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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 23, 2021

 

 

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-33251   65-0231984
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

1110 W. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (954) 958-1200

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value   UVE   New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

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 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Item 1.01.

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On November 23, 2021, Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into Note Purchase Agreements (the “Purchase Agreements”) with certain institutional accredited investors and qualified institutional buyers (collectively, the “Purchasers”) pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $100 million of 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”). The Purchase Agreements contain certain customary representations, warranties and covenants made by the Company, on the one hand, and the Purchasers, severally and not jointly, on the other hand. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Private Placement for general corporate purposes, including growth capital.

The Notes were offered and sold by the Company in a private placement transaction in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D thereunder. On November 23, 2021, in connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes, the Company entered into Registration Rights Agreements (the “Registration Rights Agreements”) with the Purchasers. Under the terms of the Registration Rights Agreements, the Company has agreed to take certain actions to provide for the exchange of the Notes for notes that are registered under the Securities Act and have substantially the same terms as the Notes (the “Exchange Offer”). Under certain circumstances, if the Company fails to meet its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreements, it would be required to pay additional interest to the holders of the Notes.

On November 23, 2021, the Company entered into an indenture, relating to the issuance of the Notes (the “Indenture”), by and between the Company and Issuer and UMB Bank National Association, as trustee. The Notes are not subject to any sinking fund and are not convertible into or exchangeable, other than pursuant to the Exchange Offer, for any other securities or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The Notes are not subject to redemption at the option of the holder. On or after November 30, 2023, the Company may redeem all or part of the Notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) equal to (i) 102.81250% for the twelve-month period beginning on November 30, 2023; (ii) 101.40625% for the twelve-month period beginning on November 30, 2024 and (iii) 100.000% at any time thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the redemption date.

The Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.625% per annum, subject to adjustment from time to time in the event of a downgrade or subsequent upgrade of the rating assigned to the Notes. Interest on the Notes will be payable by the Company on May 30 and November 30 of each year, beginning on May 30, 2022. The Notes mature on November 30, 2026.

The Indenture contains certain financial covenants, including:

 

   

the Company shall maintain cash on hand at least equal to the next twelve months of interest payments on the Notes so long as the Notes remain outstanding;

 

   

the Company must maintain Total Consolidated Indebtedness to Total Consolidated GAAP Capitalization (as these terms are defined in the Indenture) less than or equal to 40%, as of the end of each calendar quarter;

 

   

other than existing secured indebtedness of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, the Company will not incur or permit to exist any mortgage, pledge, encumbrance or lien or charge securing indebtedness on any property or asset of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in excess of 20% of the Total Consolidated Indebtedness of the Company, when combined with any existing secured indebtedness of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and

 

   

the Company will use reasonable best efforts to maintain a rating of the Notes from Egan-Jones Ratings Company or any other “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as defined under the Securities Act.

The Indenture contains events of default, the occurrence of which may result in the acceleration of the Company’s obligations under the Notes in certain circumstances. Upon an event of default and for as long as such event of default remains outstanding, the Company will not declare or pay any cash dividends to its stockholders.

 

2


The Notes are unsecured senior obligations of the Company, are not obligations of, and are not guaranteed by, any subsidiary of the Company.

The form of the Note Purchase Agreements and the Registration Rights Agreements are filed as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and the description of the material terms of the Note Purchase Agreements and the Registration Rights Agreements, respectively, are qualified in their entirety by reference to such exhibits, which are incorporated herein by reference. The Indenture is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and the description of the material terms of the Indenture is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.03.

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

The information set forth in Item 1.01 above is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.01

Regulation FD Disclosure

On November 23, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing the completion of the private placement of the Notes, a copy of which is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information in Item 7.01 of this Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1 furnished herewith, shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. The information in Item 7.01 of this Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1 furnished herewith, shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing or other document pursuant to the Securities Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing or document.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits:

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  4.1    Indenture, dated November 23, 2021
  4.2    Form of 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 (included in Exhibit 4.1)
10.1    Form of Note Purchase Agreement, dated November 23, 2021
10.2    Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated November 23, 2021
99.1    Press Release dated November 23, 2021.
104    The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K formatted in Inline XBRL (included as Exhibit 101).


SIGNATURES

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

 

Date: November 23, 2021     UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Stephen J. Donaghy

    Name:   Stephen J. Donaghy
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 4.1

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

As Issuer,

and

UMB Bank National Association

As Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of November 23, 2021

5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     1  

Section 1.01 Definitions

     1  

Section 1.02 Compliance Certificates and Opinions

     5  

Section 1.03 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee

     5  

Section 1.04 Acts of Holders

     6  

Section 1.05 Required Notices or Demands

     7  

Section 1.06 Language of Notices

     7  

Section 1.07 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act; Conflicts

     7  

Section 1.08 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents

     8  

Section 1.09 Successors and Assigns

     8  

Section 1.10 Severability

     8  

Section 1.11 Entire Agreement

     8  

Section 1.12 Benefits of Indenture

     8  

Section 1.13 Governing Law

     8  

Section 1.14 Legal Holidays

     8  

Section 1.15 Counterparts; Electronic Transmission

     8  

Section 1.16 Immunity of Certain Persons

     9  

Section 1.17 Waiver of Jury Trial

     9  

Section 1.18 Force Majeure

     9  

Section 1.19 USA Patriot Act

     9  

Section 1.20 No Sinking Fund

     9  

Section 1.21 Rules of Construction

     9  

ARTICLE II THE NOTES

     10  

Section 2.01 Forms Generally

     10  

Section 2.02 Definitive Notes

     10  

Section 2.03 Global Notes

     10  

Section 2.04 Restricted Notes

     10  

Section 2.05 Execution and Authentication

     10  

Section 2.06 Registrar and Paying Agent

     11  

Section 2.07 Registration of Transfer and Exchange

     11  

Section 2.08 Exchange Offer

     13  

Section 2.09 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Notes

     13  

Section 2.10 Payment of Interest; Rights to Interest Preserved

     14  

Section 2.11 Persons Deemed Owners

     15  

Section 2.12 Cancellation

     15  

Section 2.13 Computation of Interest

     15  

Section 2.14 Interest Rate Adjustment

     15  

Section 2.15 CUSIP Numbers

     16  

ARTICLE III SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

     16  

Section 3.01 Satisfaction and Discharge

     16  

Section 3.02 Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

     16  

Section 3.03 Application of Trust Money

     18  

Section 3.04 Reinstatement

     18  

ARTICLE IV REMEDIES

     18  

Section 4.01 Events of Default; Acceleration

     18  

Section 4.02 Failure to Make Payments

     19  

Section 4.03 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     20  

Section 4.04 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Notes

     20  

Section 4.05 Application of Money Collected

     20  

Section 4.06 Limitation on Suits

     20  

Section 4.07 Unconditional Right of Holders to Payments

     21  

Section 4.08 Restoration of Rights and Remedies

     21  

Section 4.09 Rights and Remedies Cumulative

     21  

Section 4.10 Delay or Omission Not Waiver

     21  

Section 4.11 Control by Holders

     21  

Section 4.12 Waiver of Past Defaults

     22  

Section 4.13 Undertaking for Costs

     22  

 


ARTICLE V THE TRUSTEE

     22  

Section 5.01 Duties of Trustee

     22  

Section 5.02 Certain Rights of Trustee

     23  

Section 5.03 Notice of Defaults

     24  

Section 5.04 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Notes

     24  

Section 5.05 May Hold Notes

     24  

Section 5.06 Money Held in Trust

     24  

Section 5.07 Compensation and Reimbursement

     24  

Section 5.08 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility

     25  

Section 5.09 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor

     25  

Section 5.10 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor

     26  

Section 5.11 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

     27  

Section 5.12 Appointment of Authenticating Agent

     27  

Section 5.13 Preferred Collection of Claims against Company

     28  

ARTICLE VI HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

     28  

Section 6.01 Holder Lists

     28  

Section 6.02 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders

     28  

Section 6.03 Reports by Trustee

     28  

Section 6.04 Reports by Company

     28  

ARTICLE VII SUCCESSORS

     29  

Section 7.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets

     29  

Section 7.02 Successor Person Substituted for Company

     30  

ARTICLE VIII SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

     30  

Section 8.01 Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders

     30  

Section 8.02 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders

     30  

Section 8.03 Execution of Supplemental Indentures

     31  

Section 8.04 Effect of Supplemental Indentures

     31  

Section 8.05 Reference in Notes to Supplemental Indentures

     31  

Section 8.06 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

     31  

ARTICLE IX COVENANTS

     31  

Section 9.01 Payment of Principal and Interest

     31  

Section 9.02 Maintenance of Office

     32  

Section 9.03 Money for Notes Payments to Be Held in Trust

     32  

Section 9.04 Financial Covenants

     33  

Section 9.05 Waiver of Certain Covenants

     33  

Section 9.06 Company Statement as to Compliance

     33  

ARTICLE X REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

     33  

Section 10.01 Applicability of Article

     33  

Section 10.02 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee

     34  

Section 10.03 Selection by Trustee of Notes to be Redeemed

     34  

Section 10.04 Notice of Redemption

     34  

Section 10.05 Deposit of Redemption Price

     35  

Section 10.06 Notes Payable on Redemption Date

     35  

Section 10.07 Notes Redeemed in Part

     35  

 

ii


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

   Indenture Section

§310 (a)(1)

   Section 5.08

(a)(2)

   Section 5.08

(a)(5)

   Section 5.08

(b)

   Section 5.08, Section 5.09

§311 (a)

   Section 5.05

(b)

   Section 5.05

§312 (a)

   Section 6.01

(b)

   Section 6.02

(c)

   Section 6.02

§313 (a)

   Section 6.03

(b)(2)

   Section 6.03

(c)

   Section 6.03

(d)

   Section 6.03

§314 (a)

   Section 6.04

(a)(4)

   Section 9.06

(c)(1)

   Section 10.02

(c)(2)

   Section 10.02

(e)

   Section 10.02

§315 (a)

   Section 5.01, Section 5.02

(b)

   Section 5.03

(c)

   Section 5.01

(d)

   Section 5.01, Section 5.02

(e)

   Section 4.13

§316 (a) (last sentence)

   Section 1.01

(a)(1)(A)

   Section 4.02, Section 4.11

(a)(1)(B)

   Section 4.11, Section 4.12

(b)

   Section 4.07

(c)

   Section 1.04

§317 (a)(1)

   Section 4.02

(a)(2)

   Section 4.03

(b)

   Section 9.03

§318 (a)

   Section 1.07

(b)

   Section 1.07

(c)

   Section 1.07

Note: This Cross-Reference table will not, for any purpose, be deemed part of this Indenture.

 

iii


This INDENTURE dated as of November 23, 2021 is between Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and UMB Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for an issue of $100,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises, and of the purchase and acceptance of the Notes by the Holders thereof, the Company and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Notes.

Article I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, or unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this Section for all purposes of this Indenture, any Company Order, Company Request, any Board Resolution and any indenture supplemental hereto will have the respective meanings specified in this Section.

Act,” when used with respect to any Holders, is defined in Section 1.04.

Additional Interest” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, 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.

Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of, or for beneficial interests in, any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary that apply to such transfer or exchange.

Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee in accordance with Section 5.12 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Notes.

Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, in an official language of the place of publication or in the English language, customarily published on each day that is a Business Day in the place of publication, whether or not published on days that are not Business Days in the place of publication, 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 place meeting the foregoing requirements, and in each case on any day that is a Business Day, in the place of publication.

Authorized Officer” means each of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

Bankruptcy Laws” means Title 11, United States Code (11 U.S.C. §§101 et seq.), or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Board of Directors” means, as to any Person, the board of directors, or similar governing body, of such Person or any duly authorized committee (or subcommittee) thereof.

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

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York or, with respect to any payment to be made hereunder, a Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

1


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

Common Stock” means any and all shares of the common stock, $0.01 per share par value, of the Company, whether outstanding on the date of this Indenture or issued thereafter, and includes, without limitation all series and classes of such common stock.

Company” is defined in the preamble to this Indenture.

Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order, as the case may be, signed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Officer and delivered to the Trustee.

Consolidated Indebtedness” means, as of any date, the indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries for borrowed money determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. Consolidated Indebtedness excludes operating lease liabilities.

Consolidated Indebtedness to GAAP Capitalization Ratio” means, as of any date, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) equal to Consolidated Indebtedness as of such date divided by the GAAP Consolidated Capitalization as of such date.

Corporate Trust Office” means the address of the Trustee specified in Section 1.05, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the designated address of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

Covenant Defeasance” is defined in Section 3.02(3).

Defaulted Interest” is defined in Section 2.10.

Definitive Notes” means, individually and collectively, each Restricted Definitive Note and each Unrestricted Definitive Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-l hereto, issued under this Indenture.

Depositary” means, with respect to any Note issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person designated as depositary by the Company in accordance with this Indenture, and any and all successors thereto appointed as Depositary under this Indenture.

Dollars” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit of legal tender for payment of public or private debts in the United States.

Event of Default” is defined in Section 4.01.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor statute thereto.

Exchange Notes” means the Notes issued in the Exchange Offer in accordance with Section 2.08.

Exchange Offer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Federal Reserve” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or any successor regulatory authority with jurisdiction over bank holding companies.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and such other statements by such other entities (including the Commission) as have been accepted by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are applicable at the date of this Indenture.

GAAP Consolidated Capitalization” means, as of any date, the total shareholders’ equity of the Company and its subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP plus Consolidated Indebtedness.

Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each Restricted Global Note and each Unrestricted Global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto, issued under this Indenture.

 

2


Government Obligations” means securities which are direct obligations of the United States of America in each case where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States of America.

Holder” means the Person in whose name the Note is registered in the Note Register.

Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended and supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms.

Initial Notes” means the $100,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

Interest Payment Date” means May 30 and November 30 of each year, beginning May 30, 2022.

Interest Period” means each six-month period beginning on an Interest Payment Date for the period beginning on the original issue date of the Notes.

Legal Defeasance” is defined in Section 3.02(2).

Letter of Transmittal” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Company and sent to all Holders for use by such Holders in connection with an Exchange Offer.

Maturity” or Maturity Date means the date on which the principal of a Note becomes due and payable as provided in or under this Indenture or such Note, whether at the Stated Maturity or by an acceleration of the maturity of such Note in accordance with the terms of such Note, upon redemption at the option of the Company, upon repurchase or repayment or otherwise, and includes a Redemption Date for such Note and a date fixed for the repurchase or repayment of such Note at the option of the Holder.

Note” or “Notes” means the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes and, more particularly, any Note authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, including those Notes issued or authenticated upon transfer, replacement or exchange.

Note Register” is defined in Section 2.06.

Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the chairman of the board, the vice chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief operating officer, the chief financial officer, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the controller, the secretary or any vice president of such Person.

Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by two Officers of the Company, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company, that complies with the requirements of Section 1.02 and is delivered to the Trustee.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, which opinion meets the requirements of Section 1.02. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

Outstanding,” when used with respect to any Notes, means, as of the date of determination, all such Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except (1) any such Note theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or the Registrar or delivered to the Trustee or the Registrar for cancellation; (2) any such Note for whose payment at the Maturity thereof money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited in accordance with this Indenture (other than in accordance with Section 3.02) 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 will act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Notes, provided that, if such Notes are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given in accordance with this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; (3) any such Note with respect to which the Company has effected Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance in accordance with Section 3.02, except to the extent provided in Section 3.02; and (4) any such Note that has been paid in accordance with Section 2.09 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Notes have been authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, unless there will have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to the Trustee that such Note is held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Note is a valid obligation of the Company; provided, however, that in all cases, in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Notes have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Notes owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company will be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee will be protected in making any such determination or relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned will be so disregarded. Notes so owned that will 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 Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.

Participating Broker-Dealer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

3


Paying Agent” is defined in Section 2.06.

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

Place of Payment,” with respect to any Note, means the place or places where the principal of, or interest on, such Note is payable as provided in or under this Indenture or such Note.

Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.04 of this Indenture to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture, except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

Purchase Agreements” mean the Note Purchase Agreements concerning the Notes, dated November 23, 2021, by and among the Company and the purchasers identified therein.

Ratings Agency” means Egan-Jones Ratings Company or any other “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act selected by the Company as a replacement agency for Egan-Jones Ratings Company.

Redemption Date,” with respect to any Note or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or under this Indenture or such Note.

Redemption Price,” with respect to any Note or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed as determined by or under this Indenture or such Note.

Registrar” is defined in Section 2.06.

Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit C to the Purchase Agreements, dated as of the date of this Indenture, by and among the Company and the purchasers of the Initial Notes identified therein.

Regular Record Date,” with respect to any Interest Payment Date, means the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date, without regard to whether the Regular Record Date is a Business Day.

Responsible Officer” means, 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 secretary, 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 will 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 will have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Note” means a Restricted Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note.

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor statute thereto.

Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission (as such rule is in effect on the date of this Indenture).

Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Note means a date fixed in accordance with Section 2.10.

Stated Maturity” means November 30, 2026.

Subsidiary” means a corporation, a partnership, business or statutory trust or a limited liability company, a majority of the outstanding voting equity securities or a majority of the voting membership or partnership interests, as the case may be, of which is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries of the Company. For the purposes of this definition, “voting equity securities” means securities having voting power for the election of directors, managers, managing partners or trustees, as the case may be, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has voting power by reason of any contingency.

 

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Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Trustee” means UMB Bank National Association, as trustee, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

United States,” means the United States of America (including the states thereof and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

Unrestricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note that does not bear, and is not required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Global Note” means a Global Note that does not bear, and is not required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

Section 1.02 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or under this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company will furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent (including covenants compliance with, which constitutes a condition precedent), if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent (including covenants compliance with, which constitutes a condition 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 or any of them is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to which compliance with a condition provided for in this Indenture (other than an Officers’ Certificate provided under Section 9.06) must comply with the provisions of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act and must include:

(1) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(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 such person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition has been satisfied; and

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition has been satisfied.

Section 1.03 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

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

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care, but without investigation, should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which this certificate or opinion is based is erroneous.

Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care, but without investigation, should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

 

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

Section 1.04 Acts of Holders.

(1) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by or under this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, such action will 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. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Note, will be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 5.01) 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.

(2) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any reasonable manner that the Trustee deems sufficient and in accordance with such reasonable rules as the Trustee may determine, and the Trustee may, in any instance, require further proof with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section.

(3) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Notes held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, will be proven by the Note Register.

(4) The Company may, in the circumstances permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other act authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Holders. Unless otherwise specified, if not set by the Company prior to the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such action, any such record date will be the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, and only such Persons, will be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action will be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.

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

(6) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents, each of which may do so in accordance with such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount. Any notice given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such principal amount in accordance with this paragraph will have the same effect as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.

(7) Without limiting the generality of this Section 1.04, a Holder, including a Depositary that is a Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies, duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or under this Indenture or the Notes to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a Depositary that is a Holder of a Global Note may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such Depositary’s Applicable Procedures. The Company may fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note entitled under the Applicable Procedures of such Depositary to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, will be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action will be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date. Promptly upon any record date being set in accordance with this Section 1.04, the Company, at its own expense, will cause notice of the record date, the proposed action by Holders and the expiration date to be given to the Trustee in writing and the Holders in the manner set forth in Section 1.05.

 

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Section 1.05 Required Notices or Demands.

Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or delivered by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to the other’s address:

If to the Company:         Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

1110 West Commercial Boulevard, Suite 100

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309

Attention: Frank C. Wilcox

If to the Trustee:    UMB Bank National Association

  5555 San Felipe, Suite 870

  Houston, Texas 77056

  Attn: Mauri Cowen, Senior Vice President

  Office: (713) 300-0587

  Fax:    214-389-5949

  mauri.cowen@umb.com

The Company or the Trustee, by notice to the other, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

Any notice required or permitted to be given to a Holder under the provisions of this Indenture will be deemed to be properly delivered by being deposited postage prepaid in a post office letter box in the United States addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as shown on the Note Register. Any report in accordance with Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act will be transmitted in compliance with subsection (c) therein. If the Company delivers a notice or communication to Holders, the Company will deliver a copy to the Trustee at the same time.

In any case where notice to Holders of Notes is delivered by mail, neither the failure to deliver such notice nor any defect in any notice so delivered to any particular Holder of a Note will affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Notes. Any notice that is delivered in the manner herein provided will be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or provided. In the case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it will be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as will be made with the approval of the Trustee will constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

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 will be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders of Notes will be filed with the Trustee, but such filing will not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

Notwithstanding any other provision herein, where this Indenture provides for notice to any Holder of a Global Note, or of an interest therein, such notice will be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Global Note (or its designee) according to the Applicable Procedures of such Depositary prescribed for giving such notice.

Section 1.06 Language of Notices.

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

Section 1.07 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act; Conflicts.

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The Trust Indenture Act term “obligor” used in this Indenture means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Notes.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, reference to another statute or Commission rule under the Trust Indenture Act have the meanings so assigned to them as of the date of this Indenture. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture that is required to be included in this Indenture by any of Sections 310 to 317, inclusive of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision will control. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, the duties imposed by Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act will control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act will be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or will be excluded, as the case may be.

 

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Section 1.08 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

The Article and Section headings in this Indenture and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and will not affect the construction of this Indenture.

Section 1.09 Successors and Assigns.

All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture by or on behalf of the Company or the Trustee will bind its respective successors and permitted assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 1.10 Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or any Note will be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 1.11 Entire Agreement.

This Indenture and the exhibits hereto set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties related to this transaction and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written.

Section 1.12 Benefits of Indenture.

Nothing in this Indenture or any Note, express or implied, will give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Registrar, any Paying Agent and any of their respective successors hereunder and the Holders of Notes, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 1.13 Governing Law.

This Indenture and the Notes will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made or instruments entered into and, in each case, performed in said State (without reference to principles of conflicts of law).

Section 1.14 Legal Holidays.

Unless otherwise specified in or under this Indenture or any Notes, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Maturity or any other day on which a payment is due with respect to any Note will be a day that is not a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note other than a provision in any Note or in the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture establishing the terms of any Note that specifically states that such provision will apply in lieu hereof) payment need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but such payment may be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, at the Stated Maturity or Maturity or on any such other payment date, as the case may be, and no interest will accrue on the amount payable on such date or at such time for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity, Maturity or other payment date, as the case may be, to the next succeeding Business Day,

Section 1.15 Counterparts; Electronic Transmission.

This Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which will be an original and all of which will constitute but one and the same instrument. Any facsimile or electronically transmitted copies hereof or signature hereon will, for all purposes, be deemed originals. Unless otherwise provided herein or in any other related document, the words “execute,” “execution,” “signed” and “signature,” and words of similar import used in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Indenture, any other related document or any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including amendments, waivers, consents and other modifications), shall be deemed to include electronic signatures via DocuSign and the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature in ink or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as applicable, to the fullest extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee may conclusively rely upon any such electronic signature, shall in no instance be responsible for determining if any such electronic signature is permitted by applicable law nor be liable for any loss or damages resulting from its reliance upon the same electronic signature and is not under any obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by such Trustee pursuant to procedures approved by the Trustee.

 

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Section 1.16 Immunity of Certain Persons.

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Note, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, will be had against any past, present or future shareholder, employee, officer or director, as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor, either directly or through the Company or any predecessor or successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Notes by the Holders and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.

Section 1.17 Waiver of Jury Trial.

EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 1.18 Force Majeure.

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

Section 1.19 USA Patriot Act.

The Trustee hereby notifies the Company that in accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Company, which information includes the name and address of the Company and other information that will allow the Trustee to identify the Company in accordance with the USA Patriot Act.

Section 1.20 No Sinking Fund.

The Notes are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

Section 1.21 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

(4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(5) “including” means including without limitation;

(6) “will” will be interpreted to express a command;

(7) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(8) references to sections of, or rules under, the Securities Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time;

(9) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article,” “Section” or “clause” refers to an Article, Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Indenture; and

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

 

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Article II

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Forms Generally.

The Notes, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication and the Global Notes will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-l and Exhibit A-2, as applicable, which are a part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). The Company will provide any such notations, legends or endorsements to the Trustee in writing. Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made a part of this Indenture and the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note irreconcilably conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture will govern and be controlling.

Section 2.02 Definitive Notes.

The Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes will be issued initially in the form of one or more Definitive Notes, unless, before the issuance of such Initial Notes or Exchange Notes, the Company has determined that the Notes may be represented by Global Notes and has so notified the Trustee, in which event the Initial Notes and/or Exchange Notes will be issued in the form of one or more Global Notes. Except as provided in Section 2.07, Holders of Definitive Notes will not be entitled to transfer Definitive Notes in exchange for beneficial interests in Global Notes, and owners of beneficial interests in Global Notes will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Notes.

Section 2.03 Global Notes.

Each Global Note issued under this Indenture will be deposited with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, as custodian for the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee thereof, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal amount of any Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary as hereinafter provided. Any adjustment of the aggregate principal amount of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Trustee in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.07 hereof and will be made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary.

Section 2.04 Restricted Notes.

Each Restricted Definitive Note and Restricted Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (B) AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) IN ACCORDANCE AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR BLUE SKY LAWS AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, IF REQUESTED, OR (II) UNLESS SOLD IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 UNDER SAID ACT.

The Private Placement Legend set forth above will be removed and a new Note of like tenor and principal amount without such Private Placement Legend will be executed by the Company, and upon written request of the Company (together with an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel), the Trustee will authenticate and deliver such new Note to the respective Holder, if legal counsel to the Holder or owner of beneficial interests requesting the removal of such Private Placement Legend delivers to the Trustee, any Registrar and Paying Agent (if a different Person than the Trustee) and the Company an opinion of counsel in compliance with this Indenture and additionally opining that the Note is eligible for immediate resale, without any remaining holding period, under Rule 144 without regard to the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144 as to such securities.

Section 2.05 Execution and Authentication.

Notes will be executed on behalf of the Company by any Authorized Officer and may (but need not) have the Company’s corporate seal or a facsimile thereof reproduced thereon. The signature of an Authorized Officer on the Notes may be manual or facsimile. Notes bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were, at the time of execution, Authorized Officers of the Company will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, 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 Notes or did not hold such offices at the date of such Notes.

 

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The Trustee or an Authenticating Agent will authenticate and deliver the Initial Notes for original issue in an aggregate principal amount of up to $100,000,000 upon one or more Company Orders and an Opinion of Counsel. In addition, the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent will, upon receipt of a Company Order, Opinion of Counsel and Officers’ Certificate, authenticate and deliver any Exchange Notes for an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100,000,000 specified in such Company Order for Exchange Notes issued hereunder. The aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Notes at any time may not exceed the amount set forth in the foregoing sentence, except as otherwise provided in this Article II. The Notes will be issued only in registered form without coupons and in minimum denominations of $100,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The Trustee will not be required to authenticate any Notes if the issue of such Notes under this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Notes and this Indenture, or otherwise affect the trustee in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken.

No Note will be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Note a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by or on behalf of the Trustee or by the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of one of its authorized signatories. Such certificate upon any Note will be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Note has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

Section 2.06 Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Company will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar will keep a register of the Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange. The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as the owner of the Note for all purposes. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder; provided that no such removal or replacement will be effective until a successor Paying Agent or Registrar will have been appointed by the Company and will have accepted such appointment. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee will act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Paying Agent and Registrar for the Notes and, in the event that any Notes are issued in global form, to initially act as custodian with respect to the Global Notes. In the event that the Trustee will not be or will cease to be Registrar with respect the Notes, it will have the right to examine the Note Register at all reasonable times. There will be only one Note Register.

Section 2.07 Registration of Transfer and Exchange

(1) Except as otherwise provided in or under this Indenture, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note, the Company will execute, and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Notes denominated as authorized in or under this Indenture of a like aggregate principal amount bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.

Except as otherwise provided in or under this Indenture, at the option of the Holder, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes containing identical terms and provisions, in any authorized denominations (minimum denominations of $100,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at any office or agency for such purpose. Whenever any Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company will execute, and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver, subject to the terms hereof, the Notes that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes will be the valid obligations of the Company evidencing the same debt and entitling the Holders thereof to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

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

 

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No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, any redemption or repayment of Notes or any conversion or exchange of Notes for other types of securities or property, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with the transfer or exchange of the Notes from the Holder requesting such transfer or exchange.

Except as otherwise provided in or under this Indenture, the Company will not be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the selection for redemption of Notes under Section 10.03 and ending at the close of business on the day of such selection, or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Note, or portion thereof, so selected for redemption, except in the case of any Note to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed.

Any Registrar appointed in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof will provide to the Trustee such information as the Trustee may reasonably require in connection with the delivery by such Registrar of Notes upon transfer or exchange of Notes. No Registrar will be required to make registrations of transfer or exchange of Notes during any periods designated in the Notes or in this Indenture as periods during which such registration of transfers and exchanges need not be made.

The Trustee will 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 Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) 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.

Neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent will have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

(2) When Definitive Notes are presented by a Holder to the Registrar with a request to register the transfer of such Definitive Notes or to exchange such Definitive Notes for an equal principal amount of Definitive Notes of other authorized denominations, the Registrar will register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Definitive Notes surrendered for transfer or exchange will be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing.

(3) A Global Note may not be transferred except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if: (i) the Depositary has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or such Depositary has ceased to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, (ii) the Company determines that the Notes are no longer to be represented by Global Notes and so notifies the Trustee or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Notes and the Depositary or its participant(s) has requested the issuance of Definitive Notes. Any Global Note exchanged in accordance with clause (i) or (ii) above will be so exchanged in whole and not in part, and any Global Note exchanged in accordance with clause (iii) above may be exchanged in whole or from time to time in part as directed by the Depositary. Upon the occurrence of any of the events in (i), (ii) or (iii) above, Definitive Notes will be issued in fully registered form, without interest coupons, will have an aggregate Principal Amount equal to that of the Global Note or portion thereof to be so exchanged, will be registered in such names and be in such authorized denominations as the Depositary will instruct the Trustee in writing and will bear such legends as provided herein. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Section 2.09 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, in accordance with this Section 2.07 or Section 2.09 hereof, will be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and will be, a Global Note, except as otherwise provided herein. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.07(3); however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.07(4) hereof.

Any Global Note to be exchanged in whole will be surrendered by the Depositary to the Trustee. With regard to any Global Note to be exchanged in part, either such Global Note will be so surrendered for exchange or, if the Trustee is acting as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee with respect to such Global Note, the principal amount thereof will be reduced by an amount equal to the portion thereof to be so exchanged by means of an appropriate adjustment made on the records of the Trustee. Upon any such surrender or adjustment, the Trustee will authenticate and deliver the Note issuable on such exchange to or upon the order of the Depositary or an authorized representative thereof.

(4) The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and this Section 2.07.

 

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(5) A Definitive Note may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Global Note unless the Company determines that the Notes may be represented by Global Notes and so notifies the Trustee. After the Company has determined that the Notes may be represented by Global Notes and so notifies the Trustee, then upon receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive Note duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee, together with written instructions from such Holder directing the Trustee to make, or to direct the Registrar to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Global Note to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented by the Global Note, such instructions to contain information regarding the Depositary account to be credited with such increase, the Trustee will cancel such Definitive Note and cause, or direct the Registrar to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary and the Registrar, the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by the Global Note to be increased by the aggregate principal amount of the Definitive Note to be exchanged, and will credit or cause to be credited to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Global Note equal to the principal amount of the Definitive Note so cancelled. If no Global Notes are then outstanding, the Company will issue and the Trustee will authenticate, upon Company Order, a new Global Note in the appropriate principal amount.

(6) At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.12 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be reduced accordingly by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note will be increased accordingly by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(7) No Restricted Note will be transferred or exchanged except in compliance with the Private Placement Legend or as provided in accordance with Section 2.08. In addition to the provisions for transfer and exchange set forth in this Section 2.07, the Trustee, any Registrar and Paying Agent (if a different Person than the Trustee) and the Company may, prior to effecting any requested transfer or exchange of any Restricted Notes, other than an exchange in accordance with Section 2.08, require that legal counsel to the Holder or owner of beneficial interests requesting such transfer or exchange deliver to the Trustee, any Registrar and Paying Agent (if a different Person than the Trustee) and the Company an Opinion of Counsel in compliance with this Indenture and additionally opining that the transfer or exchange is in compliance with the requirements of the Private Placement Legend and that the Note issued to the transferee or in exchange for the Restricted Note may be issued free of the Private Placement Legend. Any un-transferred or un-exchanged balance of a Restricted Note will be reissued to the Holder with the Private Placement Legend unless the Private Placement Legend may be omitted in accordance with Section 2.04, as evidenced by the Opinion of Counsel.

Section 2.08 Exchange Offer.

Upon the occurrence of an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will issue, and upon receipt of a Company Order in accordance with Section 2.05 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate, (i) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes tendered in such Exchange Offer for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not Participating Broker-Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the applicable Exchange Notes and (z) they are not Affiliates of the Company, and accepted for exchange in such Exchange Offer or, if permitted by the Company, (ii) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered in such Exchange Offer for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not Participating Broker-Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the applicable Exchange Notes and (z) they are not Affiliates of the Company, and accepted for exchange in such Exchange Offer. Concurrently with the issuance of such Unrestricted Global Notes upon exchange of Restricted Global Notes, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated the Holders of Restricted Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the applicable principal amount. Any Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of such Exchange Offer, and Exchange Notes issued in connection with such Exchange Offer, will be treated as a single class of securities under this Indenture. For the avoidance of doubt, the only remedy for breach of registration rights by the Company is the Additional Interest set forth in Section 2(e) of the Registration Rights Agreement.

Section 2.09 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Notes.

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 2.09, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Note containing identical terms, of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

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If there be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Note has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company will execute, and upon the Company’s request, the Trustee will authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Note, a new Note containing identical terms, of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.09, in case the outstanding principal balance of any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note has become or is about to become due and payable, or is about to be redeemed by the Company pursuant to Article X hereof, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Note, pay or redeem such Note, as the case may be.

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

Every new Note issued in accordance with this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Note will constitute a separate obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Note will be at any time enforceable by anyone, and will be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section, as amended or supplemented in accordance with this Indenture with respect to particular Notes or generally, will (to the extent lawful) be exclusive and will (to the extent lawful) preclude all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.

Section 2.10 Payment of Interest; Rights to Interest Preserved.

Any interest on any Note that will be payable and punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date will be paid to the Person in whose name such Note is registered as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such Interest Payment Date.

Any interest on any Note that will be payable, but will not be punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for such Note (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) will cease to be payable to the 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 either clause (1) or (2) below:

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Person in whose name such Note will be registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which will be fixed in the following manner. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on such Note and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company will deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or will make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when so deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Person entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon, the Company will fix or cause to be fixed a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which will be no less than 15 days from the proposed payment. The Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) will cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be delivered to the Holder of such Note at the Holder’s address as it appears in the Note Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. The Company may, at its discretion, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause a similar notice to be published at least once in an Authorized Newspaper of general circulation in the City of New York, New York, but such publication will not be a condition precedent to the establishment of such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been delivered as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest will be paid to the Person in whose name such Note will be registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date.

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Note 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 under this Clause, such payment will be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Unless otherwise provided in or under this Indenture or the Notes, at the option of the Company, interest on Notes that bear interest may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address will appear in the Note Register or by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States.

 

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Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.10 and Section 2.07, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note will carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.

Section 2.11 Persons Deemed Owners.

Prior to due presentment of a Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Note is registered in the Note Register as the owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and (subject to Section 2.07 and Section 2.10) interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Note will be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee will be affected by notice to the contrary.

No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Note held on its behalf by a Depositary will have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Note, and such Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Note or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein will prevent the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Registrar from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the applicable Depositary, as a Holder, with respect to a Global Note or impair, as between such Depositary and the owners of beneficial interests in such Global Note, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such Depositary (or its nominee) as the Holder of such Global Note.

Section 2.12 Cancellation.

All Notes surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange will, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Note, as well as Notes surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose, will be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Notes so delivered will be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. No Notes will be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Notes cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by or under this Indenture. All cancelled Notes held by the Trustee will be disposed of in accordance with its procedure for the disposition of cancelled Notes, and the Trustee, upon the written request of the Company, will deliver to the Company a certificate of such disposition, unless by a Company Order the Company shall direct that cancelled Notes shall be returned to the Company.

Section 2.13 Computation of Interest.

Interest will be computed from and including the original issue date of the Notes to but excluding November 30, 2026, or the earlier redemption date contemplated by Article X of this Indenture, at the rate of 5.625% per annum (subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 2.14 hereof), computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of 12 30-day months and payable semi-annually in arrears on each Interest Payment Date. Dollar amounts resulting from this calculation shall be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent being rounded up.

In the event that any Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day (as defined for purposes of this Section 2.13 and the Notes below), the interest payment due on that date shall be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of that postponement. The term “Business Day” as used in this Section 2.13 and in the Notes means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are generally authorized or required by law or executive order to be closed.

Section 2.14 Interest Rate Adjustment.

From and after the original issue date of the Notes, in the event the Notes are downgraded by the Ratings Agency below A- but equal to or above BBB-, the rate of interest on the Notes shall increase by 0.50% to 6.125%. If the rating is subsequently increased back to A- or higher, the rate of interest will decrease by 0.50% to 5.625%. If the rating is further downgraded to BB+ or lower, the rate of interest will increase by another 0.50% to 6.625%. If the rating is subsequently improved back to BBB- or higher, the rate of interest will decrease by 0.50% to 6.125%. Each adjustment required by any event described in this Section 2.14 will take effect from the first Interest Payment Date following the date on which the Company receives notice that such event has occurred. As such, interest will not accrue at such increased or decreased rate until the next Interest Payment Date following the date on which the event occurs. If the Ratings Agency changes its rating of the Notes more than once prior to any particular Interest Payment Date or ceases to provide a rating of the Notes, the last change by Ratings Agency prior to such Interest Payment Date

 

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will control for purposes of any interest rate increase or decrease with respect to the Notes described in this Section 2.14 relating to Ratings Agency’s action. The Company shall promptly thereafter provide the holders of the Notes with notice of any such change in the rating of the Notes. If the interest rate payable on the Notes is increased or decreased as described above, the term “interest,” as used with respect to the Notes, will be deemed to include any such additional or lesser interest unless the context otherwise requires. For the avoidance of doubt, no interest rate increase or decrease described in this Section 2.14 will have any effect on interest that will have accrued on the Notes prior to such date or have any other retroactive effect.

Section 2.15 CUSIP Numbers.

The Company may issue the Notes with one or more “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use). The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers. The Trustee may use “CUSIP” numbers in notices (including, but not limited to, notices of redemption or exchange) 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 Notes or as contained in any notice (including any notice of redemption or exchange) and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such notice will not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.

Article III

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 3.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture will cease to be of further effect, and the Trustee, on receipt of a Company Order, at the expense of the Company, will execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture when:

(1) either

(a) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Notes that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.09 and (ii) Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 9.03) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable, (ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or (iii) if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose, an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including the principal of, and interest on, such Notes, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes which have become due and payable) or to the Maturity thereof, as the case may be;

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

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

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Notes, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 5.07 and, if money will have been deposited with the Trustee in accordance with Section 3.01(1)(b), the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to the Notes under Section 3.03 and Section 9.03, will survive.

Section 3.02 Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.

(1) The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have Section 3.02(2) or Section 3.02(3) be applied to such Outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Section 3.02. Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance may be effected only with respect to all, and not less than all, of the Outstanding Notes.

(2) Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 3.02(2), the Company will be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Notes on the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 3.02 are satisfied (“Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Notes, which will thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 3.02(5) and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of this paragraph, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture insofar as such Notes are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, will execute proper instruments

 

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acknowledging the same), except for the following, which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Notes to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 3.02(4)(a) and as more fully set forth in this Section 3.02 and Section 3.03, payments in respect of the principal of and interest, if any, on such Notes when such payments are due, (ii) the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to such Notes under Section 2.07, Section 2.09, Section 9.02 and Section 9.03, (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (iv) this Section 3.02 and Section 3.03. The Company may exercise its option under this Section 3.02(2) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 3.02(3) with respect to such Notes.

(3) Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 3.02(3), the Company will be released from its obligations under clauses (ii) and (iii) of Section 9.04 and under Section 9.05, Section 9.06 and Section 9.07 on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 3.02(4) are satisfied (“Covenant Defeasance”), and such Notes will thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent, declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with any such covenant, but will continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that with respect to such Outstanding Notes, the Company may omit to comply with, and will have no liability in respect of, any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or any 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 will not constitute a default, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes will be unaffected thereby.

(4) The following will be the conditions to application of Section 3.02(2) or Section 3.02(3) to any Outstanding Notes:

(a) The Company will irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 5.08 who will agree to comply with the provisions of this Section 3.02 applicable to it) 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: (i) an amount in Dollars, (ii) Government Obligations that through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of and interest, if any, on such Notes, money or (iii) a combination thereof, in any case, in an amount sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which will be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest or the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be.

(b) Such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will 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 or any Subsidiary is a party or by which it is bound.

(c) No Event of Default or event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to such Notes, will have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit, and, solely in the case of Legal Defeasance under Section 3.02(2), no Event of Default, or event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, under Section 4.01 will have occurred and be continuing at any time during the period ending on and including the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition to Legal Defeasance under Section 3.02(2) will not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

(d) In the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company will have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, stating that (i) an Internal Revenue Service ruling has been received by the Company or has been published or (ii) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of independent counsel will confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal 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 Legal Defeasance had not occurred.

(e) In the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company will have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Notes 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.

 

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(f) The Company will have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, under this Indenture have been satisfied.

(g) If the moneys or Government Obligations or combination thereof, as the case may be, deposited under Section 3.02(4)(a) above are sufficient to pay the principal of, and interest, if any, on such Notes, provided such Notes are redeemed on a particular Redemption Date, the Company will have given the Trustee irrevocable instructions to redeem such Notes on such date and to provide notice of such redemption to Holders as provided in or under this Indenture.

(h) The Trustee will have received such other documents, assurances and Opinions of Counsel as the Trustee will have reasonably required.

(5) Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.03, all money and Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 3.02(5), the “Trustee”) in accordance with Section 3.02(4)(a) in respect of any Outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (other than the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal and interest, but such money and Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds, except to the extent required by law.

The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited in accordance with this Section 3.02 or the principal or 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 the Outstanding Notes.

Section 3.03 Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.03, all money and Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee in accordance with Section 3.01 or Section 3.02 will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of such Notes subject to discharge under Section 3.01 or Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under Section 3.02 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 interest for whose payment such money has or Government Obligations have been deposited with or received by the Trustee; but such money and Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds, except to the extent required by law.

Section 3.04 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee appointed in accordance with Section 3.02(4)(a)) or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any moneys or Government Obligations deposited in accordance with Section 3.01(1) or Section 3.02(4)(a) to pay any principal of, or interest, if any, on the Notes, by reason of any legal proceeding or 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 the Notes will be revived and reinstated as though no such deposit had occurred, until such time as the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such moneys and Government Obligations to pay the principal of, and interest, if any, on the Notes as contemplated by Section 3.01 or Section 3.02 as the case may be; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of the principal of, or interest, if any, on the Notes following the reinstatement of its obligations as aforesaid, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the funds held by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) or Paying Agent.

Article IV

REMEDIES

Section 4.01 Events of Default; Acceleration.

An “Event of Default” means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it will be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or in accordance with any judgment, decree, or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(1) the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization law, now or hereafter in effect of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, and such decree or order will have continued unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

 

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(2) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization law, now or hereafter in effect of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, or the consent by the Company to the entry of a decree or order for relief in an involuntary case or proceeding under any such law;

(3) the failure of the Company to pay any installment of interest on any of the Notes as and when the same will become due and payable, and the continuation of such failure for a period of 30 days;

(4) the failure of the Company to pay all or any part of the principal of any of the Notes as and when the same will become due and payable under this Indenture;

(5) the failure of the Company to perform any other covenant in Section 9.01, Section 9.02, Section 9.03, Section 9.04(1), (2) or (3) or Section 9.06 and the continuation of such failure for a period of 90 days after the date on which notice specifying such failure, stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder and demanding that the Company remedy the same, will have been given, in the manner set forth in Section 10.05, to the Company by the Trustee, or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time Outstanding; or

(6) the default by the Company under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company having an aggregate principal amount outstanding of at least $20,000,000, whether such indebtedness now exists or is created or incurred in the future, which default (i) constitutes a failure to pay any portion of the principal of such indebtedness when due and payable after the expiration of any applicable grace period or (ii) results in such indebtedness becoming due or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it otherwise would have become due and payable without, in the case of clause (i), such indebtedness having been discharged or, in the case of clause (ii), without such indebtedness having been discharged or such acceleration having been rescinded or annulled.

Upon becoming aware of any Event of Default, the Company will promptly deliver to the Trustee a written statement specifying the Event of Default.

If an Event of Default described in Section 4.01(1) or Section 4.01(2) occurs, then the principal amount of all of the Outstanding Notes and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all Outstanding Notes will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, and the Company waives demand, presentment for payment, notice of nonpayment, notice of protest and all other notices with respect to such Event of Default. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may also pursue any other available remedy to collect the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes, or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

Section 4.02 Failure to Make Payments.

If an Event of Default described in Section 4.01(3) or Section 4.01(4) occurs, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Notes, the whole amount then due and payable with respect to such Notes, with interest upon the overdue principal, and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any overdue installments of interest at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for or with respect to such Notes or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by such Notes, and, in addition thereto, such further amount of money as will 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 and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 5.07.

If the Company fails to pay the money it is required to pay the Trustee, 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, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Notes and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company, wherever situated.

The Trustee may proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Notes by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee will deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Upon an Event of Default, the Company may not declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock, other than: (i) any dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, any class of Company’s common stock; (ii) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders’ rights plan, the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto; (iii) as a result of a reclassification of Company’s capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of Company’s capital stock for another class or series of Company’s capital stock; (iv) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of Company’s capital stock in accordance with the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged; or (v) purchases of any class of Company’s common stock related to the issuance of common stock or rights under any benefit plans for Company’s directors, officers or employees or any of Company’s dividend reinvestment plans.

 

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Section 4.03 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its property or its creditors, the Trustee will be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such proceeding. In particular, the Trustee will be authorized to:

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

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

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

No provision of this Indenture will 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 Notes or the rights of any Holder or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, the Trustee may vote on behalf of the Holders for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and may be a member of a creditor or other similar committee.

Section 4.04 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Notes.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Notes may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes or the production of such Notes in any related proceeding, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee will be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment will, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

Section 4.05 Application of Money Collected.

Any money collected by the Trustee in accordance with this Article IV or, after an Event of Default, any money or other property distributable in respect of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture will be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any interest, upon presentation of the Notes and the notation on such Notes of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender of such Notes if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee (including any predecessor trustee), acting in any capacity hereunder, under Section 5.07;

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of, and any interest on, the Notes, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Notes for principal and interest, respectively; and

THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Person or Persons entitled thereto.

Section 4.06 Limitation on Suits.

No Holder of any Note will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or any Notes, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy under this Indenture, unless:

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

 

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(2) the Holders of not less than 30% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes will have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee under this Indenture;

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

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

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes;

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

Section 4.07 Unconditional Right of Holders to Payments.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Note will have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and (subject to Section 2.07 and Section 2.10) any interest on such Note on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Note (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date), and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and such rights will not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

Section 4.08 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder 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 in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holder will be restored severally and respectively to their former positions under this Indenture, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders will continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 4.09 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in the last paragraph of Section 2.09, no right or remedy conferred in this Indenture upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy will, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given under this Indenture or now or in the future existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy under this Indenture or otherwise will not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 4.10 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

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

Section 4.11 Control by Holders.

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

(1) such direction will not violate any rule of law or this Indenture or the Notes;

(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction; and

(3) the Trustee will have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee will determine in good faith that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

 

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Section 4.12 Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes, waive any past default under this Indenture and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, or interest on, any Note, or in respect of a covenant or provision of this Indenture which, under Article VIII, cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Note.

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

Section 4.13 Undertaking for Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Notes by his acceptance of such Notes will be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered, or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 4.13 will not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, any Holder or any group of Holders holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Notes on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Notes (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).

Article V

THE TRUSTEE

Section 5.01 Duties of Trustee.

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

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

(a) the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions hereof, and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth herein and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations will be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;

(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any acts or omissions, except for such losses, damages or expenses which have been finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to have directly resulted from the Trustee’s bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct; and

(c) in the absence of bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct 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 hereof; however, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform on their face to the requirements hereof (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(3) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision hereof that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section 5.01 and Section 5.02.

(4) No provision hereof will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(5) The Trustee will 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 shall be held un-invested and need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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Section 5.02 Certain Rights of Trustee.

Subject to Section 315(a) through Section 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act:

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

(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein will be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or a Company Order (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed), and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture, the Trustee will deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder the Trustee (unless other evidence will be herein specifically prescribed) may require and, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel, or both, which will comply with Section 1.02 and will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel;

(4) before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it shall be entitled to request and receive written instructions from the Company and shall have no responsibility or liability for any losses or damages of any nature that may arise from any action taken or not taken by the Trustee in accordance with the written direction of the Company;

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

(6) the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by or under this Indenture at the request or direction of any Holder(s) under this Indenture, unless such Holder(s) will have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(7) the Trustee will not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the 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 will determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it will be entitled to examine, during business hours and upon reasonable notice, the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney, at the sole cost of the Company, and will incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

(8) 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 will not be responsible for any acts or omissions on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(9) the Trustee will not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it or any of its officers, employees or agents in good faith;

(10) the Trustee will not be required to take notice or be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge thereof, and in the absence of such knowledge, the Trustee may conclusively assume no Default or Event of Default exists;

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

(12) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions under this Indenture;

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

(14) none of the permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated in this Indenture shall be construed as a duty and, with respect to such permissive rights, the Trustee shall not be liable or responsible for other than its gross negligence or willful misconduct;

 

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(15) the Trustee shall not be liable or responsible for any calculation in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder, nor for any information used in connection with such calculation or for any act or omission of the Calculation Agent (if other than the Trustee) or any designee appointed by the Company to make any such calculation;

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

(17) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into (i) the performance of or compliance with any of the covenants or agreements set forth herein, (ii) the occurrence of any default, or the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Indenture or any other agreement, instrument or document.

Section 5.03 Notice of Defaults.

Within 90 days after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge of the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Notes, the Trustee will deliver to all Holders entitled to receive reports in accordance with Section 6.03(3) notice of such default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default will have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Note, the Trustee will be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the best interest of the Holders. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Notes.

Section 5.04 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Notes.

The recitals contained herein and in the Notes, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, will 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 Notes, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Notes and perform its obligations hereunder, and that the statements made by it in any 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 will be accountable for the use or application by the Company of the Notes or the proceeds thereof. The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it will not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision hereof, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or under this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 5.05 May Hold Notes.

The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Registrar or any other Person that may be an agent of the Trustee or the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and, subject to Section 310(b) and Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights that it would have if it were not the Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Registrar or such other Person.

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

Section 5.06 Money Held in Trust.

Except as provided in Section 3.02(5), Section 3.03 and Section 9.03, money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and will be held un-invested. The Trustee will be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

Section 5.07 Compensation and Reimbursement.

The Company agrees:

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by the Trustee hereunder (which compensation will not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

 

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

(3) to indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee and their agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, suit, action, liability or expense (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Trustee’s agents, legal counsel, accountants and experts), including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee), arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including this Section 5.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder, or in connection with enforcing the provisions of this Section, except to the extent that any such loss, liability or expense was due to the Trustee’s bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable order.

The obligations of the Company under this Section 5.07 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture, the Trustee will have a lien prior to the Notes 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 interest on, Notes. Such lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge hereof and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

Any compensation or expense incurred by the Trustee after a default specified by Section 4.01 is intended to constitute an expense of administration under any then applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law. “Trustee” for purposes of this Section 5.07 will include any predecessor Trustee, but the negligence or bad faith of any Trustee will not affect the rights of any other Trustee under this Section 5.07. The provisions of this Section 5.07 will, to the extent permitted by law, survive any termination of this Indenture (including, without limitation, termination in accordance with any Bankruptcy Laws) and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

Section 5.08 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

(1) There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation, organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, eligible under Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and that has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000 and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. The Trustee will also satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a)(5) of the Trust Indenture Act. If at any time the Trustee will cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it will resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article V.

(2) The Trustee will comply with Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that there will be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act this Indenture or any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act are met.

Section 5.09 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(1) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee in accordance with this Article V will become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with Section 5.10.

(2) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Notes by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 5.10 will not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may, at the Company’s expense, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

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

If at any time:

(a) the Trustee will fail to comply with the obligations imposed upon it under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to Notes after written request therefor by the Company or any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder for at least six months,

 

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(b) the Trustee will cease to be eligible under Section 5.08 and will fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or any such Holder, or

(c) the Trustee will become incapable of acting or will be adjudged a bankrupt, insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property will be appointed or any public officer will 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 in accordance with a Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to the Notes, or (ii) subject to Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder 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 Notes and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(4) If the Trustee will resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy will occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Notes, the Company, by or in accordance with a Board Resolution, will promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with and will comply with the applicable requirements of Section 5.10. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes shall have been appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed will, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 5.10, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Notes and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Notes will have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 5.10, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder 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 the Notes.

(5) The Company will give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Notes and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes by delivering written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders as their names and addresses appear in the Note Register. Each notice will include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Notes and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 5.10 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

(1) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to all Notes, such successor Trustee so appointed will execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, will become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties hereunder of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, will execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and, subject to Section 9.03, will 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 5.07.

(2) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to the Notes, the Company, the retiring Trustee and such successor Trustee will execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee will accept such appointment and which (i) will contain such provisions as will be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in such successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Notes, (ii) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Notes, will contain such provisions as will be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Notes will continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (iii) will add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as will 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 will constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee will be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee will be responsible for any notice given to, or received by, or any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder, and, upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee will have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Notes other than as hereinafter expressly set forth, and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, will become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Notes; but, on request of the Company or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges with respect to the Notes and subject to Section 9.03 will duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Notes, subject to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 5.07.

 

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(3) Upon request of any Person appointed hereunder as a successor Trustee, the Company will execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of this Section, as the case may be.

(4) No Person will accept its appointment hereunder as a successor Trustee unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Person will be qualified and eligible under this Article. No resigning or removed Trustee shall have any liability or responsibility for the action or inaction of any successor Trustee.

Section 5.11 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 will be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, will be the successor of the Trustee hereunder (provided that such corporation will otherwise be 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 Notes will have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any such successor to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Notes so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Notes. In case any Notes will not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Notes in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee.

Section 5.12 Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

The Trustee may appoint one or more Authenticating Agents acceptable to the Company with respect to the Notes which will be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Notes issued upon original issue, exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption, partial repayment or in accordance with Section 2.09, and Notes so authenticated will be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and will be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Notes by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference will 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 will be reasonably acceptable to the Company and, except as provided in or under this Indenture, will at all times be a corporation that would be permitted by the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, is authorized under applicable law and by its charter to act as an Authenticating Agent and has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000 and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. If at any time an Authenticating Agent will cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it will resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

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

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in the case that at any time such Authenticating Agent will cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent that will be acceptable to the Company and will deliver written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Note Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, will become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent will be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section 5.12.

The Company agrees to pay each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section. If the Trustee makes such payments, it will be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 5.07.

The provisions of Section 2.11, Section 5.04 and Section 5.05 will be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.

 

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If an Authenticating Agent is appointed under this Section, the Notes may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Notes designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

As Trustee

By:  

 

  As Authenticating Agent
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

Section 5.13 Preferred Collection of Claims against Company.

If and when the Trustee will be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), the Trustee will be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).

Article VI

HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 6.01 Holder Lists.

The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of the Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company will cause to be furnished to the Trustee at least semiannually on January 1 and July 1 a listing of the Holders dated within 10 days of the date on which the list is furnished and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list in such form and as of such date of the names and addresses of the Holders.

Section 6.02 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

The Trustee will comply with the obligations imposed upon it in accordance with Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.

Every Holder of Notes, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Registrar will be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes in accordance with Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee will not be held accountable by reason of delivering any material in accordance with a request made under Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 6.03 Reports by Trustee.

(1) Within 60 days after July 15th of each year commencing with the first July 15th following the date of this Indenture, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee will transmit, in accordance with Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report dated as of such reporting date with respect to any of the events specified in said Section 313(a) and Section 313(b)(2) that may have occurred since the later of the immediately preceding July 15 and the date of this Indenture.

(2) The Trustee will transmit the reports required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act at the times specified therein.

(3) The Trustee shall comply with Sections 313(b) and 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.

(4) Reports under this Section will be transmitted in the manner and to the Persons required by Section 313(c) and Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 6.04 Reports by Company.

(1) The Company, in accordance with Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, will:

(a) file with the Trustee, within 30 days after the Company files the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company may be required to file with the

 

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Commission in accordance with Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports in accordance with either of said Sections, then it will file with the Trustee such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports that may be required in accordance with Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in the rules and regulations of the Commission;

(b) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional certificates, 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

(c) transmit to the Holders, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such will 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).

(2) The Company intends to file the reports referred to in Section 6.04(1) with the Commission in electronic form in accordance with Regulation S-T of the Commission using the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system, or, if the Commission will not accept such reports or information, the Company intends to post such reports and information on its website. Compliance with the foregoing, or any successor electronic system approved by the Commission, will constitute delivery by the Company of such reports to the Trustee and Holders in compliance with the provision of Section 6.04(1) and Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Trustee will have no duty to search for or obtain any electronic or other filings that the Company makes with the Commission, regardless of whether such filings are periodic, supplemental or otherwise. Delivery of the reports, information and documents to the Trustee in accordance with this Section 6.04(2) will be solely for the purposes of compliance with this Section 6.04(2) and the Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a). The Trustee’s receipt of such reports, information and documents is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such will not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates). The Trustee shall have no liability or responsibility for the filing, content or timeliness of any report hereunder aside from any report reported under Section 6.03 hereof.

Article VII

SUCCESSORS

Section 7.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.

The Company will not, in any transaction or series of related transactions, consolidate with or merge into any Person or sell, assign, transfer, lease or otherwise convey all or substantially all its properties and assets to any Person, unless:

(1) either the Company will be the continuing Person (in the case of a merger), or the successor Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or which acquires by sale, assignment, transfer, lease or other conveyance all or substantially all the properties and assets of the Company will be a corporation, limited liability company or partnership organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and will expressly assume, by an indenture (or indentures, if at such time there is more than one Trustee) supplemental hereto executed by such successor corporation, limited liability company or partnership and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and interest on, all the Outstanding Notes and the due and punctual performance and observance of every obligation in this Indenture and the Outstanding Notes on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary as a result of that transaction as having been incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary at the time of the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, will have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) either the Company or the successor Person will have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease or other conveyance has occurred and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture complies with this Article VII and all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

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For purposes of the foregoing, any sale, assignment, transfer, lease or other conveyance of all or any of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company (other than to the Company or another Subsidiary), which, if such properties and assets were directly owned by the Company, would constitute all or substantially all of the Company’s properties and assets, will be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company.

Section 7.02 Successor Person Substituted for Company.

Upon any consolidation by the Company with or merger of the Company into any other Person or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company to any Person in accordance with Section 7.01, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease or other conveyance is made will 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; and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person will be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes.

Article VIII

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 8.01 Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders of Notes, the Company (when authorized by or in accordance with a Board Resolution) and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company contained herein and in the Notes;

(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders (as will be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company with respect to the Notes issued under this Indenture (as will be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures);

(3) to permit or facilitate the issuance of Notes in uncertificated or global form, provided any such action will not adversely affect the interests of the Holders;

(4) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as will be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, in accordance with the requirements of Section 5.10;

(5) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision herein that may be defective or that may be inconsistent with any other provision herein;

(6) to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture that will not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Outstanding Notes in any material respect;

(7) to add any additional Events of Default (as will be specified in such supplemental indenture);

(8) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as will be necessary to permit or facilitate the Legal Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance and/or satisfaction and discharge of the Notes in accordance with Article III, provided that any such action will not adversely affect the interests of any Holder in any material respect;

(9) to provide for the issuance of Exchange Notes;

(10) to conform any provision in this Indenture to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act; or

(11) to make any change that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any Holder.

Section 8.02 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company (when authorized by or in accordance with a Board Resolution) and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Notes or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders under this Indenture; provided that no such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Note affected thereby, will

 

30


(1) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including Defaulted Interest, on any Notes;

(2) reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Notes, or change the date on which any Notes may be subject to redemption or reduce the Redemption Price therefore;

(3) make any Note payable in money other than Dollars;

(4) make any change in provisions of this Indenture protecting the right of each Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on such Note on or after the due date thereof or to bring suit to enforce such payment;

(5) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in Section 4.12 or Section 9.05 of this Indenture; or

(6) modify any of the provisions of this Section 8.02, Section 4.12 or Section 9.05, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Note affected thereby.

It will not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section 8.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it will be sufficient if such Act will approve the substance thereof.

Section 8.03 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

As a condition to executing or accepting the additional trusts created by any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article VIII or the modifications thereby of the trust created by this Indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 5.01) will be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and is a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of, the Company, subject to customary exceptions, and to the extent applicable pursuant to Section 8.01, that such supplemental indenture does not adversely affect the interests of the Holders. The Trustee shall execute any such supplemental indenture except that the Trustee may, but will 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 8.04 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article VIII, this Indenture will be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture will form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder.

Section 8.05 Reference in Notes to Supplemental Indentures.

Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture in accordance with this Article VIII may, and will, 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 will so determine, new Notes 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 Notes.

Section 8.06 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

Every supplemental indenture executed in accordance with this Article will conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Article IX

COVENANTS

Section 9.01 Payment of Principal and Interest.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of, and interest on, the Notes, in accordance with the terms thereof and this Indenture. Principal and interest will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 11:00 a.m., New York, New York time, on any Interest Payment Date, an amount in immediately available funds provided by the Company that is designated for and sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due. The Company will pay all Additional Interest, if any, on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

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If Additional Interest is payable by the Company in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will deliver to the Trustee a certificate to that effect stating (i) the amount of such Additional Interest that is payable and (ii) the date on which such Additional Interest is payable. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives such a certificate or instruction or direction from the Holders in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may assume without inquiry that no Additional Interest is payable. The foregoing will not prejudice the rights of the Holders with respect to their entitlement to Additional Interest as otherwise set forth in this Indenture or the Notes and pursuing any action against the Company directly or otherwise directing the Trustee to take such action in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Notes. If the Company has paid Additional Interest directly to persons entitled to it, the Company will deliver to the Trustee a certificate setting forth the particulars of such payment.

Section 9.02 Maintenance of Office.

The Company will maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York (which may be an office of the Trustee or an Affiliate of the Trustee or Registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails 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.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission will, in any manner, relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York. 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.

The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 9.02.

Section 9.03 Money for Notes Payments to Be Held in Trust.

If the Company will at any time act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, or interest on, any of the Notes, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in Dollars sufficient to pay the principal or interest, as the case may be, so becoming due until such sums will be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company will have one or more Paying Agents, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of, or interest on, any Notes, deposit with any Paying Agent a sum in Dollars sufficient to pay the principal or interest, as the case may be, so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

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

(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of, or interest on, the Notes in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums will be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as provided in or under this Indenture;

(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company in the making of any payment of principal, or interest on, the Notes; and

(3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order, direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms 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 will be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

 

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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 interest on, any Note, remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal or interest will have become due and payable, will be paid to the Company upon a Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may, not later than 30 days after the Company’s request for such repayment, at the expense of the Company, cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment or to be delivered to such Holders of Notes, or both, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication or delivery, nor will it be earlier than two years after such principal and/or interest will have become due and payable, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 9.04 Financial Covenants.

(1) The Company shall maintain cash on hand at least equal to the next twelve months of interest payments on the Notes so long as the Notes remain Outstanding.

(2) The Company shall not incur, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to incur, directly or indirectly, any indebtedness, unless the Company’s Consolidated Indebtedness to GAAP Capitalization Ratio for the most recently completed fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date on which such additional indebtedness would be incurred would have been no greater than 40%, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom) as if the additional indebtedness and all other indebtedness incurred since the immediately preceding fiscal quarter had been incurred as of such day (except to the extent such indebtedness has been or will be used to prepay other indebtedness) and the proceeds therefrom applied as of such day.

(3) Other than existing secured indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company will not incur or permit to exist any mortgage, pledge, encumbrance or lien or charge securing indebtedness on any property or asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of 20% of the Consolidated Indebtedness of the Company when combined with any existing secured indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(4) The Company will use reasonable best efforts to maintain a rating of the Notes from Egan-Jones Ratings Company, provided that, in the event Egan-Jones Ratings Company is no longer available to rate the Notes, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to maintain a rating of the Notes with another Ratings Agency.

Section 9.05 Waiver of Certain Covenants.

The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 9.02 to Section 9.04, inclusive, with respect to the Notes, if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, by Act of such Holders, either will waive such compliance in such instance or generally will have waived compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver will extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver will become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition will remain in full force and effect.

Section 9.06 Company Statement as to Compliance.

The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate covering the preceding calendar year, stating whether or not, to the best of his or her knowledge, the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to notice requirements or periods of grace) and if the Company will be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which he or she may have knowledge.

Article X

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 10.01 Applicability of Article.

(1) Except as provided in this Section 10.01, the Notes are not subject to redemption at the option of the Company or the Holders.

 

33


(2) On and after November 30, 2023, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes, from time to time, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed to, but not including, the applicable Redemption Date (subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on November 30 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Redemption Price

2023

   102.81250%

2024

   101.40625%

2025, and thereafter

   100.00000%

Section 10.02 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

The election of the Company to redeem any Notes will be evidenced by a Company Order. In case of any redemption of less than all of the Notes, the Company will, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice will be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed.

In the case of any redemption of Notes (i) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Notes or elsewhere in this Indenture or (ii) in accordance with an election of the Company that is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Notes or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company will furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.

Section 10.03 Selection by Trustee of Notes to be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Notes will be redeemed on a pro rata basis as to the Holders, and if the Notes are represented by Global Notes held by the Depositary and such redemption is processed through the Depositary, such redemption will be made on a “Pro Rata Pass-Through Distribution of Principal” basis in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary. In the event a pro rata redemption as provided in the preceding sentence is not permitted under applicable law or applicable requirements of the Depositary, the Notes to be redeemed will be selected by lot or such method as the Trustee will deem fair and appropriate.

The Trustee will promptly notify the Company and the Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Notes selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Notes will relate, in the case of any Notes redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal of such Notes which has been or is to be redeemed.

Section 10.04 Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption will be given in the manner provided in Section 10.05 not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date to the Holders of Notes to be redeemed. Failure to give notice by delivering in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Notes designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, will not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Notes or portions thereof.

Any notice that is delivered to the Holder of any Notes in the manner herein provided will be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption will state:

(1) the Redemption Date,

(2) the Redemption Price,

(3) if less than all Outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Note or Notes to be redeemed,

(4) that, in case any Note is to be redeemed in part only, on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, the Holder of such Note will receive, without charge, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

 

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(5) that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Note or portion thereof to be redeemed, together (if applicable) with accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon (subject, if applicable, to the provisos to the first paragraph of Section 10.06), and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

(6) the place or places where such Notes are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest pertaining thereto, and

(7) the section hereunder providing for such redemption.

The notice of redemption shall include the “CUSIP” number reference numbers of such Notes, if any (or any other numbers used by a Depositary to identify such Notes).

Notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed at the election of the Company will be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, delivered at least 10 days before the date such notice is to be given (unless a shorter period will be acceptable to the Trustee) by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 10.05 Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to 11:00 am., New York, New York time, on any Redemption Date, the Company will deposit, with respect to the Notes called for redemption in accordance with Section 10.04, with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 9.03) an amount sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date will be an Interest Payment Date) any accrued interest on, all such Notes or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

Section 10.06 Notes Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as provided above, the Notes so to be redeemed will, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, together with accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon and from and after such date (unless the Company will default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Notes will cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Note for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Note will be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with any accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to but excluding the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on Notes whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Notes registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 2.10.

If any Note called for redemption will not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal, until paid, will bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Note or, if no rate is prescribed therefor in the Note, at the rate of interest, if any, borne by such Note.

Section 10.07 Notes Redeemed in Part.

Any Note which is to be redeemed only in part will be surrendered at any office or agency for such Note (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 will execute, and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Note without service charge, a new Note or Notes, containing identical terms and provisions, 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 Note so surrendered. If a Global Note is so surrendered, the Company will execute, and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Depositary for such Global Note as will be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, without service charge, a new Global Note in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Note so surrendered.

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company will issue, and the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company, a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, only a Company Order and not an Opinion of Counsel or an Officers’ Certificate of the Company is required for the Trustee to authenticate such new Note.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

35


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly signed as of the date first written above.

 

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.
By:  

/s/ Frank C. Wilcox

Name:   Frank C. Wilcox
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
UMB Bank National Association
As Trustee
By:  

/s/ Mauri Cowen

Name:   Mauri Cowen
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

36


EXHIBIT A-1

(FORM OF DEFINITIVE SENIOR UNSECURED NOTE)

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

5.625 % SENIOR UNSECURED NOTE DUE NOVEMBER 30, 2026

THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT’), OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (B) AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) IN ACCORDANCE AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR BLUE SKY LAWS AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, IF REQUESTED, OR (II) UNLESS SOLD IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 UNDER SAID ACT.

THIS SECURITY AND THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY (AS DEFINED HEREIN) AS EVIDENCED HEREBY ARE NOT DEPOSITS WITH OR HELD BY THE COMPANY AND ARE NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY ANY FEDERAL AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.

CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS:

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF OR THEREOF AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT (A) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND (B) NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN WILL ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY, OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, ARE NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE AND HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS

 

A-1-1


PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR OTHER PLAN TO WHICH TITLE I OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF ANY SUCH EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY SUCH EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH FULL EXEMPTIVE RELIEF IS NOT AVAILABLE UNDER APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

ANY FIDUCIARY OF ANY PLAN WHO IS CONSIDERING THE ACQUISITION OF ANY OF THE SECURITIES SHOULD CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER LEGAL COUNSEL PRIOR TO ACQUIRING SUCH SECURITIES.

 

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No. [•]    CUSIP Accredited Investors: 91359V AB3
   CUSIP QIBs: 91359V AA5

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

5.625% SENIOR UNSECURED NOTE DUE NOVEMBER 30, 2026

1. Indenture; Holders. This note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), designated as the “5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026” (the “Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000 and initially issued on November 23, 2021. The Company has issued this Note under that certain Indenture dated as of November 23, 2021, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time (“Indenture”), between the Company and UMB Bank National Association, as Trustee. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Note will have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture. The terms of this Note include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act. This Note is subject to all such terms, and the Holder is referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note irreconcilably conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture will govern and be controlling.

2. Payment.

(a) The Company, for value received, promises to pay to [•], or its registered assigns, the principal sum of [•] Dollars (U.S.) ($[•]), plus accrued but unpaid interest on November 30, 2026 (the “Maturity Date”). The Company will pay interest at a rate of 5.625% per annum (subject to adjustment as described below), computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and payable semi-annually on May 30 and November 30 of each year (each payment date, an “Interest Payment Date”). Beginning November 30, 2021, in the event the Notes are downgraded by the Ratings Agency below A- but equal to or above BBB-, the rate of interest on the Notes shall increase by 0.50% to 6.125%. If the rating is subsequently increased back to A- or higher, the rate of interest will decrease by 0.50% to 5.625%. If the rating is further downgraded to BB+ or lower, the rate of interest will increase by another 0.50% to 6.625%. If the rating is subsequently improved back to BBB- or higher, the rate of interest will decrease by 0.50% to 6.125%. Each adjustment required by any event described herein will take effect from the first Interest Payment Date following the date on which the Company receives notice that such event has occurred. As such, interest will not accrue at such increased or decreased rate until the next Interest Payment Date following the date on which the event occurs. If the Ratings Agency changes its rating of the Notes more than once prior to any particular Interest Payment Date or ceases to provide a rating of the Notes, the last change by the Ratings Agency prior to such Interest Payment Date will control for purposes of any interest rate increase or decrease.

(b) In the event that any Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day (as defined below), the interest payment due on that date shall be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of that postponement. The term “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are generally authorized or required by law or executive order to be closed.

 

A-1-3


The Company will pay interest on this Note to the Person who is the registered Holder as of the close of business on the fifteenth (15th) calendar day prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.10 of the Indenture with respect to Defaulted Interest. This Note will be payable as to principal and interest at the office or agency of the Paying Agent, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check delivered to the Holder at its address set forth in the Note Register or by wire transfer to an account appropriately designated by the Person entitled to payment; provided, that the Paying Agent will have received written notice of such account designation at least five Business Days prior to the date of such payment (subject to surrender of this Note in the case of a payment of interest at Maturity).

3. Paying Agent and Registrar. UMB Bank National Association, the Trustee (“Trustee”) under the Indenture, will act as the initial Paying Agent and Registrar through its offices presently located at 5555 San Felipe, Suite 870, Houston, Texas 77056. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

4. Redemption. The Company may, at any time or from time to time on or after November 30, 2023, redeem this Note, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, but in all cases in a principal amount with integral multiples of $1,000.

This Notes is not subject to redemption as the option of the Holder. On or after November 30, 2023, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice as provided in the Indenture, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of this Note, or portion thereof, to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on November 30 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2023

     102.81250

2024

     101.40625

2025, and thereafter

     100.00000

Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

If less than the then outstanding principal amount of this Note is redeemed, (i) a new note shall be issued representing the unredeemed portion without charge to the Holder thereof and (ii) such redemption shall be effected on a pro rata basis as to the Holder, and if the Notes are represented by Global Notes held by the Depositary and such redemption is processed through the Depositary, such redemption will be made on a “Pro Rata Pass-Through Distribution of Principal” basis in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary. In the event a pro rata redemption as provided in the preceding sentence is not permitted under applicable law or applicable requirements of the Depositary, the Notes to be redeemed will be selected by lot or such method as the Trustee will deem fair and appropriate.

 

A-1-4


5. Events of Default; Acceleration. An “Event of Default” means any one of the events described in Section 4.01 of the Indenture. If an Event of Default described in Section 4.01(1) or Section 4.01(2) of the Indenture occurs, then the principal amount of all of the Outstanding Notes, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all Outstanding Notes will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the Holder, and the Company waives demand, presentment for payment, notice of nonpayment, notice of protest, and all other notices with respect to such Event of Default. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may also pursue any other available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, and interest on, the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or the Indenture.

6. Failure to Make Payments. If the Company fails to make any payment of interest on this Note when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or if the Company fails to make any payment of the principal of this Note when such principal becomes due and payable, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holder, the whole amount then due and payable with respect to this Note, with interest upon the overdue principal, any premium and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any overdue installments of interest at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for or with respect to this Note or, if as such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by this Note.

Upon an Event of Default, the Company may not declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock, other than: (i) any dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, any class of Company’s common stock; (ii) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto; (iii) as a result of a reclassification of Company’s capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of Company’s capital stock for another class or series of Company’s capital stock; (iv) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of Company’s capital stock in accordance with the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged; or (v) purchases of any class of Company’s common stock related to the issuance of common stock or rights under any of benefit plans for Company’s directors, officers or employees or any of Company’s dividend reinvestment plans.

7. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are issuable only in registered form without interest coupons in minimum denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of this Note may be registered and this Note may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar may require the Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require the Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.

 

A-1-5


8. Charges and Transfer Taxes. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of this Note, or any redemption or repayment of this Note, or any conversion or exchange of this Note for other types of securities or property, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with the transfer or exchange of this Note from the Holder requesting such transfer or exchange.

9. Persons Deemed Owners. The Company and the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Note is overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent will be affected by notice to the contrary.

10. Amendments; Waivers. The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Notes at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then Outstanding Notes. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the then Outstanding Notes, on behalf of the holders of all Notes, to waive certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver will be conclusive and binding upon the Holders and upon all future holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.

11. Sinking Fund; Convertibility. This Note is not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund. This Note is not convertible into or exchangeable for any of the equity securities, other securities or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary.

12. No Recourse Against Others. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture or in this Note, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, will be had against any past, present or future shareholder, employee, officer, or director, as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor, either directly or through the Company or any predecessor or successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of this Note by the Holder and as part of the consideration for the issuance of this Note.

13. Authentication. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent.

14. Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act). Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

15. Available Information. The Company will furnish to the Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests by Holders to the Company may be made to: Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., 1110 W. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309, Attn: Chief Financial Officer.

 

A-1-6


16. Governing Law. THIS NOTE WILL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND WILL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

A-1-7


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Note to be duly executed.

 

Dated:     Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.
    By:    
      Name:
      Title:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Notes of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

    UMB Bank National Association as Trustee
    By:    
      Name:
      Title:
    Dated:  

 

A-1-8


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. No.)

and irrevocably appoint _______________________ agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date:

  

Your signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the
face of this Note)

 

Tax Identification No:

Signature Guarantee: (Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbroker’s, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 17Ad-15).

The undersigned certifies that it [is / is not] an Affiliate of the Company and that, to its knowledge, the proposed transferee [is / is not] an Affiliate of the Company.

In connection with any transfer or exchange of this Note occurring prior to the date that is one year after the later of the date of original issuance of this Note and the last date, if any, on which this Note was owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, the undersigned confirms that this Note is being:

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW:

 

  ☐ (1)    acquired for the undersigned’s own account, without transfer;
  ☐ (2)    transferred to the Company;
  ☐ (3)    transferred in accordance and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”);
           ☐ (4)    transferred under an effective registration statement under the Securities Act;
  ☐ (5)    transferred in accordance with and in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act;
  ☐ (6)    transferred to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act) or an “accredited investor” (as defined inRule 501(a)(4) under the Securities Act), that has furnished a signed letter containing certain representation’s and agreements; or

 

A-1-9


           ☐ (7)    transferred in accordance with another available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Paying Agent will refuse to register this Note in the name of any person other than the registered Holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (5), (6) or (7) is checked, the Paying Agent may require, prior to registering any such transfer of this Note, in its sole discretion, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Paying Agent may reasonably request to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act such as the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act.

 

Signature:

Signature Guarantee: (Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbroker’s, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 17Ad-l5).

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF BOX (1) OR (3) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuer as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Date:

  

Signature:

 

A-1-10


EXHIBIT A-2

(FORM OF GLOBAL NOTE)

THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT’), OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (B) AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) IN ACCORDANCE AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR BLUE SKY LAWS AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, IF REQUESTED, OR (II) UNLESS SOLD IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 UNDER SAID ACT.

THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO AS NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (“DTC”) OR A NOMINEE OF DTC. THIS NOTE IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR NOTES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN DTC OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE AS A WHOLE BY DTC TO A NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY A NOMINEE OF DTC TO DTC OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE.

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO, OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS NOTE WILL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS NOTE WILL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.


THIS SECURITY AND THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY (AS DEFINED HEREIN) AS EVIDENCED HEREBY ARE NOT DEPOSITS WITH OR HELD BY THE COMPANY AND ARE NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY ANY FEDERAL AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.

CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS:

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF OR THEREOF AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT (A) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND (B) NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN WILL ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY, OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, ARE NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE AND HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR OTHER PLAN TO WHICH TITLE I OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF ANY SUCH EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY SUCH EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH FULL EXEMPTIVE RELIEF IS NOT AVAILABLE UNDER APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

ANY FIDUCIARY OF ANY PLAN WHO IS CONSIDERING THE ACQUISITION OF ANY OF THE SECURITIES SHOULD CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER LEGAL COUNSEL PRIOR TO ACQUIRING SUCH SECURITIES.


No. [•]    CUSIP Accredited Investors: 91359V AB3

CUSIP QIBs: 91359V AA5

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

5.625% SENIOR UNSECURED NOTE DUE NOVEMBER 30, 2026

1. Indenture; Holders. This note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) designated as the “5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026” (the “Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000 and initially issued on November 23, 2021. The Company has issued this Note under that certain Indenture dated as of November 23, 2021, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time (“Indenture”), between the Company and UMB Bank National Association, as Trustee. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Note will have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture. The terms of this Note include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act. This Note is subject to all such terms, and the Holder is referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note irreconcilably conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture will govern and be controlling.

2. Payment.

(a) The Company, for value received, promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or its registered assigns, the principal sum of ONE HUNDRED MILLION Dollars (U.S.) ($100,000,000), plus accrued but unpaid interest on November 30, 2026 (the “Maturity Date”). The Company will pay interest at a rate of 5.625% per annum (subject to adjustment as described below), computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and payable semi-annually on May 30 and November 30 of each year (each payment date, an “Interest Payment Date”). Beginning November 30, 2021, in the event the Notes are downgraded by the Ratings Agency below A- but equal to or above BBB-, the rate of interest on the Notes shall increase by 0.50% to 6.125%. If the rating is subsequently increased back to A- or higher, the rate of interest will decrease by 0.50% to 5.625%. If the rating is further downgraded to BB+ or lower, the rate of interest will increase by another 0.50% to 6.625%. If the rating is subsequently improved back to BBB- or higher, the rate of interest will decrease by 0.50% to 6.125%. Each adjustment required by any event described herein will take effect from the first Interest Payment Date following the date on which the Company receives notice that such event has occurred. As such, interest will not accrue at such increased or decreased rate until the next Interest Payment Date following the date on which the event occurs. If the Ratings Agency changes its rating of the Notes more than once prior to any particular Interest Payment Date or ceases to provide a rating of the Notes, the last change by the Ratings Agency prior to such Interest Payment Date will control for purposes of any interest rate increase or decrease.

(b) In the event that any Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day (as defined below), the interest payment due on that date shall be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of that postponement. The term “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are generally authorized or required by law or executive order to be closed.


The Company will pay interest on this Note to the Person who is the registered Holder as of the close of business on the fifteenth (15th) calendar day prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.10 of the Indenture with respect to Defaulted Interest. This Note will be payable as to principal and interest at the office or agency of the Paying Agent, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check delivered to the Holder at its address set forth in the Note Register or by wire transfer to an account appropriately designated by the Person entitled to payment; provided, that the Paying Agent will have received written notice of such account designation at least five Business Days prior to the date of such payment (subject to surrender of this Note in the case of a payment of interest at Maturity).

3. Paying Agent and Registrar. UMB Bank National Association, the Trustee (“Trustee”) under the Indenture, will act as the initial Paying Agent and Registrar through its offices presently located at 5555 San Felipe, Suite 870, Houston, Texas 77056. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

4. Redemption. The Company may, at any time or from time to time on or after November 30, 2023, redeem this Note, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, but in all cases in a principal amount with integral multiples of $1,000.

This Notes is not subject to redemption at the option of the Holder. On or after November 30, 2023, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice as provided in the Indenture, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of this Note, or portion thereof, to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on November 30 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2023

     102.81250

2024

     101.40625

2025, and thereafter

     100.00000

Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

If less than the then outstanding principal amount of this Note is redeemed, (i) a new note shall be issued representing the unredeemed portion without charge to the Holder thereof and (ii) such redemption shall be effected on a pro rata basis as to the Holder, and if the Notes are represented by Global Notes held by DTC and such redemption is processed through DTC, such redemption will be made on a “Pro Rata Pass-Through Distribution of Principal” basis in accordance with the procedures of DTC. In the event a pro rata redemption as provided in the preceding sentence is not permitted under applicable law or applicable requirements of DTC, the Notes to be redeemed will be selected by lot or such method as the Trustee will deem fair and appropriate.


5. Events of Default; Acceleration. An “Event of Default” means any one of the events described in Section 4.01 of the Indenture. If an Event of Default described in Section 4.01(1) or Section 4.01(2) of the Indenture occurs, then the principal amount of all of the Outstanding Notes, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all Outstanding Notes will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the Holder, and the Company waives demand, presentment for payment, notice of nonpayment, notice of protest, and all other notices with respect to such Event of Default. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may also pursue any other available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, and interest on, the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or the Indenture.

6. Failure to Make Payments. If the Company fails to make any payment of interest on this Note when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or if the Company fails to make any payment of the principal of this Note when such principal becomes due and payable, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holder, the whole amount then due and payable with respect to this Note, with interest upon the overdue principal, any premium and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any overdue installments of interest at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for or with respect to this Note or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by this Note.

Upon an Event of Default, the Company may not declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock, other than: (i) any dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, any class of Company’s common stock; (ii) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto; (iii) as a result of a reclassification of Company’s capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of Company’s capital stock for another class or series of Company’s capital stock; (iv) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of Company’s capital stock in accordance with the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged; or (v) purchases of any class of Company’s common stock related to the issuance of common stock or rights under any of benefit plans for Company’s directors, officers or employees or any of Company’s dividend reinvestment plans.

7. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are issuable only in registered form without interest coupons in minimum denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of this Note may be registered and this Note may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture, The Registrar may require the Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require the Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.


8. Charges and Transfer Taxes. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of this Note, or any redemption or repayment of this Note, or any conversion or exchange of this Note for other types of securities or property, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with the transfer or exchange of this Note from the Holder requesting such transfer or exchange.

9. Persons Deemed Owners. The Company and the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Note is overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent will be affected by notice to the contrary.

10. Amendments; Waivers. The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Notes at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then Outstanding Notes. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the then Outstanding Notes, on behalf of the holders of all Notes, to waive certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver will be conclusive and binding upon the Holders and upon all future holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.

11. Sinking Fund: Convertibility. This Note is not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund. This Note is not convertible into or exchangeable for any of the equity securities, other securities or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary.

12. No Recourse Against Others. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture or in this Note, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, will be had against any past, present or future shareholder, employee, officer, or director, as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor, either directly or through the Company or any predecessor or successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of this Note by the Holder and as part of the consideration for the issuance of this Note.

13. Authentication. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent.

14. Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act). Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

15. Available Information. The Company will furnish to the Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests by Holders to the Company may be made to: Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., 1110 W. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309, Attn: Chief Financial Officer.


16. Governing Law. THIS NOTE WILL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND WILL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Note to be duly executed.

 

Dated:

   

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

   

By:

   
     

Name:

     

Title:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Notes of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

   

UMB Bank National Association

as Trustee

   

By:

   
     

Name:

     

Title:

   

Dated:

 


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. No.)

and irrevocably appoint _______________________ agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date:

  

Your signature:

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Tax Identification No:

Signature Guarantee: (Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbroker’s, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 17Ad-15).

The undersigned certifies that it [is / is not] an Affiliate of the Company and that, to its knowledge, the proposed transferee [is / is not] an Affiliate of the Company.

In connection with any transfer or exchange of this Note occurring prior to the date that is one year after the later of the date of original issuance of this Note and the last date, if any, on which this Note was owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, the undersigned confirms that this Note is being:

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW:

 

 

(1)     acquired for the undersigned’s own account, without transfer;

 

 

(2)     transferred to the Company;

 

 

(3)     transferred in accordance and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”);

 

 

(4)     transferred under an effective registration statement under the Securities Act;

 

 

(5)     transferred in accordance with and in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act;

 

 

(6)     transferred to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act) or an “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(4) under the Securities Act), that has furnished a signed letter containing certain representation’s and agreements; or


 

(7)     transferred in accordance with another available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Paying Agent will refuse to register this Note in the name of any person other than the registered Holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (5), (6) or (7) is checked, the Paying Agent may require, prior to registering any such transfer of this Note, in its sole discretion, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Paying Agent may reasonably request to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act such as the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act.

 

Signature:

Signature Guarantee: (Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbroker’s, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 17Ad-l5).

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF BOX (1) OR (3) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuer as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Date:

  
  

Signature:

Exhibit 10.1

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.,

as Issuer

5.625% SENIOR UNSECURED NOTES DUE 2026

NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

NOVEMBER 23, 2021


November 23, 2021

Purchaser Named on the Signature Page Hereto

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Pursuant to the terms of this Note Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”), Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the “Issuer”), proposes to issue and sell to the purchaser named and identified on the signature pages hereto (the “Purchaser”), the aggregate principal amount set forth on the signature pages hereto of the Issuer’s Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”).

The Notes will be issued pursuant to the provisions of an indenture, to be dated as of November 23, 2021, (the “Indenture”) between the Issuer and UMB Bank National Association, as trustee (together with its successors and assigns, in such capacity, the “Trustee”).

The Notes will be offered and sold without being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to the exemption from registration set forth in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, solely to Purchasers that are either (i) “qualified institutional buyers” as such term is defined in Rule 144A of the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”) or (ii) institutional “accredited investors” within the meaning of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D and as contemplated by subsections (1), (2), (3), (7), (8), (9), or (12) of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D, that have no less than $5,000,000 in total assets (“Institutional Accredited Investors”).

Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Issuer proposes to issue and sell to one or more investors other than the Purchaser (the “Other Purchasers”) up to $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s Notes (inclusive of the Notes sold under this Agreement), pursuant to one or more purchase agreements (“Other Purchase Agreements”) substantially in the same form as this Agreement, to be entered into by the Issuer and the Other Purchasers. Piper Sandler & Co. (in such capacity, the “Placement Agent”), has been appointed by the Issuer to act as its exclusive placement agent, pursuant to an Engagement Letter Agreement between the Issuer and the Placement Agent (the “Engagement Agreement”).

The holders of the Notes will be entitled to the benefits of a Registration Rights Agreement, in the form to be agreed by the Issuer, the Placement Agent, the Purchaser and the Other Purchasers, to be dated as of the Closing Date (as defined herein), among the Issuer, the Purchasers and the Other Purchasers (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Issuer will agree to file with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), under the circumstances set forth therein, a shelf registration statement under the Securities Act relating to the resale of the Notes.

 

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1. Representations and Warranties of the Issuer. The Issuer represents and warrants to, and agrees with the Purchaser, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (as defined herein), that:

(a) The Issuer has been duly incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, has the corporate power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the business, properties, or operations of the Issuer and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (any such change, a “Material Adverse Change”).

(b) The audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer and its subsidiaries contained in the Issuer’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Financial Statements”) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Issuer and its subsidiaries as of the respective dates specified therein and the results of their operations and cash flows for the respective periods so specified and have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

(c) The execution, delivery, and performance by the Issuer of this Agreement, the Indenture, the Notes, and the Registration Rights Agreement do not and will not (i) violate any material provision of federal, state, or local law or regulation applicable to the Issuer or its subsidiaries, or the governing documents of the Issuer or its subsidiaries, (ii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of any nature whatsoever upon any properties or assets of the Issuer or its subsidiaries, other than Permitted Liens (as such term is defined in the Indenture), or (iii) require any approval of interest holders of the Issuer or its subsidiaries, other than consents or approvals that have been obtained and that are still in force and effect.

(d) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Issuer and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Purchaser, will constitute a valid and binding agreement of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability.

(e) The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Issuer and, at the Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Issuer and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee, will constitute a valid and binding agreement of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability.

(f) The Notes have been duly authorized by the Issuer and, at the Closing Date, will have been duly executed by the Issuer and when authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Purchaser in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, assuming due authorization, execution and

 

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delivery thereof by the Trustee, will be valid and binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

(g) The Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized by the Issuer, and, when the Notes are delivered and paid for pursuant to this Agreement on the Closing Date, the Registration Rights Agreement will have been duly executed and delivered by the Issuer, and assuming due execution and delivery thereof by the Purchaser will constitute a valid and binding agreement of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability.

(h) The Notes to be purchased by the Purchaser from the Issuer on the Closing Date will be in the form contemplated by the Indenture.

(i) The execution and delivery by the Issuer of, and the performance by the Issuer of its obligations under, this Agreement, the Indenture and the Notes will not contravene (i) the certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents, each as amended or restated to date, of the Issuer; (ii) any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries that is material to the Issuer and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (iii) any provision of applicable law or regulation; or (iv) any judgment, injunction, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Issuer or any subsidiary, except, in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, for any such contravention that would not have a Material Adverse Change.

(j) There are no legal or governmental actions, suits, investigations or proceedings, pending or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, threatened to which the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties of the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries is subject that would, if adversely determined, result in a Material Adverse Change or have a material adverse effect on the power or ability of the Issuer to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Indenture or the Notes.

(k) No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority (as defined in the Indenture) in the United States, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any other jurisdiction in which the Issuer or any subsidiary conducts all or any part of its business, or which asserts jurisdiction over any properties of the Issuer or any subsidiary, or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of, or pertaining to, any such Governmental Authority is required by the Issuer in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Issuer of this Agreement, the Indenture or the Notes.

 

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(l) The Issuer and its subsidiaries own, possess or have a right to use all licenses, permits, franchises, authorizations, patents, copyrights, proprietary software, service marks, trademarks and trade names necessary to conduct the business now operated by them without known conflict with the rights of others that, if determined adversely to the Issuers or any of its subsidiaries, would, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change.

(m) Each of the Issuer and its subsidiaries is, and has at all times since December 31, 2018 been, in compliance in all respects with Applicable Law, except to the extent that such nonperformance would not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. “Applicable Law” means all applicable provisions of all (i) constitutions, treaties, statutes, laws, rules, regulations, codes, guidelines and ordinances of any Governmental Authority, (ii) approvals of Governmental Authorities and (iii) orders, decisions, directed duties, judgments, awards and decrees of any Governmental Authority (including common law and principles of public policy).

(n) The Issuer is not, and after giving effect to the sale of the Notes and the application of the proceeds thereof will not be, required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(o) Subject to the accuracy of the Purchaser’s representations and warranties set forth herein, the offer, issuance, sale and delivery of the Notes is exempt from the provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act. Neither the Issuer nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any director, manager, officer, or employee, nor, to the Issuer’s knowledge, any agent or representative of the Issuer or of any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, has taken any action, with respect to the Notes or otherwise, that would bring the offer, issuance and sale of the Notes within the provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act. It is not necessary in connection with the sale and delivery of the Securities to the Purchaser in the manner contemplated by this Agreement to qualify the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

(p) In the case of each offer or sale of the Notes, no form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act (“Regulation D”)) was used by Issuer nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any director, manager, officer, or employee (as applicable), nor, to the Issuer’s knowledge, any agent or representative of the Issuer or of any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, including, without limitation, any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine or similar medium or broadcast over television or radio, or any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or general advertising.

(q) Neither the Issuer nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any director, manager, officer, or employee (as applicable), nor, to the Issuer’s knowledge, any agent or representative of the Issuer or of any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, has taken or will take any action in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization or approval of the payment or giving of money, property, gifts or anything else of value, directly or indirectly, to any (i) “government official” (including any officer or employee

 

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of a government or government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any individual or entity (each, a “Person”) acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office) or (ii) to any “foreign official” (as defined in the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in each case, to influence official action or secure an improper advantage; and the Issuer and its subsidiaries and affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws.

(r) The operations of the Issuer and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), and the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of jurisdictions where the Issuer and its subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Authority (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any Governmental Authority or any arbitrator involving the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, threatened. The Issuer has established procedures and controls which it reasonably believes are adequate (and otherwise comply with applicable law) to ensure that the Issuer and each of its subsidiaries is and will continue to be in compliance with all Anti-Money Laundering Laws.

(s) (i) The Issuer, represents that neither the Issuer nor any of its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Entity”) or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative of the Entity, is a Person that is, or is owned or controlled by a Person that is:

(A) the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor

(B) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions (including, without limitation, Burma/Myanmar, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Russia).

(ii) The Issuer represents and covenants that the Entity will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the sale of the Notes, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person:

 

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(A) to fund or facilitate any activities or business of or with any Person or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions; or

(B) in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the offering, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise).

(iii) The Issuer represents and covenants that for the past five years, the Entity has not knowingly engaged in, is not now knowingly engaged in, and will not knowingly engage in, any dealings or transactions with any Person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions.

(t) The Issuer and each of its subsidiaries possess such valid and current certificates, authorizations or permits issued by the appropriate state, federal or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct their respective businesses, and since January 1, 2018, neither the Issuer nor any of its subsidiaries have received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of, or noncompliance with, any such certificate, authorization or permit that, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in a Material Adverse Change.

(u) The Issuer is, and immediately after the Closing Date will be, Solvent. As used herein, the term “Solvent” means, with respect to any Person on a particular date, that on such date (i) the fair market value of the assets of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of such Person, (ii) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liabilities of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured and (iii) such Person is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, including contingent obligations, as they mature.

(v) The Issuer and its subsidiaries maintain a system of internal controls over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act that is sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP, and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

(w) The Issuer has established and maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to the Issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

 

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(x) The terms and provisions of the “Indicative Term Sheet” (the “Term Sheet”) shall be incorporated, as applicable, into the Indenture.

(y) The Issuer has timely filed, or cured any defect relating to timely filing, all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by the Issuer under the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (collectively, “SEC Reports”). The SEC Reports (i) as of the time they were filed (or if subsequently amended, when amended, and as of the date hereof), complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and (ii) did not, at the time they were filed (or if subsequently amended or superseded by an amendment or other filing, then, on the date of such subsequent filing), contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(z) The Issuer has timely filed or caused to be filed all United States federal tax returns and state tax returns (including, but not limited to, those filed on a consolidated, combined or unitary basis) required to have been filed with respect to the Issuer prior to the date hereof, or requests for extensions to file such returns and reports have been timely filed (“Tax Returns”). All material taxes required to be shown on such Tax Returns have been paid, except to the extent that such tax payments are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Issuer has set aside on its books adequate reserves.

(aa) The offer, issuance and sale of the Notes by the Issuer to the Purchaser shall not result in an event, condition, or default that, with the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both, would constitute a default or event of default under any indebtedness of any subsidiaries of the Issuer, which, individually or in the aggregate, would result in a Material Adverse Change.

(bb) None of the Issuer or its subsidiaries has any material liability that is required to be reflected in a consolidated balance sheet (or the notes thereto) of the Issuer or its subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP, except (i) those liabilities provided for or disclosed in the Financial Statements or in the notes thereto, (ii) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business since December 31, 2020, (iv) liabilities under this Agreement or incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (v) tax liabilities and (vi) other liabilities that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Change.

(cc) From December 31, 2020 through the date hereof, the Issuer and its subsidiaries have conducted their business in the ordinary course, and there has not been any event, occurrence or condition of any character that has had, or which would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Change, except as disclosed in the Issuer’s reports filed with the SEC. Without limiting

 

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the generality of the foregoing, from December 31, 2020 through the date hereof, none of the Issuer or its subsidiaries has, made any material change in the material accounting, actuarial, investment, reserving, underwriting or claims administration policies, practices or principles, except as may have been required by applicable law, GAAP or entered into any binding agreement to take any of the foregoing actions, except as set forth in the SEC Reports.

(dd) The Issuer has not intentionally failed to disclose to the Purchaser prior to the date hereof, any fact about the Issuer or its subsidiaries known by the Issuer to be material to the Issuer and its subsidiaries as a whole, when taken together with the other disclosures made to the Purchaser by or on behalf of the Issuer.

(ee) To the Issuer’s knowledge, the information furnished by the Issuer to the Purchaser in the data room folder “Investor-Facing Room Structure” prior to the date hereof (as modified or supplemented by all other information that has been made publicly available by the Issuer in its SEC Reports or in materials publicly available on the Issuer’s website), taken as a whole, was accurate in all material respects as of the respective dates of such information; provided that, with respect to financial statements, the Issuer represents only as set forth in Section 1(b).

(ff) Insurance Matters

(i) The Issuer and each of the Issuer’s subsidiaries that are engaged in the business of insurance or reinsurance (each, an “Insurance Subsidiary”) are in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of the insurance laws and regulations of its jurisdiction of incorporation and the insurance laws and regulations of the jurisdictions which are applicable to each such subsidiary, and has filed all notices, reports, documents or other information required to be filed thereunder, except where the failure to be so appointed would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(gg) The Issuer and its subsidiaries and any “employee benefit plan” (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”)) established or maintained by the Issuer, its subsidiaries or their “ERISA Affiliates” (as defined below) are in compliance in all material respects with ERISA and all other similar applicable state and federal laws. “ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to the Issuer or a subsidiary, any member of any group or organization described in Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”) of which the Issuer or such subsidiary is a member. No “reportable event” (as defined in ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Issuer, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates. No “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Issuer, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates, if such “employee benefit plan” were terminated, would have any “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” (as defined in ERISA). Neither the Issuer, its subsidiaries nor any of their ERISA Affiliates has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “employee benefit plan” or (ii)

 

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Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code. Each “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Issuer, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, that would cause the loss of such qualification.

(hh) Except as set forth in the SEC Reports, there are no transactions with “affiliates” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) or any officer, director or security holder of the Issuer (whether or not an affiliate) that are required by the Securities Act to be disclosed in the SEC Reports. Additionally, no relationship, direct or indirect, exists between the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries on the one hand, and the directors, officers, shareholders, customers or suppliers of the Issuer or any Subsidiary on the other hand that is required by the Securities Act to be disclosed in the SEC Reports that is not so disclosed.

2. Agreements to Sell and Purchase. The Issuer hereby agrees to sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser, upon the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, agrees to purchase from the Issuer the respective principal amount of Notes set forth on the signature pages hereto, at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof (the “Purchase Price”), in each case, on the Closing Date.

3. Payment and Delivery.

(a) The closing of the purchase and sale of the Notes (the “Closing”) shall occur at the offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, counsel for the Issuer, located at 811 Main Street, Suite 3000, Houston, TX 77002, on the Business Day following the execution of this Agreement, or on such other date or at such different location as the parties hereto shall agree in writing, but not prior to the date that the conditions for Closing set forth in Section 4 hereto (other than with respect to the actual issuance and delivery of the Notes) have been satisfied or waived by the appropriate party (the date of such Closing being herein called the “Closing Date”).

(b) Subject to Section 3(c) below, (i) on or prior to the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall pay, in immediately available funds, the full amount of the purchase price for the Notes being purchased hereunder, by wire transfer to an account of the Issuer specified on Annex A, and (ii) on the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall instruct its custodian to post a DWAC request for free receipt to the Trustee for the Purchaser’s aggregate principal amount of Notes (CUSIP set forth on the Purchaser’s signature page hereto), which request shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).

(c) The Purchaser shall comply with the closing mechanics specified in this Section 3(c). The Purchaser shall submit fully completed

(i) On or prior to 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date, the Purchaser will pay the full amount of the purchase price for the Notes being purchased hereunder to the Issuer as required by Section 3(b) above.

 

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(ii) The receipt of funds by the Issuer from the Purchaser shall be deemed to be a confirmation by the Purchaser to the Issuer that the conditions to the Closing have been satisfied.

(iii) On the Closing Date, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, the Notes purchased by the Purchaser (as specified on the Purchaser’s signature page hereto) will be issued by the Issuer and delivered pursuant to Section 3(b) above.

(d) “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies are authorized or obligated by law to close in New York City.

(e) The Notes will be represented by one or more global notes as provided in the Indenture, and will be issued in minimum denominations of $100,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 thereafter. The Notes shall bear an appropriate restrictive legend referring to the fact that the Notes were sold in reliance upon the exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Section 4(a)(2) thereof and are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A.

4. Conditions to the Purchaser’s Obligations. The obligations of the Purchaser to purchase and pay for the Notes on the Closing Date are subject to the following conditions:

(a) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date, there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded the Issuer or any of the securities of the Issuer or the financial strength rating of any of its Insurance Subsidiaries or in the rating outlook for the Issuer by any rating agency.

(b) The representations and warranties of the Issuer contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent already qualified by materiality) on and as of the date of this Agreement and on and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date; the statements of the Issuer’s officers made pursuant to any certificate delivered in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent already qualified by materiality) on and as of the date made and on and as of the Closing Date; the Issuer shall have performed all covenants and agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date.

(c) The Purchaser shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Issuer, to the effect set forth in Section 4(b) and to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Issuer contained in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent already qualified by materiality) as of the Closing Date and that the Issuer has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date. The officer signing and delivering such certificate may rely upon the best of his or her knowledge as to proceedings threatened.

 

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(d) The Purchaser shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of counsel of the Issuer, dated the Closing Date, covering the matters set forth in Schedule I hereto, with customary qualifications, limitations and assumptions satisfactory to the Purchaser acting in good faith. Such opinion shall be rendered to the Purchaser at the request of the Issuer and shall so state therein.

(e) The Issuer shall have executed and delivered the Indenture, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall have received an executed copy thereof.

(f) The Notes shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.

(g) The sale of the Notes shall not be enjoined (temporarily or permanently) on the Closing Date.

(h) Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have been any event, change, occurrence, development, condition or state of circumstances or facts that has had or would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Change.

5. Covenants of the Issuer. The Issuer covenants with the Purchaser as follows:

(a) Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, to pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Issuer’s counsel and the Issuer’s accountants in connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes, (ii) all out-of-pocket reasonable and documented costs and expenses related to the transfer and delivery of the Notes to the Purchaser, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon, (iv) the costs and charges of the Trustee, the paying agent and any transfer agent, registrar or depositary, (v) the cost of the preparation, issuance and delivery of the Notes, and (vi) all other cost and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Issuer hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section.

(b) Neither the Issuer nor any “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 144 (“Affiliate”)) will sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in the Securities Act) that could be integrated with the sale of the Notes in a manner that would require the registration under the Securities Act of the Notes .

(c) Not to solicit any offer to buy or offer or sell the Notes by means of any form of general solicitation or general advertising (as those terms are used in Regulation D under the Securities Act) or in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

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(d) While any of the Notes remain “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144, to make available, upon request, to any seller of such Notes the information specified in Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act, unless the Issuer is then subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

(e) During the period of one year after the Closing Date the Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Affiliates to resell any of the Notes which constitute “restricted securities” under Rule 144 that have been reacquired by any of them.

(f) To use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes for the Issuer’s general corporate purposes.

(g) On the Closing Date and at all times thereafter, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be no less favorable to the Purchaser than the terms and provisions of any Other Purchase Agreement are to the applicable Other Purchaser.

6. Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser. The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Issuer, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, that:

(a) Such Purchaser is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership (and where such partnership is not a separate legal entity from the partners thereof, the general or managing partner thereof), duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization.

(b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Purchaser and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Issuer, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Purchaser enforceable against each Purchaser in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability.

(c) Such Purchaser is acquiring the Notes for its own account or for one or more separate accounts maintained by it or for the account of one or more pension or trust funds of which it is trustee, in each case, for investment purposes only and not with a view to distribution thereof, in whole or in part. If the Notes are acquired for the account of one or more pension or trust funds, the relevant Purchaser represents that it is acting as sole trustee and has sole investment discretion with respect to its acquisition of the Notes and that the determination and decision on its behalf to acquire the Notes for such pension or trust funds is being made by the same individual or group of individuals who customarily pass on such investments. Such Purchaser understands that the Notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act that depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of such Purchaser’s representations as expressed herein.

 

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(d) Each Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that (i) neither the Issuer nor the Placement Agent is acting as a fiduciary or financial or investment adviser to the Purchaser; (ii) the Issuer, the Placement Agent and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives do not make, have not made nor shall be deemed to have made any representation or warranty to the Purchaser, express or implied, at law or in equity, with respect to projections, estimates, forecasts or plans, except, with respect to the Issuer, as expressly set forth herein; (iii) the Purchaser has consulted with the Purchaser’s own legal, regulatory, tax, business, investment, actuarial, financial and accounting advisers to the extent the Purchaser has deemed necessary, and the Purchaser has made the Purchaser’s own decisions with respect to entering into this Agreement based upon the Purchaser’s own judgment and upon any advice from such advisers the Purchaser has deemed necessary; and (iv) the Purchaser is a sophisticated investor familiar with transactions similar to those contemplated by this Agreement and has such knowledge and experience in financial and business affairs that the Purchaser is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of purchasing, and other considerations relating to, the Notes to be purchased by the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement. The Purchaser is not relying on the Issuer, the Placement Agent or any of their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, counsel, agents or representatives for legal or tax advice. The Purchaser understands that no U.S. or non-U.S. federal or state agency has recommended or endorsed the purchase of Notes or made any determination or finding as to the fairness of the provisions of this Agreement.

(e) Such Purchaser will comply with all applicable laws and regulations in each jurisdiction in which it acquires the Notes.

(f) Such Purchaser is a resident of, and purchasing in, a jurisdiction that would not, as a result of such residence or purchase result in such Purchaser being subject to regulation as an insurer or reinsurer.

(g) Such Purchaser understands that no action has been or will be taken in any jurisdiction by the Issuer that would permit a public offering of the Notes in the United States or any offer of the Notes to the public in any Member State of the European Economic Area, or possession or distribution of any offering or publicity material relating to the Notes , in any other country or jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required.

(h) Such Purchaser understands that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be transferred except in accordance with Rule 144A or pursuant to another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

(i) Such Purchaser represents that it is either a “qualified institutional buyer” as such term is defined in Rule 144A or an Institutional Accredited Investor.

 

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(j) Such Purchaser is not subject to any “bad actor” disqualifications as described in Rule 506(d) of the Securities Act.

(k) Such Purchaser agrees to purchase the Notes for its own account (or accounts managed by it) without a view to distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act and agrees not to reoffer or resell the Notes except pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act or pursuant to an effective registration statement thereunder and in any case in compliance to the satisfaction of the Issuer with all applicable U.S. state securities or “Blue Sky” laws (it being understood, however, that the disposition of such Person’s property shall at all times be within such Person’s control).

(l) Each Purchaser has been furnished with a copy of the Term Sheet.

(m) Each Purchaser acknowledges that it and its representatives and agents have been provided an opportunity to ask questions of, and have received answers thereto satisfactory to the Purchaser from, the Issuer and its representatives regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of the Notes, and the Purchaser has obtained any and all additional information requested by the Purchaser, its representatives and agents of the Issuer and its representatives to verify the accuracy of all information furnished to the Purchaser regarding the offering of the Notes.

(n) Each Purchaser has, in connection with its decision to purchase the principal amount of Notes set forth on the signature page to this Agreement, relied solely upon the SEC Reports and the representations and warranties of the Issuer contained herein, and such Purchaser has not relied on the Placement Agent in negotiating the terms of its investment in the Notes, and, in making a decision to purchase the Notes, such Purchaser has not received or relied on any communication, investment advice or recommendation from the Placement Agent.

(o) Neither the Purchaser nor any of its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Purchaser Entity”) or, to the knowledge of the Purchaser or any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative of the Purchaser Entity, is a Person that is, or is owned or controlled by a Person that is:

(A) the subject of any Sanctions, nor

(B) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions (including, without limitation, Burma/Myanmar, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Russia).

(p) There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Purchaser, threatened against the Purchaser which is reasonably likely to materially adversely affect the ability of such Purchaser to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

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(q) Each Purchaser will have at the Closing Date sufficient capital to satisfy the Purchaser’s obligation to purchase the Notes pursuant to this Agreement.

(r) Each Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that, in connection with the filing with the SEC of any registration statement required by the Registration Rights Agreement, the Purchaser shall complete and execute a questionnaire in such form as reasonably requested by the Issuer.

7. Termination. The Purchaser may terminate this Agreement by written notice given to the Issuer if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date the Closing Date has not occurred by December 31, 2021, except where such failure to close was due to the delay or other fault of the Purchaser in breach of this Agreement.

8. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto. The respective agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Issuer and the Purchaser set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Purchaser, the Issuer or any of their respective officers or directors or any controlling person, as the case may be, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Notes sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement.

9. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Notes, the Indenture, and the Registration Rights Agreement represent the entire agreement between the Issuer and the Purchaser with respect to the purchase and sale of the Notes. There are no oral agreements among the parties hereto. No modification, amendment or waiver of any of the terms of this Agreement, nor any consent to any departure by the Issuer therefrom, will be effective unless made in a writing signed by the party to be charged, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.

10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by telecopier, facsimile or other electronic transmission (i.e., a “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof.

11. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, and in each case their respective successors, and no other Person will have any right or obligation hereunder. The term “successors” shall not include any other subsequent purchaser of the Notes from the Purchaser. This Agreement may not be transferred or assigned without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto.

12. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

13. Headings. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement.

 

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14. Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and effective only upon receipt and if to the Purchaser shall be delivered in person or sent by DHL or other recognized overnight courier delivery service, to the name and address of the Purchaser listed on the signature page hereto; and if to the Issuer shall be delivered in person or sent by DHL or other recognized overnight courier delivery service, to Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., 1110 W. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.

15. Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be declared invalid or unenforceable by any regulatory body or court having jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining portions of this Agreement.

16. Interpretation. For purposes of this Agreement, the words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the singular is used herein, the same shall include the plural, and whenever the plural is used herein, the same shall include the singular, where appropriate. The term “including” means “including but not limited to.” The word “or” shall not be exclusive. Whenever used in this Agreement, the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neutral genders. All references herein to Articles, Sections, Subsections, Paragraphs and Exhibits shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections and Subsections and Paragraphs of, and Exhibits to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. Any reference herein to any statute, agreement or document, or any section thereof, shall, unless otherwise expressly provided, be a reference to such statute, agreement, document or section as amended, modified or supplemented (including any successor section) and in effect from time to time. All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meaning when used in any Exhibit, Schedule, certificate or other documents attached hereto or made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The parties acknowledge and agree that, except as specifically provided herein, they may pursue judicial remedies at law or in equity in the event of a dispute with respect to the interpretation or construction of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the provisions hereof without the aid of any canon, custom or rule of law requiring or suggesting constitution against the party causing the drafting of the provision in question.

17. Placement Agent as Third Party Beneficiary; No Other Third-Party Beneficiary. The parties agree and recognize the Placement Agent as an express third party beneficiary to Sections 1, 5 and 6 of this Agreement. The Placement Agent shall be entitled to rely on the representations, warranties and covenants made by the Issuer and the Purchaser hereunder, as if such representations, warranties and covenants were made directly to the Placement Agent. Except for the two immediately preceding sentences, nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, other than the parties, their successors and permitted assigns, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein.

18. Suits. Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of, or based upon, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, may be instituted in any state or federal court located in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York (each, a “New York Court”), and each party hereby waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, any objection which

 

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it may now or hereafter have, to the laying of venue of any such proceeding and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such legal suit, action or proceeding. Each party hereby waives irrevocably any immunity to jurisdiction to which it may otherwise be entitled or become entitled (including sovereign immunity, immunity to pre-judgment attachment, post-judgment attachment and execution), in any legal suit, action or proceeding against it arising out of, or based upon, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, that is instituted in any New York Court. Process in any such legal suit, action or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court.

19. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

[Signature Pages to Follow]

 

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Very truly yours,
UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

[Signature Page to the Note Purchase Agreement]

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. – 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026


Accepted as of the date hereof:

 

PURCHASER
[Add Purchaser Name]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
Address of Purchaser
[Add]
Principal Amount of Purchased Notes: $[•]
CUSIP [•]

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. – 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026

[Signature Page to Note Purchase Agreement]


SCHEDULE I

[GDC Opinion]

 

II-1


ANNEX A

Wire Transfer Instructions

 

A-1

Exhibit 10.2

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is dated as of November 23, 2021, and is made by and among Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the several purchasers of the Notes (as defined below) identified on the signature pages to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below) (collectively, the “Purchasers”).

This Agreement is made pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement dated November 23, 2021 by and among the Company and each of the Purchasers (the “Purchase Agreement”), which provides for the sale by the Company to the Purchasers of $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026, which were issued on November 23, 2021 (the “Notes”). In order to induce each of the Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement and in satisfaction of a condition to the Purchasers’ obligations thereunder, the Company has agreed to provide to the Purchasers and their respective direct and indirect transferees and assigns the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.

In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized defined terms shall have the following meanings:

1933 Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

1934 Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Additional Interest” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(e) hereof.

Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Closing Date” shall mean November 23, 2021.

Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and also includes the Company’s successors.

Depositary” shall mean The Depository Trust Company, or any other depositary appointed by the Company, including any agent thereof; provided, however, that any such depositary must at all times have an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York.

Event Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(e).

Exchange Offer” shall mean the exchange offer by the Company of Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.


Exchange Offer Registration” shall mean a registration under the 1933 Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement” shall mean an exchange offer registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate form) registering the issuance of the Exchange Securities, and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein.

Exchange Securities” shall mean the 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 issued by the Company under the Indenture containing terms identical to the Notes, except that (i) interest thereon shall accrue from the last date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for on the Notes or, if no such interest has been paid or duly provided for, from the Interest Accrual Date, (ii) provisions relating to an increase in the stated rate of interest thereon upon the occurrence of a Registration Default shall be eliminated, (iii) the transfer restrictions and legends relating to restrictions on ownership and transfer thereof as a result of the issuance of the Notes without registration under the 1933 Act shall be eliminated, (iv) the minimum denominations thereof shall be $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof and (v) all of the Exchange Securities will be represented by one or more global Exchange Securities in book-entry form (unless exchanged for Exchange Securities in definitive certificated form under the circumstances provided in the Indenture) to be offered to Holders of Registrable Securities in exchange for Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

FINRA” shall mean the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Holders” shall mean (i) the Purchasers, for so long as they own any Registrable Securities, and each of their respective successors, assigns and direct and indirect transferees who become registered owners of Registrable Securities under the Indenture and (ii) each Participating Broker-Dealer that holds Exchange Securities for so long as such Participating Broker-Dealer is required to deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.

Indenture” shall mean the indenture, dated as of November 23, 2021 by and between the Company and UMB Bank National Association, as trustee, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

Interest Accrual Date” means November 23, 2021.

Majority Holders” shall mean the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Registrable Securities outstanding, excluding Exchange Securities referred to in clause (ii) of the definition of “Holders” above; provided that whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities and Exchange Securities held by the Company or any of its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) shall be disregarded in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.

Notes” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

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Notifying Broker-Dealer” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(f).

Participating Broker-Dealer” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(f).

Person” shall mean an individual, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all other amendments and supplements to a prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and in each case including all material incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein.

Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Purchasers” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

Registrable Securities” shall mean the Notes; provided, however, that any Notes shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (i) a Registration Statement with respect to such Notes shall have been declared effective under the 1933 Act and such Notes shall have been exchanged or disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) such Notes shall have been sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force, but not Rule 144A) under the 1933 Act, or are eligible to be resold pursuant to Rule 144 without regard to the public information requirements thereunder, (iii) such Notes shall have ceased to be outstanding, (iv) such Notes were eligible for exchange under an Exchange Offer Registration Statement that was declared effective under the 1933 Act but were not exchanged at the election of the Holder during the period the Exchange Offer was open or (v) such Notes have been exchanged for Exchange Securities, which have been registered pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement upon consummation of the Exchange Offer unless, in the case of any Exchange Securities referred to in this clause (v), such Exchange Securities are held by Participating Broker-Dealers or otherwise are not freely tradable by such Participating Broker-Dealers without any limitations or restrictions under the 1933 Act (in which case such Exchange Securities will be deemed to be Registrable Securities until such time as such Exchange Securities are sold to a purchaser in whose hands such Exchange Securities are freely tradeable without any limitations or restrictions under the 1933 Act).

Registration Default” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(e).

Registration Expenses” shall mean any and all reasonable expenses incident to performance of or compliance by the Company with this Agreement, including without limitation: (i) all SEC, stock exchange or FINRA registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state or other securities or blue sky laws and compliance with the rules of FINRA (including reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for any Holders in connection with qualification of any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities under state or other securities or blue sky laws and any filing with and review by FINRA), (iii) all expenses of any Persons in preparing, printing and distributing any Registration

 

3


Statement, any Prospectus, any amendments or supplements thereto, securities sales agreements, certificates representing the Notes or Exchange Securities and other documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing, if any, of any of the Notes or Exchange Securities on any securities exchange or exchanges or on any quotation system, (vi) all fees and disbursements relating to the qualification of the Indenture under applicable securities laws, (vii) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and the fees and expenses of independent public accountants for the Company or for any other Person, business or assets whose financial statements are included in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, including the expenses of any special audits or “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance, and (viii) the fees and expenses of the Trustee, any registrar, any depositary, any paying agent, any escrow agent or any custodian, in each case including fees and disbursements of their respective counsel. For the avoidance of doubt, Registration Expenses shall not include any underwriting discounts and commissions, brokerage commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable Securities by a Holder.

Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement of the Company relating to any offering of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any Shelf Registration Statement), and all amendments and supplements to any such Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein.

SEC” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

Shelf Registration” shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof.

Shelf Registration Statement” shall mean a “shelf” registration statement of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 2(b) of this Agreement on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the 1933 Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein.

TIA” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Trustee” shall mean the trustee with respect to the Notes and the Exchange Securities under the Indenture.

For purposes of this Agreement, (i) all references in this Agreement to any Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the SEC pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system; (ii) all references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information that is “contained,” “included” or “stated” in any Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus (or other references of like import)

 

4


shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be; (iii) all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to any Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include the filing of any document under the 1934 Act that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be; (iv) all references in this Agreement to Rule 144, Rule 144A, Rule 405 or Rule 415 under the 1933 Act, and all references to any sections or subsections thereof or terms defined therein, shall in each case include any successor provisions thereto; and (v) all references in this Agreement to days (but not to business days) shall mean calendar days.

2. Registration Under the 1933 Act.

(a) Exchange Offer Registration. The Company shall (A) use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC on or prior to the 120th day after the Closing Date an Exchange Offer Registration Statement covering the offer by the Company to the Holders to exchange all of the Registrable Securities for a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Securities, (B) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC no later than the 20th business day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that the Exchange Offer Registration Statement will not be reviewed, or will not be subject to further review, and (C) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to remain effective until the closing of the Exchange Offer and (D) use its commercially reasonable efforts to consummate the Exchange Offer no later than 360 days after the Closing Date. Upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly commence the Exchange Offer, it being the objective of such Exchange Offer to enable each Holder eligible and electing to exchange Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities (assuming that such Holder is not an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the 1933 Act, acquires the Exchange Securities in the ordinary course of such Holder’s business and has no arrangements or understandings with any Person to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing such Exchange Securities) to trade such Exchange Securities from and after their receipt without any limitations or restrictions under the 1933 Act or under the securities or blue sky laws of the states of the United States.

In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company shall:

(i) promptly mail or otherwise transmit, in compliance with the applicable procedures of the depositary for such Registrable Securities, to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents;

(ii) keep the Exchange Offer open for not less than 20 business days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date notice thereof is mailed to the Holders and, during the Exchange Offer, offer to all Holders who are legally eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer the opportunity to exchange their Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities;

(iii) use the services of a depositary with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York for the Exchange Offer;

 

5


(iv) permit Holders to validly withdraw tendered Registrable Securities at any time prior to 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on the last business day on which the Exchange Offer shall remain open (the “Cut-Off Time”), if the institution specified in the Prospectus or the related letter of transmittal or related documents receives prior to the Cut-Off Time a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of Registrable Securities delivered for exchange, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Notes exchanged;

(v) notify each Holder that any Registrable Security not tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest, but will not retain any rights under this Agreement (except in the case of Participating Broker-Dealers as provided herein); and

(vi) otherwise comply in all material respects with all applicable laws relating to the Exchange Offer.

The Exchange Securities shall be issued under the Indenture, which shall be qualified under the TIA. The Indenture shall provide that the Exchange Securities and the Notes shall vote and consent together on all matters as a single class and shall constitute a single series of debt securities issued under the Indenture.

As soon as reasonably practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall:

(vii) accept for exchange all Registrable Securities duly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the letter of transmittal, which is an exhibit thereto;

(viii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Securities so accepted for exchange by the Company; and

(ix) cause the Trustee to authenticate and promptly deliver Exchange Securities to each Holder of Registrable Securities so accepted for exchange equal in principal amount to the principal amount of the Registrable Securities of such Holder so accepted for exchange.

Interest on each Exchange Security will accrue from the last date on which interest was paid or duly provided for on the Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for on such Notes, from the Interest Accrual Date. The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than (i) that the Exchange Offer, or the making of any exchange by a Holder, does not violate any applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC, (ii) that no action or proceeding shall have been instituted or threatened in any court or by or before any governmental agency with respect to the Exchange Offer that, in the Company’s judgment, would reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Company to proceed with the Exchange Offer, and (iii) that the Holders tender the Registrable Securities to the

 

6


Company in accordance with the Exchange Offer. Each Holder of Registrable Securities (other than Participating Broker-Dealers) who wishes to exchange such Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities in the Exchange Offer will be required to represent that (i) it is not an affiliate (as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) of the Company, (ii) any Exchange Securities to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of business, (iii) it has no arrangement with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the 1933 Act) of the Exchange Securities, and (iv) it is not acting on behalf of any Person who could not truthfully make the statements set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) immediately above, and shall be required to make such other representations as may be reasonably necessary under applicable SEC rules, regulations or interpretations to render the use of Form S-4 or another appropriate form under the 1933 Act available.

(b) Shelf Registration. (i) If, because of any change in law or applicable interpretations thereof by the staff of the SEC, the Company is not permitted to effect the Exchange Offer as contemplated by Section 2(a) hereof, or (ii) if for any other reason (A) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not declared effective within 20 business days after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that the Exchange Offer Registration Statement will not be reviewed, or will not be subject to further review or (B) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within 360 days after the Closing Date, or (iii) if any Holder is not eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer or elects to participate in the Exchange Offer but does not receive Exchange Securities that are freely tradeable without any limitations or restrictions under the 1933 Act, upon such Holder’s request, the Company shall, at its cost:

(A) use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a Shelf Registration Statement relating to the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders from time to time in accordance with the methods of distribution elected by the Majority Holders of such Registrable Securities and set forth in such Shelf Registration Statement;

(B) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC as promptly as practicable. In the event that the Company is required to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to clause (iii) above, the Company shall file and use its commercially reasonable efforts to have declared effective by the SEC both an Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) with respect to all Registrable Securities and a Shelf Registration Statement (which may be a combined Registration Statement with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) with respect to offers and sales of Registrable Securities held by such Holders described in clause (iii) above;

(C) use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required, in order to permit the Prospectus forming part thereof to be usable by Holders for a period of one year after the latest date on which any Notes are originally issued by the Company (subject to extension pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 3) or, if earlier, when all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement (i) have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the intended method of distribution thereunder, or (ii) cease to be Registrable Securities; and

 

7


(D) notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that (i) any Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and any Prospectus forming a part thereof and any supplements thereto comply in all material respects with the 1933 Act, (ii) any Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment thereto does not, when it becomes effective, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (iii) any Prospectus forming part of any Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement to such Prospectus does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, clauses (ii) and (iii) shall not apply to any statement in or omission from a Shelf Registration Statement or a Prospectus made in reliance upon and conformity with information relating to any Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer of Registrable Securities furnished to the Company in writing by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, respectively, expressly for use in such Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus.

The Company further agrees, if necessary, to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement if reasonably requested by the Majority Holders with respect to information relating to the Holders and otherwise as required by Section 3(b) below, to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause any such amendment to become effective and such Shelf Registration Statement to become usable as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter and to furnish to the Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after its being filed with the SEC.

(c) Expenses. The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with the registration pursuant to Section 2(a) and 2(b) and, in the case of any Shelf Registration Statement, will reimburse the Holders for the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) designated in writing by the Majority Holders to act as counsel for the Holders of the Registrable Securities in connection therewith; provided, however, that the Company shall not be responsible for reimbursement for the fees and disbursements of such counsel in an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000. Each Holder shall pay all fees and disbursements of its counsel other than as set forth in the preceding sentence, and all underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.

(d) Effective Registration Statement.

(i) The Company shall be deemed not to have used its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, to become, or to remain, effective during the requisite periods set forth herein if the Company voluntarily takes any action that could reasonably be expected to result in any such Registration Statement not being declared

 

8


effective or remaining effective or in the Holders of Registrable Securities (including, under the circumstances contemplated by Section 3(f) hereof, Exchange Securities) covered thereby not being able to exchange or offer and sell such Registrable Securities during that period unless (A) such action is required by applicable law or (B) such action is taken by the Company in good faith and for valid business reasons including, but not limited to, the acquisition or divestiture of assets or a material corporate transaction or event, or if the Company determines in good faith that effecting or maintaining the availability of the registration would materially and adversely affect an offering of securities of the Company or if the Company is in possession of material non-public information the disclosure of which would not be in the best interests of the Company, in each case so long as the Company promptly complies with the notification requirements of Section 3(k) hereof, if applicable (but not including avoidance of the Company’s obligations hereunder). Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the accrual of Additional Interest on any Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities.

(ii) An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof shall not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC; provided, however, that if, after such Registration Statement has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental agency or court, such Registration Statement shall be deemed not to have been effective during the period of such interference until the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement may legally resume.

(iii) During any 365-day period, the Company may, by notice as described in Section 3(e), suspend the availability of a Shelf Registration Statement (and, if the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is being used in connection with the resale of Exchange Securities by Participating Broker-Dealers as contemplated by Section 3(f), the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) and the use of the related Prospectus for up to two periods of up to 60 consecutive days each (except for the consecutive 60-day period immediately prior to final maturity of the Notes), but no more than an aggregate of 120 days during any 365-day period, upon (a) the happening of any event or the discovery of any fact referred to in Section 3(e)(v), or (b) if the Company determines in good faith that effecting or maintaining the availability of the registration would materially and adversely affect an offering of securities of the Company or if the Company is in possession of material non-public information the disclosure of which would not be in the best interests of the Company, in each case subject to compliance by the Company with its obligations under the last paragraph of Section 3.

(e) Increase in Interest Rate. In the event that:

(i) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not filed with the SEC on or prior to the 120th day following the Closing Date; or

(ii) The Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not declared effective within 20 business days after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that the Exchange Offer Registration Statement will not be reviewed, or will not be subject to further review; or

 

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(iii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated on or prior to the 360th day following the effective date of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement;

(each of the events referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above being hereinafter called a “Registration Default”), the per annum interest rate borne by the Registrable Securities shall be increased (“Additional Interest”) by one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) per annum immediately following such 120-day period in the case of clause (i) above or immediately following such 20-business-day period in the case of clause (ii) above or immediately following such 360-day period in clause (iii) above, which rate will be increased by an additional one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) per annum immediately following each 90-day period that any Additional Interest continues to accrue under any circumstances; provided that, if at any time more than one Registration Default has occurred and is continuing, then, until the next date that there is no Registration Default, the increase in interest rate provided for by this paragraph shall apply as if there occurred a single Registration Default that begins on the date that the earliest such Registration Default occurred and ends on such date that there is no Registration Default; provided further, that the aggregate increase in such annual interest rate may in no event exceed one-half of one percent (0.50%) per annum. Upon the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement after the 120-day period described in clause (i) above, the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement after the 20-business-day period described in clause (ii) above, or the consummation of the Exchange Offer following the 360-day period described in clause (iii) above, the interest rate borne by the Notes from the date of such consummation or effectiveness, as the case may be, shall be reduced to the original interest rate so long as no other Registration Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing at such time and the Company is otherwise in compliance with this paragraph; provided, however, that, if after any such reduction in interest rate, one or more Registration Defaults shall again occur, the interest rate shall again be increased pursuant to the foregoing provisions (as if it were the original Registration Default).

The Company shall notify the Trustee within ten business days after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which Additional Interest is required to be paid (an “Event Date”). Additional Interest shall be paid by depositing with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of Registrable Securities, on or before the applicable interest payment date, immediately available funds in sums sufficient to pay the Additional Interest then due. The Additional Interest due shall be payable on each interest payment date to the record Holder of Registrable Securities entitled to receive the interest payment to be paid on such date as set forth in the Indenture. Each obligation to pay Additional Interest shall be deemed to accrue from and including the day following the applicable Event Date.

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any Holder who was, at the time the Exchange Offer was pending and consummated, eligible to exchange, and did not validly tender, its Notes for Exchange Securities in the Exchange Offer will not be entitled to receive any Additional Interest.

 

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3. Registration Procedures.

In connection with the obligations of the Company with respect to the Registration Statements pursuant to Sections 2(a) and 2(b) hereof, the Company shall:

(a) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement or, if required, Registration Statements, within the time periods specified in Section 2, on the appropriate form under the 1933 Act, which form (i) shall be selected by the Company, (ii) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the selling Holders thereof and (iii) shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include or incorporate by reference all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith or incorporated by reference therein, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof;

(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary under applicable law to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof; cause each Prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act; and comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the selling Holders thereof;

(c) in the case of a Shelf Registration, (i) notify each Holder of Registrable Securities, at least ten business days prior to filing, that a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities is being filed and advising such Holders that the distribution of Registrable Securities will be made in accordance with the method elected by the Majority Holders; (ii) furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities and counsel for the Holders, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto and such other documents as such Holder or counsel may reasonably request, including financial statements and schedules and, if such Holder or counsel so requests, all exhibits (including those incorporated by reference) in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities; and (iii) subject to the penultimate paragraph of this Section 3, the Company hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the Holders of Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable law in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by and in the manner described in any Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;

 

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(d) use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities under all applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement shall reasonably request, to keep each such registration or qualification effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be effective and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Holder to consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of such Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or entity or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(d) or (ii) take any action that would subject it to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not then so subject;

(e) in the case of a Shelf Registration, notify each Holder of Registrable Securities and counsel for such Holders promptly:

(i) when a Registration Statement has become effective and when any post-effective amendments and supplements thereto become effective,

(ii) of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for post-effective amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information after a Registration Statement has become effective (other than comments to 1934 Act reports incorporated therein by reference),

(iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose,

(iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose,

(v) of the happening of any event or the discovery of any facts during the period a Shelf Registration Statement is effective that is contemplated in Section 2(d)(i) or that makes any statement made in such Shelf Registration Statement or the related Prospectus untrue in any material respect or that constitutes an omission to state a material fact in such Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus, or

(vi) when a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement has been filed.

Without limitation to any other provisions of this Agreement, the Company agrees that this Section 3(e) shall also be applicable, mutatis mutandis, with respect to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the Prospectus included therein to the extent that such Prospectus is being used by Participating Broker-Dealers as contemplated by Section 3(f);

(f) (A) in the case of an Exchange Offer, (i) include in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (1) a “Plan of Distribution” section covering the use of the Prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement by broker-dealers who have exchanged

 

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their Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities for the resale of such Exchange Securities and (2) a statement to the effect that any such broker-dealers who wish to use the related Prospectus in connection with the resale of Exchange Securities acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities will be required to notify the Company to that effect, together with instructions for giving such notice (which instructions shall include a provision for giving such notice by checking a box or making another appropriate notation on the related letter of transmittal) (each such broker-dealer who gives notice to the Company as aforesaid being hereinafter called a “Notifying Broker-Dealer”), (ii) furnish to each Notifying Broker-Dealer who desires to participate in the Exchange Offer, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, as such broker-dealer may reasonably request, (iii) include in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a statement that any broker-dealer who holds Registrable Securities acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (a “Participating Broker-Dealer”), and who receives Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer, may be a statutory underwriter and must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities, (iv) subject to the penultimate paragraph of this Section 3, the Company hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto by any Notifying Broker-Dealer in accordance with applicable law in connection with the sale or transfer of Exchange Securities, and (v) include in the transmittal letter or similar documentation to be executed by an exchange offeree in order to participate in the Exchange Offer the following provision:

“If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of Exchange Securities. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Registrable Securities, it represents that the Registrable Securities to be exchanged for Exchange Securities were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the 1933 Act;”

(B) to the extent any Notifying Broker-Dealer participates in the Exchange Offer, (i) the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement for a period of 180 days (subject to extension pursuant to the last paragraph of this Section 3) following the last date on which exchanges are accepted pursuant to the Exchange Offer, and (ii) the Company will comply, insofar as relates to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Prospectus included therein and the offering and sale of Exchange Securities pursuant thereto, with its obligations under Section 2(b)(D), the last paragraph of Section 2(b), Sections 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(g), 3(i), 3(j), 3(k), 3(o), 3(p), 3(q), 3(r) and 3(s), and the last three paragraphs of this Section 3 as if all references therein to a Shelf Registration Statement, the Prospectus included therein and the Holders of Registrable Securities referred,

 

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mutatis mutandis, to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Prospectus included therein and the applicable Notifying Broker-Dealers and, for purposes of this Section 3(f), all references in any such paragraphs or sections to the “Majority Holders” shall be deemed to mean, solely insofar as relates to this Section 3(f), the Notifying Broker-Dealers who are the Holders of the majority in aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Securities that are Registrable Securities; and

(C) the Company shall not be required to amend or supplement the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement as would otherwise be contemplated by Section 3(b) or 3(k) hereof, or take any other action as a result of this Section 3(f), for a period exceeding 180 days (subject to extension pursuant to the last paragraph of this Section 3) after the last date on which exchanges are accepted pursuant to the Exchange Offer and Notifying Broker-Dealers shall not be authorized by the Company to, and shall not, deliver such Prospectus after such period in connection with resales contemplated by this Section 3;

(g) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish counsel for the Holders of Registerable Securities copies of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information (other than comments to 1934 Act reports incorporated therein by reference);

(h) use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement as soon as practicable and provide prompt notice to each Holder of the withdrawal of any such order;

(i) in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon request, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto (without documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless requested);

(j) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and cause such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations (consistent with the provisions of the Indenture) and in a form eligible for deposit with the Depositary and registered in such names as the selling Holders may reasonably request in writing at least two business days prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities;

(k) in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon the occurrence of any event or the discovery of any facts as contemplated by Section 3(e)(v) hereof, use its commercially reasonable efforts to prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such Prospectus will not contain at the time of such delivery any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company

 

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agrees to notify each Holder to suspend use of the Prospectus as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an event, and each Holder hereby agrees to suspend use of the Prospectus until the Company has amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission. At such time as such public disclosure is otherwise made or the Company determines that such disclosure is not necessary, in each case to correct any misstatement of a material fact or to include any omitted material fact, the Company agrees promptly to notify each Holder of such determination and to furnish each Holder such number of copies of the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, as such Holder may reasonably request;

(l) obtain CUSIP and ISIN numbers for all Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, not later than the effective date of a Registration Statement, and provide the Trustee with printed or word-processed certificates for the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, in a form eligible for deposit with the Depositary;

(m) (i) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA in connection with the registration of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, (ii) cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes, if any, to the Indenture as may be required for the Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA and (iii) execute, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes, if any, and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;

(n) in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon request, make available for inspection by representatives of the Holders of the Registrable Securities participating in any disposition pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement and any one counsel or accountant retained by such Holders (with such inspection to occur at such time as mutually agreed between the Company and such Persons), all financial statements and other records, documents and properties of the Company reasonably requested by any such Persons, and cause the respective officers, directors, employees, and any other agents of the Company to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Persons in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement; provided, that any such Persons shall be required to execute a customary confidentiality agreement prior to taking such inspection;

(o) in the case of a Shelf Registration, a reasonable time prior to filing any Shelf Registration Statement, any Prospectus forming a part thereof, any amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to such Prospectus, provide copies of such document to the Holders of Registrable Securities and to counsel for any such Holders, and make such changes in any such document prior to the filing thereof as the Holders of Registrable Securities, or any of their counsel may reasonably request within a reasonable period of time, and cause the representatives of the Company to be available for discussion of such documents as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders of Registrable Securities and shall not at any time make any filing of any such document of which such Holders or their counsel shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy or to which such Holders or their counsel shall reasonably object within a reasonable time period;

 

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(p) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Registrable Securities to be listed on any securities exchange on which similar debt securities issued by the Company are then listed if requested by the Majority Holders;

(q) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities to be rated by the same rating agency that initially rated the Notes, if so requested by the Majority Holders, unless the Registrable Securities are already so rated;

(r) otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and, with respect to each Registration Statement and each post-effective amendment, if any, thereto and each filing by the Company of an Annual Report on Form 10-K, make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering at least twelve months that shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act and Rule 158 thereunder; and

(s) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with FINRA.

In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may (as a condition to such Holder’s participation in the Shelf Registration) require each Holder of Registrable Securities to furnish to the Company such information regarding such Holder and the proposed distribution by such Holder of such Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing and require such Holder to agree in writing to be bound by all provisions of this Agreement applicable to such Holder.

In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder agrees and, in the event that any Participating Broker-Dealer is using the Prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in connection with the sale of Exchange Securities pursuant to Section 3(f), each such Participating Broker-Dealer agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event or the discovery of any facts of the kind described in Sections 3(e)(ii) through 3(e)(vi) hereof, such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement until receipt by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, of (i) the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(k) hereof or (ii) written notice from the Company that the Shelf Registration Statement or the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, respectively, are once again effective or that no supplement or amendment is required. If so directed by the Company, such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, will deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies in its possession, other than permanent file copies then in its possession, of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the accrual of Additional Interest on any Registrable Securities.

If the Company shall give any such notice to suspend the disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph, the Company shall be deemed to have used its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement or, in the case of Section 3(f), the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as the case may be, effective during such period of suspension; provided that (i) such period of suspension shall not exceed the time

 

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periods provided in Section 2(d)(iii) hereof and (ii) the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file and have declared effective (if an amendment) as soon as practicable thereafter an amendment or supplement to the Shelf Registration Statement or the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or both, as the case may be, or the Prospectus included therein and shall extend the period during which the Shelf Registration Statement or the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or both, as the case may be, shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement (and, if applicable, the period during which Participating Broker-Dealers may use the Prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 3(f) hereof) by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the earlier of the date when the Holders or Participating Broker-Dealers, respectively, shall have received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus necessary to resume such dispositions and the effective date of written notice from the Company to the Holders or Participating Broker-Dealers, respectively, that the Shelf Registration Statement or the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, respectively, are once again effective or that no supplement or amendment is required.

4. Indemnification and Contribution.

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, each Participating Broker-Dealer and each Person, if any, who controls any Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, as follows:

(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) pursuant to which Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities were registered under the 1933 Act, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or any omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or any omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission described in subparagraph (i) above; provided that any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company; and

(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including, subject to Section 4(c) below, the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by any indemnified party), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission described in subparagraph (i) above, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under subparagraph (i) or (ii) above;

 

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provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

(b) Each Holder, severally but not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, each Participating Broker-Dealer and each other selling Holder and each Person, if any, who controls the Company, any Participating Broker-Dealer or any other selling Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in Section 4(a) hereof, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Shelf Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any Prospectus included therein (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information with respect to such Holder furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in the Shelf Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or such Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); provided, however, that no such Holder shall be liable for any claims hereunder in excess of the amount of net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement.

(c) Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure so to notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. Counsel to the respective indemnified parties shall be selected as follows: (i) counsel to the Company, its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement and all Persons, if any, who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall be selected by the Company; (ii) counsel to the Holders (other than Participating Broker-Dealers) and all Persons, if any, who control any Holders (other than any Participating Broker-Dealers) within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall be selected by the Holders who held or hold, as the case may be, a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities held by all such Holders; and (iii) counsel to the Participating Broker-Dealers and all Persons, if any, who control any such Participating Broker-Dealer within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall be selected by the Participating Broker-Dealers who held or hold, as the case may be, a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Securities referred to in Section 3(f) hereof held by all such Participating Broker-Dealers. In no event shall the indemnifying party or parties be liable for (A) the fees and expenses

 

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of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from the indemnifying parties’ own counsel for the Company and all other Persons referred to in clause (i) of this paragraph, (B) the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from the indemnifying parties’ own counsel for all Holders (other than Participating Broker-Dealers) and all other Persons referred to in clause (ii) of this paragraph, and (C) the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from the indemnifying parties’ own counsel for all Participating Broker-Dealers and all other Persons referred to in clause (iii) of this paragraph, in each case in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall elect, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, provided, however, if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. After notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation unless (A) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel, approved by the indemnifying party) or (B) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 4 (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 4 is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and of the indemnified party or parties on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable

 

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

(e) The Company and the Holders agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 4 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4, other than in the case of intentional misrepresentation or omission of a material fact, no Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which Registrable Securities sold by it exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

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

For purposes of this Section 4, each Person, if any, who controls a Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

The respective obligations of the Holders and Participating Broker-Dealers to contribute pursuant to this Section 4 are several in proportion to the principal amount of Notes purchased by them and not joint.

The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 4 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer or any Person controlling any Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, or by or on behalf of the Company, its officers or directors or any Person controlling the Company, (iii) acceptance of any of the Exchange Securities and (iv) any sale of Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.

 

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5. Miscellaneous.

(a) Rule 144 and Rule 144A. For so long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15 of the 1934 Act, the Company covenants that it will file all reports required to be filed by it under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder, that if it ceases to be so required to file such reports, it will upon the request of any Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable Securities (i) make publicly available such information (including, without limitation, the information specified in Rule 144(c)(2) under the 1933 Act) as is necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, (ii) deliver or cause to be delivered, promptly following a request by any Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable Securities or any prospective purchaser or transferee designated by such Holder or beneficial owner, such information (including, without limitation, the information specified in Rule 144A(d)(4) under the 1933 Act) as is necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, and (iii) take such further action that is reasonable in the circumstances, in each case to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell its Registrable Securities without registration under the 1933 Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (x) Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, (y) Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or (z) any similar rules or regulations hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable Securities, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company has not entered into nor will the Company on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof; provided that the Company will not be precluded from entering into any agreement after the date hereof that may or does result, directly or indirectly, in the payment of Additional Interest. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not and will not in any way conflict in any material respects with and are not and will not be inconsistent in any material respects with the rights granted to the holders of any of the Company’s other issued and outstanding securities under any other agreements entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or departure.

(d) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-class mail, electronic mail, or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery (i) if to a Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer at the most current address set forth on the records of the registrar under the Indenture, and (ii) if to the Company, initially at the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5(d).

 

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All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt is acknowledged, if sent via electronic mail; and on the next business day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee, at the address specified in the Indenture.

(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities in violation of the terms hereof or of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities, in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities, such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions on resale set forth in this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement, and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.

(f) Third Party Beneficiary. Each Holder and Participating Broker-Dealer shall be a third party beneficiary of the agreements made hereunder and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of other Holders hereunder. Each Holder, by its acquisition of Notes, shall be deemed to have agreed to the provisions of Section 5(b) hereof.

(g) Counterparts; Electronic Transmission. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Any facsimile or electronically transmitted copies hereof or signature hereon will, for all purposes, be deemed originals. Unless otherwise provided herein or in any other related document, the words “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” and “signature” and words of similar import used in this Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures and the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature in ink or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as applicable, to the fullest extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, and any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company is not under any obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Company pursuant to procedures approved by the Company.

(h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

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(i) Restriction on Resales. If the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 under the 1933 Act) shall redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any Registrable Security or any Exchange Security that is a “restricted security” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, the Company will deliver or cause to be delivered such Registrable Security or Exchange Security, as the case may be, to the Trustee for cancellation and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates will hold or resell such Registrable Security or Exchange Security or issue any new Security or Exchange Security to replace the same.

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

(k) Entire Agreement; Severability. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all oral statements and prior writings with respect hereto. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Company has caused this Registration Rights Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above written.

 

COMPANY     UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
    By:    

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. – 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026

[Signature page to Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Purchaser has caused this Registration Rights Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above written

 

PURCHASER
[INSERT PURCHASER’S NAME]
By:    
  Name: [insert name]
  Title: [insert title]

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. – 5.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026

[Signature page to Registration Rights Agreement]

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

Universal Insurance Holdings Completes Private Placement

of $100M of Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 to Support

Growth

Fort Lauderdale, Fla., November 23, 2021 – Universal Insurance Holdings (NYSE: UVE) (the “Company”) announced today that it has completed an upsized and oversubscribed private placement of $100 million aggregate principal amount of 5.625% senior unsecured notes due 2026 (the “Notes”) to certain institutional accredited investors and qualified institutional buyers.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this private placement for general corporate purposes, including growth capital as primary rate increases continue to earn through the Company’s book of business.

“We are very pleased to have completed this private placement to further our growth and to optimize our cost of capital, with strong demand from the top-tier investor community. We look forward to demonstrating continued execution on our multi-year strategic priorities, including disciplined growth in opportune markets and continued innovation in our services businesses, including our direct-to-consumer digital agency Clovered.com,” said Stephen J. Donaghy, Chief Executive Officer. “I would also like to thank the Universal team for their process management, Piper Sandler & Co. for their execution, and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Mayer Brown LLP for their guidance.”

Piper Sandler & Co. served as sole placement agent for the private placement. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP served as legal counsel to the Company, and Mayer Brown LLP served as counsel to the placement agent in connection with the private placement.

The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. In connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement with each of the purchasers of the Notes pursuant to which the Company has agreed to take certain actions to provide for the exchange of the Notes for notes that are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with substantially the same terms as the Notes. This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the senior notes or any other securities, nor will there be any offer, solicitation or sale of the senior notes or any other securities, in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The Company has offered and sold the Notes only to qualified institutional buyers (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) and institutional accredited investors (as defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act) in reliance upon the exemption under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and the provisions of Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder.


LOGO

 

About Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

Universal Insurance Holdings (UVE) is a holding company offering property and casualty insurance and value-added insurance services. We develop, market, and write insurance products for consumers predominantly in the personal residential homeowners lines of business and perform substantially

all other insurance-related services for our primary insurance entities, including risk management, claims management and distribution. We sell insurance products through both our appointed independent agents and through our direct online distribution channels in the United States across 19 states (primarily Florida). Learn more at UniversalInsuranceHoldings.com.

Investor Relations Contact:

Rob Luther, 954-892-6487

VP, Corporate Development, Strategy & IR

rluther@universalproperty.com

Media Relations Contact:

Andy Brimmer / Mahmoud Siddig, 212-355-4449

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher