain a takeover premium for your shares. These provisions could make the removal of our incumbent directors and management more difficult. These provisions may enable a minority of our directors and the holders of a minority of our outstanding voting stock or the holders of an existing control block to prevent, delay, discourage or make more difficult a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, even though the transaction may be favorable to the interests of a majority of our non-affiliate shareholders. These provisions could also potentially adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

The following summarizes the anti-takeover provisions contained in the FBCA.

Authorized but Unissued Stock. Our authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock will be available for future issuance without shareholder approval. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of stock may enable our board of directors to issue shares of stock to persons friendly to existing management. This may have the effect of discouraging attempts to obtain control of the Company. The perception in the market of a large number of authorized but unissued shares of our common and preferred stock could have a negative impact on the price of our common stock.

Evaluation of Impact of Acquisition Proposals on Non-Shareholder Constituencies. The FBCA expressly permits our board of directors, when evaluating any proposed tender or exchange offer, any merger, consolidation or sale of substantially all of our assets, or any similar extraordinary transaction, to consider in addition to shareholder interests all relevant factors, including, without limitation, the social, legal, and economic effects on our employees, customers and suppliers and our subsidiaries, on the communities and geographical areas in which they operate. Our board may also consider the amount of consideration being offered in relation to the then current market price for outstanding shares of capital stock and our then current value in a freely negotiated transaction. Our board of directors believes that these provisions are in our long-term best interests and those of our shareholders.

Control Share Acquisitions. We are subject to the Florida control share acquisitions statute. This statute is designed to afford shareholders of public corporations in Florida protection against acquisitions in which a person, entity or group seeks to gain voting control. With enumerated exceptions, the statute provides that shares acquired within specified putative voting ranges will not possess voting rights in the election of our directors unless the voting rights associated with the shares are approved by a majority vote of our disinterested shareholders. The control share statute does not directly prevent the acquiring person’s acquisition of shares. Instead, the statute deters or delays takeovers by denying voting rights to “control shares.” Control shares are shares owned by the acquiring person that (but for the operation of the statute) would raise the acquiring person’s voting power to or above certain threshold levels (20%, 33.3%, or 50.1%). Voting rights may be restored only if the acquiring person files an acquiring person statement and requests a shareholder meeting to vote on whether the acquiring person’s shares should be accorded voting rights. Voting rights are restored only to the extent approved by the disinterested shareholders. Disinterested shares are shares other than those owned by the acquiring person or by a member of a group with respect to a control share acquisition, or by any of our officers or employees who is also a director. The practical effect of the control share statute is to prevent bidders from assuming immediate control of the tendered shares, thereby allowing management time to mobilize its defenses.

 

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These provisions do not apply to shares acquired under, among other things, an agreement or plan of merger or share exchange approved by our board of directors and carried out in compliance with the relevant provisions of Florida law and to which we are a party, or an acquisition of shares otherwise approved by our board of directors.

Affiliated Transactions with Interested Shareholders. We are subject to the Florida affiliated transactions statute, which generally requires the approval of the holders of 66-2/3% of our outstanding voting shares, other than the shares owned by an “interested shareholder”—generally, any person who is the beneficial owner of more than 10% of the outstanding voting stock of the Company—to effectuate an affiliated transaction. An “affiliated transaction” is a transaction that involves the Company and an interested shareholder or an affiliate of an interested shareholder, including, among others, a merger, a sale of assets, a sale of shares, a liquidation, or a reclassification of securities and loans. The special voting requirement does not apply in certain specified circumstances. These provisions could prohibit or delay the announcement or consummation of mergers or other takeover or change-in-control attempts of the Company. Accordingly, these provisions may discourage attempts to acquire the Company.

Anti-Takeover Provisions of Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws currently contain certain provisions that may make it more difficult and time-consuming for shareholders or third parties to influence our management, policies or affairs, and may discourage, delay or prevent a transaction involving a change-in-control of the Company offering a premium over the current market price of our common stock. These provisions include those that:

 

   

prohibit cumulative voting in the election of our directors,

 

   

establish a classified board of directors with staggered three-year terms,

 

   

provide that the written request of holders of record who hold, in the aggregate, a net long position, as defined in our Bylaws, in shares representing at least 25% of the outstanding shares of the Company is required to call special meetings of our shareholders,

 

   

provide for 50,000,000 shares of authorized common stock,

 

   

provide for 1,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock,

 

   

eliminate the ability of shareholders to take action by written consent in lieu of a shareholder meeting,

 

   

establish advance notice and disclosure procedures for shareholders to bring matters before a meeting of our shareholders,

 

   

provide that directors may only be removed from office prior to the expiration of his or her term for cause and upon the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding capital stock entitled to vote for the election of directors,

 

   

establish advance notice and disclosure requirements for shareholder nomination of directors, and

 

   

establish majority voting requirements to amend the antitakeover provisions included in the articles of incorporation and bylaws.

These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for our shareholders to elect directors and cause us to take extraordinary corporate actions. In addition, the existence of these provisions, together with Florida law, might hinder or delay an attempted takeover other than through negotiations with our board. As a result, we may be less likely to receive unsolicited offers to acquire us that some of our shareholders might consider beneficial.

Indemnification Provisions

Florida law authorizes a company to indemnify its directors and officers in certain instances against certain liabilities they may incur by virtue of their relationship with the Company. Further, a Florida corporation is authorized to provide further indemnification or advancement of expenses to any of its directors, officers, employees, or agents, except for acts or omissions which constitute:

 

   

a violation of the criminal law unless the individual had reasonable cause to believe it was lawful,

 

   

a transaction in which the individual derived an improper personal benefit,

 

   

in the case of a director, a circumstance under which certain liability provisions of the FBCA are applicable related to payment of dividends or other distributions or repurchases of shares in violation of the FBCA, or

 

   

willful misconduct or a conscious disregard for the best interest of the Company in a proceeding by the Company, or a Company shareholder.

 

 

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A Florida corporation also is authorized to purchase and maintain liability insurance for its directors, officers, employees and agent, which we have done.

Our articles of incorporation provide that our directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages to us to the fullest extent permitted by Florida law. Our articles of incorporation further provide that we may insure, will indemnify and will advance expenses on behalf of our officers and directors to the fullest extent not prohibited by law.

Our bylaws provide that we will indemnify, or advance expenses to, to the fullest extent authorized by the FBCA, any person made, or threatened to be made, a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she (a) is or was a director of the Company, (b) is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director of another corporation, (c) is or was an officer of the Company, provided that he or she is or was at the time a director of the Company, or (d) is or was serving at the request of the Company as an officer of another corporation, provided that he or she is or was at the time a director of the Company or a director of such other corporation, serving at the request of the Company.

We are also a party to indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers.

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

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Computershare is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more distinct series. This section summarizes the material terms of our senior or subordinated debt securities that are common to all series. We will describe the particular terms of a series of debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to the debt securities so offered, in the prospectus supplement relating to the offered debt securities. If indicated in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any series of debt securities may differ from the terms summarized below.

The debt securities will be governed by a document called an “indenture.” An indenture is a contract between us and a financial institution, acting as trustee on your behalf. The indenture will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The trustee has two main roles:

 

   

First, subject to some limitations, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default.

 

   

Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties for us, which include sending you interest payments and notices.

Because we may issue both senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities, our references to the indenture are to each of the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture, unless the context requires otherwise. In this section, we refer to these indentures collectively as the “indentures.”

Because this section is a summary of the material terms of the indentures, it does not describe every aspect of the debt securities. We urge you to read the indentures because they, and not this description, define your rights as a holder of debt securities. Some of the definitions are repeated in this prospectus, but for the rest you will need to read the indentures. We have filed the forms of the indentures as exhibits to a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC, of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on how to obtain copies of the indentures.

General

The debt securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all our existing and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the subordinated indenture).

Our currently outstanding 2026 Notes and 2029 Notes have certain covenants and restrictions that may impact our ability to issue additional debt securities without the consent of a majority of the holders of each of the 2026 Notes and the 2029 Notes. We intend to disclose in the applicable prospectus supplement the covenants and restrictions that are applicable to the debt securities then being offered.

You should read the prospectus supplement for the following terms of the series of debt securities offered by the prospectus supplement:

 

   

The title of the debt securities and whether the debt securities will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities.

 

   

The aggregate principal amount of the debt securities, the percentage of their principal amount at which the debt securities will be issued and the date or dates when the principal of the debt securities will be payable or how those dates will be determined.

 

   

The interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, that the debt securities will bear, if any, and how the rate or rates will be determined.

 

   

The date or dates from which any interest will accrue or how the date or dates will be determined, the date or dates on which any interest will be payable, any regular record dates for these payments or how these dates will be determined and the basis on which any interest will be calculated, if other than on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

   

The place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the other than the Corporate Trust Office of the trustee, of payment, transfer, conversion and exchange of the debt securities and where notices or demands to or upon us in respect of the debt securities may be served.

 

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Any optional redemption provisions.

 

   

Any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or redeem the debt securities.

 

   

Whether the amount of payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method, which could be based on one or more commodities, equity indices or other indices, and how these amounts will be determined.

 

   

Any changes or additions to the events of default under the applicable indenture or our covenants, including additions of any restrictive covenants, with respect to the debt securities.

 

   

If not the principal amount of the debt securities, the portion of the principal amount that will be payable upon acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities or how that portion will be determined.

 

   

Any changes or additions to the provisions concerning defeasance and covenant defeasance contained in the indenture that will be applicable to the debt securities.

 

   

Any provisions granting special rights to the holders of the debt securities upon the occurrence of specified events.

 

   

If other than the trustee, the name of any paying agent, security registrar and transfer agent for the debt securities.

 

   

If the debt securities are not to be issued in book-entry form only and held by The Depository Trust Company, as depositary, the form of such debt securities, including whether such debt securities are to be issuable in permanent or temporary global form, or as registered securities.

 

   

The person to whom any interest in a debt security will be payable, if other than the registered holder at the close of business on the regular record date.

 

   

The denomination or denominations that the debt securities will be issued.

 

   

Whether such debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable.

 

   

A discussion of federal income tax, accounting and other special considerations, procedures and limitations with respect to the debt securities.

 

   

Whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts to holders in respect of any tax assessment or government charge, and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay such additional amounts.

 

   

Any other terms of the debt securities that are consistent with the provisions of the indenture.

For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal of, any premium on, or any interest on, debt securities will include additional amounts if required by the terms of such debt securities.

The indentures do not limit the amount of debt securities that we are authorized to issue from time to time. The indentures also provide that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each for one or more series of debt securities. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under an indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term “debt securities” means the series of debt securities for which each respective trustee is acting. If there is more than one trustee under an indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee will apply only to the debt securities for which it is trustee.

If two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, then the debt securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.

We may issue debt securities with terms different from those of debt securities that may already have been issued. Without the consent of the holders thereof, we may reopen a previous issue of a series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series unless the reopening was restricted when that series was created.

There is no requirement that we issue debt securities in the future under any indenture, and we may use other indentures or documentation, containing different provisions in connection with future issues of other debt securities.

 

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We may issue the debt securities as original issue discount securities, which are debt securities, including any zero-coupon debt securities, that are issued and sold at a discount from their stated principal amount. Original issue discount securities provide that, upon acceleration of their maturity, an amount less than their principal amount will become due and payable. We will describe the U.S. federal income tax consequences and other considerations applicable to original issue discount securities in any prospectus supplement relating to them.

Conversion and Exchange

If any debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, the prospectus supplement will explain the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange, including:

 

   

the conversion price or exchange ratio, or the calculation method for such price or ratio,

 

   

the conversion or exchange period, or how such period will be determined,

 

   

if conversion or exchange will be mandatory or at the option of the holder or the Company,

 

   

any requirements with respect to the reservation of shares of securities for purposes of conversion,

 

   

provisions for adjustment of the conversion price or the exchange ratio, and

 

   

provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of the debt securities.

Such terms may also include provisions under which the number or amount of other securities to be received by the holders of such debt securities upon conversion or exchange would be calculated according to the market price of such other securities as of a time stated in the prospectus supplement.

Additional Mechanics

Form, Exchange and Transfer

The debt securities will be issued:

 

   

as registered securities, or

 

   

in global form, or

 

   

in denominations that are even multiples of $1,000, in the case of registered securities, or otherwise as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

You may have your registered securities divided into registered securities of smaller denominations or combined into registered securities of larger denominations, as long as the aggregate principal amount is not changed. This is called an “exchange.”

You may exchange or transfer registered securities of a series at the office of the trustee that we identify in the applicable prospectus supplement. The trustee maintains the list of registered holders and acts as our securities registrar for registering debt securities in the names of holders and transferring debt securities. However, we may appoint another trustee to act as our securities registrar or we may act as our own securities registrar. If we designate additional securities registrars, they will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may cancel the designation of any particular securities registrar. We may also approve a change in the office through which any securities registrar acts.

You will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange debt securities, but you may in certain circumstances be required to pay for any tax or other governmental charge associated with the exchange or transfer. The transfer or exchange will only be made if the transfer agent is satisfied with your proof of ownership and/or transfer documentation.

If the debt securities are redeemable and we redeem less than all of the debt securities of a particular series, we may block the transfer or exchange of debt securities for 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing or publication in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. At our option, we may mail or publish such notice of redemption through an electronic medium. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of debt securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security being partially redeemed.

 

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Registrar and Paying Agent

If you are a holder of registered securities, we will pay interest to you if you are a direct holder in the list of registered holders at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each due date for interest, even if you no longer own the security on the interest due date. That particular time and day, usually about two weeks in advance of the interest due date, is called the “Regular Record Date” and is stated in the prospectus supplement. Holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between them how to compensate for the fact that we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the one who is the registered holder on the Regular Record Date. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller. This prorated interest amount is called “accrued interest.”

With respect to registered securities, we will pay interest, principal and any other money due on the debt securities at the corporate trust office of the trustee. You must make arrangements to have your payments picked up at or wired from that office. We may also choose to pay interest by mailing checks or making wire transfers.

“Street name” and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments.

Regardless of who acts as the paying agent, subject to any applicable unclaimed property laws, all money paid by us to a paying agent that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the amount is due to registered holders will be repaid to us. After that two-year period, you may look only to us for payment and not to the trustee, any other paying agent or anyone else.

We may also arrange for additional payment offices, and may cancel or change these offices, including our use of the trustee’s corporate trust office. We may also choose to act as our own paying agent. We must notify you of changes in identities of the paying agents for any particular series of debt securities.

Notices

With respect to registered securities, we and the trustee will send notices regarding the debt securities only to registered holders, using their addresses as listed in the list of registered holders. At our option, we may send or publish notices through an electronic medium as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Events of Default

You will have special rights if an event of default occurs in respect of the debt securities of your series and is not cured, as described later in this subsection.

The term “event of default” in respect of the debt securities of your series means any of the following:

 

   

We do not pay the principal of or any premium on a debt security of such series on its due date whether at maturity, upon acceleration, optional redemption, required purchase or otherwise.

 

   

We do not pay interest on a debt security of such series within 30 days of its due date whether at maturity, upon redemption or upon acceleration.

 

   

We remain in breach of a covenant in respect of debt securities of such series for 30 days after we receive a written notice of default stating we are in breach and requiring that we remedy the breach. The notice must be sent by either the trustee or holders of 25% of the principal amount of debt securities of such series.

 

   

We file for bankruptcy or certain other events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.

 

   

Any other event of default in respect of debt securities of such series described in the prospectus supplement occurs.

The events of default described above may be added to or modified as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under an indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default (except in the payment of principal or interest) if it considers such withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.

 

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Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs

If an event of default has occurred and has not been cured with respect to one or more series of debt securities, the trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. Only a portion of the principal is payable if the securities were issued at a discount. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. If an event of default occurs because of certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount of all the debt securities of that series will be automatically accelerated, without any action by the trustee or any holder. There are special notice and timing rules which apply to the acceleration of subordinated debt securities which are designed to protect the interests of holders of Senior Indebtedness. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be cancelled by the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series if (1) we have paid or deposited with the trustee a sum sufficient in cash to pay all principal, interest and additional amounts, if any, which have become due other than by the declaration of acceleration of maturity, (2) all existing events of default, other than the nonpayment of principal of or premium or interest, if any, on the debt securities of such series which have become due solely because of the acceleration, have been cured or waived and (3) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.

Except in cases of default, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee is not required to take any action under the indenture at the request of the holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability, called an “indemnity.” If reasonable indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. The trustee may refuse to follow those directions in certain circumstances. No delay or omission in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon any event of default will be treated as a waiver of such right, remedy or event of default.

Before you are allowed to bypass the trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the debt securities, the following must occur:

 

   

You must give the trustee written notice that an event of default has occurred and remains uncured.

 

   

The holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default and must offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action.

 

   

The trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after receipt of the above notice and offer of indemnity.

 

   

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities must not have given the trustee a direction inconsistent with the above notice during the 60-day period.

However, notwithstanding the conditions described above, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your debt securities on or after the due date.

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may waive any past defaults other than (1) the payment of principal, any premium or interest or (2) in respect of a covenant or other provision that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder.

“Street name” and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction or to make a request of the trustee and to make or cancel a declaration of acceleration.

Each year, we will furnish to the trustee a written statement of certain of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the indentures and the debt securities, or else specifying any default.

Merger or Consolidation

Under the terms of the indentures, we are generally permitted to consolidate or merge with another entity. We are also permitted to sell all or substantially all of our assets to another entity. However, we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met:

 

   

either we will be the surviving corporation or, if we merge out of existence or sell assets, the entity into which we merge or to which we sell assets must agree to be legally responsible for the debt securities;

 

   

immediately after the merger or transfer of assets, no default on the debt securities can exist. A default for this purpose includes any event that would be an event of default if the requirements for giving a default notice or of having the default exist for a specific period of time were disregarded;

 

   

we must deliver certain certificates and documents to the trustee; and

 

   

we must satisfy any other requirements specified in the prospectus supplement.

 

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Modification or Waiver

There are three types of changes we can make to the indentures and the debt securities.

Changes Requiring Approval of Each Holder

First, there are changes that cannot be made to your debt securities without the approval of each holder. Following is a list of those types of changes:

 

   

changing the stated maturity of the principal of or interest on a debt security,

 

   

reducing any amounts due on a debt security or payable upon acceleration of the maturity of a security following a default,

 

   

adversely affecting any right of repayment at the holder’s option,

 

   

changing the place (except as otherwise described in this prospectus) or currency of payment on a debt security,

 

   

impairing your right to sue for payment or to convert or exchange a security,

 

   

in the case of subordinated debt securities, modifying the subordination provisions in a manner that is adverse to holders of the subordinated debt securities,

 

   

in the case of senior debt securities, modifying the securities to subordinate the securities to other indebtedness,

 

   

reducing the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to modify or amend the indenture,

 

   

reducing the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or to waive certain defaults,

 

   

reducing the requirements for quorum or voting with respect to the debt securities,

 

   

modifying any other aspect of the provisions of the indenture dealing with modification and waiver except to increase the voting requirements,

 

   

changing any of our obligations to pay additional amounts which are required to be paid to holders with respect to taxes imposed on such holders in certain circumstances, and

 

   

other provisions specified in the prospectus supplement.

Changes Requiring a Majority Vote

The second type of change to the indenture and the outstanding debt securities is the kind that requires a vote in favor by holders of outstanding debt securities owning a majority of the principal amount of the particular series affected. Separate votes will be needed for each series even if they are affected in the same way. Most changes fall into this category, except for clarifying changes and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the outstanding debt securities in any material respect. The same vote would be required for us to obtain a waiver of all or part of certain covenants in the applicable indenture, or a waiver of a past default. However, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or any other aspect of the indentures or the outstanding debt securities listed in the first category described previously under “—Changes Requiring Approval of Each Holder” unless we obtain your individual consent to the waiver.

Changes not Requiring Approval

The third type of change does not require any vote by holders of outstanding debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications; curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the outstanding debt securities in any material respect. Qualifying or maintaining the qualification of the indentures under the Trust Indenture Act does not require any vote by holders of debt securities.

 

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Further Details Regarding Voting

When taking a vote, we will use the following rules to decide how much principal amount to attribute to a debt security:

 

   

for original issue discount securities, we will use the principal amount that would be due and payable on the voting date if the maturity of the debt securities were accelerated to that date because of a default, and

 

   

for debt securities whose principal amount is not known (for example, because it is based on an index), we will use a special rule for that debt security described in the prospectus supplement.

Debt securities will not be considered outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if we have deposited or set aside in trust for your money for their payment or redemption. Debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described later under “Defeasance – Full Defeasance.”

We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding indenture securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the indentures.

We are not required to set a record date. If we set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of a particular series, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding securities of that series on the record date and must be taken within 180 days following the record date.

“Street name” and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change the indenture or the debt securities or request a waiver.

Satisfaction and Discharge

The indentures will cease to be of further effect, and we will be deemed to have satisfied and discharged the indentures with respect to a particular series of debt securities, when (1) all debt securities of that series have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation or (2) the following conditions have been satisfied:

 

   

all debt securities of that series not previously delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable at their stated maturity or on a redemption date within one year;

 

   

we deposit with the trustee, in trust, funds sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on the debt securities of that series that had not been previously delivered for cancellation, for the principal and interest to the date of the deposit (for debt securities that have become due and payable) or to the stated maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be (for debt securities that have not become due and payable);

 

   

we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable under the indentures in respect of that series; and

 

   

we have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and opinion of counsel, each stating that all these conditions have been complied with.

We will remain obligated to provide for registration of transfer and exchange and to provide notices of redemption.

Defeasance

The following discussion of full defeasance and covenant defeasance will be applicable to your series of debt securities only if we choose to have them apply to that series. If we choose to do so, we will state that in the applicable prospectus supplement and describe any changes to these provisions.

Full Defeasance

If there is a change in federal tax law, as described below, we can legally release ourselves from any payment or other obligations on the debt securities, called “full defeasance,” if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:

 

   

We must deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other registered holders of the debt securities a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates including, possibly, their earliest redemption date.

 

 

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Under current federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would likely be treated as though you surrendered your debt securities in exchange for your share of the cash and notes or bonds deposited in trust. In that event, you could recognize income, gain or loss on the debt securities you surrendered. In order for us to effect a full defeasance we must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that you will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance and that you will not be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves.

 

   

We must comply with any additional provisions set forth in the prospectus supplement.

If we accomplish a full defeasance as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment on the debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever become bankrupt or insolvent. You would also be released from any applicable subordination provisions on the subordinated debt securities described below under “—Subordination.”

Covenant Defeasance

Under current federal tax law, we can make the same type of deposit described above and be released from the restrictive covenants in the debt securities, if any. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and securities set aside in trust to repay the debt securities. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:

 

   

deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other registered holders of the debt securities a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates.

 

   

deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that under current federal income tax law we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves.

 

   

comply with any additional provisions set forth in the prospectus supplement.

If we accomplish covenant defeasance, the following provisions of the indenture and the debt securities would no longer apply unless otherwise specified:

 

   

our promises regarding conduct of our business and other matters and any other covenants applicable to the series of debt securities that will be described in the prospectus supplement; and

 

   

the definition of an event of default as a breach of such covenants that may be specified in the prospectus supplement.

If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit. In fact, if one of the remaining events of default occurs (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities become immediately due and payable, there may be such a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, of course, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

In order to exercise either full defeasance or covenant defeasance, we must comply with certain conditions, and no event or condition can exist that would prevent us from making payments of principal, premium, and interest, if any, on the senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities of such series on the date the irrevocable deposit is made or at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the deposit date.

Ranking

Unless provided otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities are not secured by any of our property or assets. Accordingly, your ownership of debt securities means you are one of our unsecured creditors. The senior debt securities are not subordinated to any of our other debt obligations and therefore they rank equally with all our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities are subordinated to some of our existing and future debt and other liabilities. See “— Subordination” for additional information on how subordination limits your ability to receive payment or pursue other rights if we default or have certain other financial difficulties.

 

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Subordination

Unless the prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the following provisions will apply to the subordinated debt securities:

The payment of principal, any premium and interest on the subordinated debt securities is subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our Senior Indebtedness as such term is defined in the subordinated indenture. This means that in certain circumstances where we may not be making payments on all of our debt obligations as they become due, the holders of all of our Senior Indebtedness will be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts that are due or will become due on the Senior Indebtedness before you and the other holders of subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive any payment or distribution (other than in the form of subordinated securities) on the subordinated debt securities. These circumstances may include the following:

 

   

We make a payment or distribute assets to creditors upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding up or reorganization of the Company, or as part of an assignment or marshalling of our assets for the benefit of our creditors.

 

   

We file for bankruptcy or certain other events in bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings occur.

 

   

The maturity of the subordinated debt securities is accelerated. For example, the entire principal amount of a series of subordinated debt securities may be declared to be due and payable and immediately payable or may be automatically accelerated due to an event of default as described under “—Events of Default.”

In addition, in general, we will not be permitted to make payments of principal, any premium or interest on the subordinated debt securities if we default in our obligation to make payments on our Senior Indebtedness and do not cure such default. We are also prohibited from making payments on subordinated debt securities if an event of default (other than a payment default) that permits the holders of Senior Indebtedness to accelerate the maturity of the Senior Indebtedness occurs and we and the trustee have received a notice of such event of default. However, unless the Senior Indebtedness has been accelerated because of that event of default, this payment blockage notice cannot last more than 179 days.

These subordination provisions mean that if we are insolvent, a holder of Senior Indebtedness is likely to ultimately receive out of our assets more than a holder of the same amount of our subordinated debt securities, and a creditor of the Company that is owed a specific amount but who owns neither our Senior Indebtedness nor our subordinated debt securities may ultimately receive less than a holder of the same amount of Senior Indebtedness and more than a holder of subordinated debt securities.

The subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of Senior Indebtedness we are permitted to have and we may in the future incur additional Senior Indebtedness.

If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with a series of subordinated securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the information incorporated by reference will set forth the approximate amount of Senior Indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.

The Trustee

The trustee will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Each indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an event of default under the indenture, the trustee under the indenture will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. Under the indentures, subject to the trustee’s receipt of indemnity if so requested, the holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the debt securities will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding or exercising any remedy available to the trustee under the indentures, subject to certain exceptions. If an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee under the indenture will exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

Each indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act incorporated by reference in the indenture contain limitations on the rights of the trustee under such indenture, should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claims, as security or otherwise. The trustee under the indenture is permitted to engage in other transactions. However, if the trustee under the indenture acquires any prohibited conflicting interest, it must eliminate the conflict or resign.

 

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Each trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of securities and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to such series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of securities under one of the indentures, each such trustee shall be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other such trustee and any action described herein to be taken by the “trustee” may then be taken by each such trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one or more series of securities for which it is trustee.

In the event that an entity is the trustee under both the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture, and a conflict of interest arises as a result, the trustee must resign as trustee under either of the indentures or, if this does not eliminate the conflict of interest, both of the indentures.

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, common stock, or preferred stock. We may issue warrants independently or together with any other securities offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from the other offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into by us with a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the series of warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of the warrants. Further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreements will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered including, where applicable, the following:

 

   

the title of the warrants,

 

   

the offering price, if any,

 

   

the aggregate number of warrants,

 

   

the designation, terms and number of shares of debt securities, common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants,

 

   

the designation and terms of the offered securities, if any, with which the warrants are issued and the number of the warrants issued with each offered security,

 

   

the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the related debt securities, common stock or preferred stock will be separately transferable,

 

   

the price at which each share of debt securities, common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased,

 

   

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

 

   

the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants which may be exercised at any one time,

 

   

any provisions for change to or adjustments in the exercise price,

 

   

any antidilution provisions,

 

   

information with respect to the book-entry procedures, if any,

 

   

a discussion of certain federal income tax considerations, and

 

   

any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units consisting of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or any combination of those securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any units and the related offering in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following:

 

   

the terms of each of the securities included in the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities included in the units may or may not be traded separately or exchanged for or converted into any other securities;

 

   

the terms of any unit agreement governing the units;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of federal income tax consequences; and

 

   

the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the offered securities in any one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

   

through agents,

 

   

to or through underwriters,

 

   

through dealers,

 

   

directly to one or more purchasers, or

 

   

through remarketing firms.

The prospectus supplement with respect to the offered securities will set forth the terms of the offering of the offered securities, including:

 

   

the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the amount underwritten,

 

   

the purchase price of the offered securities and the proceeds to us from such sale,

 

   

any underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation,

 

   

any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers, and

 

   

any securities exchange on which such offered securities may be listed.

Any initial public offering price, discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

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

Offers to purchase the offered securities may be solicited by agents designated by us from time to time. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities will be named, and any commissions payable by us to such agent will be set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If underwriters are used in the sale of the offered securities, the offered securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at fixed public offering prices or at varying prices determined by the underwriters at the time of sale. The offered securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by the managing underwriters. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent and will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities of a series if they purchase any of the offered securities.

If a dealer is used in the sale of the offered securities, we will sell the offered securities to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell the offered securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. The name of the dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Offers to purchase the offered securities may be solicited directly by us and the sale thereof may be made by us directly to institutional investors or others. The terms of any such sales will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The offered securities may also be offered and sold by a remarketing firm in connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. These remarketing firms will offer or sell the offered securities pursuant to the terms of the offered securities. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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We may authorize underwriters, dealers and agents to solicit from third parties offers to purchase the offered securities under contracts providing for payment and delivery on future dates. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the material terms of these contracts, including any conditions to the purchasers’ obligations, and will include any required information about commissions we may pay for soliciting these contracts.

In connection with the sale of the offered securities, agents, underwriters, dealers or remarketing firms may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of the offered securities for whom they act as agents in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell the offered securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms that participate in the distribution of the offered securities, and any institutional investors or others that purchase offered securities directly and then resell the securities, may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions received by them and any profit on the resale of the securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms may be entitled under relevant agreements entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents, underwriters or dealers may be required to make.

Each series of the offered securities will be a new issue and, other than the shares of common stock which are quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market, will have no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell the offered securities for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We may elect to list any series of offered securities on an exchange, and in the case of common stock, on any additional exchange, but, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not be obligated to do so. We cannot predict the liquidity of the trading market for any of the offered securities.

In connection with an offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell the offered securities in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment, short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of offered securities than they are required to purchase in an offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the offered securities while an offering is in progress.

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the underwriters have repurchased offered securities sold by or for the account of that underwriter in stabilizing or short-covering transactions.

These activities by the underwriters may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities. As a result, the price of the offered securities may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time. These transactions may be effected on an exchange or automated quotation system, if the offered securities are listed on that exchange or admitted for trading on that automated quotation system, or in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of common stock. The third party in such sale transactions may be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).

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

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, a limited liability partnership and the Company’s legal counsel, will issue an opinion about certain legal matters with respect to the securities, including the validity of the securities issued hereunder.

EXPERTS

Our consolidated financial statements appearing in our Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in its reports thereon, which conclude, among other things, that we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), because of the effects of the material weakness described therein, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance therewith file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can obtain such reports, proxy statements and other information that we file electronically with the SEC on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. We also make our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act available free of charge on our website at www.fednat.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with the SEC. The information on our website is not part of this prospectus, except to the extent filed with the SEC and specifically incorporated herein by reference. You may request a copy of these filings without charge by writing or telephoning our Corporate Secretary at the following address or phone number:

FedNat Holding Company

14050 N.W. 14th Street, Suite 180

Sunrise, FL 33323

Tel: (800) 293-2532

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information presented in the registration statement and its exhibits. Our descriptions in this prospectus of the provisions of documents filed as exhibits to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC are only summaries of the terms of those documents that we consider material. If you want a complete description of the content of the documents, you should obtain copies of the full documents by following the procedures described above.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

We are incorporating by reference the documents listed below that we have filed with the SEC, which means we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference:

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed on March 29, 2021;

 

   

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, filed on May 6, 2021;

 

   

our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A for our annual meeting of shareholders scheduled for May 27, 2021, filed on April 29, 2021;

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on April 21, 2021, April  26, 2021, May  12, 2021, June  3, 2021 and June 24, 2021; and

 

   

the description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on October 28, 1998, including any amendments or reports filed for the purposes of updating such description.

In addition, all other reports subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of the offering to which this prospectus relates shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Information that we file later with the SEC and that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus will automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus as if that information were included in this prospectus.

 

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We are not incorporating by reference any information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 (or corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit) in any past or future Current Report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, unless otherwise specified in such report.

 

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PART II

Information Not Required in Prospectus

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the various expenses to be incurred by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereby. All amounts are estimated except the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee

   $ 16,365*  

Legal fees and disbursements

   $ **  

Printing and engraving expenses

   $ **  

Accounting fees and expenses

   $ **  

Miscellaneous (including any applicable trustee, transfer agent, listing and rating agency fees and expenses)

   $ **  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ **  
  

 

 

 

 

*

The entire amount of the SEC registration fee was paid utilizing a previously paid registration fee.

**

Fees and expenses (other than the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee) will depend on the number and type of offerings and cannot be estimated at this time.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The Registrant has authority under Section 607.0851 of the Florida Business Corporation Act to indemnify its directors and officers to the extent provided for in such statute. The Registrant’s Second Restated Articles of Incorporation and Second Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the Registrant may insure, shall indemnify and shall advance expenses on behalf of its officers and directors to the fullest extent not prohibited by law. The Registrant is also a party to indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers.

Item 16. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Exhibit Description

  

Incorporated by Reference

  

Filed

Herewith

         

Form

   Exhibit   

Filing Date

    
1.1    Form of Equity Underwriting Agreement (1)            
1.2    Form of Debt Underwriting Agreement (1)            
3.1    Second Restated Articles of Incorporation of FedNat Holding Company    10-Q    3.1    November 7, 2018   
3.2    Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of FedNat Holding Company    10-Q    3.2    November 7, 2018   
4.1    Specimen of Common Stock Certificate   

SB-2

File No. 333-63623

   4.1    October 27, 1998   
4.2    Form of Senior Indenture             X
4.3    Form of Subordinated Indenture             X
4.4    Form of Senior Note (1)            
4.5    From of Subordinated Note (1)            
4.6    Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement (1)            
4.7    Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement (1)            

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Exhibit Description

  

Incorporated by Reference

  

Filed

Herewith

         

Form

   Exhibit   

Filing Date

    
4.8    Form of Debt Warrant Agreement (1)            
4.9    Indenture dated March  5, 2019 between FedNat Holding Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, Paying Agent, and Registrar    8-K    4.1    March 6, 2019   
4.10    First Supplemental Indenture by and between FedNat Holding Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee    8-K    4.1    March 5, 2020   
4.11    Second Supplemental Indenture dated April 19, 2021 between FedNat Holding Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee    8-K    4.1    April 21, 2021   
4.12    Indenture dated April  19, 2021 between FedNat Holding Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, Paying Agent, and Registrar    8-K    4.2    April 21, 2021   
4.13    Form of 7.50% Senior Unsecured Note due 2029 of FedNat Holding Company    S-4    4.5    January 16, 2020   
4.14    Form of Convertible Senior Unsecured Note due 2026    8-K    4.3    April 21, 2021   
5.1    Legal Opinion of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP             X
23.1    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm             X
23.2    Consent of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)             X
24.1    Power of Attorney of Officers and Directors of the Registrant (set forth on the signature pages to this filing)             X
25.1    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 for the Senior and Subordinated Debt Securities (1)            

 

(1)

To be filed, if necessary, subsequent to the effectiveness of this registration statement by an amendment to this registration statement or incorporated by reference pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with the offering of securities.

Item 17. Undertakings

(a) Rule 415 offering. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

(i) If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:

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

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

(ii) if the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. 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 first use, 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 date of first use.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

(b) Filings incorporating subsequent Exchange Act documents by reference. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in 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) Request for acceleration of effective date or filing of registration statement becoming effective upon filing. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(d) Qualification of trust indentures under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 for delayed offerings. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Sunrise, State of Florida, on July 16, 2021.

 

FEDNAT HOLDING COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Michael H. Braun

  Michael H. Braun,
  Chief Executive Officer and President

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Michael H. Braun and Ronald A. Jordan, or any one of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in any and all capacities to execute in the name of each such person who is then an officer or director of the Registrant any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and any registration statement relating to the offering hereunder pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933 and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing required or necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully 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 substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

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SIGNATURES

  

TITLE

  

DATE

/s/ Michael H. Braun

Michael H. Braun

  

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

   July 16, 2021

/s/ Ronald A. Jordan

Ronald A. Jordan

  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

   July 16, 2021

/s/ Erick A. Fernandez

Erick A. Fernandez

  

Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

   July 16, 2021

/s/ Bruce F. Simberg

Bruce F. Simberg

   Chairman of the Board and Director    July 16, 2021

/s/ Jenifer G. Kimbrough

Jenifer G. Kimbrough

   Director    July 16, 2021

/s/ David W. Michelson

David W. Michelson

   Director    July 16, 2021

/s/ David K. Patterson

David K. Patterson

   Director    July 16, 2021

/s/ Thomas A. Rogers

Thomas A. Rogers

   Director    July 16, 2021

/s/ Roberta N. Young

Roberta N. Young

   Director    July 16, 2021

 

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Exhibit 4.2

 

 

FEDNAT HOLDING COMPANY,

as Issuer,

and

                                             ,

as Trustee

Indenture

Dated as of ____________ __, 20__

Providing for the Issuance

of

Senior Debt Securities

 

 


FEDNAT HOLDING COMPANY

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939

and Indenture dated as of ____________ ___, 20__

 

Trust Indenture Act

Section

   Indenture Section

Section 310 (a)(1)

   608

(a)(2)

   608

(a)(3)

   614

(a)(4)

   Not Applicable

(a)(5)

   608

(b)

   613

Section 311 (a)

   616

(b)

   616

Section 312 (a)

   701

(b)

   701

(c)

   701

Section 313 (a)

   702

(b)

   702

(c)

   702

(d)

   702

Section 314 (a)

   703; 1006

(b)

   Not Applicable

(c)(1)

   102

(c)(2)

   102

(c)(3)

   Not Applicable

(d)

   Not Applicable

(e)

   102

Section 315 (a)

   602

(b)

   601

(c)

   602

(d)

   602

Section 316 (a) (last sentence)

   101 (“Outstanding”)

(a)(1)(A)

   502, 512

(a)(1)(B)

   514

(b)

   508

(c)

   104

Section 317 (a)(1)

   503

(a)(2)

   504

(b)

   1003

Section 318 (a)

   113

(b)

   Not Applicable

(c)

   113

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


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE ONE  
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION  

Section 101.

  Definitions      1  

Section 102.

  Compliance Certificates and Opinions      7  

Section 103.

  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee      7  

Section 104.

  Acts of Holders      8  

Section 105.

  Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company      8  

Section 106.

  Notice to Holders; Waiver      9  

Section 107.

  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents      9  

Section 108.

  Successors and Assigns      9  

Section 109.

  Separability Clause      9  

Section 110.

  Benefits of Indenture      9  

Section 111.

  Governing Law      9  

Section 112.

  Legal Holidays      10  

Section 113.

  Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act      10  

Section 114.

  No Recourse against Others      10  

Section 115.

  Waiver of Trial by Jury      10  
ARTICLE TWO  
SECURITIES FORMS  

Section 201.

  Forms of Securities      10  

Section 202.

  Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication      10  

Section 203.

  Securities Issuable in Global Form      11  

Section 204.

  Form of Legend for Book-Entry Securities      11  
ARTICLE THREE  
THE SECURITIES  

Section 301.

  Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series      11  

Section 302.

  Denominations      14  

Section 303.

  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating      14  

Section 304.

  Temporary Securities      15  

Section 305.

  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange      16  

Section 306.

  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities      18  

Section 307.

  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset      18  

Section 308.

  Optional Extension of Maturity      19  

Section 309.

  Persons Deemed Owners      20  

Section 310.

  Cancellation      20  

Section 311.

  Computation of Interest      21  

Section 312.

  Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities      21  

Section 313.

  Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent      22  

Section 314.

  CUSIP Numbers      23  
ARTICLE FOUR  
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE  

Section 401.

  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture      23  

Section 402.

  Application of Trust Funds      24  

Section 403.

  Repayment to the Company      24  

Section 404.

  Survival      24  

Section 405.

  Reinstatement      25  

 

i


ARTICLE FIVE  
REMEDIES  

Section 501.

  Events of Default      25  

Section 502.

  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment      26  

Section 503.

  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee      27  

Section 504.

  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      27  

Section 505.

  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities      28  

Section 506.

  Application of Money Collected      28  

Section 507.

  Limitation on Suits      28  

Section 508.

  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest and Additional Amounts, if Any      28  

Section 509.

  Restoration of Rights and Remedies      29  

Section 510.

  Rights and Remedies Cumulative      29  

Section 511.

  Delay or Omission Not Waiver      29  

Section 512.

  Control by Holders of Securities      29  

Section 513.

  Undertaking for Costs      29  

Section 514.

  Waiver of Past Defaults      29  

Section 515.

  Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws      30  
ARTICLE SIX  
THE TRUSTEE  

Section 601.

  Notice of Defaults      30  

Section 602.

  Duties of Trustee      30  

Section 603.

  Certain Rights of Trustee      31  

Section 604.

  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities      32  

Section 605.

  May Hold Securities      32  

Section 606.

  Money Held in Trust      32  

Section 607.

  Compensation and Reimbursement      33  

Section 608.

  Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility      33  

Section 609.

  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor      33  

Section 610.

  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor      34  

Section 611.

  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business      35  

Section 612.

  Appointment of Authenticating Agent      35  

Section 613.

  Conflicting Interests      36  

Section 614.

  Appointment of Co-Trustee      36  

Section 615.

  Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company      37  

Section 616.

  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company      37  
ARTICLE SEVEN  
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY  

Section 701.

  Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders      37  

Section 702.

  Reports by Trustee      37  

Section 703.

  Reports by Company      38  

Section 704.

  Calculation of Original Issue Discount      38  
ARTICLE EIGHT  
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER  

Section 801.

  Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms      38  

Section 802.

  Successor Person Substituted      39  

Section 803.

  Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel      39  
ARTICLE NINE  
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES  

Section 901.

  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders      39  

Section 902.

  Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders      40  

 

ii


Section 903.

  Execution of Supplemental Indentures      41  

Section 904.

  Effect of Supplemental Indentures      41  

Section 905.

  Conformity with Trust Indenture Act      41  

Section 906.

  Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures      41  
ARTICLE TEN  
COVENANTS  

Section 1001.

  Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest      42  

Section 1002.

  Maintenance of Office or Agency      42  

Section 1003.

  Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust      42  

Section 1004.

  Corporate Existence      43  

Section 1005.

  Additional Amounts      43  

Section 1006.

  Statement as to Compliance      44  

Section 1007.

  Waiver of Certain Covenants      44  

Section 1008.

  Statement by Officers as to Default      44  
ARTICLE ELEVEN  
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES  

Section 1101.

  Applicability of Article      44  

Section 1102.

  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee      44  

Section 1103.

  Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed      44  

Section 1104.

  Notice of Redemption      45  

Section 1105.

  Deposit of Redemption Price      45  

Section 1106.

  Securities Payable on Redemption Date      45  

Section 1107.

  Securities Redeemed in Part      46  
ARTICLE TWELVE  
SINKING FUNDS  

Section 1201.

  Applicability of Article      46  

Section 1202.

  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities      46  

Section 1203.

  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund      46  
ARTICLE THIRTEEN  
REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS  

Section 1301.

  Applicability of Article      47  

Section 1302.

  Repayment of Securities      47  

Section 1303.

  Exercise of Option      47  

Section 1304.

  When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable      47  

Section 1305.

  Securities Repaid in Part      47  
ARTICLE FOURTEEN  
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE  

Section 1401.

  Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      48  

Section 1402.

  Defeasance and Discharge      48  

Section 1403.

  Covenant Defeasance      48  

Section 1404.

  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      48  

Section 1405.

  Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions      49  

Section 1406.

  Reinstatement      50  
ARTICLE FIFTEEN  
MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES  

Section 1501.

  Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called      50  

Section 1502.

  Call, Notice and Place of Meetings      50  

Section 1503.

  Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings      50  

 

iii


Section 1504.

 

Quorum; Action

     51  

Section 1505.

 

Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings

     51  

Section 1506.

 

Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings

     52  

 

 

iv


INDENTURE, dated as of ____________ __, 20__ between FEDNAT HOLDING COMPANY, a Florida corporation (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal office at 14050 N.W. 14th Street, Suite 180, Sunrise, Florida 33323, and _____________________, as Trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

WHEREAS, the Company deems it necessary to issue from time to time for its lawful purposes senior debt securities (hereinafter called the “Securities”) evidencing its unsecured and senior indebtedness, which may or may not be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), and has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Securities, to be issued in one or more series, unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such times and to have such other provisions as provided in this Indenture;

WHEREAS, this Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done;

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities, or of a series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 101. Definitions. (a) For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires or unless such definition is changed or amended in a supplement or amendment to this Indenture:

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

(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the TIA, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein, and the terms “cash transaction” and “self-liquidating paper”, as used in TIA Section 311, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the rules of the Commission adopted under the TIA;

(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with 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.

(b) Certain terms, used principally in Article Three, Article Five and Article Six are defined in those Articles.

(c) Other terms are defined as follows:

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

Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required by a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on certain Holders and which are owing to such Holders.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

1


Authenticating Agent” means any Person appointed by the Trustee to act on behalf of the Trustee pursuant to Section 612 to authenticate Securities.

Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, in the English language or in an official language of the country of publication, customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. 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.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company, or the executive committee or any committee of that board duly authorized to act hereunder.

Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or any Vice President of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Capital Stock” means (i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock; (ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock; (iii) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and (iv) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

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

Common Depositary” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

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

Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller or an Assistant Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Conversion Date” has the meaning specified in Subsection 312(d).

Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (1) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country which issued such Currency and by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community for the settlement of transactions, (2) the euro for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European Communities or (3) any currency unit (or composite currency) other than the euro for the purposes for which such currency unit was established.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business related to this Indenture shall be principally administered.

Corporation” includes corporations, associations, limited liability companies, companies and business trusts.

Credit Facilities” means, one or more debt facilities or commercial paper facilities or other agreements or indentures, in each case with banks or other lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit or other debt, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time by one or more of such facilities, whether with the same or different banks and lenders and whether or not increasing the amount thereunder.

 

2


Currency” means any currency or currencies, composite currency or currency unit or currency units, including, without limitation, the euro, issued by the government of one or more countries or by any reorganized confederation or association of such governments.

Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307(e).

Depositary,” when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, means the Person designated as Depositary by the Company until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter shall mean or include each Person which is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, shall be a collective reference to such Persons.

Depositary Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary or its nominee, an institution that has an account therewith.

Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit” has the meaning specified in Section 312(g).

Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 312(f).

Election Date” has the meaning specified in Subsection 312(h).

European Communities” means the European Union, the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community.

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

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Date” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

Exchange Rate Agent” means, with respect to Securities of or within any series unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, a New York Clearing House bank designated pursuant to Section 301 or Section 313.

Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate setting forth (1) the applicable Market Exchange Rate or the applicable bid quotation and (2) the Dollar or Foreign Currency amounts of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any (on an aggregate basis and on the basis of a Security having the lowest denomination principal amount determined in accordance with Section 302 in the relevant Currency), payable with respect to a Security of any series on the basis of such Market Exchange Rate signed by the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Controller, any Vice President or any Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Controller of the Company.

Foreign Currency” means any Currency, including, without limitation, the euro, issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

Government Obligations” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, securities which are:

(1) direct obligations of the government which issued the Currency in which the Securities of a particular series are payable, or

(2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government which issued the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed by such government, which, in either case, are full faith and credit obligations of such government payable in such Currency and are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

3


Holder” means, in the case of a Registered Security, the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.

Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301; provided, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the or those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.

Indexed Security” means a Security as to which all or certain interest payments and/or the principal amount payable at Maturity are determined by reference to prices, changes in prices, or differences between prices, of securities, Currencies, intangibles, goods, articles or commodities or by such other objective price, economic or other measures as are specified in Section 301 hereof.

Interest,” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, shall mean interest payable after Maturity, and, when used with respect to a Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1005 or otherwise, includes such Additional Amounts.

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

Letter of Credit Facilities” means the letters of credit entered into by the Company in the ordinary course of business as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified including any refinancing, refunding, replacement or extension thereof.

Market Exchange Rate” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, (1) for any conversion involving a currency unit on the one hand and Dollars or any Foreign Currency on the other, the exchange rate between the relevant currency unit and Dollars or such Foreign Currency calculated by the method specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of the relevant series, (2) for any conversion of Dollars into any Foreign Currency, the noon (New York City time) buying rate for such Foreign Currency for cable transfers quoted in New York City as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and (3) for any conversion of one Foreign Currency into Dollars or another Foreign Currency, the spot rate at noon local time in the relevant market at which, in accordance with normal banking procedures, the Dollars or Foreign Currency into which conversion is being made could be purchased with the Foreign Currency from which conversion is being made from major banks located in either New York City, London or any other principal market for Dollars or such purchased Foreign Currency, in each case determined by the Exchange Rate Agent. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, in the event of the unavailability of any of the exchange rates provided for in clauses (1), (2) and (3) of this definition, the Exchange Rate Agent shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in New York City, London or another principal market for the Currency in question, or such other quotations as the Exchange Rate Agent shall deem appropriate. Unless otherwise specified by the Exchange Rate Agent, if there is more than one market for dealing in any Currency by reason of foreign exchange regulations or otherwise, the market to be used in respect of such Currency shall be that upon which a non-resident issuer of securities designated in such Currency would purchase such Currency in order to make payments in respect of such securities.

Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect repayment, notice of exchange or conversion or otherwise.

Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary of such Person.

Officers’ Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by two Officers, one of which must be the principal executive, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of such Person.

 

4


Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company or who may be an employee of or other counsel for the Company.

Original Issue Discount Security” means any 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 Securities or any series of any Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities or all Securities of such series, as the case may be, theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

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

(2) Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities, provided that, if such 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;

(3) Securities, except to the extent provided in Sections 1402 and 1403, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Fourteen; and

(4) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company; provided, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders for quorum purposes, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 313, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the Dollar equivalent, determined as of the date such Security is originally issued by the Company as set forth in an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security or Indexed Security, the Dollar equivalent as of such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) or clause (iii) of this definition, respectively) of such Security, (iii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Security pursuant to Section 301, and (iv) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. 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 Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

Parent Entity” means the entity that holds all of the Capital Stock of the Company upon the occurrence of a reorganization.

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

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

 

5


Place of Payment” means, when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities are payable as specified and as contemplated by Sections 301 and 1002.

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

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

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

Registered Security” means any Security that is registered in the Security Register.

Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of or within any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301, whether or not a Business Day.

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

Repayment Price” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the price at which it is to be repaid by or pursuant to this Indenture.

Responsible Officer” shall mean, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who in each case shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Restricted Subsidiaries” means [ ].

Security” or “Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and, more particularly, means any Security or Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities” with respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more particularly mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

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

Significant Subsidiary” means any subsidiary that would constitute a “Significant Subsidiary” within the meaning of Article 1 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act, as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed.

Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of or within any series means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable, as such date may be extended pursuant to the provisions of Section 308.

Subsidiary” means any corporation of which at the time of determination the Company, directly and/or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries, owns more than 50% of the shares of Voting Stock.

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

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

 

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United States” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

United States Person” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source or a trust whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all of its decisions.

Valuation Date” has the meaning specified in Subsection 312(c).

Vice President” when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president”.

Voting Stock” means stock of the class or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of a corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.

Section 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

(a) Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture 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.

(b) Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 1006) shall include:

(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

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

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

Section 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

(a) In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion as to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to such matters in one or several documents.

 

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

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

Section 104. Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed (which may be electronically signed) by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1506.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems reasonably sufficient.

(c) The principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

(d) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA Section 316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than 180 days after the record date.

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

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

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

(1) the Trustee by any Holder, or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (which may be via facsimile) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or at any other address previously furnished in writing by the Trustee to the Holders or the Company, or

 

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(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of the Company’s principal office specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

Section 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.

(a) Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities by the Company or the Trustee, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or by email, to each such Holder affected by such event, at his physical address or email address as such address appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities given as provided herein. Any notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually receives such notice.

(b) In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impracticable to mail notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be sufficient giving of such notice for every purpose hereunder.

(c) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver 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.

(d) 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.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or purchase) to a Holder of a global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee.

Section 107. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

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

Section 108. Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 109. Separability Clause.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in any Security shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 110. Benefits of Indenture.

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

Section 111. Governing Law.

This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York. This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

 

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Section 112. Legal Holidays.

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security other than a provision in the Securities of any series which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section), payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, 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 sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity; provided that no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be.

Section 113. Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act.

If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with any provision (an “incorporated provision”) required by or deemed to be included in this Indenture by operation of the TIA, such imposed duties or incorporated provisions shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the TIA that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.

Section 114. No Recourse against Others.

A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting any of the Securities waives and releases all such liability.

Section 115. Waiver of Trial by Jury.

The Company, the Trustee and Holders hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive the right to trial by jury in connection with any claim arising out of or relating to the Securities and under this Indenture.

ARTICLE TWO

SECURITIES FORMS

Section 201. Forms of Securities.

(a) The Registered Securities, if any, of each series shall be in substantially the forms as shall be established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Section 301, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.

(b) The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

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

Subject to Section 612, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein and referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

as Trustee
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory
Dated:  

 

 

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Section 203. Securities Issuable in Global Form.

(a) If Securities of or within a series are issuable in global form, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, then, notwithstanding clause (8) of Subsection 301(b) and the provisions of Section 302, any such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 303 or Section 304. Subject to the provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 303 or Section 304 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement, delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

(b) The provisions of Subsection 303(h) shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never sold and delivered by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 303.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 309 and except as provided in Subsection (c) of this Section, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent global Security the Holder of such permanent global Security in registered form.

Section 204. Form of Legend for Book-Entry Securities.

Any global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend (which would be in addition to any other legends required in the case of a restricted Security) in substantially the following form:

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS CERTIFICATE IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY, ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL, SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

ARTICLE THREE

THE SECURITIES

Section 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

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

(b) The Securities shall rank equally and pari passu and may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in one or more Board Resolutions or pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions and, subject to Section 303, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, any or all of the following, as applicable (each of which (except for the matters set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (15) of this Subsection), if so provided, may be determined from time to time by the Company with respect to unissued Securities of the series and set forth in such Securities of the series when issued from time to time):

 

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(1) the title of the Securities of the series, including CUSIP Numbers (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from all other series of Securities);

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107 or 1305) and whether any series may be reopened for additional Securities of that series; in the event that such series of Securities may be reopened from time to time for issuances of additional Securities of such series, the terms thereof shall indicate whether any such additional Securities shall have the same terms as the prior Securities of such series or whether the Company may establish additional or different terms with respect to such additional Securities;

(3) the date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will be determined or extended, on which the principal (and premium, if any,) of the Securities of the series shall be payable;

(4) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date, or the method by which such date shall be determined, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than on the basis of a 360-day year of 12 30-day months;

(5) the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the Corporate Trust Office, where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of the series shall be payable, where any Registered Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, where Securities of the series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;

(6) the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the Currency or Currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option;

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

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

(9) if other than the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar and/or Paying Agent;

(10) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

(11) if other than Dollars, the Currency or Currencies in which payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be made or in which the Securities of the series shall be denominated and the particular provisions applicable thereto in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 312;

(12) whether the amount of payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

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(13) whether the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a Currency other than that in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which (including the Election Date), and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities are to be so payable, in each case in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 312;

(14) provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of Securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;

(15) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants or other provisions (including any deletions from, modifications of or additions to any of the provisions of Section 1007) of the Company with respect to Securities of the series, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants or other provisions are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants or other provisions set forth herein;

(16) whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 305, and the circumstances under which and the place or places where any such exchanges may be made and if Securities of the series are to be issuable in global form, the identity of any initial depositary therefor;

(17) the date as of which any temporary global Security representing Outstanding Securities of the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;

(18) the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 304;

(19) the applicability, if any, of Sections 1402 and 1403 to the Securities of the series and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Article Fourteen;

(20) if the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and/or terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(21) whether, under what circumstances and the Currency in which, the Company will pay Additional Amounts as contemplated by Section 1005 on the Securities of the series to any Holder who is not a United States person (including any modification to the definition of such term) in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option);

(22) the designation of the initial Exchange Rate Agent, if any;

(23) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), the terms and conditions upon which such Securities of the series will be so convertible or exchangeable (including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate, the conversion period, the conversion agent, if any, adjustments of the applicable conversion price or rate and any requirements with respect to the reservation of shares or Securities for purposes of conversion);

(24) if the Securities of the series are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants, the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered; and

(25) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the TIA).

(c) All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution (subject to Section 303) and set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. Not all Securities of any one series need to be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Securities (which additional terms shall only be applicable to unissued or additional Securities of such series).

 

 

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(d) If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, a copy of an appropriate record of such action(s) shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or any Vice President of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.

Section 302. Denominations.

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301. In the absence of any such provision with respect to Securities of any series, the principal, premium and interest and Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities shall be payable in Dollars. With respect to Securities of any series denominated in Dollars, in the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Registered Securities of such series, other than Registered Securities issued in global form (which may be of any denomination) shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

Section 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

(a) The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by two Officers of the Company. The signature of any of these Officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized Officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.

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

(c) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time and if the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee for the issuance of such Securities and determining the terms of particular Securities of such series, such as interest rate, maturity date, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to TIA Sections 315(a) through 315(d)) shall be fully protected in relying upon,

(1) an Opinion of Counsel stating,

(i) that the form or forms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) that the terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(iii) that such Securities, when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, to general equitable principles and to such other qualifications as such counsel shall conclude do not materially affect the rights of Holders of such Securities;

(2) an Officers’ Certificate stating, to the best of the knowledge of the signers of such certificate, that no Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) an executed supplemental indenture (if any).

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of this Section 303, if all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order, Opinion of Counsel or Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Subsection (c) of this Section at the time of issuance of each Security of such series, but such order, opinion and certificates, with appropriate modifications to cover such future issuances, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.

 

 

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(e) The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, the Trustee will not be required to authenticate Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency if the Trustee reasonably believes that it would be unable to perform its duties with respect to such Securities.

(f) Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

(g) No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature of an authorized signatory, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

(h) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never sold and delivered by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 310 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 Security has never been sold and delivered by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 304. Temporary Securities.

(a) Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form, and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the Officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global form.

(b) Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form (which shall be exchanged in accordance with Subsection 304(c) or as otherwise provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution), if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

(c) (1) Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, this Subsection 304(c) shall govern the exchange of temporary Securities issued in global form.

(2) If temporary Securities of any series are issued in global form, any such temporary global Security shall, unless otherwise provided therein, be delivered to the office of a depositary or common depositary (the “Common Depositary”), for credit to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of such Securities (or to such other accounts as they may direct).

(3) Without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the date specified in, or determined pursuant to the terms of, any such temporary global Security (the “Exchange Date”), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities, in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such temporary global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the Exchange Date, such temporary global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depositary to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such temporary global Security and upon receipt of the Company Order described in Section 303, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such temporary global Security to be exchanged. The definitive Securities to be delivered in exchange for any such temporary global Security shall be in registered form or permanent global registered form, or any combination thereof, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, and, if any combination thereof is so specified, as requested by the beneficial owner thereof; provided, that, unless

 

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otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, upon such presentation by the Common Depositary, such temporary global Security is accompanied by a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by the Common Depositary as to the portion of such temporary global Security held for its account then to be exchanged and a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date, in the form as may be established pursuant to Section 301.

(4) Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, the interest of a beneficial owner of Securities of a series in a temporary global Security shall be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor following the Exchange Date when the account holder instructs the Common Depositary to request such exchange on his behalf and delivers to the Common Depositary a certificate in the form as may be established pursuant to Section 301, dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Exchange Date, copies of which certificate shall be available from the offices of the Common Depositary, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent appointed for such series of Securities and each Paying Agent. Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, any such exchange shall be made free of charge to the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security, except that a Person receiving definitive Securities must bear the cost of insurance, postage, transportation and the like in the event that such Person does not take delivery of such definitive Securities in person at the offices of the Common Depositary.

(5) Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series occurring prior to the applicable Exchange Date shall be payable to the Common Depositary on such Interest Payment Date upon delivery by the Common Depositary to the Trustee of a certificate or certificates in the form as may be established pursuant to Section 301, for credit without further interest thereon on or after such Interest Payment Date to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security on such Interest Payment Date and who have each delivered to the Common Depositary a certificate dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Interest Payment Date occurring prior to such Exchange Date in the form as may be established pursuant to Section 301. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the certifications made pursuant to this clause (5) of Subsection 304(c) shall satisfy the certification requirements of clauses (3) and (4) of this Subsection 304(c) and of Subsection 303(c) of this Indenture and the interests of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of the temporary global Security with respect to which such certification was made will be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor on the Exchange Date or the date of certification if such date occurs after the Exchange Date, without further act or deed by such beneficial owners. Except as otherwise provided in this clause (5) of Subsection 304(c), no payments of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, owing with respect to a beneficial interest in a temporary global Security will be made unless and until such interest in such temporary global Security shall have been exchanged for an interest in a definitive Security. Any interest so received by the Common Depositary and not paid as herein provided shall be returned to the Trustee prior to the expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date in order to be repaid to the Company.

Section 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

(a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or in any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment a register for each series of Securities (the registers maintained in such office or in any such office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes referred to collectively as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities. The Security Register shall be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office, is hereby initially appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Registered Securities and transfers of Registered Securities on such Security Register as herein provided. In the event that the Trustee shall cease to be Security Registrar, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register at all reasonable times.

(b) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any office or agency in a Place of Payment for the register and transfer of Securities of that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, subject to the terms and conditions of this Article Three, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, and tenor.

(c) At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions, upon surrender of the Registered Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

 

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

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any permanent global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this Subsection 305(e). If any beneficial owner of an interest in a permanent global Security is entitled to exchange such interest for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 301 and provided that any applicable notice provided in the permanent global Security shall have been given, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depositary or such other depositary as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities without charge and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such permanent global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such permanent global Security to be exchanged shall be in the form of Registered Securities; provided, that, no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date if the Security for which exchange is requested may be among those selected for redemption. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (1) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (2) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such permanent global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

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

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

(h) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906, 1107 or 1305 not involving any transfer.

(i) The Company shall not be required (1) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security if such Security may be among those selected for redemption during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before, and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or (2) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Registered Security to be redeemed in part, the unredeemed portion thereof, or (3) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

(j) Each Holder of a Security agrees to indemnify the Company and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Security in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable United States Federal or state securities law.

(k) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Depositary Participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

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

(a) If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company, together with, in proper cases, such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each of them or any agent of either of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount, and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

(b) If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (1) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and (2) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections 306(a) and (b), in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

(d) Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

(e) Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

(f) The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

Section 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset.

(a) Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, interest, if any, on any Registered Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002; provided, that, each installment of interest, if any, on any Registered Security may at the Company’s option be paid by (1) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 309, to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register or (2) transfer to an account located in the United States maintained by the payee.

(b) Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301, every permanent global Security will provide that interest, if any, payable on any Interest Payment Date will be paid to each Common Depositary with respect to that portion of such permanent global Security held for its account by the Common Depositary, for the purpose of permitting each Common Depositary to credit the interest, if any, received by it in respect of such permanent global Security to the accounts of the beneficial owners thereof.

(c) Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, any interest on any Registered Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) of this Subsection:

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Registered Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment (which shall not be less than 20 days after such notice is received by the Trustee), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such

 

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money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given in the manner provided in Section 106, 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 so given, 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) of this Subsection.

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

(d) The provisions of this Subsection 307(d) may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 301). The interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) on any Security of such series may be reset by the Company on the date or dates specified on the face of such Security (each an “Optional Reset Date”). The Company may exercise such option with respect to such Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to an Optional Reset Date for such Security. Not later than 40 days prior to each Optional Reset Date, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, to the Holder of any such Security a notice (the “Reset Notice”) indicating whether the Company has elected to reset the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), and if so (1) such new interest rate (or such new spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) and (2) the provisions, if any, for redemption during the period from such Optional Reset Date to the next Optional Reset Date or if there is no such next Optional Reset Date, to the Stated Maturity of such Security (each such period a “Subsequent Interest Period”), including the date or dates on which or the period or periods during which and the price or prices at which such redemption may occur during the Subsequent Interest Period.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days prior to the Optional Reset Date, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice and establish a higher interest rate (or a spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable) for the Subsequent Interest Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, notice of such higher interest rate (or such spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) is reset on an Optional Reset Date, and with respect to which the Holders of such Securities have not tendered such Securities for repayment (or have validly revoked any such tender) pursuant to Subsection 307(h), will bear such higher interest rate (or such spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable).

(f) The Holder of any such Security may have the option to elect repayment by the Company of the principal of such Security on each Optional Reset Date at a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus interest accrued to, but not including, such Optional Reset Date. In order to obtain repayment on an Optional Reset Date, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to such Optional Reset Date and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to the Reset Notice, the Holder may, by written notice to the Trustee, revoke such tender or repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before such Optional Reset Date.

(g) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

Section 308. Optional Extension of Maturity.

(a) The provisions of this Section 308 may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 301). The Stated Maturity of any Security of such series may be extended at the option of the Company for the period or periods specified on the face of such Security (each an “Extension Period”) up to but not beyond the date (the “Final Maturity”) set forth on the face of such Security. The Company may exercise such option with respect to any Security by notifying the Trustee in writing of such exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to the Stated Maturity of such Security in effect prior to the exercise of such option (the “Original Stated Maturity”). If the Company exercises such option, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, to the Holder of such

 

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Security not later than 40 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity a notice (the “Extension Notice”) indicating (i) the election of the Company to extend the Stated Maturity, (ii) the new Stated Maturity, (iii) the interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), if any, applicable to the Extension Period and (iv) the provisions, if any, for redemption during such Extension Period. Upon the Trustee’s transmittal of the Extension Notice, the Stated Maturity of such Security shall be extended automatically and, except as modified by the Extension Notice and as described in Subsection (b) of this Section, such Security will have the same terms as prior to the transmittal of such Extension Notice.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days before the Original Stated Maturity of such Security, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Extension Notice and establish a higher interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula used to calculate such higher interest rate, if applicable) for the Extension Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, notice of such higher interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the Stated Maturity is extended will bear such higher interest rate.

(c) If the Company extends the Stated Maturity of any Security, the Holder will have the option to elect repayment of such Security by the Company on the Original Stated Maturity at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, plus interest accrued to, but not including, such date. In order to obtain repayment on the Original Stated Maturity once the Company has extended the Stated Maturity thereof, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders, except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to an Extension Notice, the Holder may by written notice to the Trustee revoke such tender for repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before the Original Stated Maturity.

Section 309. Persons Deemed Owners.

(a) Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any Paying Agent and any authenticating agent 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 Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, on such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Registered Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee nor any Paying Agent nor authenticating agent of the Company, shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(b) None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Security in global form or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any global Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company, or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any depositary, as a Holder, with respect to such global Security or impair, as between such depositary and owners of beneficial interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such global Security.

Section 310. Cancellation.

(a) All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. Cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in its customary manner.

Section 311. Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to Securities of any series, interest, if any, on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of 12 30-day months.

 

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Section 312. Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities.

(a) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, with respect to Registered Securities of any series not permitting the election provided for in Subsection (b) of this Section, or the Holders of which have not made the election provided for in Subsection (b) of this Section, payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Registered Security of such series will be made in the Currency in which such Registered Security is payable. The provisions of this Section 312 may be modified or superseded with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301.

(b) It may be provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to Registered Securities of any series that Holders shall have the option, subject to Subsection (d) and (e) of this Section, to receive payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such Registered Securities in any of the Currencies which may be designated for such election by delivering to the Trustee a written election with signature guarantees and in the applicable form established pursuant to Section 301, not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the applicable payment date. If a Holder so elects to receive such payments in any such Currency, such election will remain in effect for such Holder or any transferee of such Holder until changed by such Holder or such transferee by written notice to the Trustee (but any such change must be made not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the next payment date to be effective for the payment to be made on such payment date and no such change of election may be made with respect to payments to be made on any Registered Security of such series with respect to which an Event of Default has occurred or with respect to which the Company has deposited funds pursuant to Article Four or Fourteen or with respect to which a notice of redemption has been given by the Company or a notice of option to elect repayment has been sent by such Holder or such transferee). Any Holder of any such Registered Security who shall not have delivered any such election to the Trustee of such series of Registered Securities not later than the close of business on the applicable Election Date will be paid the amount due on the applicable payment date in the relevant Currency as provided in Subsection (a) of this Section. The Trustee shall notify the Exchange Rate Agent as soon as practicable after the Election Date of the aggregate principal amount of Registered Securities for which Holders have made such written election.

(c) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if the election referred to in Subsection (b) of this Section has been provided for pursuant to Section 301, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, not later than the fourth Business Day after the Election Date for each payment date for Registered Securities of any series, the Exchange Rate Agent will deliver to the Company and the Trustee a written notice specifying the Currency in which Registered Securities of such series are payable, the respective aggregate amounts of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Registered Securities to be paid on such payment date, specifying the amounts in such Currency so payable in respect of the Registered Securities as to which the Holders of Registered Securities of such Series shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in Subsection (b) of this Section. If the election referred to in Subsection (b) of this Section has been provided for pursuant to Section 301 and if at least one Holder has made such election, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, on the second Business Day preceding such payment date the Company will deliver to the Trustee for such series of Registered Securities an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate in respect of the Dollar or Foreign Currency payments to be made on such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, the Dollar or Foreign Currency amount receivable by Holders of Registered Securities who have elected payment in a Currency as provided in Subsection (b) of this Section shall be determined by the Company on the basis of the applicable Market Exchange Rate in effect on the second Business Day (the “Valuation Date”) immediately preceding each payment date, and such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

(d) If a Conversion Event occurs with respect to a Foreign Currency in which any of the Securities are denominated or payable other than pursuant to an election provided for pursuant to Subsection (b) of this Section, then with respect to each date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any on the applicable Securities denominated or payable in such Foreign Currency occurring after the last date on which such Foreign Currency was used (the “Conversion Date”), the Dollar shall be the currency of payment for use on each such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, the Dollar amount to be paid by the Company to the Trustee and by such Trustee or any Paying Agent to the Holders of such Securities with respect to such payment date shall be, in the case of a Foreign Currency other than a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency or, in the case of a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, in each case as determined by the Exchange Rate Agent in the manner provided in Subsection (f) or (g) of this Section.

(e) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if the Holder of a Registered Security denominated in any Currency shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in Subsection (b) of this Section, and a Conversion Event occurs with respect to such elected Currency, such Holder shall receive payment in the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election; and if a Conversion Event occurs with respect to the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election, such Holder shall receive payment in Dollars as provided in Subsection (d) of this Section.

(f) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and shall be obtained for each subsequent payment date by converting the specified Foreign Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate on the Conversion Date.

 

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(g) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and subject to the provisions of Subsection (h) of this Section shall be the sum of each amount obtained by converting the Specified Amount of each Component Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate for such Component Currency on the Valuation Date with respect to each payment.

(h) For purposes of this Section 312, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

A “Component Currency” shall mean any currency which, on the Conversion Date, was a component currency of the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the euro.

A “Specified Amount” of a Component Currency shall mean the number of units of such Component Currency or fractions thereof which were represented in the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the euro, on the Conversion Date. If after the Conversion Date the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of combination or subdivision, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If after the Conversion Date two or more Component Currencies are consolidated into a single Currency, the respective Specified Amounts of such Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such single Currency equal to the sum of the respective Specified Amounts of such consolidated Component Currencies expressed in such single Currency, and such amount shall thereafter be a Specified Amount and such single Currency shall thereafter be a Component Currency. If after the Conversion Date any Component Currency shall be divided into two or more currencies, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be replaced by amounts of such two or more currencies, having an aggregate Dollar Equivalent value at the Market Exchange Rate on the date of such replacement equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the Specified Amount of such former Component Currency at the Market Exchange Rate immediately before such division, and such amounts shall thereafter be Specified Amounts and such currencies shall thereafter be Component Currencies. If, after the Conversion Date of the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the euro, a Conversion Event (other than any event referred to above in this definition of “Specified Amount”) occurs with respect to any Component Currency of such currency unit and is continuing on the applicable Valuation Date, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall, for purposes of calculating the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, be converted into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate in effect on the Conversion Date of such Component Currency.

Election Date” shall mean the Regular Record Date for the applicable series of Registered Securities or at least 16 days prior to Maturity, as the case may be, or such other prior date for any series of Registered Securities as specified pursuant to clause 13 of Section 301 by which the written election referred to in Subsection 312(b) may be made.

(i) All decisions and determinations of the Exchange Rate Agent regarding the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, the Market Exchange Rate and changes in the Specified Amounts as specified above shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company, the Trustee and all Holders of such Securities denominated or payable in the relevant Currency. The Exchange Rate Agent shall promptly give written notice to the Company and the Trustee of any such decision or determination.

(j) In the event that the Company determines in good faith that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to a Foreign Currency, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and such Trustee will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided for in Section 106 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date. In the event the Company so determines that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to the euro or any other currency unit in which Securities are denominated or payable, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and such Trustee will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided in Section 106 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date and the Specified Amount of each Component Currency on the Conversion Date. In the event the Company determines in good faith that any subsequent change in any Component Currency as set forth in the definition of Specified Amount above has occurred, the Company will similarly give written notice to the Trustee and the Exchange Rate Agent.

(k) The Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities shall be fully justified and protected in conclusively relying and acting upon information received by it from the Company and the Exchange Rate Agent and shall not otherwise have any duty or obligation to determine the accuracy or validity of such information independent of the Company or the Exchange Rate Agent.

Section 313. Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent.

(a) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series (1) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (2) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of this Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent. The Company will cause the Exchange Rate Agent to make the necessary foreign exchange determinations at the time and in the manner specified pursuant to Section 301 for the purpose of determining the applicable rate of exchange and, if applicable, for the purpose of converting the issued Foreign Currency into the applicable payment Currency for the payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, pursuant to Section 312.

 

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(b) No resignation of the Exchange Rate Agent and no appointment of a successor Exchange Rate Agent pursuant to this Section shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Exchange Rate Agent as evidenced by a written instrument delivered to the Company and the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities accepting such appointment executed by the successor Exchange Rate Agent.

(c) If the Exchange Rate Agent shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Exchange Rate Agent for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Exchange Rate Agent or Exchange Rate Agents with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Exchange Rate Agent may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, at any time there shall only be one Exchange Rate Agent with respect to the Securities of any particular series that are originally issued by the Company on the same date and that are initially denominated and/or payable in the same Currency).

Section 314. CUSIP Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall indicate the “CUSIP” numbers of the Securities in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that, any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE FOUR

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

(a) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 and subject to the provisions of Sections 404 and 405, this Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Request (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series expressly provided for herein or pursuant hereto and any right to receive Additional Amounts, as provided in Section 1005), and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series when

(1) either

(i) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, and (B) Securities of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(ii) all Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,

 

  (A)

have become due and payable, or

 

  (B)

will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

  (C)

if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

and the Company, in the case of subclauses (A), (B) or (C) of this clause (ii), has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose an amount in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

 

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(2) in the case of subclause (ii) of clause (1) of Subsection 401(a), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit;

(3) in the case of subclause (ii) of clause (1) of Subsection 401(a), the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee hereunder to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Securities at Maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be;

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

(5) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

(b) Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 607, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under Section 612 if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (1) of Subsection 401(a), the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and Subsection 1003(d) and the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to Securities of such series under Sections 305, 306, 1002 and 1005, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to any rights of Holders to require the Company to repay such Securities as contemplated by Section 1301 and with respect to any rights of Holders to convert or exchange such Securities into other Securities, shall survive such satisfaction and discharge. These obligations shall continue to be governed and construed in accordance with Section 111.

Section 402. Application of Trust Funds.

Subject to the provisions of Subsection 1003(d), all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 403. Repayment to the Company.

Subject to any applicable unclaimed property law, any money deposited with the Trustee in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request, and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee with respect to such trust money shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times or Wall Street Journal (national edition), 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 notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining shall be repaid to the Company.

Section 404. Survival.

In the event that the Company makes, or causes to be made, an irrevocable deposit with the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of Securities pursuant to subclause (ii) of clause (1) of Subsection 401(a), prior to the date of maturity or redemption, as the case may be, the following provisions of the Indenture shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of the Holders of the Outstanding Securities to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Securities when such payments are due from the trust;

(b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Article Three and Section 1002;

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith; and

(d) this Article Four.

 

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Section 405. Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or Government Obligations in accordance with Section 402, as the case may be, by reason of an order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to subclause (ii) of clause (1) of Subsection 401(a) until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 402; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.

ARTICLE FIVE

REMEDIES

Section 501. Events of Default.

(a) “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to any particular series of Securities, means any one of the following events as such events may be otherwise amended in accordance with Section 301 (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether or not it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(1) default in the payment of any interest upon, or any Additional Amount payable in respect of, any Security of that series, when such interest 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 Security when it becomes due and payable at Maturity upon acceleration, optional redemption, required purchase or otherwise; or

(3) default in the performance, or breach, of the provisions described in Section 801; or

(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Company contained in this Indenture (other than a default in the performance, or breach, of a covenant or warranty which is specifically addressed in clauses (1), (2) or (3) of this Subsection 501(a)), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 30 days after written notice shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities; or

(5) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences a voluntary case,

(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(iii) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

(iv) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; and

(6) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) in an involuntary case;

(ii) appoints a custodian for the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) or for all or substantially all of the properties of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary); or

(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary); and

(iv) the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

 

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(7) (i) one or more defaults in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary aggregating $[ ] million or more, when the same becomes due and payable at the Stated Maturity thereof, and such default or defaults shall have continued after any applicable grace period and shall not have been cured or waived or the indebtedness repaid in full within ten days of the default or (ii) indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary aggregating $[ ] million or more shall have been accelerated or otherwise declared due and payable, or required to be prepaid or repurchased (other than by regularly scheduled required prepayment) prior to the Stated Maturity thereof and such acceleration has not been rescinded or the indebtedness repaid in full within ten days of the acceleration or requirement to be repaid or repurchased; or

(8) one or more judgments or orders shall be rendered against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary for the payment of money, either individually or in an aggregate amount, in excess of $[ ] million (net of any net cash proceeds received from insurance companies) and shall not be discharged and either (i) an enforcement proceeding shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order or (ii) there shall have been a period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, was not in effect; or

(9) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of any Securities of that series.

(b) The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code, as amended from time to time, or any similar foreign, Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or other similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

(a) If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clauses (5) and (6) of Subsection 501(a)) occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the unpaid principal of, (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all the Securities of that series then outstanding to be due and payable, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), specifying the respective Event of Default and upon any such declaration such principal, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest shall become immediately due and payable; provided, however, that so long as any obligations under any Credit Facilities shall be outstanding, the acceleration shall not be effective until the earlier of (1) an acceleration of indebtedness under such Credit Facilities or (2) five Business Days after receipt by the Company and the agent under such Credit Facilities of written notice of such declaration of acceleration of the Securities. If an Event of Default specified in clauses (5) and (6) of Subsection 501(a) with respect to the Company occurs, all unpaid principal of, and accrued interest on, the Securities then outstanding will become due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

(b) If:

(1) the Company has paid or deposited with such Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (i) all overdue installments of interest on all such Securities, (ii) the principal of, and premium, if any, on any Securities that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, (iii) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on the defaulted interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and (iv) all money paid or advanced by the Trustee thereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel;

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the nonpayment of the principal of any Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in this Indenture;

(3) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and

(4) the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities give written notice to the Company and the Trustee of their desire to rescind and annul a declaration of acceleration and its consequences,

then such declaration of acceleration shall be deemed rescinded and annulled.

 

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No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

(c) If any Event of Default occurs by reason of any willful action or inaction taken or not taken by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the Company then had elected to redeem the Securities pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture, then, upon acceleration of the Securities, an equivalent premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable, to the extent permitted by law, anything in this Indenture or in the Securities to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default occurs during any time that the Securities are outstanding, by reason of any willful action or inaction taken or not taken by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding the prohibition on redemption of the Securities, then the premium specified in this Indenture shall also become immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the Securities.

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

(a) The Company covenants that if:

(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest or Additional Amounts on any Security of any series when such interest or Additional Amounts 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 Security of any series at its Maturity,

then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, with interest upon any overdue principal (and premium, if any) and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installments of interest, if any, at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

(b) If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon Securities of such series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series, wherever situated.

(c) If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem necessary 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.

(a) In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company, or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of any overdue principal, premium, if any, or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any, or in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be provided for in the terms thereof) and interest, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings, relative to the Company upon the Securities, its creditors or its property, and

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

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

 

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(b) 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 Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security in any such proceeding.

Section 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. If an Event of Default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest specified in clause (1) or (2) of Subsection 501(a) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, against the Company for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid with respect to such Securities, and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and to the extent lawful, interest on overdue interest, and such further amounts as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee, its agents and counsel. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 506. Application of Money Collected.

If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article Five it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

FIRST: To the Trustee for amounts due under Section 607;

SECOND: To Holders for amounts due and unpaid upon the Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, respectively; and

THIRD: To the Company.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 506.

Section 507. Limitation on Suits.

No Holder of any Security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or pursue any remedy under this Indenture, unless:

(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default;

(b) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series will have made written request to such Trustee to pursue such remedy, including, if applicable, to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee under this Indenture;

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

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

(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to such Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right to use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over other Holders.

Section 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest and Additional Amounts, if Any.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) interest, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any, on such Security on the respective due dates expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

 

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Section 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of Securities 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 with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Subsection 306(f), no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities, as the case may be.

Section 512. Control by Holders of Securities.

Subject to Section 602(e), with respect to any series, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have the right, by an instrument or concurrent instruments in writing executed and delivered to the Trustee, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee under this Indenture or exercising any trust or power conferred upon such Trustee under this Indenture, provided that:

(a) the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that is in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, that may involve the Trustee in personal liability, or that the Trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of Holders not joining in the giving of such direction; and

(b) the Trustee may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from Holders.

Section 513. Undertaking for Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree that in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant, provided that this Section 513 shall not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 508 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities.

Section 514. Waiver of Past Defaults.

(a) The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series 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, if any, or Additional Amounts on any 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 Security of such series affected.

 

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(b) Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury or other law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

ARTICLE SIX

THE TRUSTEE

Section 601. Notice of Defaults.

Within sixty days after the earlier of receipt from the Company of notice of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default hereunder or the date such occurrence hereunder actually becomes known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall transmit to all Holders of Securities of such series, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), notice of such Default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors or a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities of such series; and provided further that in the case of any Default or breach of the character specified in clause (4) of Subsection 501(a) with respect to the Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof unless otherwise specified in accordance with Section 301.

Section 602. Duties of Trustee.

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

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(1) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth (or incorporated by reference) in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

(2) 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. However, 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 examine such certificates and opinions 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).

(c) the Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1) this Subsection 602(c) does not limit the effect of Subsection 602(b).

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

(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to clause (4) of Subsection 603(a), and the Trustee shall be entitled from time to time to request such a direction.

 

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(d) every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to this Section 602 and Section 603.

(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation and may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) the Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.

(a) Subject to the provisions of TIA Sections 315(a) through 315(d):

(1) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, 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.

(2) Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (other than delivery of any Security to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.

(3) 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.

(4) 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 Securities of any series, determined as provided in Sections 101 and 104 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to it or exercising any trust or power conferred upon it.

(5) 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 a Board Resolution, an Opinion of Counsel or an Officers’ Certificate.

(6) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its choosing 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.

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

(8) 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, or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney but in the case of any certificate or opinion specifically required by the Indenture to be delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have a duty to examine the same to determine whether they conform to the Indenture requirements.

(9) 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.

(10) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture other than any liabilities arising out of the negligence of the Trustee.

 

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(11) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

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

(13) The permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty unless so specified herein.

(14) In no event shall the Trustee be liable under or in connection with this Indenture for indirect, special, incidental, punitive or consequential losses or damages of any kind whatsoever, including but not limited to lost profits, whether or not foreseeable, even if the Trustee has been advised of the possibility thereof and regardless of the form of action in which such damages are sought.

(15) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers under this Indenture.

(16) Neither the Trustee nor any of its directors, officers, employees, agents or affiliates shall be responsible for nor have any duty to monitor the performance or any action of the Company or any of its respective directors, officers, agents, affiliates or employees, nor shall it have any liability in connection with any malfeasance or nonfeasance by such party. The Trustee shall not be responsible for any inaccuracy or omission in the records which may result from such information or any failure by the Trustee to perform its duties as set forth herein as a result of any inaccuracy or incompleteness.

(17) If any party fails to deliver a notice relating to an event the fact of which, pursuant to this Indenture, requires notice to be sent to the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively and without liability rely on its failure to receive such notice as reason to act as if no such event occurred.

(b) The Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

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

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

Section 605. May Hold Securities.

The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or such other agent.

Section 606. Money Held in Trust.

Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

 

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Section 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.

(a) The Company agrees:

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as shall be agreed upon in writing from time to time (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 each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as shall be determined to have been caused by its own negligence or willful misconduct; and

(3) to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on its own part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, including with respect to enforcement of its rights under this Section 607.

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

(c) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Subsection 501(a) occurs, the expenses and compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 608. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible to act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company serve as Trustee. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 609. 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 in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 610.

(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company.

(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.

(d) If at any time:

(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 608 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

 

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(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (i) the Company by or pursuant to a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(e) If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of a notice of resignation or the delivery of an Act of removal, the Trustee resigning or being removed or any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of Securities for at least six months, may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee (at the expense of the Company).

(f) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time, except as provided in Section 614, there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to Securities of such series.

(g) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in the manner provided for notices to the Holders of Securities in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 610. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

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

(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto 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 Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates,

(2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and

(3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder

 

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administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in Subsection (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 611. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. In case any Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such 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 612. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

(a) At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, a copy of which instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company and, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 301, shall at all times be a bank or trust company or corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States of America or of any State or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authorities. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

(b) Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

(c) An Authenticating Agent for any series of Securities may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee for such series and to the Company. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve in the manner set forth in Section 106. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor 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.

 

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(d) The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation including reimbursement of its reasonable expenses for its services under this Section.

(e) If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

[___________________________________________]
  as Trustee
By:  

 

  as Authenticating Agent
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory
Dated:  

 

Section 613. Conflicting Interests.

The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 614. Appointment of Co-Trustee.

(a) For the purpose of meeting any legal requirements of any jurisdiction in which the Company may at the time be located in connection with the enforcement of any right or the taking of any action on behalf of the Holders of any Securities issued hereunder, the Trustee shall have the power and may execute and deliver all instruments necessary to appoint one or more Persons to act as a co-trustee or co-trustees, or separate trustee or separate trustees, such powers, duties, obligations, rights and trusts as the Trustee may consider necessary or desirable. Each co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be required to meet the terms of eligibility as a trustee under Section 608. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Holders and the Company of the appointment of a co-trustee or separate trustee under this section.

(b) Every separate trustee and co-trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, be appointed and act subject to the following provisions and conditions:

(1) all rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or imposed upon the Trustee shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Trustee and such separate trustee or co-trustee jointly (it being understood that such separate trustee or co-trustee is not authorized to act separately without the Trustee joining in such act), except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts are to be performed the Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act or acts, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised and performed singly by such separate trustee or co-trustee, but solely at the direction of the Trustee;

(2) no trustee hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of any other trustee hereunder;

(3) the Trustee may at any time accept the resignation of or remove any separate trustee or co-trustee;

(4) any notice, request or other writing given to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been given to each of the then separate trustees and co-trustees, as effectively as if given to each of them. Every instrument appointing any separate trustee or co-trustee shall refer to this Indenture and the conditions of this Article Six. Each separate trustee and co-trustee, upon its acceptance of the trusts conferred, shall be vested with the estates or property specified in its instrument of appointment, either jointly with the Trustee or separately, as may be provided therein, subject to all the provisions of this Indenture, specifically including every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct of, affecting the liability of, or affording protection or rights (including the rights to compensation, reimbursement and indemnification hereunder) to, the Trustee. Every such instrument shall be filed with the Trustee; and

 

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(5) any separate trustee or co-trustee may at any time constitute the Trustee its agent or attorney-in-fact with full power and authority, to the extent not prohibited by law, to do any lawful act under or in respect of this Indenture on its behalf and in its name for the purposes of enforcing any rights or taking any other action on behalf of the Holders of any Securities issued hereunder.

Section 615. Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company.

Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than five Business Days after the date any Officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such Officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

Section 616. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE SEVEN

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 701. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders.

(a) The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(1) semiannually, not later than 15 days after each Regular Record Date for Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, 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 if there is no Regular Record Date for interest for such series of Securities, semiannually, upon such dates as are set forth in the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificates indenture supplemental hereto authorizing such series, and

(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, that, so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar, no such list shall be required to be furnished.

(b) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

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

(d) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with TIA Section 312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).

Section 702. Reports by Trustee.

Within 60 days after [___] of each year commencing with the first [___] after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities as provided in TIA Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such [___] if required by TIA Section 313(a). The Trustee will also comply with TIA Section 313(b).

 

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A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange, if any, upon which the Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of the listing or de-listing of the Securities on any stock exchange.

Section 703. Reports by Company.

(a) The Company will:

(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such Sections, then it will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

(3) transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) of this Subsection as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

(b) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to Subsection (a) of this Section is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

Section 704. Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year:

(a) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods), if any, accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year; and

(b) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

ARTICLE EIGHT

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER

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

(a) The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation) or directly or indirectly sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person or Persons, unless:

(1) either the Company is the surviving corporation, or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made (i) is organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and (ii) expressly assumes, by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

 

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(3) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture and, with respect to the Opinion of Counsel, that such supplemental indenture (if any) is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company or such surviving Person; and

(4) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made will, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional indebtedness pursuant to the provisions hereof or any supplemental indenture.

(b) This Section 801 shall not apply to (1) any merger, consolidation or sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets (i) between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) entered into for the purpose of reincorporating an entity in another jurisdiction or (2) any reorganization that results in all of the Capital Stock of the Company being held by a Parent Entity, provided that the shareholders of the Parent Entity immediately after such reorganization are the shareholders of the Company immediately preceding such reorganization.

Section 802. Successor Person Substituted.

(a) Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company in accordance with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation with the Company to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; thereafter the predecessor company shall be relieved of all further obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities; provided that the Company shall not be released from its obligation to pay the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of its properties and assets.

(b) Such successor entity thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor entity, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations prescribed in this Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the Officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such successor entity thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Securities of any series so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities of such series theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

(c) In case of any such merger in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or any such consolidation, sale, lease, assignment, transfer or conveyance, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

Section 803. Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.

Any consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer or lease permitted under Section 801 is also subject to the condition that the Trustee shall have received an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer, assignment or lease, and the assumption by any successor Person and any such supplemental indenture, comply with the provisions of this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

ARTICLE NINE

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities, the Company when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto for any of the following purposes:

(a) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities contained; or

 

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(b) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

(c) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); provided, that, in respect of any such additional Events of Default such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of that or those series of Securities to which such additional Events of Default apply to waive such default; or

(d) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or

(e) to secure the Securities pursuant to the requirements of such indenture supplement, if applicable; or

(f) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, including the provisions and procedures relating to Securities convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company); or

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

(h) to close this indenture with respect to the authentication and delivery of additional series of Securities; or

(i) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect; or

(j) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 401, 1402 and 1403; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect; or

(k) to comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

Section 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

(a) With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected by such supplemental indenture, with each series voting separately, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to 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 which affects such series of Securities or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, that, no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected thereby:

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, subject to the provisions of Section 308; or reduce the principal amount thereof (or premium, if any) or the rate of interest (or change the manner of calculation of interest), thereon, or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change any obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1005 (except as contemplated by Subsection 801(a) and permitted by Subsection 901(a)), or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or Indexed Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or adversely affect any right of repayment at the option of the Holder of any Security, or change any Place of Payment where, or the Currency in which, any Security or any premium or interest or Additional Amount thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be), or adversely affect any right to convert or exchange any Security as may be provided pursuant to Section 301 herein, or

 

 

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(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver with respect to such series (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 1504 for quorum or voting, or

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 514 or Section 1007, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture that affect such series cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, or

(4) cause the Securities to be expressly subordinated to other indebtedness of the Company.

(b) It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

(c) 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 Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

(d) The Company 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 at the close of Business 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 cancelled and of no further effect.

Section 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modification thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon (subject to the provisions of Article Six hereof), an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and, with respect to such Opinion of Counsel, that the supplemental indenture is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company. 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 Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder 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 Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall, if required by the Company, bear a notation in form approved by the Company as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

 

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ARTICLE TEN

COVENANTS

Section 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such series of Securities and this Indenture. Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, at the option of the Company, all payments of principal may be paid by check to the registered Holder of the Registered Security or other person entitled thereto against surrender of such Security or wire transfer to an account in the United States maintained by the Payee.

Section 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

(a) If Securities of a series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served.

(b) If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the same as its agent to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no service of legal process may be made on the Company at any office of the Trustee.

(c) The Company may from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all of such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, that, no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company hereby designates as a Place of Payment for each series of Securities the office or agency of the Company in _________________, and initially appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as Paying Agent in such city and as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

(d) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series

(1) are denominated in a Currency other than Dollars, or

(2) may be payable in a Currency other than Dollars, or

(3) so long as it is required under any other provision of the Indenture,

then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent.

Section 1003. Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust.

(a) If the Company or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of them shall at any time act as Paying Agent with respect to any series of any Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of such series 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.

(b) Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or before 10:00 a.m. Eastern time on each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum (in the Currency described in Subsection 1003(a)) sufficient to pay the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act. The Paying Agent shall agree that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor of such Securities) to make any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series when the same shall be due and payable.

 

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(c) The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

(d) Subject to applicable unclaimed property laws, except as otherwise provided in the Securities of any series, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment of such principal, premium or interest on any Security, without interest thereon, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, that, the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment for such series, or mailed to each Holder of Registered Securities of such series, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 1004. Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article Eight, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and material rights and franchises (charter and statutory); provided, that, the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if it shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer necessary or desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company; and provided further, that the foregoing shall not prohibit a sale, transfer or conveyance of a Subsidiary or any of its assets in compliance with the terms of the Indenture.

Section 1005. Additional Amounts.

(a) If any Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company through the Paying Agent will pay to the Holder of a Security of such series. Additional Amounts as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

(b) Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal and any premium is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal, premium or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company will furnish the Trustee and the Company’s principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal, premium or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series who are not United States persons without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of the series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities of that series and the Company will pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by the terms of such Securities. In the event that the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall not so receive the above-mentioned certificate, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall be entitled (1) to assume that no such withholding or deduction is required with respect to any payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest with respect to any Securities of a series until it shall have received a certificate advising otherwise and (2) to make all payments of principal of (or premium, if any) and interest with respect to the Securities of a series without withholding or deductions until otherwise advised. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section.

 

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Section 1006. Statement as to Compliance.

The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture and, if the Company is in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which he or she may have knowledge. For purposes of this Section 1006, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.

Section 1007. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

With respect to the Securities of any series, the Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition specified pursuant to Section 301 as being subject to this Section 1007, if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series affected by such term, provision or condition, by Act of such Holders, waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 1008. Statement by Officers as to Default.

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible and in any event within 10 days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default or an event which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or default and the action which the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 1101. Applicability of Article.

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 Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

Section 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all of the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.

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

(a) If less than all the Securities of any series issued on the same day with the same terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series issued on such date with the same terms not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.

(b) The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

(c) For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

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Section 1104. Notice of Redemption.

(a) Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, but failure to give such notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other such Security or portion thereof.

(b) Any notice that is mailed to the Holders of Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice. All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date,

(2) the Redemption Price and the amount of accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106,

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

(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder will receive, without a charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

(5) that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106 will become due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

(6) the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities maturing after the Redemption Date are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any,

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

(8) the CUSIP number of such Security, if any.

(c) Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company; provided that such request is made to the Trustee at least three Business Days prior to the date the notice is to be delivered.

Section 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to 10:00 a.m. Eastern time on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, which it may not do in the case of a sinking fund payment under Article Twelve, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price of, and (unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, all the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

Section 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

(a) Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities of any series so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) (together with accrued interest, if any, to, but not including, the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Securities shall if the same were interest-bearing cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to, but not including, the Redemption Date; provided that installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is prior to (or, if specified pursuant to Section 301, on) the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

 

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(b) If any 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 of interest set forth in such Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, at the Yield to Maturity of such Security.

Section 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Article Twelve) shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. However, if less than all the Securities of any series with differing issue dates, interest rates and stated maturities are to be redeemed, the Company in its sole discretion shall select the particular Securities to be redeemed and shall notify the Trustee in writing thereof at least 45 days prior to the relevant redemption date.

ARTICLE TWELVE

SINKING FUNDS

Section 1201. Applicability of Article.

(a) The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series.

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

Section 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

Except as otherwise specifically contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, the Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of a series, (a) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (b) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, as provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided that such Securities so delivered or applied as a credit have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the applicable Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

Section 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for Securities of any series, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered and credited. If such Officers’ Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.

 

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ARTICLE THIRTEEN

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

Section 1301. Applicability of Article.

Repayment of Securities of any series before their Stated Maturity at the option of Holders thereof shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301) in accordance with this Article.

Section 1302. Repayment of Securities.

Securities of any series subject to repayment in whole or in part at the option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise provided in the terms of such Securities, be repaid at the Repayment Price thereof, together with interest, if any, thereon accrued to the Repayment Date specified in or pursuant to the terms of such Securities. The Company covenants that on or before 10:00 a.m. Eastern time on the Repayment Date it will deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of them is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay the Repayment Price of, and (unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid on such date.

Section 1303. Exercise of Option.

Securities of any series subject to repayment at the option of the Holders thereof will contain an “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Securities. To be repaid at the option of the Holder, any Security so providing for such repayment, with the “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Security duly completed by the Holder (or by the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), must be received by the Company at the Place of Payment therefor specified in the terms of such Security (or at such other place or places of which the Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such Securities) not earlier than 45 days nor later than 30 days prior to the Repayment Date. If less than the entire Repayment Price of such Security is to be repaid in accordance with the terms of such Security, the portion of the Repayment Price of such Security to be repaid, in increments of the minimum denomination for Securities of such series, and the denomination or denominations of the Security or Securities to be issued to the Holder for the portion of such Security surrendered that is not to be repaid, must be specified. Any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not be repaid in part if, following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of such Security would be less than the minimum authorized denomination of Securities of the series of which such Security to be repaid is a part. Except as otherwise may be provided by the terms of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof, exercise of the repayment option by the Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the Company.

Section 1304. When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable.

(a) If Securities of any series providing for repayment at the option of the Holders thereof shall have been surrendered as provided in this Article and as provided by or pursuant to the terms of such Securities, such Securities or the portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid shall become due and payable and shall be paid by the Company on the Repayment Date therein specified, and on and after such Repayment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities on such Repayment Date) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for repayment in accordance with such provisions, the Repayment Price of such Security so to be repaid shall be paid by the Company, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Repayment Date; provided, that, installments of interest on Registered Securities, whose Stated Maturity is prior to (or, if specified pursuant to Section 301, on) the Repayment Date shall be payable (but without interest thereon, unless the Company shall default in the payment thereof) to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

(b) If any Security surrendered for repayment shall not be so repaid upon surrender thereof, the Repayment Price shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate of interest set forth in such Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, at the Yield to Maturity of such Security.

Section 1305. Securities Repaid in Part.

Upon surrender of any Registered Security which is to be repaid in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge and at the expense of the Company, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination specified by the Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the portion of the principal of such Security so surrendered which is not to be repaid.

 

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ARTICLE FOURTEEN

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 1401. Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

If pursuant to Section 301 provision is made for either or both of (a) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1402 or (b) covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1403, then the provisions of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of this Article (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities, elect to have Section 1402 (if applicable) or Section 1403 (if applicable) be applied to such Outstanding Securities upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article.

Section 1402. Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall each be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities on the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 1405 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 1402, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1404 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities when such payments are due,

(b) the obligations of the Company with respect to such Securities under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002 and 1003 and with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 1005 with respect to the rights, if any, of the holders of such Securities to require the Company to repay such Securities as contemplated by Article Thirteen and with respect to the rights, if any, of holders to convert or exchange such Securities into other Securities,

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations related thereto and

(d) subject to compliance with this Article Fourteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 1402 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 1403 with respect to such Securities.

Section 1403. Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be released from its obligations under any other covenant specified pursuant to Section 301, with respect to such Outstanding Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities shall thereafter be deemed to not be “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with any applicable covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under clause (4) of Subsection 501(a) or otherwise except as specified in accordance with Section 301, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

Section 1404. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 1402 or Section 1403 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series:

 

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(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 608 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Fourteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, (1) an amount (in such Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity), or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof in an amount, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or nationally recognized independent investment banking firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Securities on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities.

(b) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

(c) No Default or Event of Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as clauses (5) and (6) of Subsection 501(a) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

(d) In the case of an election under Section 1402, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (1) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (2) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

(e) In the case of an election under Section 1403, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

(f) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance under Section 1402 or the covenant defeasance under Section 1403 (as the case may be) have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that either (1) as a result of a deposit pursuant to Subsection (a) of this Section and the related exercise of the Company’s option under Section 1402 or Section 1403 (as the case may be), registration is not required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by the Company, with respect to the trust funds representing such deposit or by the trustee for such trust funds or (2) all necessary registrations under said Act have been effected.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.

Section 1405. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

(a) Subject to the provisions of Subsection 1003(d), all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 1405, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 1404 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(b) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Security pursuant to Section 301, if, after a deposit referred to in Subsection 1404(a) has been made, (1) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Subsection 312(b) or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Subsection 1404(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (2) a Conversion Event occurs as contemplated in Subsection 312(d) or 312(e) or by the terms of any Security in respect of which the deposit pursuant to Subsection 1404(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Security as the same becomes due out of the

 

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proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on the applicable Market Exchange Rate for such Currency in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, except, with respect to a Conversion Event, for such Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

(c) The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1404 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities.

(d) Anything in this Article Fourteen to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 1404 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.

Section 1406. Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with Section 1405 by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and such Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 1402 or 1403, as the case may be, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 1405; provided, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any such Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE FIFTEEN

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

Section 1501. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

A meeting of Holders of 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 action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

Section 1502. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

(b) In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in Subsection (a) of this Section.

Section 1503. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (a) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

 

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Section 1504. Quorum; Action.

(a) The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Subsection 1502(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 any adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.

(b) Subject to Subsection (a) of this Section 1504, at the reconvening of any meeting adjourned for lack of a quorum the Persons entitled to vote 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities at the time shall constitute a quorum for the taking of any action set forth in the notice of the original meeting.

(c) Except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, that except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of not less than such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.

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

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1504, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or more additional series:

(1) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and

(2) the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under this Indenture.

Section 1505. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

(a) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture, the Company may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104. 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 Company shall, by an instrument in writing appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by Holders of Securities as provided in Subsection 1502(b), in which case the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

 

51


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

(d) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 1502 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 1506. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the fact, setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Subsection 1502(a) and, if applicable, Section 1504. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the former 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.

[Signatures on Following Page]

 

52


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

FEDNAT HOLDING COMPANY

By:                                                                        

Name:                                                                   

Title:                                                                        

                                                                 ,

as Trustee

By:                                                                        

Name:                                                                   

Title:                                                                        

 

53

Exhibit 4.3

 

 

FEDNAT HOLDING COMPANY,

as Issuer,

and

_______________________,

as Trustee

Indenture

Dated as of ____________ __, 20__

Providing for the Issuance

of

Subordinated Debt Securities

 

 

 


FEDNAT HOLDING COMPANY

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture

Act of 1939 and Indenture, dated as of ____________ __, 20__

 

Trust Indenture Act

Section

        

Indenture Section

  Section 310 (a)(1)       608
  (a )(2)       608
  (a )(3)       614
  (a )(4)       Not Applicable
  (a )(5)       608
  (b      613
  Section 311 (a)       616
  (b      616
  Section 312 (a)       701
  (b      701
  (c      701
  Section 313 (a)       702
  (b      702
  (c      702
  (d      702
  Section 314 (a)       703; 1006
  (b      Not Applicable
  (c )(1)       102
  (c )(2)       102
  (c )(3)       Not Applicable
  (d      Not Applicable
  (e      102
  Section 315 (a)       602
  (b      601
  (c      602
  (d      602
  Section 316 (a) (last sentence)       101 (“Outstanding”)
  (a )(1)(A)       502, 512
  (a )(1)(B)       514
  (b      508
  (c      104
  Section 317 (a)(1)       503
  (a )(2)       504
  (b      1003
  Section 318 (a)       113
  (b      Not Applicable
  (c      113

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


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE ONE  
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION  

Section 101.

  Definitions      5  

Section 102.

  Compliance Certificates and Opinions      12  

Section 103.

  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee      12  

Section 104.

  Acts of Holders      12  

Section 105.

  Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company      13  

Section 106.

  Notice to Holders; Waiver      13  

Section 107.

  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents      14  

Section 108.

  Successors and Assigns      14  

Section 109.

  Separability Clause      14  

Section 110.

  Benefits of Indenture      14  

Section 111.

  Governing Law      14  

Section 112.

  Legal Holidays      14  

Section 113.

  Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act      14  

Section 114.

  No Recourse against Others      14  

Section 115.

  Waiver of Trial by Jury      15  
ARTICLE TWO  
SECURITIES FORMS  

Section 201.

  Forms of Securities      15  

Section 202.

  Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication      15  

Section 203.

  Securities Issuable in Global Form      15  

Section 204.

  Form of Legend for Book-Entry Securities      16  
ARTICLE THREE  
THE SECURITIES  

Section 301.

  Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series      16  

Section 302.

  Denominations      18  

Section 303.

  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating      18  

Section 304.

  Temporary Securities      20  

Section 305.

  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange      21  

Section 306.

  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities      22  

Section 307.

  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset      23  

Section 308.

  Optional Extension of Maturity      24  

Section 309.

  Persons Deemed Owners      25  

Section 310.

  Cancellation      25  

Section 311.

  Computation of Interest      25  

Section 312.

  Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities      25  

Section 313.

  Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent      27  

Section 314.

  CUSIP Numbers      27  
ARTICLE FOUR       
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE       

Section 401.

  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture      28  

Section 402.

  Application of Trust Funds      29  

Section 403.

  Repayment to the Company      29  

Section 404.

  Survival      29  

Section 405.

  Reinstatement      29  


ARTICLE FIVE  
REMEDIES  

Section 501.

  Events of Default      29  

Section 502.

  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment      31  

Section 503.

  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee      31  

Section 504.

  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      32  

Section 505.

  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities      32  

Section 506.

  Application of Money Collected      32  

Section 507.

  Limitation on Suits      33  

Section 508.

  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest and Additional Amounts, if Any      33  

Section 509.

  Restoration of Rights and Remedies      33  

Section 510.

  Rights and Remedies Cumulative      33  

Section 511.

  Delay or Omission Not Waiver      333  

Section 512.

  Control by Holders of Securities      34  

Section 513.

  Undertaking for Costs      34  

Section 514.

  Waiver of Past Defaults      34  

Section 515.

  Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws      34  
ARTICLE SIX  
THE TRUSTEE  

Section 601.

  Notice of Defaults      34  

Section 602.

  Duties of Trustee      35  

Section 603.

  Certain Rights of Trustee      35  

Section 604.

  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities      37  

Section 605.

  May Hold Securities      37  

Section 606.

  Money Held in Trust      37  

Section 607.

  Compensation and Reimbursement      37  

Section 608.

  Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility      38  

Section 609.

  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor      38  

Section 610.

  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor      39  

Section 611.

  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business      39  

Section 612.

  Appointment of Authenticating Agent      40  

Section 613.

  Conflicting Interests      40  

Section 614.

  Appointment of Co-Trustee      41  

Section 615.

  Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company      41  

Section 616.

  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company      41  
ARTICLE SEVEN  
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY  

Section 701.

  Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders      42  

Section 702.

  Reports by Trustee      42  

Section 703.

  Reports by Company      42  

Section 704.

  Calculation of Original Issue Discount      43  
ARTICLE EIGHT  
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER  

Section 801.

  Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms      43  

Section 802.

  Successor Person Substituted      43  

Section 803.

  Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel      44  
ARTICLE NINE  
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES  

Section 901.

  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders      44  

Section 902.

  Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders      45  

Section 903.

  Execution of Supplemental Indentures      46  

 

ii


Section 904.

  Effect of Supplemental Indentures      46  

Section 905.

  Conformity with Trust Indenture Act      46  

Section 906.

  Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures      46  

Section 907.

  Effect on Senior Indebtedness      46  
ARTICLE TEN  
COVENANTS  

Section 1001.

  Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest      46  

Section 1002.

  Maintenance of Office or Agency      46  

Section 1003.

  Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust      47  

Section 1004.

  Corporate Existence      48  

Section 1005.

  Additional Amounts      48  

Section 1006.

  Statement as to Compliance      48  

Section 1007.

  Waiver of Certain Covenants      48  

Section 1008.

  Statement by Officers as to Default      49  
ARTICLE ELEVEN  
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES  

Section 1101.

  Applicability of Article      49  

Section 1102.

  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee      49  

Section 1103.

  Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed      49  

Section 1104.

  Notice of Redemption      49  

Section 1105.

  Deposit of Redemption Price      50  

Section 1106.

  Securities Payable on Redemption Date      50  

Section 1107.

  Securities Redeemed in Part      50  
ARTICLE TWELVE  
SINKING FUNDS  

Section 1201.

  Applicability of Article      51  

Section 1202.

  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities      51  

Section 1203.

  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund      51  
ARTICLE THIRTEEN  
REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS  

Section 1301.

  Applicability of Article      51  

Section 1302.

  Repayment of Securities      51  

Section 1303.

  Exercise of Option      52  

Section 1304.

  When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable      52  

Section 1305.

  Securities Repaid in Part      52  
ARTICLE FOURTEEN  
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE  

Section 1401.

  Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      52  

Section 1402.

  Defeasance and Discharge      52  

Section 1403.

  Covenant Defeasance      53  

Section 1404.

  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      53  

Section 1405.

  Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions      54  

Section 1406.

  Reinstatement      54  
ARTICLE FIFTEEN  
MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES  

Section 1501.

  Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called      55  

Section 1502.

  Call, Notice and Place of Meetings      55  

Section 1503.

  Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings      55  

Section 1504.

  Quorum; Action      55  

 

iii


Section 1505.

  Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings      56  

Section 1506.

  Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings      56  
ARTICLE SIXTEEN  
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES  

Section 1601.

  Agreement to Subordinate      57  

Section 1602.

  Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Securities      57  

Section 1603.

  No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances      58  

Section 1604.

  Payments on Securities Permitted      59  

Section 1605.

  Authorization of Holders to Trustee to Effect Subordination      59  

Section 1606.

  Notices to Trustee      59  

Section 1607.

  Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness      59  

Section 1608.

  Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness      59  

Section 1609.

  Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent      59  

Section 1610.

  Acceleration of Securities      60  

Section 1611.

  Subordination May Not be Impaired by the Company      60  

Section 1612.

  Notice by the Company      60  

 

iv


INDENTURE, dated as of ____________ __, 20__ between FEDNAT HOLDING COMPANY, a Florida corporation (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal office at 14050 N.W. 14th Street, Suite 180, Sunrise, Florida 33323, and ______________________, as Trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

WHEREAS, the Company deems it necessary to issue from time to time for its lawful purposes subordinated debt securities (hereinafter called the “Securities”) evidencing its unsecured and subordinated indebtedness, which may or may not be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), and has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Securities, to be issued in one or more series, unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such times and to have such other provisions as provided in this Indenture;

WHEREAS, this Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done;

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities, or of a series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 101. Definitions.

(a) For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires or unless such definition is changed or amended in a supplement or amendment to this Indenture:

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

(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the TIA, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein, and the terms “cash transaction” and “self-liquidating paper”, as used in TIA Section 311, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the rules of the Commission adopted under the TIA;

(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with 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.

(b) Certain terms, used principally in Article Three, Article Five and Article Six, are defined in those Articles.

(c) Other terms are defined as follows:

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

Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required by a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on certain Holders and which are owing to such Holders.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

5


Authenticating Agent” means any Person appointed by the Trustee to act on behalf of the Trustee pursuant to Section 612 to authenticate Securities.

Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, in the English language or in an official language of the country of publication, customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. 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.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company, or the executive committee or any committee of that board duly authorized to act hereunder.

Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or any Vice President of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Capital Stock” means (i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock; (ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock; (iii) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and (iv) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

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

Common Depositary” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

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

Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller or an Assistant Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Conversion Date” has the meaning specified in Subsection 312(d).

Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (1) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country which issued such Currency and by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community for the settlement of transactions, (2) the euro for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European Communities or (3) any currency unit (or composite currency) other than the euro for the purposes for which such currency unit was established.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business related to this Indenture shall be principally administered.

Corporation” includes corporations, associations, limited liability companies, companies and business trusts.

Credit Facilities” means, one or more debt facilities or commercial paper facilities or other agreements or indentures, in each case with banks or other lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit or other debt, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time by one or more of such facilities, whether with the same or different banks and lenders and whether or not increasing the amount thereunder.

 

6


Currency” means any currency or currencies, composite currency or currency unit or currency units, including, without limitation, the euro issued by the government of one or more countries or by any reorganized confederation or association of such governments.

Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307(e).

Depositary,” when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, means the Person designated as Depositary by the Company until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter shall mean or include each Person which is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, shall be a collective reference to such Persons.

Depositary Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary or its nominee, an institution that has an account therewith.

Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security) into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder of thereof), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable, at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is six months after the date on which the Securities mature. The term “Disqualified Stock” shall also include any options, warrants or other rights that are convertible into Disqualified Stock or that are redeemable at the option of the holder, or required to be redeemed, on or prior to the date that is six months after the date on which the Securities mature.

Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit” has the meaning specified in Section 312(g).

Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 312(f).

Election Date” has the meaning specified in Subsection 312(h).

European Communities” means the European Union, the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community.

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

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Date” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

Exchange Rate Agent” means, with respect to Securities of or within any series, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, a New York Clearing House bank designated pursuant to Section 301 or Section 313.

Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate setting forth (1) the applicable Market Exchange Rate or the applicable bid quotation and (2) the Dollar or Foreign Currency amounts of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any (on an aggregate basis and on the basis of a Security having the lowest denomination principal amount determined in accordance with Section 302 in the relevant Currency), payable with respect to a Security of any series on the basis of such Market Exchange Rate signed by the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Controller, any Vice President or any Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Controller of the Company.

 

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Foreign Currency” means any Currency, including, without limitation, the euro, issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

Government Obligations” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, securities which are:

(1) direct obligations of the government which issued the Currency in which the Securities of a particular series are payable, or

(2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government which issued the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed by such government,

which, in either case, are full faith and credit obligations of such government payable in such Currency and are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

Holder” means, in the case of a Registered Security, the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.

Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301; provided, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the or those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.

Indexed Security” means a Security as to which all or certain interest payments and/or the principal amount payable at Maturity are determined by reference to prices, changes in prices, or differences between prices, of securities, Currencies, intangibles, goods, articles or commodities or by such other objective price, economic or other measures as are specified in Section 301 hereof.

Interest,” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, shall mean interest payable after Maturity, and, when used with respect to a Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1005 or otherwise, includes such Additional Amounts.

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

Letter of Credit Facilities” means the letters of credit entered into by the Company in the ordinary course of business, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified including any refinancing, refunding, replacement or extension thereof.

Market Exchange Rate” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, (1) for any conversion involving a currency unit on the one hand and Dollars or any Foreign Currency on the other, the exchange rate between the relevant currency unit and Dollars or such Foreign Currency calculated by the method specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of the relevant series, (2) for any conversion of Dollars into any Foreign Currency, the noon (New York City time) buying rate for such Foreign Currency for cable transfers quoted in New York City as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and (3) for any conversion of one Foreign Currency into Dollars or another Foreign Currency, the spot rate at noon local time in the relevant market at which, in accordance with normal banking procedures, the Dollars or Foreign Currency into which conversion is being made could be purchased with the Foreign Currency from which conversion is being made from major banks located in either New York City, London or any other principal market for Dollars or such purchased Foreign Currency, in each case determined by the Exchange Rate Agent. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, in the event of the unavailability of any of the exchange rates provided for in clauses (1), (2) and (3) of this definition, the Exchange Rate Agent shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in New York City, London or another

 

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principal market for the Currency in question, or such other quotations as the Exchange Rate Agent shall deem appropriate. Unless otherwise specified by the Exchange Rate Agent, if there is more than one market for dealing in any Currency by reason of foreign exchange regulations or otherwise, the market to be used in respect of such Currency shall be that upon which a non-resident issuer of securities designated in such Currency would purchase such Currency in order to make payments in respect of such securities.

Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect repayment, notice of exchange or conversion or otherwise.

Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary of such Person.

Officers’ Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by two Officers, one of which must be the principal executive, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of such Person.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company or who may be an employee of or other counsel for the Company.

Original Issue Discount Security” means any 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 Securities or any series of any Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities or all Securities of such series, as the case may be, theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

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

(2) Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities, provided that, if such 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;

(3) Securities, except to the extent provided in Sections 1402 and 1403, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Fourteen; and

(4) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company; provided that, in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders for quorum purposes, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 313, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the Dollar equivalent, determined as of the date such Security is originally issued by the Company as set forth in an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security or Indexed Security, the Dollar equivalent as of such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) or clause (iii) of this definition, respectively) of such Security, (iii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Security pursuant to Section 301, and (iv) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. 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 Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

 

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Parent Entity” means the entity that holds all of the Capital Stock of the Company upon the occurrence of a reorganization.

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

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

Place of Payment” means, when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities are payable as specified and as contemplated by Sections 301 and 1002.

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

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

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

Registered Security” means any Security that is registered in the Security Register.

Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of or within any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301, whether or not a Business Day.

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

Repayment Price” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the price at which it is to be repaid by or pursuant to this Indenture.

Representative” means the indenture trustee or other trustee, agent, or representative in respect of any Senior Indebtedness; provided that if, and for so long as, any such indebtedness lacks such representative, then the Representative for such Senior Indebtedness shall at all times constitute the holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of such indebtedness in respect of any Senior Indebtedness.

Responsible Officer” shall mean, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who in each case shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Restricted Subsidiaries” means [                  ].

Security” or “Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and, more particularly, means any Security or Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities” with respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more particularly mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

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

Senior Indebtedness” means the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on (a) indebtedness of the Company (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by the Company), whether outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created,

 

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incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed, unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding it is provided that such indebtedness is not senior or prior in right of payment to the Securities, and (b) renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Senior Indebtedness” shall not include (1) indebtedness evidenced by the Securities outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created; (2) indebtedness of the Company that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to any Senior Indebtedness of the Company or the Securities; (3) indebtedness of the Company that by operation of law is subordinate to any general unsecured obligations of the Company; (4) indebtedness of the Company to the extent incurred in violation of any covenant of this Indenture; (5) any liability for federal, state or local taxes or other taxes, owed or owing by the Company; (6) indebtedness for goods, materials or services purchased in the ordinary course of business or indebtedness consisting of trade account payables or other current liabilities (other than the current portion of long-term indebtedness which would constitute Senior Indebtedness but for the operation of this clause (6)); (7) amounts owed by the Company for compensation to employees or for services rendered to the Company, (8) indebtedness of the Company to any Subsidiary or any other Affiliate of the Company or any such Affiliate’s Subsidiaries; (9) any repurchase, redemption or other Obligation in respect of Disqualified Stock or any rights with respect thereto; (10) amounts owing under leases and (11) indebtedness which when incurred and without any respect to any election under Section 111(b) of Title 11 of the United States Code is without recourse to the Company.

Significant Subsidiary” means any subsidiary that would constitute a “Significant Subsidiary” within the meaning of Article 1 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act, as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed.

Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of or within any series means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable, as such date may be extended pursuant to the provisions of Section 308.

Subsidiary” means any corporation of which at the time of determination the Company, directly and/or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries, owns more than 50% of the shares of Voting Stock.

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

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

United States” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

United States Person” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source or a trust whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all of its decisions.

Valuation Date” has the meaning specified in Subsection 312(c).

Vice President” when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president”.

Voting Stock” means stock of the class or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of a corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.

 

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Section 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

(a) Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture 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.

(b) Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 1006) shall include:

(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

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

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

Section 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

(a) In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion as to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to such matters in one or several documents.

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

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

Section 104. Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed (which may be electronically signed) by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1506.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems reasonably sufficient.

 

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(c) The principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

(d) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA Section 316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than 180 days after the record date.

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

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

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

(1) the Trustee by any Holder, or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (which may be via facsimile) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or at any other address previously furnished in writing by the Trustee to the Holders or the Company, or

(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of the Company’s principal office specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

Section 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.

(a) Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities by the Company or the Trustee, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or by email, to each such Holder affected by such event, at his physical address or email address as such address appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities given as provided herein. Any notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually receives such notice.

(b) In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to mail notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be sufficient giving of such notice for every purpose hereunder.

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

 

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(d) 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.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or purchase) to a Holder of a global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee.

Section 107. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

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

Section 108. Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 109. Separability Clause.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in any Security shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 110. Benefits of Indenture.

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

Section 111. Governing Law.

This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York. This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

Section 112. Legal Holidays.

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security other than a provision in the Securities of any series which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section), payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, 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 sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity; provided that no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be.

Section 113. Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act.

If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with any provision (an “incorporated provision”) required by or deemed to be included in this Indenture by operation of the TIA, such imposed duties or incorporated provisions shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the TIA that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.

Section 114. No Recourse against Others.

A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting any of the Securities waives and releases all such liability.

 

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Section 115. Waiver of Trial by Jury.

The Company, the Trustee and Holders hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive the right to trial by jury in connection with any claim arising out of or relating to the Securities and under this Indenture.

ARTICLE TWO

SECURITIES FORMS

Section 201. Forms of Securities.

(a) The Registered Securities, if any, of each series shall be in substantially the forms as shall be established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Section 301, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.

(b) The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

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

Subject to Section 612, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein and referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

                                
as Trustee
By:  
 

 

Authorized Signatory

Dated:  

 

Section 203. Securities Issuable in Global Form.

(a) If Securities of or within a series are issuable in global form, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, then, notwithstanding clause (8) of Subsection 301(b) and the provisions of Section 302, any such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 303 or Section 304. Subject to the provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 303 or Section 304 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement, delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

(b) The provisions of Subsection 303(h) shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never sold and delivered by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 303.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 309 and except as provided in Subsection (c) of this Section, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent global Security the Holder of such permanent global Security in registered form.

Section 204. Form of Legend for Book-Entry Securities.

Any global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend (which would be in addition to any other legends required in the case of a restricted Security) in substantially the following form:

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS CERTIFICATE IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY, ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL, SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

ARTICLE THREE

THE SECURITIES

Section 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

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

(b) The Securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness as provided in Article Sixteen. The Securities shall rank equally and pari passu and may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in one or more Board Resolutions or pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions and, subject to Section 303, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, any or all of the following, as applicable (each of which (except for the matters set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (15) of this Subsection), if so provided, may be determined from time to time by the Company with respect to unissued Securities of the series and set forth in such Securities of the series when issued from time to time):

(1) the title of the Securities of the series, including CUSIP Numbers (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from all other series of Securities);

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107 or 1305) and whether any series may be reopened for additional Securities of that series; in the event that such series of Securities may be reopened from time to time for issuances of additional Securities of such series, the terms thereof shall indicate whether any such additional Securities shall have the same terms as the prior Securities of such series or whether the Company may establish additional or different terms with respect to such additional Securities;

(3) the date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will be determined or extended, on which the principal (and premium, if any,) of the Securities of the series shall be payable;

(4) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date, or the method by which such date shall be determined, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than on the basis of a 360-day year of 12 30-day months;

 

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(5) the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the Corporate Trust Office, where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of the series shall be payable, where any Registered Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, where Securities of the series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;

(6) the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the Currency or Currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option;

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

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

(9) if other than the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar and/or Paying Agent;

(10) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

(11) if other than Dollars, the Currency or Currencies in which payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be made or in which the Securities of the series shall be denominated and the particular provisions applicable thereto in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 312;

(12) whether the amount of payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(13) whether the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a Currency other than that in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which (including the Election Date), and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities are to be so payable, in each case in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 312;

(14) provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of Securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;

(15) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants or other provisions (including any deletions from, modifications of or additions to any of the provisions of Section 1007) of the Company with respect to Securities of the series, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants or other provisions are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants or other provisions set forth herein;

(16) whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 305, and the circumstances under which and the place or places where any such exchanges may be made and if Securities of the series are to be issuable in global form, the identity of any initial depositary therefor;

(17) the date as of which any temporary global Security representing Outstanding Securities of the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;

 

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(18) the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 304;

(19) the applicability, if any, of Sections 1402 and 1403 to the Securities of the series and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Article Fourteen;

(20) if the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and/or terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(21) whether, under what circumstances and the Currency in which, the Company will pay Additional Amounts as contemplated by Section 1005 on the Securities of the series to any Holder who is not a United States person (including any modification to the definition of such term) in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option);

(22) the designation of the initial Exchange Rate Agent, if any;

(23) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), the terms and conditions upon which such Securities of the series will be so convertible or exchangeable (including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate, the conversion period, the conversion agent, if any, adjustments of the applicable conversion price or rate and any requirements with respect to the reservation of shares or Securities for purposes of conversion);

(24) if the Securities of the series are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants, the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered; and

(25) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the TIA).

(c) All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution (subject to Section 303) and set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. Not all Securities of any one series need to be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Securities (which additional terms shall only be applicable to unissued or additional Securities of such series).

(d) If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, a copy of an appropriate record of such action(s) shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or any Vice President of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.

Section 302. Denominations.

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301. In the absence of any such provision with respect to Securities of any series, the principal, premium and interest and Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities shall be payable in Dollars. With respect to Securities of any series denominated in Dollars, in the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Registered Securities of such series, other than Registered Securities issued in global form (which may be of any denomination) shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

Section 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

(a) The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by two Officers of the Company. The signature of any of these Officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized Officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.

 

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

(c) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time and if the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee for the issuance of such Securities and determining the terms of particular Securities of such series, such as interest rate, maturity date, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to TIA Sections 315(a) through 315(d)) shall be fully protected in relying upon,

(1) an Opinion of Counsel stating,

(i) that the form or forms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) that the terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(iii) that such Securities, when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, to general equitable principles and to such other qualifications as such counsel shall conclude do not materially affect the rights of Holders of such Securities;

(2) an Officers’ Certificate stating, to the best of the knowledge of the signers of such certificate, that no Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing; and (3) an executed supplemental indenture (if any).

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of this Section 303, if all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order, Opinion of Counsel or Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Subsection (c) of this Section at the time of issuance of each Security of such series, but such order, opinion and certificates, with appropriate modifications to cover such future issuances, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.

(e) The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, the Trustee will not be required to authenticate Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency if the Trustee reasonably believes that it would be unable to perform its duties with respect to such Securities.

(f) Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

(g) No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature of an authorized signatory, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

(h) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never sold and delivered by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 310 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 Security has never been sold and delivered by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

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Section 304. Temporary Securities.

(a) Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form, and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the Officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global form.

(b) Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form (which shall be exchanged in accordance with Subsection 304(c) or as otherwise provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution), if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

(c) (1) Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, this Subsection 304(c) shall govern the exchange of temporary Securities issued in global form.

(2) If temporary Securities of any series are issued in global form, any such temporary global Security shall, unless otherwise provided therein, be delivered to the office of a depositary or common depositary (the “Common Depositary”), for credit to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of such Securities (or to such other accounts as they may direct).

(3) Without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the date specified in, or determined pursuant to the terms of, any such temporary global Security (the “Exchange Date”), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities, in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such temporary global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the Exchange Date, such temporary global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depositary to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such temporary global Security and upon receipt of the Company Order described in Section 303, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such temporary global Security to be exchanged. The definitive Securities to be delivered in exchange for any such temporary global Security shall be in registered form or permanent global registered form, or any combination thereof, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, and, if any combination thereof is so specified, as requested by the beneficial owner thereof; provided, that, unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, upon such presentation by the Common Depositary, such temporary global Security is accompanied by a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by the Common Depositary as to the portion of such temporary global Security held for its account then to be exchanged and a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date, in the form as may be established pursuant to Section 301.

(4) Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, the interest of a beneficial owner of Securities of a series in a temporary global Security shall be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor following the Exchange Date when the account holder instructs the Common Depositary to request such exchange on his behalf and delivers to the Common Depositary a certificate in the form as may be established pursuant to Section 301, dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Exchange Date, copies of which certificate shall be available from the offices of the Common Depositary, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent appointed for such series of Securities and each Paying Agent. Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, any such exchange shall be made free of charge to the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security, except that a Person receiving definitive Securities must bear the cost of insurance, postage, transportation and the like in the event that such Person does not take delivery of such definitive Securities in person at the offices of the Common Depositary.

(5) Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series occurring prior to the applicable Exchange Date shall be payable to the Common Depositary on such Interest Payment Date

 

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upon delivery by the Common Depositary to the Trustee of a certificate or certificates in the form as may be established pursuant to Section 301, for credit without further interest thereon on or after such Interest Payment Date to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security on such Interest Payment Date and who have each delivered to the Common Depositary a certificate dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Interest Payment Date occurring prior to such Exchange Date in the form as may be established pursuant to Section 301. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the certifications made pursuant to this clause (5) of Subsection 304(c) shall satisfy the certification requirements of clauses (3) and (4) of this Subsection 304(c) and of Subsection 303(c) of this Indenture and the interests of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of the temporary global Security with respect to which such certification was made will be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor on the Exchange Date or the date of certification if such date occurs after the Exchange Date, without further act or deed by such beneficial owners. Except as otherwise provided in this clause (5) of Subsection 304(c), no payments of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, owing with respect to a beneficial interest in a temporary global Security will be made unless and until such interest in such temporary global Security shall have been exchanged for an interest in a definitive Security. Any interest so received by the Common Depositary and not paid as herein provided shall be returned to the Trustee prior to the expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date in order to be repaid to the Company.

Section 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

(a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or in any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment a register for each series of Securities (the registers maintained in such office or in any such office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes referred to collectively as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities. The Security Register shall be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office, is hereby initially appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Registered Securities and transfers of Registered Securities on such Security Register as herein provided. In the event that the Trustee shall cease to be Security Registrar, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register at all reasonable times.

(b) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any office or agency in a Place of Payment for the register and transfer of Securities of that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, subject to the terms and conditions of this Article Three, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, and tenor.

(c) At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions, upon surrender of the Registered Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

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

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any permanent global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this Subsection 305(e). If any beneficial owner of an interest in a permanent global Security is entitled to exchange such interest for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 301 and provided that any applicable notice provided in the permanent global Security shall have been given, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depositary or such other depositary as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities without charge and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such permanent global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such permanent global Security to be exchanged shall be in the form of Registered Securities; provided, that, no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date if the Security for which exchange is requested may be among those selected for redemption. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (1) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (2) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the

 

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related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such permanent global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

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

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

(h) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906, 1107 or 1305 not involving any transfer.

(i) The Company shall not be required (1) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security if such Security may be among those selected for redemption during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before, and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or (2) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Registered Security to be redeemed in part, the unredeemed portion thereof, or (3) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

(j) Each Holder of a Security agrees to indemnify the Company and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Security in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable United States Federal or state securities law.

(k) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Depositary Participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

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

(a) If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company, together with, in proper cases, such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each of them or any agent of either of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount, and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

(b) If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (1) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and (2) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections 306(a) and (b), in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

(d) Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

(e) Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

 

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(f) The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

Section 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset.

(a) Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, interest, if any, on any Registered Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002; provided, that, each installment of interest, if any, on any Registered Security may at the Company’s option be paid by (1) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 309, to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register or (2) transfer to an account located in the United States maintained by the payee.

(b) Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301, every permanent global Security will provide that interest, if any, payable on any Interest Payment Date will be paid to each Common Depositary with respect to that portion of such permanent global Security held for its account by the Common Depositary, for the purpose of permitting each Common Depositary to credit the interest, if any, received by it in respect of such permanent global Security to the accounts of the beneficial owners thereof.

(c) Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, any interest on any Registered Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) of this Subsection:

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Registered Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment (which shall not be less than 20 days after such notice is received by the Trustee), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given in the manner provided in Section 106, 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 so given, 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) of this Subsection.

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

(d) The provisions of this Subsection 307(d) may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 301). The interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) on any Security of such series may be reset by the Company on the date or dates specified on the face of such Security (each an “Optional Reset Date”). The Company may exercise such option with respect to such Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to an Optional Reset Date for such Security. Not later than 40 days prior to each Optional Reset Date, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, to the Holder of any such Security a notice (the “Reset Notice”) indicating whether the Company has elected to reset the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), and if so

 

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(1) such new interest rate (or such new spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) and (2) the provisions, if any, for redemption during the period from such Optional Reset Date to the next Optional Reset Date or if there is no such next Optional Reset Date, to the Stated Maturity of such Security (each such period a “Subsequent Interest Period”), including the date or dates on which or the period or periods during which and the price or prices at which such redemption may occur during the Subsequent Interest Period.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days prior to the Optional Reset Date, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice and establish a higher interest rate (or a spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable) for the Subsequent Interest Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, notice of such higher interest rate (or such spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) is reset on an Optional Reset Date, and with respect to which the Holders of such Securities have not tendered such Securities for repayment (or have validly revoked any such tender) pursuant to Subsection 307(h), will bear such higher interest rate (or such spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable).

(f) The Holder of any such Security may have the option to elect repayment by the Company of the principal of such Security on each Optional Reset Date at a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus interest accrued to, but not including, such Optional Reset Date. In order to obtain repayment on an Optional Reset Date, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to such Optional Reset Date and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to the Reset Notice, the Holder may, by written notice to the Trustee, revoke such tender or repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before such Optional Reset Date.

(g) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

Section 308. Optional Extension of Maturity.

(a) The provisions of this Section 308 may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 301). The Stated Maturity of any Security of such series may be extended at the option of the Company for the period or periods specified on the face of such Security (each an “Extension Period”) up to but not beyond the date (the “Final Maturity”) set forth on the face of such Security. The Company may exercise such option with respect to any Security by notifying the Trustee in writing of such exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to the Stated Maturity of such Security in effect prior to the exercise of such option (the “Original Stated Maturity”). If the Company exercises such option, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, to the Holder of such Security not later than 40 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity a notice (the “Extension Notice”) indicating (i) the election of the Company to extend the Stated Maturity, (ii) the new Stated Maturity, (iii) the interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), if any, applicable to the Extension Period and (iv) the provisions, if any, for redemption during such Extension Period. Upon the Trustee’s transmittal of the Extension Notice, the Stated Maturity of such Security shall be extended automatically and, except as modified by the Extension Notice and as described in Subsection (b) of this Section, such Security will have the same terms as prior to the transmittal of such Extension Notice.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days before the Original Stated Maturity of such Security, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Extension Notice and establish a higher interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula used to calculate such higher interest rate, if applicable) for the Extension Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, notice of such higher interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the Stated Maturity is extended will bear such higher interest rate.

(c) If the Company extends the Stated Maturity of any Security, the Holder will have the option to elect repayment of such Security by the Company on the Original Stated Maturity at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, plus interest accrued to, but not including, such date. In order to obtain repayment on the Original Stated Maturity once the Company has extended the Stated Maturity thereof, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders, except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to an Extension Notice, the Holder may by written notice to the Trustee revoke such tender for repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before the Original Stated Maturity.

 

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Section 309. Persons Deemed Owners.

(a) Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any Paying Agent and any authenticating agent 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 Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, on such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Registered Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee nor any Paying Agent nor authenticating agent of the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(b) None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Security in global form or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any global Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company, or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any depositary, as a Holder, with respect to such global Security or impair, as between such depositary and owners of beneficial interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such global Security.

Section 310. Cancellation.

(a) All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. Cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in its customary manner.

Section 311. Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to Securities of any series, interest, if any, on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of 12 30-day months.

Section 312. Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities.

(a) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, with respect to Registered Securities of any series not permitting the election provided for in Subsection (b) of this Section or the Holders of which have not made the election provided for in Subsection (b) of this Section, payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Registered Security of such series will be made in the Currency in which such Registered Security is payable. The provisions of this Section 312 may be modified or superseded with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301.

(b) It may be provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to Registered Securities of any series that Holders shall have the option, subject to Subsection (d) and (e) of this Section, to receive payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such Registered Securities in any of the Currencies which may be designated for such election by delivering to the Trustee a written election with signature guarantees and in the applicable form established pursuant to Section 301, not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the applicable payment date. If a Holder so elects to receive such payments in any such Currency, such election will remain in effect for such Holder or any transferee of such Holder until changed by such Holder or such transferee by written notice to the Trustee (but any such change must be made not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the next payment date to be effective for the payment to be made on such payment date and no such change of election may be made with respect to payments to be made on any Registered Security of such series with respect to which an Event of Default has occurred or with respect to which the Company has deposited funds pursuant to Article Four or Fourteen or with respect to which a notice of redemption has been given by the Company or a notice of option to elect repayment has been sent by such Holder or such transferee). Any Holder of any such Registered Security who shall not have delivered any such election to the Trustee of such series of Registered Securities not later than the close of business on the applicable Election Date will be paid the amount due on the applicable payment date in the relevant Currency as provided in Subsection (a) of this Section. The Trustee shall notify the Exchange Rate Agent as soon as practicable after the Election Date of the aggregate principal amount of Registered Securities for which Holders have made such written election.

 

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(c) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if the election referred to in Subsection (b) of this Section has been provided for pursuant to Section 301, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, not later than the fourth Business Day after the Election Date for each payment date for Registered Securities of any series, the Exchange Rate Agent will deliver to the Company and the Trustee a written notice specifying the Currency in which Registered Securities of such series are payable, the respective aggregate amounts of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Registered Securities to be paid on such payment date, specifying the amounts in such Currency so payable in respect of the Registered Securities as to which the Holders of Registered Securities of such Series shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in Subsection (b) of this Section. If the election referred to in Subsection (b) of this Section has been provided for pursuant to Section 301 and if at least one Holder has made such election, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, on the second Business Day preceding such payment date the Company will deliver to the Trustee for such series of Registered Securities an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate in respect of the Dollar or Foreign Currency payments to be made on such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, the Dollar or Foreign Currency amount receivable by Holders of Registered Securities who have elected payment in a Currency as provided in Subsection (b) of this Section shall be determined by the Company on the basis of the applicable Market Exchange Rate in effect on the second Business Day (the “Valuation Date”) immediately preceding each payment date, and such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

(d) If a Conversion Event occurs with respect to a Foreign Currency in which any of the Securities are denominated or payable other than pursuant to an election provided for pursuant to Subsection (b) of this Section, then with respect to each date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the applicable Securities denominated or payable in such Foreign Currency occurring after the last date on which such Foreign Currency was used (the “Conversion Date”), the Dollar shall be the currency of payment for use on each such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, the Dollar amount to be paid by the Company to the Trustee and by such Trustee or any Paying Agent to the Holders of such Securities with respect to such payment date shall be, in the case of a Foreign Currency other than a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency or, in the case of a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, in each case as determined by the Exchange Rate Agent in the manner provided in Subsection (f) or (g) of this Section.

(e) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if the Holder of a Registered Security denominated in any Currency shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in Subsection (b) of this Section, and a Conversion Event occurs with respect to such elected Currency, such Holder shall receive payment in the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election; and if a Conversion Event occurs with respect to the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election, such Holder shall receive payment in Dollars as provided in Subsection (d) of this Section.

(f) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and shall be obtained for each subsequent payment date by converting the specified Foreign Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate on the Conversion Date.

(g) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and subject to the provisions of Subsection (h) of this Section shall be the sum of each amount obtained by converting the Specified Amount of each Component Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate for such Component Currency on the Valuation Date with respect to each payment.

(h) For purposes of this Section 312, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

A “Component Currency” shall mean any currency which, on the Conversion Date, was a component currency of the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the euro.

A “Specified Amount” of a Component Currency shall mean the number of units of such Component Currency or fractions thereof which were represented in the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the euro, on the Conversion Date. If after the Conversion Date the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of combination or subdivision, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If after the Conversion Date two or more Component Currencies are consolidated into a single Currency, the respective Specified Amounts of such Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such single Currency equal to the sum of the respective Specified Amounts of such consolidated Component Currencies expressed in such single Currency, and such amount shall thereafter be a Specified Amount and such single Currency shall thereafter be a Component Currency. If after the Conversion Date any Component Currency shall be divided into two or more currencies, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be replaced by amounts of such two or more currencies, having an aggregate Dollar Equivalent value at the Market Exchange Rate on the date of such replacement equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the Specified Amount of such former Component Currency at the Market Exchange Rate immediately before such division, and such amounts shall thereafter be Specified Amounts and such currencies shall thereafter be Component Currencies. If, after the Conversion Date of the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the euro, a Conversion Event (other than any event referred to above in this definition of “Specified Amount”) occurs with respect to any Component Currency of such currency unit and is continuing on the applicable Valuation Date, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall, for purposes of calculating the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, be converted into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate in effect on the Conversion Date of such Component Currency.

 

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Election Date” shall mean the Regular Record Date for the applicable series of Registered Securities or at least 16 days prior to Maturity, as the case may be, or such other prior date for any series of Registered Securities as specified pursuant to clause 13 of Section 301 by which the written election referred to in Subsection 312(b) may be made.

(i) All decisions and determinations of the Exchange Rate Agent regarding the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, the Market Exchange Rate and changes in the Specified Amounts as specified above shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company, the Trustee and all Holders of such Securities denominated or payable in the relevant Currency. The Exchange Rate Agent shall promptly give written notice to the Company and the Trustee of any such decision or determination.

(j) In the event that the Company determines in good faith that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to a Foreign Currency, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and such Trustee will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided for in Section 106 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date. In the event the Company so determines that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to the euro or any other currency unit in which Securities are denominated or payable, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and such Trustee will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided in Section 106 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date and the Specified Amount of each Component Currency on the Conversion Date. In the event the Company determines in good faith that any subsequent change in any Component Currency as set forth in the definition of Specified Amount above has occurred, the Company will similarly give written notice to the Trustee and the Exchange Rate Agent.

(k) The Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities shall be fully justified and protected in conclusively relying and acting upon information received by it from the Company and the Exchange Rate Agent and shall not otherwise have any duty or obligation to determine the accuracy or validity of such information independent of the Company or the Exchange Rate Agent.

Section 313. Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent.

(a) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series (1) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (2) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of this Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent. The Company will cause the Exchange Rate Agent to make the necessary foreign exchange determinations at the time and in the manner specified pursuant to Section 301 for the purpose of determining the applicable rate of exchange and, if applicable, for the purpose of converting the issued Foreign Currency into the applicable payment Currency for the payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, pursuant to Section 312.

(b) No resignation of the Exchange Rate Agent and no appointment of a successor Exchange Rate Agent pursuant to this Section shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Exchange Rate Agent as evidenced by a written instrument delivered to the Company and the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities accepting such appointment executed by the successor Exchange Rate Agent.

(c) If the Exchange Rate Agent shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Exchange Rate Agent for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Exchange Rate Agent or Exchange Rate Agents with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Exchange Rate Agent may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, at any time there shall only be one Exchange Rate Agent with respect to the Securities of any particular series that are originally issued by the Company on the same date and that are initially denominated and/or payable in the same Currency).

Section 314. CUSIP Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall indicate the “CUSIP” numbers of the Securities in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that, any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

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ARTICLE FOUR

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

(a) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 and subject to the provisions of Sections 404 and 405, this Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Request (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series expressly provided for herein or pursuant hereto and any right to receive Additional Amounts, as provided in Section 1005), and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series when:

(1) either

(i) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, and (B) Securities of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(ii) all Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,

(A) have become due and payable, or

(B) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

  (C)

if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

and the Company, in the case of subclauses (A), (B) or (C) of this clause (ii), has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose an amount in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

(2) in the case of subclause (ii) of clause (1) of Subsection 401(a), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit;

(3) in the case of subclause (ii) of clause (1) of Subsection 401(a), the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee hereunder to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Securities at Maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be;

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

(5) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

(b) Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 607, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under Section 612 if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (1) of Subsection 401(a), the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and Subsection 1003(d) and the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to Securities of such series under Sections 305, 306, 1002 and 1005, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to any rights of Holders to require the Company to repay such Securities as contemplated by Section 1301 and with respect to any rights of Holders to convert or exchange such Securities into other Securities, shall survive such satisfaction and discharge. These obligations shall continue to be governed and construed in accordance with Section 111.

 

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Section 402. Application of Trust Funds.

Subject to the provisions of Subsection 1003(d), all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 403. Repayment to the Company.

Subject to any applicable unclaimed property law, any money deposited with the Trustee in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request, and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee with respect to such trust money shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times or Wall Street Journal (national edition), 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 notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining shall be repaid to the Company.

Section 404. Survival.

In the event that the Company makes, or causes to be made, an irrevocable deposit with the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of Securities pursuant to subclause (ii) of clause (1) of Subsection 401(a), prior to the date of maturity or redemption, as the case may be, the following provisions of the Indenture shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of the Holders of the Outstanding Securities to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Securities when such payments are due from the trust;

(b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Article Three and Section 1002;

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith; and

(d) this Article Four.

Section 405. Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or Government Obligations in accordance with Section 402, as the case may be, by reason of an order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to subclause (ii) of clause (1) of Subsection 401(a) until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 402; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.

ARTICLE FIVE

REMEDIES

Section 501. Events of Default.

(a) “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to any particular series of Securities, means any one of the following events as such events may be otherwise amended in accordance with Section 301 (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether or not it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(1) default in the payment of any interest upon, or any Additional Amount payable in respect of, any Security of that series, when such interest 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 Security when it becomes due and payable at Maturity upon acceleration, optional redemption, required purchase or otherwise; or

 

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(3) default in the performance, or breach, of the provisions described in Section 801; or

(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Company contained in this Indenture (other than a default in the performance, or breach, of a covenant or warranty which is specifically addressed in clauses (1), (2) or (3) of this Subsection 501(a)), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 30 days after written notice shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities; or

(5) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences a voluntary case,

(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(iii) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

(iv) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; and

(6) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) in an involuntary case;

(ii) appoints a custodian for the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) or for all or substantially all of the properties of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary); or

(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary); and

(iv) the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

(7) (i) one or more defaults in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary aggregating $[                  ] million or more, when the same becomes due and payable at the Stated Maturity thereof, and such default or defaults shall have continued after any applicable grace period and shall not have been cured or waived or the indebtedness repaid in full within ten days of the default or (ii) indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary aggregating $[                  ] million or more shall have been accelerated or otherwise declared due and payable, or required to be prepaid or repurchased (other than by regularly scheduled required prepayment) prior to the Stated Maturity thereof and such acceleration has not been rescinded or the indebtedness repaid in full within ten days of the acceleration or requirement to be repaid or repurchased; or

(8) one or more judgments or orders shall be rendered against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary for the payment of money, either individually or in an aggregate amount, in excess of $[                  ] million (net of any net cash proceeds received from insurance companies) and shall not be discharged and either (i) an enforcement proceeding shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order or (ii) there shall have been a period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, was not in effect; or

(9) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of any Securities of that series.

(b) The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code, as amended from time to time, or any similar foreign, Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or other similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

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Section 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

(a) If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clauses (5) and (6) of Subsection 501(a)) occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the unpaid principal of, (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all the Securities of that series then outstanding to be due and payable, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), specifying the respective Event of Default and upon any such declaration such principal, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest shall become immediately due and payable; provided, however, that so long as any obligations under any Credit Facilities shall be outstanding, the acceleration shall not be effective until the earlier of (1) an acceleration of indebtedness under such Credit Facilities or (2) five Business Days after receipt by the Company and the agent under such Credit Facilities of written notice of such declaration of acceleration of the Securities. If an Event of Default specified in clauses (5) and (6) of Subsection 501(a) with respect to the Company occurs, all unpaid principal of, and accrued interest on, the Securities then outstanding will become due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

(b) If:

(1) the Company has paid or deposited with such Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (i) all overdue installments of interest on all such Securities, (ii) the principal of, and premium, if any, on any Securities that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, (iii) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on the defaulted interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and (iv) all money paid or advanced by the Trustee thereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel;

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the nonpayment of the principal of any Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in this Indenture;

(3) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and

(4) the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities give written notice to the Company and the Trustee of their desire to rescind and annul a declaration of acceleration and its consequences,

then such declaration of acceleration shall be deemed rescinded and annulled.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

(c) If any Event of Default occurs by reason of any willful action or inaction taken or not taken by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the Company then had elected to redeem the Securities pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture, then, upon acceleration of the Securities, an equivalent premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable, to the extent permitted by law, anything in this Indenture or in the Securities to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default occurs during any time that the Securities are outstanding, by reason of any willful action or inaction taken or not taken by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding the prohibition on redemption of the Securities, then the premium specified in this Indenture shall also become immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the Securities.

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

(a) The Company covenants that if:

(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest or Additional Amounts on any Security of any series when such interest or Additional Amounts 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 Security of any series at its Maturity, then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, with interest upon any overdue principal (and premium, if any) and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installments of interest, if any, at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

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(b) If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon Securities of such series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series, wherever situated.

(c) If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem necessary 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.

(a) In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company, or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company, or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of any overdue principal, premium, if any, or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any, or in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be provided for in the terms thereof) and interest, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company upon the Securities, its creditors or its property, and

(2) to collect and receive any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607.

(b) 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 Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security in any such proceeding.

Section 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. If an Event of Default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest specified in clause (1) or (2) of Subsection 501(a) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, against the Company for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid with respect to such Securities, and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and to the extent lawful, interest on overdue interest, and such further amounts as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee, its agents and counsel. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 506. Application of Money Collected.

If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article Five, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

FIRST: To the Trustee for amounts due under Section 607;

SECOND: To Holders of Senior Indebtedness to the extent required by Article Sixteen;

 

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THIRD: To Holders for amounts due and unpaid upon the Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, respectively; and

FOURTH: To the Company.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 506.

Section 507. Limitation on Suits.

No Holder of any Security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or pursue any remedy under this Indenture, unless:

(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default;

(b) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series will have made written request to such Trustee to pursue such remedy, including, if applicable, to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee under this Indenture;

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

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

(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to such Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right to use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over other Holders.

Section 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest and Additional Amounts, if Any.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), interest, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any, on such Security on the respective due dates expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

Section 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of Securities 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 with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Subsection 306(f), no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities, as the case may be.

 

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Section 512. Control by Holders of Securities.

Subject to Section 602(e), with respect to any series, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have the right, by an instrument or concurrent instruments in writing executed and delivered to the Trustee, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee under this Indenture or exercising any trust or power conferred upon such Trustee under this Indenture, provided that:

(a) the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that is in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, that may involve the Trustee in personal liability, or that the Trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of Holders not joining in the giving of such direction; and

(b) the Trustee may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from Holders.

Section 513. Undertaking for Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree that in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant, provided that this Section 513 shall not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 508 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities.

Section 514. Waiver of Past Defaults.

(a) The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series 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, if any, or Additional Amounts on any 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 Security of such series affected.

(b) Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury or other law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

ARTICLE SIX

THE TRUSTEE

Section 601. Notice of Defaults.

Within sixty days after the earlier of receipt from the Company of notice of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default hereunder or the date such occurrence hereunder actually becomes known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall transmit to all Holders of Securities of such series, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), notice of such Default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding

 

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such notice if and so long as the board of directors or a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities of such series; and provided further that in the case of any Default or breach of the character specified in clause (4) of Subsection 501(a) with respect to the Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof unless otherwise specified in accordance with Section 301.

Section 602. Duties of Trustee.

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

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(1) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth (or incorporated by reference) in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

(2) 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. However, 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 examine such certificates and opinions 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).

(c) the Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1) this Subsection 602(c) does not limit the effect of Subsection 602(b).

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

(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to clause (4) of Subsection 603(a), and the Trustee shall be entitled from time to time to request such a direction.

(d) every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to this Section 602 and Section 603.

(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation and may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) the Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.

(a) Subject to the provisions of TIA Sections 315(a) through 315(d):

(1) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, 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.

(2) Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (other than delivery of any Security to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.

(3) 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.

 

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(4) 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 Securities of any series, determined as provided in Sections 101 and 104 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to it or exercising any trust or power conferred upon it.

(5) 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 a Board Resolution, an Opinion of Counsel or an Officers’ Certificate.

(6) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its choosing 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.

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

(8) 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, or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney but in the case of any certificate or opinion specifically required by the Indenture to be delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have a duty to examine the same to determine whether they conform to the Indenture requirements.

(9) 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.

(10) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture other than any liabilities arising out of the negligence of the Trustee.

(11) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

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

(13) The permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty unless so specified herein.

(14) In no event shall the Trustee be liable under or in connection with this Indenture for indirect, special, incidental, punitive or consequential losses or damages of any kind whatsoever, including but not limited to lost profits, whether or not foreseeable, even if the Trustee has been advised of the possibility thereof and regardless of the form of action in which such damages are sought.

(15) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers under this Indenture.

(16) Neither the Trustee nor any of its directors, officers, employees, agents or affiliates shall be responsible for nor have any duty to monitor the performance or any action of the Company or any of its respective directors, officers, agents, affiliates or employees, nor shall it have any liability in connection with any malfeasance or nonfeasance by such party. The Trustee shall not be responsible for any inaccuracy or omission in the records which may result from such information or any failure by the Trustee to perform its duties as set forth herein as a result of any inaccuracy or incompleteness.

 

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(17) If any party fails to deliver a notice relating to an event the fact of which, pursuant to this Indenture, requires notice to be sent to the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively and without liability rely on its failure to receive such notice as reason to act as if no such event occurred.

(b) The Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

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

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

Section 605. May Hold Securities.

The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or such other agent.

Section 606. Money Held in Trust.

Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

Section 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.

(a)     The Company agrees:

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as shall be agreed upon in writing from time to time (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 each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as shall be determined to have been caused by its own negligence or willful misconduct; and

(3) to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on its own part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, including with respect to enforcement of its rights under this Section 607.

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

(c) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Subsection 501(a) occurs, the expenses and compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

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Section 608. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible to act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company serve as Trustee. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 609. 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 in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 610.

(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company.

(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.

(d) If at any time:

(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 608 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (i) the Company by or pursuant to a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(e) If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of a notice of resignation or the delivery of an Act of removal, the Trustee resigning or being removed or any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of Securities for at least six months, may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee (at the expense of the Company).

(f) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time, except as provided in Section 614, there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to Securities of such series.

 

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(g) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in the manner provided for notices to the Holders of Securities in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 610. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

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

(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto 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 Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates,

(2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and

(3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in Subsection (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 611. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. In case any Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities, in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee.

 

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Section 612. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

(a) At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, a copy of which instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company and, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 301, shall at all times be a bank or trust company or corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States of America or of any State or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authorities. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

(b) Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

(c) An Authenticating Agent for any series of Securities may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee for such series and to the Company. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve in the manner set forth in Section 106. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor 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.

(d) The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation including reimbursement of its reasonable expenses for its services under this Section.

(e) If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

[__________________________________________]

as Trustee
By:  

 

  as Authenticating Agent
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory
Dated:  

 

Section 613. Conflicting Interests.

The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

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Section 614. Appointment of Co-Trustee.

(a) For the purpose of meeting any legal requirements of any jurisdiction in which the Company may at the time be located in connection with the enforcement of any right or the taking of any action on behalf of the Holders of any Securities issued hereunder, the Trustee shall have the power and may execute and deliver all instruments necessary to appoint one or more Persons to act as a co-trustee or co-trustees, or separate trustee or separate trustees, such powers, duties, obligations, rights and trusts as the Trustee may consider necessary or desirable. Each co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be required to meet the terms of eligibility as a trustee under Section 608. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Holders and the Company of the appointment of a co-trustee or separate trustee under this section.

(b) Every separate trustee and co-trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, be appointed and act subject to the following provisions and conditions:

(1) all rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or imposed upon the Trustee shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Trustee and such separate trustee or co-trustee jointly (it being understood that such separate trustee or co-trustee is not authorized to act separately without the Trustee joining in such act), except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts are to be performed the Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act or acts, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised and performed singly by such separate trustee or co-trustee, but solely at the direction of the Trustee;

(2) no trustee hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of any other trustee hereunder;

(3) the Trustee may at any time accept the resignation of or remove any separate trustee or co-trustee;

(4) any notice, request or other writing given to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been given to each of the then separate trustees and co-trustees, as effectively as if given to each of them. Every instrument appointing any separate trustee or co-trustee shall refer to this Indenture and the conditions of this Article Six. Each separate trustee and co-trustee, upon its acceptance of the trusts conferred, shall be vested with the estates or property specified in its instrument of appointment, either jointly with the Trustee or separately, as may be provided therein, subject to all the provisions of this Indenture, specifically including every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct of, affecting the liability of, or affording protection or rights (including the rights to compensation, reimbursement and indemnification hereunder) to, the Trustee. Every such instrument shall be filed with the Trustee; and

(5) any separate trustee or co-trustee may at any time constitute the Trustee its agent or attorney-in-fact with full power and authority, to the extent not prohibited by law, to do any lawful act under or in respect of this Indenture on its behalf and in its name for the purposes of enforcing any rights or taking any other action on behalf of the Holders of any Securities issued hereunder.

Section 615. Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company.

Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than five Business Days after the date any Officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such Officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

Section 616. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

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ARTICLE SEVEN

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 701. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders.

(a) The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(1) semiannually, not later than 15 days after each Regular Record Date for Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, 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 if there is no Regular Record Date for interest for such series of Securities, semiannually, upon such dates as are set forth in the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificates indenture supplemental hereto authorizing such series, and

(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided that, so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar, no such list shall be required to be furnished.

(b) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

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

(d) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with TIA Section 312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).

Section 702. Reports by Trustee.

Within 60 days after [____] of each year commencing with the first [____] after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities as provided in TIA Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such [____] if required by TIA Section 313(a). The Trustee will also comply with TIA Section 313(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, if any, upon which the Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of the listing or de-listing of the Securities on any stock exchange.

Section 703. Reports by Company.

(a) The Company will:

(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such Sections, then it will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

 

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(3) transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) of this Subsection as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

(b) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to Subsection (a) of this Section is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

Section 704. Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year

(a) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods), if any, accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and (b) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

ARTICLE EIGHT

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER

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

(a) The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation) or directly or indirectly sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person or Persons, unless:

(1) either the Company is the surviving corporation, or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made (i) is organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and (ii) expressly assumes, by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

(3) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture and, with respect to the Opinion of Counsel, that such supplemental indenture (if any) is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company or such surviving Person; and

(4) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made will, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional indebtedness pursuant to the provisions hereof or any supplemental indenture.

(b) This Section 801 shall not apply to (1) any merger, consolidation or sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets (i) between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) entered into for the purpose of reincorporating an entity in another jurisdiction or (2) any reorganization that results in all of the Capital Stock of the Company being held by a Parent Entity, provided that the shareholders of the Parent Entity immediately after such reorganization are the shareholders of the Company immediately preceding such reorganization.

Section 802. Successor Person Substituted.

(a) Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company in accordance with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation with the Company or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; thereafter the predecessor company shall be relieved of all further obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities; provided that the Company shall not be released from its obligation to pay the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of its properties and assets.

 

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(b) Such successor entity thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor entity, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations prescribed in this Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the Officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such successor entity thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Securities of any series so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities of such series theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

(c) In case of any such merger in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or any such consolidation, sale, lease, assignment, transfer or conveyance, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

Section 803. Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.

Any consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer or lease permitted under Section 801 is also subject to the condition that the Trustee shall have received an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer, assignment or lease, and the assumption by any successor Person and any such supplemental indenture, comply with the provisions of this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

ARTICLE NINE

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities, the Company when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto for any of the following purposes:

(a) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities contained; or

(b) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

(c) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); provided, that, in respect of any such additional Events of Default such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of that or those series of Securities to which such additional Events of Default apply to waive such default; or

(d) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or

(e) to secure the Securities pursuant to the requirements of such indenture supplement, if applicable; or

(f) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, including the provisions and procedures relating to Securities convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company); or

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

 

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(h) to close this indenture with respect to the authentication and delivery of additional series of Securities; or

(i) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect; or

(j) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 401, 1402 and 1403; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect; or

(k) to comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

Section 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

(a) With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected by such supplemental indenture, with each series voting separately, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to 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 which affects such series of Securities or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, that, no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected thereby:

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, subject to the provisions of Section 308; or reduce the principal amount thereof (or premium, if any) or the rate of interest (or change the manner of calculation of interest) thereon, or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change any obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1005 (except as contemplated by Subsection 801(a) and permitted by Subsection 901(a)), or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or Indexed Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or adversely affect any right of repayment at the option of the Holder of any Security, or change any Place of Payment where, or the Currency in which, any Security or any premium or interest or Additional Amount thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be), or adversely affect any right to convert or exchange any Security as may be provided pursuant to Section 301 herein, or

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver with respect to such series (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 1504 for quorum or voting, or

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 514 or Section 1007, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture that affect such series cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, or

(4) modify any of the provisions of this Indenture relating to the subordination of the Securities or the definitions related thereto as they affect subordination in a manner adverse to the Holders, or

(5) cause the Securities to be expressly subordinated to other indebtedness of the Company.

(b) It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

(c) 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 Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

 

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(d) The Company 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 at the close of Business 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 cancelled and of no further effect.

Section 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modification thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon (subject to the provisions of Article Six hereof), an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and, with respect to such Opinion of Counsel, that the supplemental indenture is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company. 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 Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder 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 Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall, if required by the Company, bear a notation in form approved by the Company as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

Section 907. Effect on Senior Indebtedness.

No supplemental indenture shall adversely affect the rights of any holder of Senior Indebtedness under Article Sixteen without the consent of such holder.

ARTICLE TEN

COVENANTS

Section 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such series of Securities and this Indenture. Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, at the option of the Company, all payments of principal may be paid by check to the registered Holder of the Registered Security or other person entitled thereto against surrender of such Security or wire transfer to an account in the United States maintained by the Payee.

Section 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

(a) If Securities of a series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served.

 

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(b) If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the same as its agent to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no service of legal process may be made on the Company at any office of the Trustee.

(c) The Company may from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all of such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, that, no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company hereby designates as a Place of Payment for each series of Securities the office or agency of the Company in ______________________, and initially appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as Paying Agent in such city and as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

(d) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series

(1) are denominated in a Currency other than Dollars or

(2) may be payable in a Currency other than Dollars, or

(3) so long as it is required under any other provision of the Indenture,

then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent.

Section 1003. Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust.

(a) If the Company or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of them shall at any time act as Paying Agent with respect to any series of any Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of such series 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.

(b) Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or before 10:00 a.m., Eastern time on each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum (in the Currency described in Subsection 1003(a)) sufficient to pay the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act. The Paying Agent shall agree that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor of such Securities) to make any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series when the same shall be due and payable.

(c) The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

(d) Subject to applicable unclaimed property laws, except as otherwise provided in the Securities of any series, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment of such principal, premium or interest on any Security, without interest thereon, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, that, the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment for such series, or mailed to each Holder of Registered Securities of such series, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

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Section 1004. Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article Eight, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and material rights and franchises (charter and statutory); provided, that, the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if it shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer necessary or desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company; and provided further, that the foregoing shall not prohibit a sale, transfer or conveyance of a Subsidiary or any of its assets in compliance with the terms of the Indenture.

Section 1005. Additional Amounts.

(a) If any Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company through the Paying Agent will pay to the Holder of a Security of such series. Additional Amounts as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

(b) Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal and any premium is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal, premium or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company will furnish the Trustee and the Company’s principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal, premium or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series who are not United States persons without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of the series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities of that series and the Company will pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by the terms of such Securities. In the event that the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall not so receive the above-mentioned certificate, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall be entitled (1) to assume that no such withholding or deduction is required with respect to any payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest with respect to any Securities of a series until it shall have received a certificate advising otherwise and (2) to make all payments of principal of (or premium, if any) and interest with respect to the Securities of a series without withholding or deductions until otherwise advised. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section.

Section 1006. Statement as to Compliance.

The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture and, if the Company is in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which he or she may have knowledge. For purposes of this Section 1006, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.

Section 1007. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

With respect to the Securities of any series, the Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition specified pursuant to Section 301 as being subject to this Section 1007, if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series affected by such term, provision or condition, by Act of such Holders, waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

 

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Section 1008. Statement by Officers as to Default.

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible and in any event within 10 days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default or an event which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or default and the action which the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 1101. Applicability of Article.

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 Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

Section 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all of the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.

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

(a) If less than all the Securities of any series issued on the same day with the same terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series issued on such date with the same terms not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.

(b) The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

(c) For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

Section 1104. Notice of Redemption.

(a) Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, but failure to give such notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other such Security or portion thereof.

(b) Any notice that is mailed to the Holders of Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice. All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date,

(2) the Redemption Price and the amount of accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106,

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

 

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(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder will receive, without a charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

(5) that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106 will become due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

(6) the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities maturing after the Redemption Date are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any,

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

(8) the CUSIP number of such Security, if any.

(c) Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company; provided that such request is made to the Trustee at least three Business Days prior to the date the notice is to be delivered.

Section 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to 10:00 a.m., Eastern time on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, which it may not do in the case of a sinking fund payment under Article Twelve, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price of, and (unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, all the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

Section 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

(a) Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities of any series so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) (together with accrued interest, if any, to, but not including, the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Securities shall if the same were interest-bearing cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to, but not including, the Redemption Date; provided that installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is prior to (or, if specified pursuant to Section 301, on) the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

(b) If any 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 of interest set forth in such Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, at the Yield to Maturity of such Security.

Section 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Article Twelve) shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. However, if less than all the Securities of any series with differing issue dates, interest rates and stated maturities are to be redeemed, the Company in its sole discretion shall select the particular Securities to be redeemed and shall notify the Trustee in writing thereof at least 45 days prior to the relevant redemption date.

 

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ARTICLE TWELVE

SINKING FUNDS

Section 1201. Applicability of Article.

(a) The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series.

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

Section 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

Except as otherwise specifically contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, the Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of a series, (a) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (b) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, as provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided that such Securities so delivered or applied as a credit have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the applicable Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

Section 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for Securities of any series, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered and credited. If such Officers’ Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

Section 1301. Applicability of Article.

Repayment of Securities of any series before their Stated Maturity at the option of Holders thereof shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301) in accordance with this Article.

Section 1302. Repayment of Securities.

Securities of any series subject to repayment in whole or in part at the option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise provided in the terms of such Securities, be repaid at the Repayment Price thereof, together with interest, if any, thereon accrued to the Repayment Date specified in or pursuant to the terms of such Securities. The Company covenants that on or before 10:00 a.m., Eastern time on the Repayment Date it will deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of them is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Subsections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay the Repayment Price of, and (unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid on such date.

 

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Section 1303. Exercise of Option.

Securities of any series subject to repayment at the option of the Holders thereof will contain an “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Securities. To be repaid at the option of the Holder, any Security so providing for such repayment, with the “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Security duly completed by the Holder (or by the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), must be received by the Company at the Place of Payment therefor specified in the terms of such Security (or at such other place or places of which the Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such Securities) not earlier than 45 days nor later than 30 days prior to the Repayment Date. If less than the entire Repayment Price of such Security is to be repaid in accordance with the terms of such Security, the portion of the Repayment Price of such Security to be repaid, in increments of the minimum denomination for Securities of such series, and the denomination or denominations of the Security or Securities to be issued to the Holder for the portion of such Security surrendered that is not to be repaid, must be specified. Any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not be repaid in part if, following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of such Security would be less than the minimum authorized denomination of Securities of the series of which such Security to be repaid is a part. Except as otherwise may be provided by the terms of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof, exercise of the repayment option by the Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the Company.

Section 1304. When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable.

(a) If Securities of any series providing for repayment at the option of the Holders thereof shall have been surrendered as provided in this Article and as provided by or pursuant to the terms of such Securities, such Securities or the portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid shall become due and payable and shall be paid by the Company on the Repayment Date therein specified, and on and after such Repayment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities on such Repayment Date) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for repayment in accordance with such provisions, the Repayment Price of such Security so to be repaid shall be paid by the Company, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Repayment Date; provided that installments of interest on Registered Securities, whose Stated Maturity is prior to (or, if specified pursuant to Section 301, on) the Repayment Date shall be payable (but without interest thereon, unless the Company shall default in the payment thereof) to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

(b) If any Security surrendered for repayment shall not be so repaid upon surrender thereof, the Repayment Price shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate of interest set forth in such Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, at the Yield to Maturity of such Security.

Section 1305. Securities Repaid in Part.

Upon surrender of any Registered Security which is to be repaid in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge and at the expense of the Company, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination specified by the Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the portion of the principal of such Security so surrendered which is not to be repaid.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 1401. Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

If pursuant to Section 301 provision is made for either or both of (a) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1402 or (b) covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1403, then the provisions of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of this Article (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities, elect to have Section 1402 (if applicable) or Section 1403 (if applicable) be applied to such Outstanding Securities upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article.

Section 1402. Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall each be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities on the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 1405 and the other

 

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Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 1402, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1404 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities when such payments are due,

(b) the obligations of the Company with respect to such Securities under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002 and 1003 and with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 1005 with respect to the rights, if any, of the holders of such Securities to require the Company to repay such Securities as contemplated by Article Thirteen and with respect to the rights, if any, of holders to convert or exchange such Securities into other Securities,

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations related thereto, and

(d) subject to compliance with this Article Fourteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 1402 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 1403 with respect to such Securities.

Section 1403. Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be released from its obligations under any other covenant specified pursuant to Section 301, with respect to such Outstanding Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities shall thereafter be deemed to not be “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with any applicable covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under clause (4) of Subsection 501(a) or otherwise except as specified in accordance with Section 301, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

Section 1404. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 1402 or Section 1403 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series:

(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 608 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Fourteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, (1) an amount (in such Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity), or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof in an amount, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or nationally recognized independent investment banking firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Securities on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities.

(b) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

(c) No Default or Event of Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as clauses (5) and (6) of Subsection 501(a) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

 

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(d) In the case of an election under Section 1402, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (1) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (2) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

(e) In the case of an election under Section 1403, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

(f) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance under Section 1402 or the covenant defeasance under Section 1403 (as the case may be) have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that either (1) as a result of a deposit pursuant to Subsection (a) of this Section and the related exercise of the Company’s option under Section 1402 or Section 1403 (as the case may be), registration is not required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by the Company, with respect to the trust funds representing such deposit or by the trustee for such trust funds or (2) all necessary registrations under said Act have been effected.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.

Section 1405. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

(a) Subject to the provisions of Subsection 1003(d), all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 1405, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 1404 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(b) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Security pursuant to Section 301, if, after a deposit referred to in Subsection 1404(a) has been made, (1) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Subsection 312(b) or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Subsection 1404(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (2) a Conversion Event occurs as contemplated in Subsection 312(d) or 312(e) or by the terms of any Security in respect of which the deposit pursuant to Subsection 1404(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on the applicable Market Exchange Rate for such Currency in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, except, with respect to a Conversion Event, for such Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

(c) The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1404 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities.

(d) Anything in this Article Fourteen to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 1404 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.

Section 1406. Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with Section 1405 by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and such Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred

 

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pursuant to Section 1402 or 1403, as the case may be, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 1405; provided, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any such Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE FIFTEEN

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

Section 1501. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

A meeting of Holders of 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 action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

Section 1502. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

(b) In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in Subsection (a) of this Section.

Section 1503. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (a) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

Section 1504. Quorum; Action.

(a) The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Subsection 1502(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 any adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.

(b) Subject to Subsection (a) of this Section 1504, at the reconvening of any meeting adjourned for lack of a quorum the Persons entitled to vote 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities at the time shall constitute a quorum for the taking of any action set forth in the notice of the original meeting.

(c) Except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, that except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture

 

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expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of not less than such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.

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

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1504, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or more additional series:

(1) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and

(2) the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under this Indenture.

Section 1505. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

(a) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture, the Company may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104. 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 Company shall, by an instrument in writing appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by Holders of Securities as provided in Subsection 1502(b), in which case the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

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

(d) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 1502 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 1506. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the fact, setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Subsection 1502(a) and, if applicable, Section 1504. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the former 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 SIXTEEN

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

Section 1601. Agreement to Subordinate.

(a) Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, the Company agrees, and each Holder of Securities by accepting a Security agrees, that payment of principal of (and premium, if any) interest, if any, and additional interest, if any, on (or any other obligations relating to) the Securities is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article Sixteen, to the prior payment in full in cash of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company (whether outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed), and that the subordination is for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

(b) This Article Sixteen shall constitute a continuing offer to all Persons who become holders of, or continue to hold, Senior Indebtedness, and such provisions are made for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and such holders are obligees hereunder and any one or more of them may enforce such provisions.

Section 1602. Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Securities.

(a) The holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of all payments of principal of (and premium, if any) interest, if any, and additional interest, if any, due in respect of Senior Indebtedness of the Company (including interest after the commencement of any bankruptcy proceeding at the rate specified in the applicable Senior Indebtedness of the Company) before the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to receive any payment with respect to (or any other obligations relating to) the Securities or any distribution of assets or proceeds in the event of any distribution to creditors of the Company in connection with:

(1) any liquidation or dissolution of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary;

(2) any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property, whether voluntary or involuntary;

(3) any assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

(4) any marshaling of the Company’s assets and liabilities.

(b) The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the occurrence of any event described in Subsection 1602(a).

(c) If the Trustee or any Holder of the Securities receives a payment in respect of the Securities when:

(1) the payment is prohibited by this Article Sixteen; and

(2) the Trustee or the Holder of the Securities has actual knowledge that the payment is prohibited;

then the Trustee or the Holder of the Securities, as the case may be, shall hold the payment in trust for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company and shall deliver notice thereof to the agent or Representative of the holders of Senior Indebtedness. Upon the proper written request of the agent or representative of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the Trustee or the Holder of Securities, as the case may be, shall deliver the amounts in trust to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or their proper representative.

(d) After all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full and until the Securities are paid in full, the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to Senior Indebtedness to the extent that distributions otherwise payable to the Holders of the Securities have been applied to the payment of Senior Indebtedness. A distribution made under this Article Sixteen to holders of Senior Indebtedness that otherwise would have been made to Holders of Securities is not, as between the Company and Holders of Securities, a payment by the Company on the Securities. It is understood that the provisions of this Article Sixteen define the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness. Nothing in this Indenture shall impair, as between the Company and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is unconditional and absolute, to pay principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities in accordance with their terms, or to affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than their rights in relation to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or in the Securities prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security from exercising its available remedies upon a Default or Event of Default, subject to the rights of the holders and owners of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions and payments otherwise payable to Holders of Securities. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article Sixteen, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities shall

 

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be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction or upon any certificate of such Representative or of the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making any distribution to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Sixteen.

(e) With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform only such obligations on the part of the Trustee as are specifically set forth in this Article Sixteen, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and shall not be liable to any such holders if the Trustee shall mistakenly pay over or distribute to or on behalf of Holders of Securities or the Company or any other Person moneys or assets to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article Sixteen, except if such payment is made as a result of the willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Trustee.

(f) Each Holder of Securities, by the Holder’s acceptance thereof, authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Holder of Securities behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article Sixteen, and appoints the Trustee to act as such Holder of Securities’ attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. If the Trustee does not file a proper proof of claim or proof of debt in the form required in any proceeding referred to above at least 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claim in such proceeding, then the holder of any Senior Indebtedness is hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim or claims for or on behalf of such Holder of Securities.

Section 1603. No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances.

(a) Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301,

(1) Upon the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness by lapse of time, acceleration (unless waived, rescinded or annulled) or otherwise, or upon any payment default (with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, in accordance with the terms of the instrument governing such Senior Indebtedness, and without any waiver or forgiveness) with respect to any Senior Indebtedness, all amounts payable thereon shall first be paid in full, or such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment is made, directly or indirectly by set off or otherwise, on account of principal of, or interest on, the Securities of such series or to acquire any of the Securities of such series or on account of the redemption provisions of the Securities of such series.

(2) Upon a default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness (other than under circumstances when the terms of clause (1) of this Section are applicable), as such default is defined therein or in the instrument under which it is outstanding, permitting the holders to accelerate the maturity thereof, upon written notice thereof given to the Company and the Trustee by or on behalf of holders of such Senior Indebtedness (“Default Notice”), then, unless and until such default shall have been cured or waived by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or shall have ceased to exist, no direct or indirect payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal of, or interest on, the Securities of such series or to acquire any of such Securities or on account of the redemption provisions of the Securities of such series; provided, that this clause (2) shall not prevent the making of any payment (which is not otherwise prohibited by clause (1) of this Section) for more than 179 days after the Default Notice shall have been given unless the Senior Indebtedness in respect of which such event of default exists has been declared due and payable in its entirety, in which case no such payment may be made until such acceleration has been rescinded or annulled or such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full.

(3) If, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, any payment on account of principal of, or interest on, the Securities of such series shall be received by the Trustee, by and Holder or by any Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, money for any such payment is segregated and held in trust), then, unless and until such payment is no longer prohibited by this Section, such payment (subject to the provisions of Section 1603) shall be held in trust for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness and, upon notice to the Trustee or such Paying Agent from the representative of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and pursuant to the directions of such representative, shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative(s), ratably according to the aggregate amount remaining unpaid on account of the principal of and interest on the Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, for application to the payment or prepayment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of Senior Indebtedness. Promptly after becoming aware thereof, the Company shall give written notice to the Trustee of any event prohibiting payments on account of principal of, or interest on, the Securities of any series and, in such event, shall provide to the Trustee, in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, the names and addresses of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and their representative(s), if any, the amount of the Senior Indebtedness held by each such holder, any information necessary to calculate the daily or other increase in Senior Indebtedness held

 

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by such holders and any other information which the Trustee may reasonably request to comply with this Article. Subject to the provisions of Section 1602 hereof, in the event that the Trustee or the Paying Agent reasonably determines that additional evidence is required with respect to any person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article, the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, may request that such person furnish evidence reasonable to it as to the extent such person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and as to other facts pertinent to the rights of such persons under this Article and if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, may defer any payment to such person pending judicial determination as to the right of such person to receive such payment.

Section 1604. Payments on Securities Permitted.

(a) Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall,

(1) affect the obligation of the Company to make, or prevent the Company from making, at any time except as provided in Sections 1602 and 1603, payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities, or

(2) prevent the application by the Trustee of any moneys deposited with it hereunder to the payment of or on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities, unless the Trustee shall have received at its Corporate Trust Office written notice of any event prohibiting the making of such payment at least five Business Days prior to the date fixed for such payment.

Section 1605. Authorization of Holders to Trustee to Effect Subordination.

Each Holder of Securities, by the Holder’s acceptance thereof, authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article Sixteen and appoints the Trustee to act as such Holder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 1606. Notices to Trustee.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article Sixteen or any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment or distribution by the Trustee or such Paying Agent, and the Trustee and the Paying Agent may continue to make payments on the Securities, unless the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have received (in the case of the Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office), at least five Business Days prior to the date of such payment, written notice of facts that would cause the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) interest, if any, and additional interest, if any, with respect to the Securities to violate this Article Sixteen. Only the Company or a Representative may give notice. Nothing in this Article Sixteen shall impair the claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 607.

Section 1607. Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness.

(a) The Trustee in its individual capacity or in any other capacity may hold Senior Indebtedness with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

(b) Nothing in this Article Sixteen shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 607.

Section 1608. Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness.

Any renewal or extension of the time of payment of any Senior Indebtedness or the exercise by the holders of Senior Indebtedness of any of their rights under any instrument creating or evidencing Senior Indebtedness, including, without limitation, the waiver of default thereunder, may be made or done all without notice to or assent from the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee. No compromise, alteration, amendment, modification, extension, renewal or other change of, or waiver, consent or other action in respect of, any liability or obligation under or in respect of, or of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of any indenture or other instrument under which any Senior Indebtedness is outstanding or of such Senior Indebtedness, whether or not such release is in accordance with the provisions of any applicable document, shall in any way alter or affect any of the provisions of this Article Sixteen or of the Securities relating to the subordination thereof.

Section 1609. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.

(a) Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Indebtedness, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their Representative.

 

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(b) Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article Sixteen, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction or upon any certificate of such Representative or the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making any distribution to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Sixteen.

Section 1610. Acceleration of Securities.

The Company shall promptly notify holders of its Senior Indebtedness and any agent or representative with respect to such Senior Indebtedness if payment of the Securities is accelerated because of an Event of Default.

Section 1611. Subordination May Not be Impaired by the Company.

No right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness to enforce the subordination of the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities shall be impaired by any act or failure to act by the Company or any Holder of Securities or by the failure of the Company or any Holder of Securities to comply with this Indenture.

Section 1612. Notice by the Company.

The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee and the Paying Agent in writing of any facts known to the Company that would cause a payment of any principal of (and premium, if any) interest, if any, and additional interest, if any, with respect to the Securities to violate this Article Sixteen, but failure to give such notice shall not affect the subordination of the Securities to the Senior Indebtedness as provided in this Article Sixteen.

[Signatures on Following Page]

 

60


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

FEDNAT HOLDING COMPANY
By:  

   

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

______________________,

as Trustee

By:  

 

Name:  

                     

Title:  

 

 

61

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO

     

ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW

 

One Biscayne Tower

2 S. Biscayne Boulevard | Suite 2100

Miami, FL 33131

T: 305.373.9400 F: 305.373.9443

 

nelsonmullins.com

July 16, 2021

FedNat Holding Company

14050 N.W. 14th Street, Suite 180

Sunrise, FL 33323

 

  Re:

FedNat Holding Company (the “Company”)

Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to the Company in connection with the preparation of the registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on the date hereof. The Registration Statement relates to the offering, from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), of up to an aggregate of $150,000,000 of Securities (as hereinafter defined) that may be issued from time to time by the Company, including (i) shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), (ii) shares of preferred stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), (iii) debt securities of the Company (the “Debt Securities”), (iv) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Debt Securities (the “Warrants”), (v) units consisting of any combination of (i) through (iv) (the “Units”), (vi) the Common Stock that may be issued upon the conversion of Debt Securities or Preferred Stock, (vii) the Preferred Stock that may be issued upon the conversion of Debt Securities, and (viii) the Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Debt Securities that may be issued upon the exercise of Warrants (collectively, the “Securities”). The Securities may be issued, sold and delivered from time to time as set forth in the Registration Statement, any amendment thereto, the prospectus contained therein (the “Prospectus”), and one or more supplements to the Prospectus.

As counsel to the Company, we have examined (a) the Company’s Second Restated Articles of Incorporation, as in effect on the date hereof; (b) the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, as in effect on the date hereof; (c) certain resolutions adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors with respect to the Registration Statement; and (d) the Registration Statement and all exhibits to the Registration Statement.

 

CALIFORNIA | COLORADO | DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA | FLORIDA | GEORGIA | MARYLAND | MASSACHUSETTS | NEW YORK

NORTH CAROLINA | SOUTH CAROLINA | TENNESSEE | WEST VIRGINIA


FedNat Holding Company

July 16, 2021

Page 2

 

In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures on original documents, and the conformity to original documents of all copies submitted to us as conformed or photostatic copies. We have also assumed that: (1) upon the issuance of shares of Common Stock, including the issuance of shares of Common Stock as a part of Units or upon conversion of Preferred Stock or Debt Securities or exercise of Warrants to purchase Common Stock, the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the number of shares of Common Stock the Company is then authorized to issue under its Articles of Incorporation; (2) upon the issuance of shares of one or more series of Preferred Stock, including the issuance of shares of one or more series of Preferred Stock as a part of Units or upon conversion of Debt Securities or exercise of Warrants to purchase Preferred Stock, the total number of shares of such series of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the number of shares of such series of Preferred Stock the Company is then authorized to issue under its Articles of Incorporation; (3) at the time of the execution, authentication, issuance and delivery of Debt Securities and the associated indenture (the “Indenture”), whether separately or as part of Units, the Indenture will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the applicable trustee, and the Indenture will be a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company and the applicable trustee; and (4) at the time of the execution, countersignature, issuance and delivery of Warrants, whether separately or as a part of Units, the related warrant agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”) will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, if applicable, each counterparty thereto and the Warrant Agreement will be a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company and each counterparty thereto, if applicable. As to various questions of fact material to such opinions, we have relied upon statements or certificates of officials and representatives of the Company and others.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:

1. With respect to the Common Stock, assuming (a) the taking by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) of all necessary corporate action to authorize and approve the issuance of the Common Stock, (b) if applicable, the exercise, in accordance with their terms, of Warrants to purchase Common Stock, or the conversion, in accordance with their terms, of Debt Securities or Preferred Stock into Common Stock, and (c) the due issuance and delivery of the Common Stock upon payment therefor in accordance with the applicable definitive underwriting agreement, Warrant Agreement, or similar agreement approved by the Board, the Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

2. With respect to the Preferred Stock, assuming (a) the taking by the Board of all necessary corporate action to authorize and approve the issuance of the Preferred Stock, (b) due filing with the Florida Department of State of Articles of Amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation that comply with Florida Statutes Section 607.0602(4) setting forth the terms, rights and preferences of such Preferred Stock, (c) if applicable, the exercise, in accordance with their terms, of Warrants to purchase Preferred Stock, or the conversion, in accordance with their terms, of Debt Securities convertible into Preferred Stock, and (d) the due issuance and delivery of the Preferred Stock upon payment therefor in accordance with the applicable definitive underwriting agreement, Warrant Agreement or similar agreement approved by the Board, the Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.


FedNat Holding Company

July 16, 2021

Page 3

 

3. With respect to the Debt Securities, assuming (a) the taking by the Board of all necessary corporate action by the Company to approve the issuance and terms of the Debt Securities, and (b) the due execution, authentication, issuance and delivery of the Debt Securities, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for in the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, and otherwise in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture and such agreement, the Debt Securities will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

4. With respect to the Warrants, assuming (a) the taking by the Board of all necessary corporate action to approve the execution and delivery of the applicable Warrant Agreement, and (b) the due execution, countersignature, issuance and delivery of the Warrants, upon payment of the consideration for such Warrants provided for in the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board and otherwise in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Warrant Agreement, such Warrants will constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

5. With respect to the Units, assuming (a) the taking by the Board of all necessary corporate action approve the execution and delivery of the applicable Units; (b) all the assumptions set forth herein with respect the Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities and Warrants are true and correct; and (c) the due execution, countersignature, issuance and delivery of the Units, upon payment of the consideration for such Units provided for in the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, such Units will constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

Our opinions set forth herein are further subject to the effects of (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and (iii) an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.


FedNat Holding Company

July 16, 2021

Page 4

 

This opinion letter is limited to the specific matters addressed herein, and no opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. We assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion should any applicable law change after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinions expressed herein after the date hereof.

 

Very truly yours,
NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH LLP
/s/ Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in this Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of FedNat Holding Company for the registration of $150,000,000 of its common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or units and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated March 29, 2021, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of FedNat Holding Company, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of FedNat Holding Company, included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young, LLP

July 16, 2021