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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM
8-K
 
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
 
Date of Report: September 9, 2024
(Date of earliest event reported)
 
 
 
Commission
File Number
 
Exact Name of Registrant
as specified in its charter
 
State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization
  
IRS Employer
Identification Number
001-12609
 
PG&E CORPORATION
 
California
  
94-3234914
001-02348
 
PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY
 
California
  
94-0742640
 
LOGO   LOGO
300 Lakeside Drive
 
300 Lakeside Drive
Oakland, California 94612
 
Oakland, California 94612
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
 
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(415)
973-1000
 
(415)
973-7000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
 
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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):
 
 
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, no par value   PCG   The New York Stock Exchange
First preferred stock, cumulative, par value $25 per share, 6% nonredeemable  
PCG-PA
  NYSE American LLC
First preferred stock, cumulative, par value $25 per share, 5.50% nonredeemable  
PCG-PB
  NYSE American LLC
First preferred stock, cumulative, par value $25 per share, 5% nonredeemable  
PCG-PC
  NYSE American LLC
First preferred stock, cumulative, par value $25 per share, 5% redeemable  
PCG-PD
  NYSE American LLC
First preferred stock, cumulative, par value $25 per share, 5% series A redeemable  
PCG-PE
  NYSE American LLC
First preferred stock, cumulative, par value $25 per share, 4.80% redeemable  
PCG-PG
  NYSE American LLC
First preferred stock, cumulative, par value $25 per share, 4.50% redeemable  
PCG-PH
  NYSE American LLC
First preferred stock, cumulative, par value $25 per share, 4.36% redeemable  
PCG-PI
  NYSE American LLC
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    PG&E Corporation   
Emerging growth company    Pacific Gas and Electric 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.
 
PG&E Corporation
  
Pacific Gas and El
ectr
ic Company
  
 
 
 

Item 8.01.
Other Events
On September 11, 2024, PG&E Corporation completed the sale of $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.375%
Fixed-to-Fixed
Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes due 2055 (the “Notes”), pursuant to a Subordinated Note Indenture, dated as of September 11, 2024 (the “Original Indenture”), as amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 11, 2024 (the “First Supplemental Indenture”, together with the Original Indenture, the “Indenture”), between PG&E Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. For further information concerning the Notes, refer to the exhibits attached to this report.
 
Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits.
 
Exhibit
 No. 
  
Description
 1.1    Underwriting Agreement, dated as of September 9, 2024, by and among PG&E Corporation, Barclays Capital Inc., BofA Securities, Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
 4.1    Subordinated Note Indenture, dated as of September 11, 2024, between PG&E Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee
 4.2    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 11, 2024 between PG&E Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (including the form of the Notes)
 5.1    Opinion of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, dated September 11, 2024
 8.1    Opinion of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, dated September 11, 2024
23.1    Consent of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 above)
23.2    Consent of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1 above)
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
   
PG&E CORPORATION
Date: September 11, 2024     By:  
/s/ Carolyn J. Burke
    Name:   Carolyn J. Burke
    Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
   
PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY
Date: September 11, 2024     By:  
/s/ Stephanie N. Williams
    Name:   Stephanie N. Williams
    Title:   Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Controller

Exhibit 1.1

Execution Version

PG&E Corporation

$1,000,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount

of 7.375% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes due 2055

Underwriting Agreement

New York, New York

September 9, 2024

Barclays Capital Inc.

745 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York 10019

BofA Securities, Inc.

One Bryant Park

New York, New York 10036

Mizuho Securities USA LLC

1271 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

550 South Tryon Street, 5th Floor

Charlotte, NC 28202

As Representatives of the several Underwriters

named in Schedule I hereto

Ladies and Gentlemen:

PG&E Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of California (the “Company”), proposes to sell to the several underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the “Underwriters”), for whom you (the “Representatives”) are acting as representatives, $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.375% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes due 2055 (the “Securities”), certain terms of which are set forth on Schedule II. The Securities are to be issued under an indenture, to be dated as of September 11, 2024 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”), as amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture to be dated as of September 11, 2024 (the “First Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), between the Company and the Trustee.


Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 which were filed under the Exchange Act on or before the Effective Date of the Registration Statement or the issue date of the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be, and any reference herein to the terms “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing of any document under the Exchange Act after the Effective Date of the Registration Statement or the issue date of the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be, deemed to be incorporated therein by reference. Certain terms used herein are defined in Section 21 hereof.

1. Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each Underwriter as set forth below in this Section 1.

(a) The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Act and has prepared and filed with the Commission an automatic shelf registration statement, as defined in Rule 405 (File No. 333-277286) on Form S-3, including a related Base Prospectus, for registration under the Act of the offering and sale of the Securities. Such Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto filed prior to the Execution Time, became effective upon filing. The Company may have filed with the Commission, as part of an amendment to the Registration Statement or pursuant to Rule 424(b), one or more preliminary prospectus supplements relating to the Securities, each of which has previously been furnished to you. The Company will file with the Commission a final prospectus supplement relating to the Securities in accordance with Rule 424(b) after the Execution Time. As filed, such final prospectus supplement shall contain all information required by the Act and the rules thereunder, and, except to the extent the Representatives shall agree in writing to a modification, shall be in all substantive respects in the form furnished to you prior to the Execution Time or, to the extent not completed at the Execution Time, shall contain only such specific additional information and other changes (beyond that contained in the Base Prospectus and any Preliminary Prospectus) as the Company has advised you, prior to the Execution Time, will be included or made therein. The Registration Statement, at the Execution Time, meets the requirements set forth in Rule 415(a)(1)(x). The initial Effective Date of the Registration Statement was not earlier than the date three years before the Execution Time. The Company agrees to pay the fees required by the Commission relating to the Securities within the time required by Rule 456(b)(1) without regard to the proviso therein and otherwise in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r).

(b) On each Effective Date, the Registration Statement did, and when the Final Prospectus is first filed in accordance with Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date, the Final Prospectus (and any supplement thereto) will, comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Act, the Exchange Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the respective rules thereunder; on each Effective Date, at the Execution Time and on the Closing Date, the Registration Statement did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; on the Effective Date and on the Closing Date the Indenture did or will comply in all material respects with the

 

2


applicable requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and the rules thereunder; and on the date of any filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date, the Final Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) will not include any 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, that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to (i) that part of the Registration Statement which shall constitute the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) under the Trust Indenture Act of the Trustee or (ii) the information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus (or any supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus (or any supplement thereto), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

(c) As of the Execution Time and as of the Closing Date, (i) the Disclosure Package and (ii) each Road Show, if any, when taken together as a whole with the Disclosure Package, did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from the Disclosure Package and any such Road Show based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

(d) (i) At the time of filing the Registration Statement, (ii) at the time of the most recent amendment thereto for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or form of prospectus), (iii) at the time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c)) made any offer relating to the Securities in reliance on the exemption in Rule 163, and (iv) at the Execution Time (with such date being used as the determination date for purposes of this clause (iv)), the Company was or is (as the case may be) a Well-Known Seasoned Issuer.

(e) (i) At the earliest time after the filing of the Registration Statement that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2)) of the Securities and (ii) as of the Execution Time (with such date being used as the determination date for purposes of this clause (ii)), the Company was not and is not an Ineligible Issuer, without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an Ineligible Issuer.

 

3


(f) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 5(b) hereto did not, as of their issue dates, and do not include any information that conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement, including any document incorporated therein by reference and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified. The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

(g) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of California, with full corporate power and authority to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a “Material Adverse Effect”).

(h) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(i) As of the date hereof, the Company has the authorized capitalization as set forth in Disclosure Package, and after giving effect to the issuance of the Securities and the use of net proceeds therefrom as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, the Company will have an authorized capitalization as set forth under the as adjusted column of the capitalization table in the section entitled “Capitalization.”

(j) All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock, including the Common Stock, of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and sold and are fully paid and non-assessable.

(k) The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company; and at the Closing Date, the Indenture will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company; and at the Closing Date, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Trustee, the Indenture will constitute, a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by laws and principles of equity affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, including, without limitation, bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium, receivership, assignment for the benefit of creditors laws (collectively, the “Enforceability Exceptions”); and the Indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act as of the Closing Date.

 

4


(l) The issuance and sale by the Company of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action; and, when issued and authenticated pursuant to the Indenture and delivered to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the consideration therefor specified herein, the Securities will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions.

(m) None of (i) the issue and sale of the Securities, (ii) the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Indenture, (iii) the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus and (iv) the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated herein, or the performance by the Company of any of its obligations set forth under this Agreement or the Indenture, will conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of: (i) the charter, bylaws or comparable constituent documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or bound or to which its or their property is subject, or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of its or their properties, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for such conflicts, breaches or violations which could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(n) After giving effect to the issue and sale of the Securities, the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, neither the Company nor any subsidiary will be in violation or default of (i) any provision of its charter or bylaws, (ii) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which it is a party or bound or to which its property is subject, or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Company or such subsidiary or any of its properties, as applicable, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for such conflicts, breaches or violations which could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(o) No holders of securities of the Company have rights to the registration of such securities under the Registration Statement, other than any such rights that have been waived or with respect to securities that have been so registered.

(p) Since January 1, 2024, there has not occurred any change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Disclosure Package that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5


(q) No action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or its or their property is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened that (i) would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the issue and sale of the Securities, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein or the performance by the Company of any of its obligations set forth under this Agreement or the Indenture, or (ii) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(r) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, will not be an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the 1940 Act.

(s) Except as set forth or contemplated in the Registration Statement, Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto), neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries (i) is in violation of any statute, any rule, regulation, decision or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, relating to the use, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or relating to the protection or restoration of the environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), (ii) owns or operates any real property contaminated with any substance that is subject to any Environmental Laws, (iii) is liable for any off-site disposal or contamination pursuant to any Environmental Laws, or (iv) is subject to any pending, or to the Company’s knowledge, threatened, claim relating to any Environmental Laws, in each case, which violation, obligation, contamination, liability or claim could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company is not aware of any facts, circumstances or events that could reasonably be expected to lead to any of the foregoing.

(t) The only subsidiaries of the Company are (i) Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a California corporation (the “Subsidiary”) and (ii) certain other subsidiaries which, considered in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, do not constitute a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X. The Subsidiary has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has corporate power and authority to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such qualification, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing

 

6


would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and non-assessable, and all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Subsidiary are owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance or claim, except as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto); and none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Subsidiary was issued in violation of the preemptive or similar rights of any security holder of the Subsidiary.

(u) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in each of the Registration Statement, Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto), (i) the Company and its subsidiaries have not incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, nor entered into any material transaction other than in the ordinary course of business; (ii) the Company has not purchased any of its outstanding capital stock (except as permitted under its existing equity compensation plans), nor declared, paid or otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind on its capital stock other than ordinary and customary dividends; and (iii) there has not been any material change in the capital stock, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries, except in each case as described or contemplated in each of the Registration Statement, Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(v) Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a Material Adverse Effect, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement, Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(w) No consent, approval, authorization, filing with or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required in connection with the issue and sale of the Securities, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement or the Indenture, the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus and the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated herein or the performance by the Company of any of its obligations set forth herein, except (i) such filings and recordings with governmental or regulatory authorities or agencies as may be required to perfect security interests under the Indenture; (ii) such as have been obtained, under the Act, the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and interpretations of the Commission thereunder or otherwise; and (iii) such as may be required under the blue sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters in the manner contemplated herein and in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.

 

7


(x) The consolidated historical financial statements and schedules of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and the Registration Statement present fairly in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates and for the periods indicated, comply as to form with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein). The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto in all material respects.

(y) Deloitte & Touche LLP, who have audited certain financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and delivered their report with respect to the audited consolidated financial statements and schedules incorporated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Act and the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder and of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

(z) The Company and each of its consolidated subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls over financial reporting sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability; (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 the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any material differences. The Company and its subsidiaries’ internal controls over financial reporting are effective and the Company and its subsidiaries are not aware of any material weakness in their internal controls over financial reporting.

(aa) The Company maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) and such disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter.

(bb) The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(cc) There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company and any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection thereunder, including Section 402 relating to loans and Sections 302 and 906 relating to certifications.

 

8


(dd) To the Company’s knowledge, none of the Company, any of its subsidiaries, or any director, officer, agent, affiliate or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently the subject of any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and the Company will not use the proceeds from the sale of the Securities, or knowingly lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, affiliate, joint venture partner or other person or entity for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently the subject of any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

(ee) None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries, or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, affiliate or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made or taken an act in furtherance of an offer, promise or authorization of any direct or indirect unlawful payment or benefit to any foreign or domestic government official or employee, including of any government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any 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; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any applicable law or regulation implementing the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, or committed an offence under the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law; or (iv) made, offered, agreed, requested or taken an act in furtherance of any unlawful bribe or other unlawful benefit, including, without limitation, any rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful or improper payment or benefit. The Company and its subsidiaries have instituted, maintain and enforce, and will continue to maintain and enforce policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote and ensure compliance with all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws.

(ff) The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance in all material respects with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the applicable money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions where the Company or any of its subsidiaries conducts business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(gg) (i) Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, there has been no security breach, disclosure or outage of, or unauthorized access to, the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ information technology or computer systems, networks, hardware, software, websites or applications, personally identifiable or confidential data or databases thereof (including all personally identifiable

 

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or confidential data of their respective customers, employees, suppliers, and vendors, and any third party personally identifiable or confidential data, in each case that is maintained, processed or stored by the Company and its subsidiaries, and any such personally identifiable or confidential data processed or stored by third parties on behalf of the Company and its subsidiaries), equipment or technology (collectively, “IT Systems and Data”); (ii) neither the Company nor its subsidiaries are aware or have been notified of any security breach, disclosure or outage of, or unauthorized access to, their IT Systems and Data; and (iii) the Company and its subsidiaries have implemented reasonable controls, policies, procedures, and technological safeguards and backup and disaster recovery technology designed to maintain and protect the confidentiality, integrity, operation, redundancy and security of their IT Systems and Data that are reasonably consistent with generally accepted industry standards and practices, or as required by applicable regulatory standards, except with respect to clauses (i) and (ii), for any such security breach, disclosure, outage, or unauthorized access as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, or with respect to clause (iii), where the failure to do so would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its subsidiaries have complied, and are presently in compliance, in all material respects, with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification.

(hh) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or any of its subsidiaries for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the negotiation, documentation and execution of the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement.

(ii) The Company and each of its subsidiaries have timely filed all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns required to be filed through the date of this Agreement and have timely paid all taxes required to be paid (except for cases in which the failure to file or pay would not have a Material Adverse Effect, or, except with respect to taxes currently being contested in good faith and for which reserves required by U.S. GAAP have been created in the financial statements of the Company), and no tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries which has had (nor does the Company nor any of its subsidiaries have any notice or knowledge of any tax deficiency which could reasonably be expected to be determined adversely to the Company or its subsidiaries and which could reasonably be expected to have) a Material Adverse Effect.

(jj) The Company has good and valid title to, or leasehold interests in, all real property and all personal property owned or leased by it, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims (i) except for such liens, encumbrances, equities or claims as are described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus and are permitted by the Indenture and (ii) except for such defects in title as are not reasonably likely to, individually or in the aggregate, materially

 

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interfere with the use made or to be made of such property by the Company or have a material adverse effect on (x) the condition (financial or other), results of operations or business of the Company or (y) the authority or the ability of the Company to enter into or perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Indenture or the Securities; and all real property and buildings held under material leases by the Company are held by it under leases that are valid, enforceable and in good standing, with no exceptions that would materially interfere with the use made or to be made of such property and buildings by the Company.

(kk) The Subsidiary has good and valid title to all real property and all personal property subject to the lien of the Mortgage Indenture (as defined below), in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims (i) except for such liens, encumbrances, equities or claims as are described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus and are permitted by the Indenture of Mortgage, dated as of June 19, 2020 (the “Mortgage Indenture”), between the Subsidiary and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as amended and supplemented) and (ii) except for such defects in title as are not reasonably likely to, individually or in the aggregate, materially interfere with the use made or to be made of such property by the Subsidiary or have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or other), results of operations or business of the Subsidiary.

(ll) The Company and the Subsidiary each carries, or is covered by, insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as is adequate for the conduct of their businesses and the value of their properties and as is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries. The Company and the Subsidiary (i) have not received notice from any insurer or agent of such insurer that substantial capital improvements or other material expenditures will have to be made in order to continue such insurance and (ii) have no reason to believe that they will not be able to renew their existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers at a cost that is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

2. Purchase and Sale. Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to each Underwriter, and each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company at a purchase price of 98.750% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, from September 11, 2024 to the Closing Date hereunder, the principal amount of Securities set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I.

 

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3. Delivery and Payment. Delivery of and payment for the Securities shall be made at 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017 on September 11, 2024, which date and time may be postponed by agreement between the Representatives and the Company or as provided in Section 9 hereof (such date and time of delivery and payment for the Securities being herein called the “Closing Date”). Delivery of the Securities shall be made to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters against payment by the several Underwriters through the Representatives of the aggregate purchase price for the Securities, plus accrued interest, if any, by wire transfer, to the account or accounts specified by the Company, in immediately available funds. Delivery of the Securities shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct.

4. Offering by Underwriters. It is understood that the several Underwriters propose to, and they hereby represent that they will, offer the Securities for sale to the public as set forth in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.

5. Agreements. The Company agrees with the several Underwriters that:

(a) Prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities, the Company will not file any amendment of the Registration Statement or supplement (including the Final Prospectus or any Preliminary Prospectus) to the Base Prospectus unless the Company has furnished you a copy for your review prior to filing and will not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object in a timely manner. The Company will cause the Final Prospectus, properly completed, and any supplement thereto to be filed in a form approved by the Representatives with the Commission pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) within the time period prescribed and will provide evidence satisfactory to the Representatives of such timely filing. The Company will promptly advise the Representatives (i) when the Final Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, shall have been filed (if required) with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b), (ii) when, prior to termination of the offering of the Securities, any amendment to the Registration Statement shall have been filed or become effective, (iii) of any request by the Commission or its staff for any amendment of the Registration Statement, or for any supplement to the Final Prospectus or for any additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use, any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for the purpose of suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, and (v) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to prevent (i) the issuance of such stop order or other order referred to in the preceding sentence, or (ii) the occurrence of (A) any suspension of the effectiveness, or objection to the use, of the Registration Statement or (B) any prevention or suspension of the use of the preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Final Prospectus and, upon such issuance, occurrence or notice of objection, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal of such stop order or relief from such occurrence or objection, including, if necessary, by filing an amendment to the Registration Statement or a new registration statement and using its reasonable best efforts to have such amendment or new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable.

 

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(b) The Company shall prepare a final term sheet for the Securities, containing solely descriptions of the respective final terms and offering of the Securities, in the form approved by you and attached as Schedule II hereto, and file such term sheet pursuant to Rule 433(d) within the time required by such Rule.

(c) If, at any time prior to the filing of the Final Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b), any event occurs as a result of which the Disclosure Package would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or the circumstances then prevailing not misleading, the Company will (i) notify promptly the Representatives so that any use of the Disclosure Package may cease until it is amended or supplemented; (ii) amend or supplement the Disclosure Package to correct such statement or omission; and (iii) supply any amendment or supplement to you in such quantities as you may reasonably request.

(d) If, at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and prior to the completion of the distribution of the Securities, any event occurs as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus would conflict with the information in the Registration Statement, Disclosure Package or the Final Prospectus or would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or the circumstances then prevailing not misleading, the Company will (i) notify promptly the Representatives so that any use of such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus may cease until it is amended or supplemented; (ii) amend or supplement such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to correct such statement or omission; and (iii) supply any amendment or supplement to you in such quantities as you may reasonably request.

(e) If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered under the Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), any event occurs as a result of which the Final Prospectus as then supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made at such time not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend the Registration Statement, file a new registration statement or supplement the Final Prospectus to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act or the respective rules thereunder, including in connection with use or delivery of the Final Prospectus, the Company promptly will (i) notify the Representatives of any such event, (ii) prepare and file with the Commission, subject to the second sentence of paragraph (a) of this Section 5, an amendment or supplement or new registration statement which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance, (iii) use its reasonable best efforts to have any amendment to the Registration Statement or new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable in order to avoid any disruption in use of the Final Prospectus and (iv) supply any supplemented Final Prospectus to you in such quantities as you may reasonably request.

 

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(f) As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Representatives an earnings statement or statements of the Company and its subsidiaries which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158.

(g) The Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and to each other Underwriter a copy of the Registration Statement (without exhibits thereto) and, so long as delivery of a prospectus by an Underwriter or dealer may be required by the Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), as many copies of each Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any supplement thereto as the Representatives may reasonably request. The Company will pay the expenses of printing or other production of all documents relating to the offering.

(h) The Company will arrange, if necessary, for the qualification of the Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and will maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Securities; provided that in no event shall the Company be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Securities, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject.

(i) The Company agrees that, unless it has or shall have obtained the prior written consent of the Representatives, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees with the Company that, unless it has or shall have obtained, as the case may be, the prior written consent of the Company, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405) required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433, other than the free writing prospectuses containing the information contained in the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 5(b) hereto, or one or more free writing prospectuses through customary Bloomberg distribution that do not contain substantive changes from or additions to the information contained in the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 5(b) hereto; provided that the prior written consent of the parties hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Free Writing Prospectuses included in Schedule III hereto or term sheet, substantially in the form of Schedule II hereto, and any Road Show. The Company consents to the use by any Underwriter of a free writing prospectus that (a) is not an “issuer free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 433, and (b) contains only (i) information describing the preliminary terms of the Securities or the offering or (ii) information permitted by Rule 134. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representatives or the Company is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company agrees that (x) it has treated and will treat, as the case may be, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and (y) it has complied and will comply, as the case may be, with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping and that it will not take any action that would result in any Underwriter or the Company being required to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) a Free Writing Prospectus prepared by or on behalf of such Underwriter that such Underwriter would not otherwise have been required to so file.

 

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(j) The Company will not take any action that would result in an Underwriter or the Company being required to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) a Free Writing Prospectus prepared by or on behalf of the Underwriters that the Underwriters otherwise would not have been required to file thereunder.

(k) During the period from the date of this Agreement through the Closing Date, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition (whether by actual disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or otherwise) by the Company or any controlled affiliate of the Company), directly or indirectly, or confidentially submit or file (or participate in the filing of) a registration statement with the Commission in respect of, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company (other than the Securities) or publicly announce an intention to effect any such transaction; provided that the prior written consent of the Representatives shall not be required for issuances of commercial paper or other debt securities with scheduled maturities of less than one year.

(l) The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(m) The Company agrees to pay the costs and expenses relating to the following matters: (i) the preparation, printing or reproduction and filing with the Commission of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and each amendment or supplement to any of them; (ii) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery (including postage, air freight charges and charges for counting and packaging) of such copies of the Registration Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and all amendments or supplements to any of them, as may, in each case, be reasonably requested for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities; (iii) the preparation, printing, authentication, issuance and delivery of certificates for the Securities, and any stamp or transfer taxes in connection with the original issuance and sale of the Securities; (iv) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery of this Agreement, any blue sky memorandum (the cost of such memorandum not to exceed $15,000) and all other agreements or documents printed (or reproduced) and delivered in connection with the offering of the Securities; (v) any registration or qualification of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of the several states (including filing

 

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fees and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters relating to such registration and qualification); (vi) any filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (including filing fees and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters relating to such filings); (vii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any Road Show undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Securities; (viii) the fees and expenses of the Trustee, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby; (ix) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants and the fees and expenses of counsel (including local and special counsel) for the Company; and (x) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder.

6. Conditions to the Obligations of the Underwriters. The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Securities shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company contained herein as of the Execution Time and the Closing Date, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

(a) The Final Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, shall have been filed in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); the final term sheet contemplated by Section 5(b) hereto, and any other material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time periods prescribed for such filings by Rule 433; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or threatened.

(b) The Representatives shall have received from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, counsel for the Company, their written opinion and negative assurance letter, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives.

(c) The Representatives shall have received from the General Counsel of the Company a written opinion, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives.

(d) The Representatives shall have received from Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Securities, the Indenture, the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) and other related matters as the Representatives may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

 

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(e) The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a certificate of the Company, signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President or the Treasurer and by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the signers of such certificate have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus and any supplements or amendments thereto, as well as each Road Show used in connection with the offering of the Securities, and this Agreement and that:

i. the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as if made on the Closing Date and the Company has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date;

ii. no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened; and

iii. since the date of the most recent financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto), there has been no Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(f) The Company shall have requested and caused Deloitte & Touche LLP to have furnished to the Representatives, at the Execution Time and at the Closing Date, letters, dated respectively as of the Execution Time and as of the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives.

(g) The Company shall have executed and delivered the Base Indenture and the First Supplemental Indenture, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives.

(h) Subsequent to the Execution Time or, if earlier, the dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement (exclusive of any amendment thereof) and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto), there shall not have been any change in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto) the effect of which is, in the judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement (exclusive of any amendment thereof), the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

 

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(i) Subsequent to the Execution Time, there shall not have been any decrease in the rating of any of the Company’s or the Subsidiary’s debt securities by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act) or any notice given of any intended or potential decrease in any such rating or of a possible change in any such rating that does not indicate the direction of the possible change.

(j) Prior to or on the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such further information, certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.

If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have been fulfilled when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, this Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be canceled at, or at any time prior to, the Closing Date by the Representatives. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or facsimile confirmed in writing.

The documents required to be delivered by this Section 6 shall be delivered by physical or electronic means to the office of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, at 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, on the Closing Date.

7. Reimbursement of Underwriters’ Expenses. If the sale of the Securities provided for herein is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth in Section 6 hereof is not satisfied, because of any termination pursuant to Section 10 hereof or because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof other than by reason of a default by any of the Underwriters, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters on demand for all expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) that shall have been incurred by them in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Securities.

8. Indemnification and Contribution.

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, the directors, officers, employees and agents of each Underwriter and each person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and each affiliate of any Underwriter within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or in any subsequent amendment thereof or the omission or

 

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alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or any other preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the Securities, the Final Prospectus, the Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Road Show, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and agrees to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8(b). This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.

(b) Each Underwriter severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Underwriter, but only with reference to written information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which any Underwriter may otherwise have. The Company acknowledges that the statements set forth (i) in the last paragraph of the cover page regarding delivery of the Securities, and (ii) under the heading “Underwriting,” (A) the sentences related to concessions and reallowances and (B) the paragraph related to short sales, stabilization, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in any Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the several Underwriters for inclusion in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Road Show.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b) above. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel

 

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of the indemnifying party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s election to appoint counsel to represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to one local counsel) for all such indemnified parties. An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and (ii) does not include any statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party. No indemnifying party will be liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with the consent of the indemnifying party or if there be a final judgment of the plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.

(d) In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 8 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, the Company and the Underwriters severally agree to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending the same) (collectively “Losses”) to which the Company and one or more of the Underwriters may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and by the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities; provided, however, that in no case shall any Underwriter (except as may be provided in any agreement among underwriters relating to the offering of the Securities) be

 

20


responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting discount or commission applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter hereunder. If the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law or unavailable for any reason, the Company and the Underwriters severally shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Benefits received by the Company shall be deemed to be equal to the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by it, and benefits received by the Underwriters shall be deemed to be equal to the total underwriting discounts and commissions, in each case as set forth on the cover page of the Final Prospectus. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or any alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information provided by the Company on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (d), in no event shall an Underwriter be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which (x) the underwriting discount or commission applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter hereunder as set forth on the cover page of the Final Prospectus exceeds (y) the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (d), no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 8, each person who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and each director, officer, employee and agent of an Underwriter shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, each officer of the Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph (d).

9. Default by an Underwriter. If, on the Closing Date, any one or more Underwriters shall fail to purchase and pay for any of the Securities agreed to be purchased by such Underwriter or Underwriters hereunder and such failure to purchase shall constitute a default in the performance of its or their obligations under this Agreement, the remaining Underwriters shall be obligated severally to take up and pay for (in the respective proportions which the principal amount of Securities set forth opposite their names in Schedule I hereto bears to the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth opposite the names of all the remaining Underwriters) the Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase; provided, however, that in the event that the aggregate principal amount of Securities which the defaulting Underwriter

 

21


or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase shall exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth in Schedule I hereto, the remaining Underwriters shall have the right to purchase all, but shall not be under any obligation to purchase any, of the Securities, and if such non-defaulting Underwriters do not purchase all the Securities, this Agreement will terminate without liability to any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company. In the event of a default by any Underwriter as set forth in this Section 9, the Closing Date shall be postponed for such period, not exceeding five Business Days, as the Representatives shall determine in order that the required changes in the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the Company and any non-defaulting Underwriter for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.

10. Termination. This Agreement shall be subject to termination in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice given to the Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Securities, if at any time prior to such delivery and payment: (a) (i) trading in the common stock of the Company shall have been suspended by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange, (ii) trading of any securities issued or guaranteed by the Company shall have been suspended by the Commission or the NYSE American LLC, (iii) (A) trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or limited, (B) minimum prices shall have been established on either of such exchanges, or (C) there shall have been a material disruption in the clearance or settlement of securities generally on either of such exchanges which makes it, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement, the Disclosure Package or the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto), (b) a banking moratorium shall have been declared either by Federal, California or New York State authorities, (c) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war, or other calamity or crisis which makes it, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement, the Disclosure Package or the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto) or (d) there shall have been such a material adverse change in general economic, political or financial conditions or the financial markets in the United States which makes it, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement, the Disclosure Package or the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

11. Representations and Indemnities to Survive. The respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of the Company or its officers and of the Underwriters 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 Underwriter or the Company or any of the officers, directors, employees, agents or controlling persons referred to in Section 8 hereof, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. The provisions of Sections 7 and 8 hereof shall survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

 

22


12. Notices. All communications hereunder will be in writing and effective only on receipt, and, if sent to the Representatives, will be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to each of

 

   

Barclays Capital Inc., 745 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019, Attention: Syndicate Registration, (Fax: 646-834-8133);

 

   

BofA Securities, Inc., 114 West 47th Street, NY8-114-07-01, New York, New York 10036; Attention: High Grade Transaction Management/Legal, Facsimile: (212) 901-7881;

 

   

Mizuho Securities USA LLC, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020, Attention: Debt Capital Markets (fax: 212-205-7812);

 

   

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 550 South Tyron Street, 5th Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202, Attention: Transaction Management or Email: tmgcapitalmarkets@wellsfargo.com; and

 

   

If sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to the Company’s General Counsel (fax no.: (510-898-9696) and confirmed to the Company’s General Counsel, PG&E Corporation, at 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, California 94612, Attention: General Counsel.

In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the Underwriters to properly identify their respective clients.

13. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers, directors, employees, agents and controlling persons referred to in Section 8 hereof, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

14. No Fiduciary Duty. The Company hereby acknowledges that (a) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters and any affiliate through which it may be acting, on the other, (b) the Underwriters are acting as principal and not as an agent or fiduciary of the Company and (c) the Company’s engagement of the Underwriters in connection with the offering and the process leading up to the offering is as independent contractors and not in any other capacity. Furthermore, the Company agrees that it is solely responsible for making its own judgments in connection with the offering (irrespective of whether any of the Underwriters has advised or is currently advising the Company on related or other matters). The Company agrees that it will not claim that the Underwriters have rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owe an agency, fiduciary or similar duty to the Company, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.

 

23


15. Research Analyst Independence. The Company acknowledges that the Underwriters’ research analysts and research departments are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that such Underwriters’ research analysts may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company and/or the offering of the Securities that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company may have against the Underwriters with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views expressed by their independent research analysts and research departments may be different from or inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Company by such Underwriters’ investment banking divisions. The Company acknowledges that each of the Underwriters is a full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the companies that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

16. Integration. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Company and the Underwriters, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

17. Applicable Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed within the State of New York.

18. Waiver of Jury Trial. The Company 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 relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

19. Counterparts. This Agreement or any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts by manual, facsimile or electronic signature, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The words “execution,” “signed,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement or any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries or 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, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means.

20. Headings. The section headings used herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

24


21. Definitions. The terms that follow, when used in this Agreement, shall have the meanings indicated.

“Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Base Prospectus” shall mean the base prospectus referred to in paragraph 1(a) above contained in the Registration Statement at the Execution Time.

“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.

“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Disclosure Package” shall mean (i) the Base Prospectus, (ii) the Preliminary Prospectus used most recently prior to the Execution Time, (iii) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus identified in Schedule III hereto, (iv) the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 5(b) hereto, if any, and (v) any other Free Writing Prospectus that the parties hereto shall hereafter expressly agree in writing to treat as part of the Disclosure Package.

“Effective Date” shall mean each date and time that the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment or amendments thereto, became or becomes effective and, if later, the date the annual report of the last completed fiscal year of the Company on Form 10-K was so filed.

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Execution Time” shall mean 3:35 p.m. New York City time on September 9, 2024, which is the time of the first contract of sale of the Securities.

“Final Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus supplement relating to the Securities that was first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) after the Execution Time, together with the Base Prospectus.

“Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean a free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405.

“Ineligible Issuer” shall mean an ineligible issuer, as defined in Rule 405.

“Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433.

“Preliminary Prospectus” shall mean any preliminary prospectus supplement to the Base Prospectus referred to in paragraph 1(a) above which is used prior to the filing of the Final Prospectus, together with the Base Prospectus.

 

25


“Registration Statement” shall mean the registration statement referred to in paragraph 1(a) above, including exhibits and financial statements and any prospectus supplement relating to the Securities that is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and deemed part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B, as amended on each Effective Date and, in the event any post-effective amendment thereto becomes effective prior to the Closing Date, shall also mean such registration statement as so amended.

“Road Show” shall mean a road show, as defined in Rule 433(h)(4) under the Act, together with any communication that is provided or transmitted simultaneously with such road show in a manner designed to make such communication available as part of such road show.

“Rule 134,” “Rule 144A,” “Rule 158,” “Rule 163,” “Rule 164,” “Rule 172,” “Rule 405,” “Rule 415,” “Rule 424,” “Rule 430B,” “Rule 433” and “Rule 501” refer to such rules under the Act.

“Trust Indenture Act” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Well-Known Seasoned Issuer” shall mean a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405.

22. Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes.

(a) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

(b) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

“BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k);

“Covered Entity” means any of the following:

 

  (i)

a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);

 

  (ii)

a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or

 

26


  (iii)

a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b);

“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable; and

“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

27


If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement among the Company and the several Underwriters.

 

Very truly yours,
PG&E CORPORATION
By:   /s/ Margaret K. Becker
  Name: Margaret K. Becker
  Title: Vice President, Internal Audit and Treasurer


The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first written above.

 

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.
By:   /s/ John Lembeck
  Name: John Lembeck
  Title: Director

For itself and as a Representative of the other several Underwriters named herein.


The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first written above.

 

BOFA SECURITIES, INC.
By:   /s/ Patrick Boultinghouse
  Name: Patrick Boultinghouse
  Title: Managing Director

For itself and as a Representative of the other several Underwriters named herein.


The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first written above.

 

MIZUHO SECURITIES USA LLC
By:   /s/ Stephen E. Leamer
  Name: Stephen E. Leamer
  Title: Managing Director

For itself and as a Representative of the other several Underwriters named herein.


The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first written above.

 

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC
By:   /s/ Carolyn Hurley
  Name: Carolyn Hurley
  Title: Managing Director

For itself and as a Representative of the other several Underwriters named herein.


SCHEDULE I

 

Name of Underwriter

   Principal
Amount of
7.375% Fixed-to-
Fixed Reset Rate
Junior
Subordinated
Notes due 2055 to
be Purchased
 

Barclays Capital Inc.

   $ 180,000,000  

BofA Securities, Inc.

   $ 180,000,000  

Mizuho Securities USA LLC

   $ 180,000,000  

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

   $ 180,000,000  

BMO Capital Markets Corp.

   $ 50,000,000  

BNP Paribas Securities Corp.

   $ 50,000,000  

Guggenheim Securities LLC

   $ 50,000,000  

MUFG Securities Americas Inc.

   $ 50,000,000  

SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc.

   $ 50,000,000  

BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC

   $ 30,000,000  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,000,000,000  


SCHEDULE II

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus dated September 9, 2024

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Registration No. 333-277286

(Supplementing the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement

dated September 9, 2024 to the Prospectus dated February 22, 2024)

PRICING TERM SHEET

 

LOGO

PG&E Corporation

September 9, 2024

$1,000,000,000 7.375% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes due 2055 (the “Notes”)

The information in this pricing term sheet relates to PG&E Corporation’s offering of Notes listed above and should be read together with the preliminary prospectus supplement dated September 9, 2024 (the “Preliminary Prospectus Supplement”) relating to such offering and the accompanying prospectus dated February 22, 2024, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, each filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, included in the Registration Statement No. 333-277286 (as supplemented by such Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, the “Preliminary Prospectus”). The information in this pricing term sheet supplements the Preliminary Prospectus and supersedes the information in the Preliminary Prospectus to the extent inconsistent with the information in the Preliminary Prospectus.

 

Issuer:    PG&E Corporation (the “Company”)
Anticipated Ratings (Moody’s/S&P/Fitch):*    [Intentionally Omitted]
Aggregate Principal Amount Offered:    $1,000,000,000
Issue Price:    100.000%, plus accrued interest, if any, from September 11, 2024
Trade Date:    September 9, 2024
Settlement Date:**    September 11, 2024 (T+2)
Maturity Date:    March 15, 2055
Interest Rate:    The Notes will bear interest (i) from and including September 11, 2024 (“original issue date”) to, but excluding, March 15, 2030 (the “First Reset Date”) at the rate of 7.375% per annum (the “Initial Interest Rate”) and (ii) from and including the First Reset Date, during each Reset Period (as defined in the Preliminary Prospectus) at a rate per annum equal to the Five-year U.S. Treasury Rate (as defined in the Preliminary Prospectus) as of the most recent Reset Interest Determination Date (as defined in the Preliminary Prospectus) plus a spread of 3.883%, to be reset on each Reset Date (as defined in the Preliminary Prospectus); provided, that the interest rate during any Reset Period will not reset below 7.375% (which equals the initial interest rate on the Notes).

 

II-1


   For the definitions of the terms “Reset Period,” “Five-year U.S. Treasury Rate,” “Reset Interest Determination Date” and “Reset Date,” and for other important information concerning the calculation of interest on the Notes, see “Description of the Notes—Interest Rate and Maturity” in the Preliminary Prospectus.
Interest Payment Dates:    Interest will be payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on March 15, 2025 (subject to the Company’s right to defer interest payments as described under “Optional Interest Deferral” below).
Regular Record Dates:    The close of business on the record date for the applicable interest payment date, which will be (i) the business day immediately preceding such interest payment date so long as all of the Notes remain in book-entry only form or (ii) the 15th calendar day preceding such interest payment date (whether or not a business day) if any of the Notes do not remain in book-entry only form.
Optional Interest Deferral:    So long as no event of default (as defined in the Preliminary Prospectus) with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing, the Company may, at its option, defer interest payments on the Notes, from time to time, for one or more deferral periods of up to 20 consecutive semi-annual Interest Payment Periods (as defined in the Preliminary Prospectus) each, except that no such Optional Deferral Period (as defined in the Preliminary Prospectus) may extend beyond the final maturity date of the Notes or end on a day other than the day immediately preceding an interest payment date. During any Optional Deferral Period, interest on the Notes will continue to accrue at the then-applicable interest rate on the Notes (as reset from time to time on any Reset Date occurring during such Optional Deferral Period in accordance with the terms of the Notes). In addition, during any Optional Deferral Period, interest on the deferred interest (“compound interest”) will accrue at the then-applicable interest rate on the Notes (as reset from time to time on any Reset Date occurring during such Optional Deferral Period in accordance with the terms of the Notes), compounded semi-annually, to the extent permitted by applicable law. No interest will be due or payable on the Notes during any such Optional Deferral Period unless the Company elects, at its option, to redeem Notes during such Optional Deferral Period, in which case accrued and unpaid interest (including, to the extent permitted by law, any compound interest) to, but excluding, the redemption date will be due and payable on such redemption date only on the Notes being redeemed, or unless the principal of and interest on the Notes shall have been declared due and payable as the result of an event of default with respect to the Notes, in which case all accrued and unpaid interest (including, to the extent permitted by law, any compound interest) on the Notes shall become due and payable. The Company may elect, at its option, to extend the length of any Optional Deferral Period that is shorter than 20 consecutive semi-annual Interest Payment Periods (so long as the entire Optional Deferral Period does not exceed 20 consecutive semi-annual Interest Payment Periods or extend beyond the final maturity date of the Notes) and to shorten the length of any Optional Deferral Period. The Company cannot begin a new Optional Deferral Period until the Company has paid all accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes from any previous Optional Deferral Period.

 

II-2


   For additional information and the definitions of the terms event of default, Optional Deferral Period and Interest Payment Period, see “Description of the Notes—Events of Default” and “Description of the Notes—Option to Defer Interest Payments” in the Preliminary Prospectus.
Proceeds to the Company:    $987,500,000 (after deducting the underwriting discount but before deducting estimated offering expenses payable by the Company).
Optional Redemption:   

At its option, the Company may redeem some or all of the Notes, as applicable, before their maturity, as follows:

 

•  in whole or in part (i) on any day in the period commencing on the date falling 90 days prior to the First Reset Date and ending on and including the First Reset Date and (ii) after the First Reset Date, on any interest payment date, at a redemption price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus, subject to the terms described in the first paragraph under “Description of the Notes— Redemption—Redemption Procedures; Cancellation of Redemption” in the Preliminary Prospectus, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed to, but excluding, the redemption date;

 

•  in whole but not in part, at any time following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Tax Event (as defined in the Preliminary Prospectus) at a redemption price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus, subject to the terms described in the first paragraph under “Description of the Notes—Redemption— Redemption Procedures; Cancellation of Redemption” in the Preliminary Prospectus, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to, but excluding, the redemption date; and

 

•  in whole but not in part, at any time following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Rating Agency Event (as defined in the Preliminary Prospectus) at a redemption price in cash equal to 102% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus, subject to the terms described in the first paragraph under “Description of the Notes—Redemption— Redemption Procedures; Cancellation of Redemption” in the Preliminary Prospectus, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to, but excluding, the redemption date.

 

For additional information and the definitions of the terms Tax Event and Rating Agency Event, see “Description of the Notes—Redemption” in the Preliminary Prospectus.

Use of Proceeds:    The Company expects to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including to prepay $500,000,000 of the loans outstanding under the HoldCo Term Loan Facility (as defined in the Preliminary Prospectus).
CUSIP / ISIN:    69331C AM0 / US69331CAM01
Joint Book-Running Managers:    Barclays Capital Inc.
BofA Securities, Inc.
Mizuho Securities USA LLC
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 

II-3


Co-Managers:   

BMO Capital Markets Corp.

BNP Paribas Securities Corp.

Guggenheim Securities, LLC

MUFG Securities Americas Inc.

SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc.

BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC

 

*

Note: A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time.

**

It is expected that delivery of the Notes will be made against payment for the Notes on or about September 11, 2024, which is the second business day following the date hereof (such settlement cycle being referred to as “T+2”). Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the Notes on the date hereof will be required, by virtue of the fact that the Notes initially will settle in T+2, to specify an alternative settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of the Notes who wish to trade the Notes during the period described above should consult their own advisors.

The issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering.

You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the issuer, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by contacting each of: Barclays Capital Inc. at 1-888-603-5847, BofA Securities, Inc. at 1-800-294-1322, Mizuho Securities USA LLC at 1-866-271-7403, or Wells Fargo Securities, LLC at 1-800-645-3751.

ANY DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY APPEAR BELOW ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS COMMUNICATION AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. SUCH DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES WERE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMUNICATION BEING SENT VIA BLOOMBERG OR ANOTHER EMAIL SYSTEM.

 

II-4


SCHEDULE III

1. Schedule of Free Writing Prospectuses included in the Disclosure Package:

(a) Pricing Term Sheet included as Schedule II hereto

Exhibit 4.1

Execution Version

 

 

 

PG&E CORPORATION

TO

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

TRUSTEE.

 

 

Subordinated Note Indenture

Dated As Of September 11, 2024

 

 

 


PG&E Corporation
Reconciliation and Tie Between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and
Subordinated Note Indenture, Dated as of September 11, 2024

Trust Indenture

Act Section

     

Indenture

Section

§310

  

(a)(1)

a)(2)

(a)(3)

(a)(4)

(b)

     

609

609

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

608,610

§311

  

(a)

(b)(4)

(b)(6)

(a)

     

613

613(a)

613(b)

701,702

§312

   (c)      

(a)

702(b)

§313

  

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

     

703(a)

703(b)

703(c),

704

703(c)

§314

  

(a)

(b)

(c)(1)

(c)(2)

(c)(3)

(d)

(e)

     

704, 1007

Not Applicable

102

102

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

102

§315

  

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(d)(1)

(d)(2)

(d)(3)

(e)

     

601(a)

602

601(b)

601(c)

601(a)(1)

601(c)(2)

601(c)(3)

514

§316

  

(a)

(a)(1)

(A)

(a)(1)

(B)

(a)(2)

(b)

     

101

502, 512

 

513

 

Not Applicable

508

§317

  

(a)(1)

(a)(2)

(b)

     

503

504

1003

§318

   (a)       107


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  
PARTIES      1  
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY      1  
ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION      1  

Section 101. Definitions.

     1  

“Act”

     1  

“Additional Interest”

     1  

“Affiliate”

     1  

“Authenticating Agent”

     2  

“Board of Directors”

     2  

“Board Resolution”

     2  

“Business Day”

     2  

“Certificate of a Firm of Independent Public Accountants”

     2  

“Commission”

     2  

“Company”

     2  

“Company Request” or “Company Order”

     2  

“Corporate Trust Office”

     2  

“Corporation”

     2  

“Defaulted Interest”

     2  

“Depositary”

     2  

“Eligible Obligations”

     2  

“Event of Default”

     2  

“Global Security”

     2  

“Government Obligations”

     2  

“Guarantee”

     3  

“Holder”

     3  

“Indenture”

     3  

“Interest Payment Date”

     3  

“Junior Subordinated Note”

     3  

“Maturity”

     3  

“Officer”

     3  

“Officer’s Certificate”

     3  

“Opinion of Counsel”

     3  

“Outstanding”

     3  

“Paying Agent”

     3  

“Person”

     3  

“Predecessor Security”

     3  

“Property Trustee”

     4  

“Redemption Date”

     4  

“Redemption Price”

     4  

“Regular Record Date”

     4  

“Responsible Officer”

     4  

“Securities Trust”

     4  

“Security Register” and “Security Registrar”

     4  

“Senior Indebtedness”

     4  

“Special Record Date”

     4  

“Stated Maturity”

     4  

“Trust Agreement”

     4  

“Trust Indenture Act”

     4  

“Trust Securities”

     4  

“Trustee”

     4  

“Vice President”

     4  

Section 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

     5  

Section 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

     5  

Section 104. Acts of Holders.

     5  

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

     6  

Section 106. Notice to Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes; Waiver.

     6  

Section 107. Conflict With Trust Indenture Act.

     6  

Section 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

     6  

Section 109. Successors and Assigns.

     6  

 

i)


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Section 110. Separability Clause.

     6  

Section 111. Benefits of Indenture.

     6  

Section 112. Governing Law.

     6  

Section 113. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process

     7  

Section 114. Legal Holidays.

     7  

ARTICLE TWO FORMS OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES

     7  

Section 201. Forms Generally.

     7  

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

     7  

Section 203. Junior Subordinated Notes Issuable in the Form of a Global Security.

     7  

ARTICLE THREE THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES

     8  

Section 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

     8  

Section 302. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

     10  

Section 303. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

     11  

Section 304. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Junior Subordinated Notes.

     11  

Section 305. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

     12  

Section 306. Persons Deemed Owners.

     12  

Section 307. Cancellation.

     13  

Section 308. Computation of Interest.

     13  

ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

     13  

Section 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Junior Subordinated Notes.

     13  

Section 402. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

     14  

Section 403. Application of Trust Money.

     14  

ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES

     15  

Section 501. Events of Default.

     15  

Section 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

     16  

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

     16  

Section 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

     16  

Section 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Junior Subordinated Notes.

     17  

Section 506. Application of Money Collected.

     17  

Section 507. Limitation on Suits.

     17  

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

     18  

Section 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

     18  

Section 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

     18  

Section 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

     18  

Section 512. Control by Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes.

     18  

Section 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.

     18  

Section 514. Undertaking for Costs.

     18  

Section 515. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

     19  

ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE

     19  

Section 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

     19  

Section 602. Notice of Defaults.

     19  

Section 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.

     20  

Section 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Junior Subordinated Notes.

     21  

Section 605. May Hold Junior Subordinated Notes.

     21  

Section 606. Money Held in Trust.

     21  

Section 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.

     21  

Section 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.

     22  

Section 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

     22  

Section 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

     22  

Section 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

     23  

Section 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

     23  

Section 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

     23  

Section 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

     24  

 

ii)


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

     25  

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

     25  

Section 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

     25  

Section 703. Reports by Trustee.

     25  

Section 704. Reports by Company.

     25  

ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

     26  

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

     26  

Section 802. Successor Corporation Substituted.

     26  

ARTICLE NINE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

     26  

Section 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

     26  

Section 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.

     27  

Section 903. General Provisions Regarding Supplemental Indenture.

     27  

Section 904. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

     28  

Section 905. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

     28  

Section 906. Conformity With Trust Indenture Act.

     28  

Section 907. Reference in Junior Subordinated Notes to Supplemental Indentures.

     28  

ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS

     28  

Section 1001. Payment of Principal and Interest.

     28  

Section 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

     28  

Section 1003. Money for Junior Subordinated Notes Payments to be Held in Trust.

     28  

Section 1004. Additional Interest.

     29  

Section 1005. Corporate Existence.

     29  

Section 1006. Limitations on Dividend and Certain Other Payments.

     29  

Section 1007. Statement as to Compliance.

     30  

Section 1008. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

     30  

ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES

     30  

Section 1101. Applicability of Article.

     30  

Section 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

     30  

Section 1103. Selection by Trustee of Junior Subordinated Notes to be Redeemed.

     30  

Section 1104. Notice of Redemption.

     31  

Section 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.

     31  

Section 1106. Junior Subordinated Notes Payable on Redemption Date.

     31  

Section 1107. Junior Subordinated Notes Redeemed in Part.

     32  

ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS

     32  

Section 1201. Applicability of Article.

     32  

Section 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments With Junior Subordinated Notes.

     32  

Section 1203. Redemption of Junior Subordinated Notes for Sinking Fund.

     32  

ARTICLE THIRTEEN SUBORDINATION

     32  

Section 1301. Junior Subordinated Notes Subordinate to Senior Indebtedness.

     32  

Section 1302. Payment of Proceeds Upon Dissolution, Etc.

     33  

Section 1303. No Payment When Senior Indebtedness in Default.

     33  

Section 1304. Payment Permitted if No Default.

     33  

Section 1305. Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness.

     33  

Section 1306. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights.

     34  

Section 1307. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.

     34  

Section 1308. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.

     34  

Section 1309. Trust Moneys Not Subordinated.

     34  

Section 1310. Notice to the Trustee.

     34  

Section 1311. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.

     35  

Section 1312. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness.

     35  

Section 1313. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness; Preservation of Trustee’s Rights.

     35  

Section 1314. Article Applicable to Paying Agents.

     35  

Section 1315. Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions.

     35  

 

iii)


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE FOURTEEN MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     36  

Section 1401. No Recourse Against Others.

     36  

Section 1402. Set-Off.

     36  

Section 1403. Assignment; Binding Effect.

     36  

Section 1404. Additional Interest.

     36  

Section 1405. Execution in Counterparts; Electronic Signatures.

     36  

Section 1406. Severability.

     36  

Section 1407. Waiver of Jury Trial.

     36  

Section 1408. USA Patriot Act.

     36  

Section 1409. Electronic Communications.

     37  

Section 1410. FATCA.

     37  

 

iv)


SUBORDINATED NOTE INDENTURE

THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE INDENTURE is made as of September 11, 2024, between PG&E CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the California (herein called the “Company”), having its principal office at 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, California 94612 and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., a national banking association, having its corporate trust office at 311 South Wacker Drive, Floor 62, Suite 6200B, Mailbox #44, Chicago, Illinois 60606, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Subordinated Note Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured subordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Junior Subordinated Notes”), to be issued in one or more series as in this Subordinated Note Indenture provided; and

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

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Junior Subordinated Notes by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Junior Subordinated Notes or of series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS

OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 101. Definitions.

For all purposes of this Subordinated Note Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

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

(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

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

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

(5) Trust Securities related to a particular series of Junior Subordinated Notes means the series of Trust Securities the proceeds of the sale of which were loaned to the Company in exchange for such series of Junior Subordinated Notes, and the guarantee related to such series of Trust Securities means the guarantee pursuant to which the Company has guaranteed, to the extent stated therein, the payment of distributions and certain other amounts with respect to such series of Trust Securities.

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

“Act”, when used with respect to any Holder of a Junior Subordinated Note, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

“Additional Interest” means (i) such additional amounts as may be required so that the net amounts received and retained by the Holder (if the Holder is a Securities Trust formed to issue Trust Securities, the proceeds of which are used to purchase subordinated notes of one or more series) after paying taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (other than withholding taxes) imposed by the United States or any other taxing authority will not be less than the amounts the Holder would have received had no such taxes, duties, assessments, or other governmental charges been imposed; and (ii) any interest due and not paid on an Interest Payment Date, together with interest thereon from such Interest Payment Date to the date of payment, compounded quarterly, on each Interest Payment Date.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Securities Trust organized by the Company shall not be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Company.

 

1


“Authenticating Agent” means any Person or Persons authorized by the Trustee to authenticate one or more series of Junior Subordinated Notes.

“Board of Directors” means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of the officers and/or directors of the Company appointed by that board.

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

“Business Day” means a day other than (i) a Saturday or a Sunday, (ii) a day on which banks in New York, New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to remain closed, or (iii) a day on which the Trustee’s Corporate Trust Office or Property Trustee’s principal corporate trust office is closed for business.

“Certificate of a Firm of Independent Public Accountants” means a certificate signed by an independent public accountant or a firm of independent public accountants who may be the independent public accountants regularly retained by the Company or who may be other independent public accountants. Such accountant or firm shall be entitled to rely upon an Opinion of Counsel as to the interpretation of any legal matters relating to such certificate.

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

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

“Company Request” or “Company Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chair of the Board, its President, a Vice President, its Chief Financial Officer, its Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the designated office of the Trustee in the contiguous United States of America at which at any time this Indenture shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 311 South Wacker Drive, Floor 62, Suite 6200B, Mailbox #44, Chicago, Illinois 60606, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or such other address in the contiguous United States of America as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the designated corporate trust office in the contiguous United States of America 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).

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

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 305.

“Depositary” means, unless otherwise specified by the Company pursuant to either Section 203 or 301, with respect to Junior Subordinated Notes of any series issuable or issued as a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or any successor thereto registered as a clearing agency under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable statute or regulation.

“Electronic Means” means the following communications methods: e-mail, secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Trustee and Paying Agent, or another method or system specified by the Trustee and Paying Agent as available for use in connection with its services hereunder.

“Eligible Obligations” means:

(a) with respect to Junior Subordinated Notes denominated in Dollars, Government Obligations; or

(b) with respect to Junior Subordinated Notes denominated in a currency other than Dollars or in a composite currency, such other obligations or instruments as shall be specified with respect to such Junior Subordinated Notes as contemplated by Section 301.

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

“Global Security” means, with respect to any series of Junior Subordinated Notes issued hereunder, a Junior Subordinated Note that is executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with Section 203 of this Indenture and any indenture supplemental hereto.

“Government Obligations” means securities which are (a) (i) direct obligations of the United States where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States where the timely payment or payments thereunder are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States or (b) depository receipts issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided, that, (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

2


“Guarantee” means a Guarantee Agreement, if any, executed and delivered by the Company for the benefit of the holders from time to time of all or a portion of the Trust Securities of a Securities Trust.

“Holder”, when used with respect to any Junior Subordinated Note, means the Person in whose name the Junior Subordinated Note is registered in the Security Register.

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the particular series of Junior Subordinated Notes established as contemplated by Section 301.

“Interest Payment Date”, when used with respect to any series of Junior Subordinated Notes, means the dates established for the payment of interest thereon, as provided in the supplemental indenture for such series.

“Junior Subordinated Note” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Junior Subordinated Notes authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Maturity”, when used with respect to any Junior Subordinated Note, means the date on which the principal of such Junior Subordinated Note or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chair of the board of directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Vice President, in each case, of such Person.

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an Officer of the Company, that meets the requirements set forth in Section 102.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company, and who shall be acceptable to the Trustee.

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

(i) Junior Subordinated Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(ii) Junior Subordinated Notes for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Junior Subordinated Notes; provided that if such Junior Subordinated Notes are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(iii) Junior Subordinated Notes that have been paid or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Junior Subordinated Notes have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Junior Subordinated Notes in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Junior Subordinated Notes are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Junior Subordinated Notes are valid obligations of the Company; and

(iv) Junior Subordinated Notes, or portions thereof, converted into or exchanged for another security if the terms of such Junior Subordinated Notes provide for such conversion or exchange;

provided, however, that in determining, during any period in which any Junior Subordinated Notes of a series are owned by any Person other than the Company or any Affiliate thereof, whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes of such series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Junior Subordinated Notes of such series owned by the Company or any Affiliate thereof shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding. In determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Junior Subordinated Notes that the Trustee knows to be so owned by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company in the above circumstances shall be so disregarded. Junior Subordinated Notes so owned that 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 Junior Subordinated Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company or any Affiliate of the Company.

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

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

“Predecessor Security” of any particular Junior Subordinated Note means every previous Junior Subordinated Note evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Junior Subordinated Note; and, for the purposes of this definition, any

 

3


Junior Subordinated Note authenticated and delivered under Section 304 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Junior Subordinated Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Junior Subordinated Note.

“Property Trustee”, when used with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes of any series, means the Person designated as such in the related Trust Agreement.

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

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

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

“Responsible Officer”, when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer of the Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Securities Trust” means any statutory business trust formed by the Company or an Affiliate to issue Trust Securities, the proceeds of which will be used to purchase Junior Subordinated Notes of one or more series.

“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 303.

“Senior Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Company, (i) any payment due in respect of indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding at the date of execution of this Subordinated Note Indenture or thereafter incurred, created, or assumed, (a) in respect of money borrowed (including any financial derivative, hedging or futures contract or similar instrument) and (b) evidenced by securities, debentures, bonds, notes or other similar instruments issued by the Company which, by their terms, are senior or senior subordinated debt securities including, without limitation, all obligations under its indentures with various trustees; (ii) all capital lease obligations; (iii) all obligations issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations and all obligations of the Company under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business and long-term purchase obligations); (iv) all obligations for the reimbursement of any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit transaction; (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above of other persons the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above of other persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the Company), except for (1) any such indebtedness that is by its terms subordinated to or pari passu with the Junior Subordinated Notes and (2) any unsecured indebtedness between or among the Company or its Affiliates. Such Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions contained in Article Thirteen irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness.

“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Junior Subordinated Notes of any series means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 305.

“Stated Maturity”, when used with respect to any Junior Subordinated Note or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Junior Subordinated Note as the fixed date on which the principal of such Junior Subordinated Note or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

“Trust Agreement”, when used with respect to a Securities Trust, means the agreement or instrument that governs the affairs of such Securities Trust.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and any reference herein to the Trust Indenture Act or a particular provision thereof shall mean such Trust Indenture Act or provision, as the case may be, as amended or replaced from time to time.

“Trust Securities” means the securities issued by a Securities Trust evidencing the entire beneficial interest therein.

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

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

 

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Section 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include

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

(ii) 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;

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

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

Section 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

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

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous. Any Opinion of Counsel may be rendered, insofar as it relates to matters of New York law, in reliance on an opinion of New York counsel, which may be an opinion contemporaneously delivered to a third party or parties and shall expressly permit such reliance.

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

Section 104. Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (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, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.

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

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

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

(e) The fact and date of execution of any such instrument or writing and the authority of the Person executing the same may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section.

 

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(f) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes of any series any Act, the Company may, at its option, by Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes entitled to take such Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Any such record date shall be fixed at the Company’s discretion. If such a record date is fixed, such Act may be sought or given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Junior Subordinated Notes of such series Outstanding have authorized or agreed or consented to such Act, and for that purpose the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series Outstanding shall be computed as of such record date.

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

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

(1) the Trustee by any Holder of a Junior Subordinated Note or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or transmitted by direct written electronic means to such telephone number or other electronic communications address as the Trustee shall from time to time designate, or transmitted by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery, charges prepaid, to the Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office,

(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and transmitted by direct written electronic means to such telephone number or other electronic communications address as the Company shall from time to time designate, or transmitted by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery, charges prepaid, to the Company addressed to the attention of its General Counsel, at 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, California 94612, or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

Section 106. Notice to Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes; Waiver.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid (or by electronic mail in accordance with the accepted practices and procedures at the Depositary), to each Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such Notice.

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

Section 107. Conflict With Trust Indenture Act.

If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required to be a part of and govern this Indenture, such required provision shall control.

Section 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

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

Section 109. Successors and Assigns.

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

Section 110. Separability Clause.

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

Section 111. Benefits of Indenture.

Nothing in this Indenture or the Junior Subordinated Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, their successors hereunder and the Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes and, to the extent provided in Section 1303, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or Trust Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 112. Governing Law.

This Indenture and the Junior Subordinated Notes shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

 

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Section 113. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process

The Company submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in New York City over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture or any Junior Subordinated Note. The Company irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

Section 114. Legal Holidays.

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Junior Subordinated Note shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Junior Subordinated Notes) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, provided that no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.

ARTICLE TWO

FORMS OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES

Section 201. Forms Generally.

The Junior Subordinated Notes of each series shall be in substantially the form appended to the supplemental indenture authorizing such series, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Junior Subordinated Notes, as evidenced by their execution of the Junior Subordinated Notes.

The Junior Subordinated Notes of each series shall be issuable in registered form without coupons.

The definitive Junior Subordinated Notes may be printed, typewritten, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Junior Subordinated Notes, as evidenced by their execution of such Junior Subordinated Notes.

Section 202. Form of Trustees Certificate of Authentication.

The form of the Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication for a series of Junior Subordinated Notes shall be in substantially the form appended to the Supplemental Indenture authorizing such series.

Section 203. Junior Subordinated Notes Issuable in the Form of a Global Security.

(a) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 301 that the Junior Subordinated Notes of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 302 and the Company Order delivered to the Trustee thereunder, authenticate and deliver such Global Security or Securities, which (i) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, (ii) may provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges, (iii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, (iv) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and (v) shall bear a legend in accordance with the requirements of the Depositary.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 203 or of Section 303, subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) below, unless the terms of a Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for individual Junior Subordinated Notes, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 303, only to a nominee of the Depositary for such Global Security, or to the Depositary, or to a successor Depositary for such Global Security selected or approved by the Company, or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

(c) (1) If at any time the Depositary for a Global Security notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time the Depositary for the Junior Subordinated Notes for such series shall no longer be eligible or in good standing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable statute or regulation, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security. If a successor Depositary for such Global Security is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Junior Subordinated Notes of such series in exchange for such Global Security, will authenticate and deliver individual Junior Subordinated Notes of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security in exchange for such Global Security.

 

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(2) The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Junior Subordinated Notes of any series issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities. In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request for the authentication and delivery of individual Junior Subordinated Notes of such series in exchange in whole or in part for such Global Security, will authenticate and deliver individual Junior Subordinated Notes of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security or Securities representing such series in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

(3) If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 301 with respect to Junior Subordinated Notes issued or issuable in the form of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for individual Junior Subordinated Notes of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and such Depositary. Thereupon the Company shall execute, and, upon receipt of a Company Request for the authentication and delivery of individual Junior Subordinated Notes of such series in exchange in whole or in part for such Global Security, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, (A) to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Junior Subordinated Note or Notes of the same series of like tenor and terms and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and (B) to such Depositary a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in an authorized denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Junior Subordinated Notes delivered to Holders thereof.

(4) In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver individual Junior Subordinated Notes in definitive form in authorized denominations. Upon the exchange of the entire principal amount of a Global Security for individual Junior Subordinated Notes, such Global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee. Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, Junior Subordinated Notes issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. Provided that the Company has so directed in writing, the Trustee shall deliver such Junior Subordinated Notes to the Persons in whose names the Junior Subordinated Notes are registered.

(5) Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, or changes in the rights of Holders, of Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered pursuant to Section 302 with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 302, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any such Global Security in the manner and upon written instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 302 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to such Global Security shall be in writing but need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officer’s Certificate and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

ARTICLE THREE

THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES

Section 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Junior Subordinated Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Junior Subordinated Notes may be issued in one or more series. There may be established, pursuant to one or more indentures supplemental hereto or in a Board Resolution, or in an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a Supplemental Indenture or a Board Resolution, prior to the issuance of Junior Subordinated Notes of any series,

(1) the title of the Junior Subordinated Notes of the series (which shall distinguish the Junior Subordinated Notes of the series from Junior Subordinated Notes of all other series);

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Notes of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Junior Subordinated Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Junior Subordinated Notes of the series pursuant to Sections 203, 303, 304, 907 or 1107);

(3) the Person to whom interest on a Junior Subordinated Note of the series shall be payable if other than the Person in whose name that Junior Subordinated Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;

(4) the date or dates on which the principal of the Junior Subordinated Notes of the series is payable or any formula or other method or other means by which such date or dates shall be determined, by reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of this Indenture or otherwise (without regard to any provisions for redemption, prepayment, acceleration, purchase or extension) and the right, if any, to extend the Maturity of the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series, and the duration of any such extension;

 

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(5) the rate or rates at which the Junior Subordinated Notes of the series shall bear interest, if any (including the rate or rates at which overdue principal shall bear interest, if different from the rate or rates at which such Junior Subordinated Notes shall bear interest prior to Maturity, and if applicable, the rate or rates at which overdue premium or interest shall bear interest, if any), or any method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, or any formula or other method or other means by which such rate or rates shall be determined, by reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of this Indenture or otherwise, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable, the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on Junior Subordinated Notes on any Interest Payment Date and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of any such extension;

(6) the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Junior Subordinated Notes of the series shall be payable;

(7) the methods by which (i) registration of transfer of Junior Subordinated Notes of such series may be effected, (ii) exchanges of Junior Subordinated Notes of such series may be effected and (iii) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series and this Indenture may be made, given, furnished, filed or served, if other than as provided in Section 105; the Security Registrar and any Paying Agent or Agents for such series; and, if such is the case, that the principal of such Junior Subordinated Notes shall be payable without the presentment or surrender thereof;

(8) if the time for the giving of redemption notices for such series of Junior Subordinated Notes shall be other than as provided in Section 1104, such different time, and the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company (including, without limitation, any provision for the payment of a “make-whole”, yield-maintenance or similar premium in connection with the redemption of Junior Subordinated Notes of such series during a “no-call” or other period during which such Junior Subordinated Notes are generally not subject to optional redemption by the Company) and any restrictions on such redemptions;

(9) the obligation or obligations, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which, Junior Subordinated Notes of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and applicable exceptions to the requirements of Section 1104 in the case of mandatory redemption or redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder;

(10) the denominations in which Junior Subordinated Notes of the series shall be issuable;

(11) the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series shall be payable (if other than in Dollars); it being understood that, for purposes of calculations under this Indenture, any amounts denominated in a currency other than Dollars or in a composite currency shall be converted to Dollar equivalents by calculating the amount of Dollars which could have been purchased by the amount of such other currency based on such quotations or methods of determination as shall be specified pursuant to this clause (11);

(12) if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a coin or currency other than that in which the Junior Subordinated Notes are stated to be payable, the coin or currency in which payment of any amount as to which such election is made will be payable (which currency shall be acceptable to the Trustee), the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made; it being understood that, for purposes of calculations under this Indenture, any such election shall be required to be taken into account, in the manner contemplated in clause (10) of this paragraph, only after such election shall have been made;

(13) if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series are to be payable, or are to be payable at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in securities or other property, the type and amount of such securities or other property, or the formula or other method or other means by which such amount shall be determined, and the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, any such election may be made; it being understood that all calculations under this Indenture shall be made on the basis of the fair market value of such securities or the fair value of such other property, in either case determined as of the most recent practicable date, except that, in the case of any amount of principal or interest that may be so payable at the election of the Company or a Holder, if such election shall not yet have been made, such calculations shall be made on the basis of the amount of principal or interest, as the case may be, that would be payable if no such election were made;

(14) if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest) on the Junior Subordinated Notes of the series may be determined with reference to an index or formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(15) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company as provided herein pertaining to the Junior Subordinated Notes of the series, and any change in the rights of the Trustee or Holders of such series pursuant to Section 901 or 902;

(16) any additions to the definitions currently set forth in this Indenture with respect to such series;

(17) whether the Junior Subordinated Notes of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities; the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for certificated Junior Subordinated Notes of such series and of like tenor of any authorized denomination and the circumstances under which such exchange may occur, if other than in the manner provided for in Section 203; the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities; and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in Section 203;

 

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(18) to the extent not established pursuant to clause (17) of this paragraph, any limitations on the rights of the Holders of the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series to transfer or exchange such Junior Subordinated Notes or to obtain the registration of transfer thereof; and if a service charge will be made for the registration of transfer or exchange of Junior Subordinated Notes of such series, the amount or terms thereof;

(19) the right, if any, of the Company to extend the interest payment periods of such series of Junior Subordinated Notes, including the maximum duration of any such extension or extensions, the Additional Interest, if any, payable on such Junior Subordinated Notes during any extension of the interest payment period and any notice (which shall include written notice to the Trustee) that must be given upon the exercise of such right to extend interest payment periods;

(20) any restriction or condition on the transferability of such Junior Subordinated Notes;

(21) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Junior Subordinated Notes of such series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502;

(22) the terms, if any, pursuant to which the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series may be converted into or exchanged for shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company or any other Person;

(23) the obligations or instruments, if any, which shall be considered to be Eligible Obligations in respect of the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series denominated in a currency other than Dollars or in a composite currency, and any additional or alternative provisions for the reinstatement of the Company’s indebtedness in respect of such Junior Subordinated Notes after the satisfaction and discharge thereof as provided in Section 401;

(24) any exceptions to Section 113, or variation in the definition of Business Day, with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series;

(25) the subordination terms of the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series; and

(26) any other terms of the series.

All Junior Subordinated Notes of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to the date or dates from which interest, if any, shall accrue and denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in the terms of such Junior Subordinated Notes determined or established as provided above. All Junior Subordinated Notes of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Junior Subordinated Notes of such series.

Section 302. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

The Junior Subordinated Notes shall be executed on behalf of the Company by an Officer of the Company. The signature of such Officer on the Junior Subordinated Notes may be manual or electronic.

Junior Subordinated Notes bearing the manual or electronic signatures of individuals who were at the time relevant to the authorization thereof the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Junior Subordinated Notes or did not hold such offices at the date of such Junior Subordinated Notes.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Junior Subordinated Notes of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Junior Subordinated Notes, and the Trustee, in accordance with the Company Order, shall authenticate and deliver such Junior Subordinated Notes. If all of the Junior Subordinated Notes of any series are not to be issued at one time and if the supplemental indenture establishing such series shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee for the issuance of such Junior Subordinated Notes and determining the terms of particular Junior Subordinated Notes of such series, such as interest rate, maturity date, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue. In authenticating Junior Subordinated Notes hereunder, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Junior Subordinated Notes, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(1) an Opinion of Counsel, to the effect that the form and terms of such Junior Subordinated Notes or the manner of determining such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(2) an Officer’s Certificate stating, to the knowledge of the signer of such certificate, that no Event of Default with respect to any of the Junior Subordinated Notes shall have occurred and be continuing.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Junior Subordinated Notes if the issue of such Junior Subordinated Notes pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Junior Subordinated Notes and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 

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If all the Junior Subordinated Notes of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Opinion of Counsel and Officer’s Certificate at the time of issuance of each such Junior Subordinated Note, but such opinion and certificate shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Junior Subordinated Note of such series to be issued.

Each Junior Subordinated Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.

No Junior Subordinated Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Junior Subordinated Note a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual or electronic signature, and such certificate upon any Junior Subordinated Note shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Junior Subordinated Note has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 303. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

The Company shall cause to be kept at the office of the Security Registrar designated pursuant to this Section 303 or Section 1002 a register (referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Junior Subordinated Notes and of transfers of Junior Subordinated Notes. The Trustee is hereby initially appointed as Security Registrar for the purpose of registering Junior Subordinated Notes and transfers of Junior Subordinated Notes as herein provided.

Subject to Section 203, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Junior Subordinated Note of any series at the office or agency maintained for such purpose for such series, the Company shall execute, and, as directed in writing by the Company, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Junior Subordinated Notes of the same series, Stated Maturity and original issue date, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

Subject to Section 203, Junior Subordinated Notes of any series may be exchanged, at the option of the Holder, for Junior Subordinated Notes of the same series, Stated Maturity and original issue date, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Junior Subordinated Notes to be exchanged at any such office or agency.

Whenever any Junior Subordinated Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, as directed in writing by the Company, shall authenticate and deliver, the Junior Subordinated Notes that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

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

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

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Junior Subordinated Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Junior Subordinated Notes, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 907 or 1107 not involving any transfer.

The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange Junior Subordinated Notes of any series during a period of 15 days immediately preceding the date notice is given identifying the serial numbers of the Junior Subordinated Notes of that series called for redemption, or (ii) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Junior Subordinated Notes so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Junior Subordinated Note being redeemed in part.

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

Section 304. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Junior Subordinated Notes.

If any mutilated Junior Subordinated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee, as directed in writing by the Company, shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Junior Subordinated Note of the same series, Stated Maturity and original issue date, and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Junior Subordinated Note and (ii) such security and/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 Junior Subordinated Note has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Junior Subordinated Note, a new Junior Subordinated Note of the same series, Stated Maturity and original issue date, and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Junior Subordinated Note has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Junior Subordinated Note, pay such Junior Subordinated Note.

 

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Upon the issuance of any new Junior Subordinated 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 Junior Subordinated Note of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Junior Subordinated Note shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Junior Subordinated Note shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and any such new Junior Subordinated Note shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Junior Subordinated Notes of that series duly issued hereunder.

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

Section 305. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Junior Subordinated Notes, interest (including Additional Interest) on any Junior Subordinated Note that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Junior Subordinated Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

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

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Junior Subordinated Note of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid (or by electronic mail in accordance with the accepted practices and procedures at the Depositary), to each Holder of Junior Subordinated Notes of such series at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so sent, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2).

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

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Junior Subordinated Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Junior Subordinated Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued (including Additional Interest, if any) and unpaid, and to accrue (including Additional Interest, if any), which were carried by such other Junior Subordinated Note.

Section 306. Persons Deemed Owners.

Prior to due presentment of a Junior Subordinated 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 Junior Subordinated Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Junior Subordinated Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 305) interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on such Junior Subordinated Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Junior Subordinated Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

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Section 307. Cancellation.

All Junior Subordinated Notes surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Junior Subordinated Notes previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Junior Subordinated Notes so delivered shall be canceled by the Trustee. No Junior Subordinated Notes shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Junior Subordinated Notes canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Junior Subordinated Notes held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with a Company Order and the Trustee, upon written requrest, shall promptly deliver an acknowledgment of cancellation to the Company.

Section 308. Computation of Interest.

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

Section 309. CUSIPS.

The Company, in issuing the Junior Subordinated Notes, may use “CUSIP” or other similar numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee or Security Registrar may use CUSIP or such other numbers in notices of redemptions as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers as printed on the other identification numbers printed on the Senior Notes, in which case none of the Company or, as the case may be, the Trustee or the Security Registrar, or agent of any of them, shall have any liability in respect of any CUSIP number used on any such notice, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.

ARTICLE FOUR

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Junior Subordinated Notes.

Any Junior Subordinated Note or Junior Subordinated Notes, or any portion of the principal amount thereof, shall be deemed to have been paid for purposes of this Indenture, and the entire indebtedness of the Company in respect thereof shall be satisfied and discharged if certain conditions are satisfied, including if there shall have been irrevocably deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company), in trust of:

(a) money in an amount which shall be sufficient, or

(b) in the case of a deposit made prior to the Maturity of such Junior Subordinated Notes or portions thereof, Eligible Obligations, which shall not contain provisions permitting the redemption or other prepayment thereof at the option of the issuer thereof, the principal of and the interest on which when due, without any regard to reinvestment thereof, will provide moneys which, together with the money, if any, deposited with or held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent, shall be sufficient, or

(c) a combination of (a) or (b) which shall be sufficient to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, due and to become due on such Junior Subordinated Notes or portions thereof; provided, however, that in the case of the provision for payment or redemption of less than all the Junior Subordinated Notes of any series, such Junior Subordinated Notes or portions thereof shall have been selected as provided herein and, in the case of a redemption, the notice requisite to the validity of such redemption shall have been given or irrevocable authority shall have been given by the Company to the Trustee to give such notice, under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee; and provided, further, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and such Paying Agent:

(x) if such deposit shall have been made prior to the Maturity of such Junior Subordinated Notes, a Company Order stating that the money and Eligible Obligations deposited in accordance with this Section shall be held in trust, as provided in Section 403;

(y) if Eligible Obligations shall have been deposited, an opinion of an independent public accountant of nationally recognized standing or a firm of independent public accountants of nationally recognized standing, selected by the Company, to the effect that the other requirements set forth in clause (b) or (c) above have been satisfied; and

(z) if such deposit shall have been made prior to the Maturity of such Junior Subordinated Notes, an Officer’s Certificate stating the Company’s intention that, upon delivery of such Officer’s Certificate, its indebtedness in respect of such Junior Subordinated Notes or portions thereof will have been satisfied and discharged as contemplated in this Section.

Upon the deposit of money or Eligible Obligations, or both, in accordance with this Section, together with the documents required by clauses (x), (y) and (z) above, the Trustee shall, upon Company Request, acknowledge in writing that such Junior Subordinated Notes or portions thereof are deemed to have been paid for all purposes of this Indenture and that the entire indebtedness of the Company in respect thereof has been satisfied and discharged as contemplated in this Section. In the event that all of the conditions set forth in the preceding paragraph shall have been satisfied in respect of any Junior Subordinated Notes or portions thereof except that, for any reason, the Officer’s Certificate specified in clause (z) (if otherwise required) shall not have been delivered, such Junior Subordinated Notes or portions thereof shall nevertheless be deemed to have been paid for all purposes of this Indenture, and the Holders of such Junior Subordinated Notes or portions thereof shall nevertheless be no longer entitled to the benefits of this Indenture (other than with respect to

 

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such deposit) or of any of the covenants of the Company under Article X (except the covenants contained in Sections 1002 and 1003) or any other covenants made in respect of such Junior Subordinated Notes or portions thereof as contemplated by Section 301, but the indebtedness of the Company in respect of such Junior Subordinated Notes or portions thereof shall not be deemed to have been satisfied and discharged prior to Maturity for any other purpose; and, upon Company Request, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing that such Junior Subordinated Notes or portions thereof are deemed to have been paid for all purposes of this Indenture.

If payment at Stated Maturity of less than all of the Junior Subordinated Notes of any series is to be provided for in the manner and with the effect provided in this Section, such Junior Subordinated Notes, or portions of principal amount thereof, shall be selected in the manner specified by Section 1103 for selection for redemption of less than all the Junior Subordinated Notes of a series.

In the event that Junior Subordinated Notes which shall be deemed to have been paid for purposes of this Indenture, and, if such is the case, in respect of which the Company’s indebtedness shall have been satisfied and discharged, all as provided in this Section, do not mature and are not to be redeemed within the 60-day period commencing with the date of the deposit of moneys or Eligible Obligations, as aforesaid, the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, give a notice, in the same manner as a notice of redemption with respect to such Junior Subordinated Notes, to the Holders of such Junior Subordinated Notes to the effect that such deposit has been made and the effect thereof.

Notwithstanding that any Junior Subordinated Notes shall be deemed to have been paid for purposes of this Indenture, as aforesaid, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee in respect of such Junior Subordinated Notes under Sections 303, 304, 603, 607, 614, 1002, 1003 and 1104 and this Article shall survive.

The Company shall pay, and shall indemnify the Trustee or any Paying Agent with which Eligible Obligations shall have been deposited as provided in this Section against, any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against such Eligible Obligations or the principal or interest received in respect of such Eligible Obligations, including, but not limited to, any such tax payable by any entity deemed, for tax purposes, to have been created as a result of such deposit.

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) if, at any time after a Junior Subordinated Note would be deemed to have been paid for purposes of this Indenture, and, if such is the case, the Company’s indebtedness in respect thereof would be deemed to have been satisfied and discharged, pursuant to this Section (without regard to the provisions of this paragraph), the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall be required to return the money or Eligible Obligations, or combination thereof, deposited with it as aforesaid to the Company or its representative under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, such Junior Subordinated Note shall thereupon be deemed retroactively not to have been paid and any satisfaction and discharge of the Company’s indebtedness in respect thereof shall retroactively be deemed not to have been effected, and such Junior Subordinated Note shall be deemed to remain Outstanding and (b) any satisfaction and discharge of the Company’s indebtedness in respect of any Junior Subordinated Notes shall be subject to the provisions of Section 403.

Section 402. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

This Indenture shall, upon Company Request, cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Junior Subordinated Notes herein expressly provided for) and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when

(1) no Junior Subordinated Notes remain Outstanding hereunder;

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

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

provided, however, that if, in accordance with the last paragraph of Section 401, any Junior Subordinated Note previously deemed to have been paid for purposes of this Indenture, shall be deemed retroactively not to have been so paid, this Indenture shall thereupon be deemed retroactively not to have been satisfied and discharged, as aforesaid, and to remain in full force and effect, and the Company shall execute and deliver such instruments as the Trustee shall reasonably request to evidence and acknowledge the same.

In the event there are Junior Subordinated Notes of two or more series hereunder, the Trustee shall be required to execute an instrument acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture only if requested to do so with respect to Junior Subordinated Notes of all series as to which it is Trustee and if the other conditions thereto are met. In the event there are two or more Trustees hereunder, then the effectiveness of any such instrument shall be conditioned upon receipt of such instruments from all Trustees hereunder.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as aforesaid, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee in respect of such Junior Subordinated Notes under Sections 303, 304, 607, 614, 1002, 1003 and 1104 and this Article shall survive.

Section 403. Application of Trust Money.

Neither the Eligible Obligations nor the money deposited pursuant to Section 401, nor the principal or interest payments on any such Eligible Obligations, shall be withdrawn or used for any purpose other than, and shall be held in trust for, the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Junior Subordinated Notes or portions of principal amount thereof in respect of which such deposit was made, all subject, however, to the provisions of Section 1003; provided, however, that any cash received from such principal or interest payments on such Eligible Obligations, if not then needed for such purpose, shall, to the extent practicable and upon

 

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Company Request and delivery to the Trustee of the documents referred to in subclause (y) of clause (c) in Section 401, be invested pursuant to a Company Order in Eligible Obligations of the type described in clause (b) in Section 401 maturing at such times and in such amounts as shall be sufficient, together with any other moneys and the proceeds of any other Eligible Obligations then held by the Trustee, to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, due and to become due on such Junior Subordinated Notes or portions thereof on and prior to the Maturity thereof, and interest earned from such reinvestment shall be paid over to the Company as received; and provided, further, that any moneys held in accordance with this Section on the Maturity of all such Junior Subordinated Notes in excess of the amount required to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, then due on such Junior Subordinated Notes shall be paid over to the Company.

ARTICLE FIVE

REMEDIES

Section 501. Events of Default.

“Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to Junior Subordinated Notes of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body or occasioned by the operation of Article Thirteen):

(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Junior Subordinated Note of that series when it becomes due and payable on an Interest Payment Date other than at Maturity, including Additional Interest (as defined in clause (ii) of the definition thereof) in respect thereof, and continuance of such default for a period of thirty (30) days; provided, however, that (i) a valid extension of the interest payment period by the Company pursuant to the terms of a supplemental indenture authorizing the Junior Subordinated Notes of that series shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose and (ii) no such default shall be deemed to exist if, on or prior to the date on which such interest became due, the Company shall have made a payment sufficient to pay such interest pursuant to the Guarantee related to the Trust Securities of the Securities Trust owning such series of Junior Subordinated Notes, and shall have delivered a written notice to the Trustee to that effect; or

(2) default in payment of Additional Interest (as defined in clause (i) of the definition thereof) and the continuance of such default for a period of thirty (30) days; or

(3) default in the payment of the principal of, (or premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest as defined in clause (ii) of the definition thereof) on any Junior Subordinated Note of that series at its Maturity; provided, however, that no such default in the payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest as defined in clause (ii) of the definition thereof) shall be deemed to exist if, on or prior to the date such principal (and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest as defined in clause (ii) of the definition thereof) became due, the Company shall have made a payment sufficient to pay such principal (and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest as defined in clause (ii) of the definition thereof) pursuant to the Guarantee related to the Trust Securities of the Securities Trust owning such series of Junior Subordinated Notes, and shall have delivered a written notice to the Trustee to that effect; or

(4) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Junior Subordinated Note of that series and continuance of such default for a period of three Business Days; or

(5) default in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Junior Subordinated Notes other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee, or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes of that series, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(6) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition by one or more Persons other than the Company seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable federal or state law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official for the Company or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

(7) the commencement by the Company of a case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in a case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or state law, or the consent

 

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by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; or

(8) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Junior Subordinated Notes of that series in the supplemental indenture authorizing such series.

Section 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default with respect to Junior Subordinated Notes of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of the Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes of that series may declare the principal amount (or such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all of the Junior Subordinated Notes of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in clause (6) or (7) above, the principal amount of all Junior Subordinated Notes of that series then Outstanding shall be due and payable immediately without any declaration or other action by the Trustee or the Holders of such series.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Junior Subordinated Notes of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

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

(A) all overdue interest (including any Additional Interest) on all Junior Subordinated Notes of that series,

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

(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest (including any Additional Interest) at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Junior Subordinated Notes, and

(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 607; and

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Junior Subordinated Notes of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Junior Subordinated Notes of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

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

The Company covenants that if an Event of Default occurs under Section 501(1), (2), (3) or (4) with respect to any Junior Subordinated Notes the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Junior Subordinated Notes, the whole amount then due and payable on such Junior Subordinated Notes for principal (and premium, if any) and interest (including Additional Interest, if any) and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal (and premium, if any) and on any overdue interest (including Additional Interest, if any), at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Junior Subordinated Notes, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 607.

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

If an Event of Default with respect to Junior Subordinated Notes of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Junior Subordinated Notes or the property of the

 

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Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Junior Subordinated Notes shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Junior Subordinated 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 and counsel, and any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 607) and of the Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

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

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

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

Section 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Junior Subordinated Notes.

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

Section 506. Application of Money Collected.

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Junior Subordinated Notes, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 607; and

Second: Subject to Article Thirteen, to the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on the Junior Subordinated 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 amounts due and payable on such Junior Subordinated Notes for principal (and premium, if any) and interest (including Additional Interest, if any), respectively; and

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

Section 507. Limitation on Suits.

No Holder of any Junior Subordinated Note of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

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

(2) the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of the Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

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

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

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

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatsoever 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 herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders.

 

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

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture but subject to Article Thirteen, (1) the Holder of any Junior Subordinated Notes shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 305) interest (including any Additional Interest) on such Junior Subordinated Note on the due dates expressed in such Junior Subordinated 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 shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder; and (2) so long as the Junior Subordinated Notes of any series are held by a Securities Trust, a registered holder of preferred securities issued by such Securities Trust may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company, without first instituting a legal proceeding directly against or requesting or directing that action be taken by the Property Trustee of such Securities Trust or any other Person, for enforcement of payment to such registered holder of principal of or interest on Junior Subordinated Notes of such series having a principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of such preferred securities of such registered holder on or after the due dates therefor specified or provided for in the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series.

Section 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Junior Subordinated Note has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Junior Subordinated Notes in the last paragraph of Section 304, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

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

Section 512. Control by Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes.

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series, provided that

(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, and could not involve the Trustee in personal liability in circumstances where indemnity, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, would not be adequate, and

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

Section 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes of any series may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series, waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

(1) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest) on any Junior Subordinated Note of such series, or

(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Junior Subordinated Note of such series affected.

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

Section 514. Undertaking for Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Junior Subordinated Note by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an

 

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undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, 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 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder of any Junior Subordinated Note for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest) on any Junior Subordinated Note on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Junior Subordinated Note (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).

Section 515. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

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

ARTICLE SIX

THE TRUSTEE

Section 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

(a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to Junior Subordinated Notes of any series,

(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform, with respect to Junior Subordinated Notes of such series, such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may, with respect to Junior Subordinated Notes of such series, conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture but shall have no obligation or liability for confirming or investigating the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts purported to be stated therein.

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

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

(1) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section;

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

(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes of any series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series; and

(4) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

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

Section 602. Notice of Defaults.

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes of any series of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice, the Trustee shall send to all Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes of such series entitled to receive reports pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, notice of all defaults hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest) on any Junior Subordinated Note of such series or in the

 

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payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Junior Subordinated Notes of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes of such series; and provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(5) with respect to Junior Subordinated Notes of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Junior Subordinated Notes of such series.

The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any default hereunder unless and until a Responsible Officer shall have received written notice thereof at its Corporate Trust Office. In the absence of such actual knowledge or notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume that no such default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Trustee shall not be bound to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, covenants or agreements herein or of any of the documents executed in connection with the Senior Notes issued hereunder, or as to the existence of a default or Event of Default hereunder.

Section 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.

Subject to the provisions of Section 601:

(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, 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 and the Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter contained therein;

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

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

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

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

(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney, at the sole cost and expense of the Company;

(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(h) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its discretion, rights or powers;

(i) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate shall be signed by any authorized officer of the Company;

(j) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian, and any other such Persons employed to act hereunder;

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

 

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(l) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive 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.

Section 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Junior Subordinated Notes.

The recitals contained herein and in the Junior Subordinated Notes (except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Junior Subordinated Notes. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Junior Subordinated Notes or the proceeds thereof.

The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Trust Securities and shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of a Trust Security to establish that such Person is such a holder. The Trustee may conclusively rely on an Officer’s Certificate as evidence that the holders of the necessary percentage of liquidation preference of Trust Securities have taken any action contemplated hereunder and shall have no duty to investigate the truth or accuracy of any statement contained therein.

Section 605. May Hold Junior Subordinated Notes.

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

Section 606. Money Held in Trust.

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

Section 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.

The Company agrees:

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), as more fully set forth in a fee schedule between the Company and the Trustee;

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

(3) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability, damage, claim, charge or expense including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company or any Holder or any third person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder or in connection with enforcing the provisions of this Section.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Junior Subordinated 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, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on particular Junior Subordinated Notes.

Furthermore, without limiting any rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 501(6) or Section 501(7), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services of the Trustee are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable bankruptcy law.

The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

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Section 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.

If the Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest, within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, it shall, within 90 days after ascertaining that it has such conflicting interest, either eliminate such conflicting interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. For purposes of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act and to the extent permitted thereby, the Trustee, in its capacity as trustee in respect of the Junior Subordinated Notes of any series, shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest arising from its capacity as trustee in respect of the Junior Subordinated Notes of any other series.

Section 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and qualified and eligible under this Article and otherwise permitted by the Trust Indenture Act to act as Trustee under an Indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

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

(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series.

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

(d) If at any time:

(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Junior Subordinated Note who has been a Holder of a Junior Subordinated Note for at least six months, or

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

(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, (i) the Company, by a Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Junior Subordinated Notes, or (ii) subject to Section 514, any Holder of a Junior Subordinated Note who has been a bona fide Holder of a Junior Subordinated Note 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 Junior Subordinated Notes and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

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

 

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(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes of any series by sending written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid (or by electronic mail in accordance with the accepted practices and procedures at the Depositary), to all Holders of such series of Junior Subordinated Notes as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register.

Section 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

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

(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights (other than such rights in Section 607 hereof relating to indemnities arising prior to the effective date of appointment of a successor Trustee), powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Junior Subordinated Notes, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co- trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

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

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

Section 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

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

Section 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Junior Subordinated Notes), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor). For purposes of Section 311(b)(4) and (6) of the Trust Indenture Act:

(a) “cash transaction” means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand; and

(b) “self-liquidating paper” means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Company (or any such obligor) for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacturing, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or

 

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merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship with the Company (or any such obligor) arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation.

Section 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

At any time when any of the Junior Subordinated Notes remain Outstanding the Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Junior Subordinated Notes that shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Junior Subordinated Notes of such series issued upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 304, and Junior Subordinated Notes so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Junior Subordinated Notes by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or 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 to 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 to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall send written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid (or by electronic mail in accordance with the accepted practices and procedures at the Depositary), to all Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes, if any, of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 607.

The provisions of Sections 306, 604 and 605 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.

If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:

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

 

   
  As Trustee
By:    
  As Authenticating Agent
By:    
  Authorized Signatory

 

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ARTICLE SEVEN

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

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

The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee

(a) semi-annually, not later than June 1 and December 1, in each year, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, containing all the information in the possession or control of the Company, or any of its Paying Agents other than the Trustee, as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes as of the preceding May 15 or November 15, as the case may be, and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of the most recent Regular Record Date;

excluding from any such list names and addresses received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar.

Section 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

(a) The Trustee shall comply with the obligations imposed on it pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.

(b) Every Holder of Junior Subordinated Notes, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes in accordance with Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 703. Reports by Trustee.

(a) Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 after the first issuance of Junior Subordinated Notes pursuant to this Indenture, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall transmit a brief report dated as of such May 15 with respect to any of the events specified in such Section 313(a) that may have occurred since the later of the immediately preceding May 15 and the date of this Indenture.

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

(c) Reports pursuant to this Section shall be transmitted in the manner and to the Persons required by Sections 313(c) and (d) of the Trust Indenture Act at the expense of the Company.

Section 704. Reports by Company.

The Company, pursuant to Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, shall:

(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; provided, however, that the electronic filing with the Commission through the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”) (or any successor system providing for free public access to such filings) of such reports, information and documents shall satisfy the Company’s obligation to provide such reports, information and documents to the Trustee; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations; provided, however, that the electronic filing with the Commission through EDGAR (or any successor system providing for free public access to such filings) of such information, documents and reports shall satisfy the Company’s obligation to provide such information, documents and reports to the Trustee;

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

(3) transmit, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, to the Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes, 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 pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section 704 as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission;

(4) notify the Trustee, in writing, when and as the Junior Subordinated Notes of any series become admitted to trading on any national securities exchange; and

 

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(5) Delivery of such reports, information, and documents to the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Section 704 is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

ARTICLE EIGHT

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

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

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

(1) in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another Person (in a transaction in which the Company is not the surviving entity) or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including Additional Interest) on all the Junior Subordinated Notes and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

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

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

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may merge or consolidate with or transfer all or substantially all of its assets to an Affiliate that has no significant assets or liabilities and was formed solely for the purpose of changing the jurisdiction of organization of the Company or the form of organization of the Company; provided that the amount of indebtedness of the Company is not increased thereby; and provided, further that the successor assumes all obligations of the Company under this Indenture.

Section 802. Successor Corporation Substituted.

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

ARTICLE NINE

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes, the Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Junior Subordinated Notes; or

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

(3) to add any additional Events of Default; or

(4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture or to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal (or premium, if any) on Junior Subordinated Notes, provided any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes of any series in any material respect; or

 

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(5) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture with respect to any series of Junior Subordinated Notes theretofore unissued; or

(6) to secure the Junior Subordinated Notes; or

(7) to establish the form or terms of Junior Subordinated Notes of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301; or

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

(9) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the discharge of any series of Junior Subordinated Notes pursuant to Section 401; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes of such series in any material respect; or

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

(11) subject to Section 903(a), to make any change in Article Thirteen that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of Senior Indebtedness under such Article; or

(12) to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the Junior Subordinated Notes may be listed or traded; or

(13) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act or under any similar federal statute hereafter enacted, and to add to this Indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required by the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.

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

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Junior Subordinated Note, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest (including Additional Interest) thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change the method of calculating the rate of interest thereon, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or

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

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section 902, Section 513 or Section 1008, 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 Junior Subordinated Note affected thereby, provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder of a Junior Subordinated Note with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 1008, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 611(b) and 901(8), or

(4) modify the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the subordination of the Junior Subordinated Notes in a manner adverse to such Holder.

Section 903. General Provisions Regarding Supplemental Indenture.

(a) A supplemental indenture entered into pursuant to Section 901 or Section 902 may not make any change that adversely affects the rights under Article Thirteen of any holder of Senior Indebtedness then outstanding unless the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or any group or representative thereof authorized to give a consent) consent to such change.

(b) A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Junior Subordinated Notes, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes of any other series.

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

 

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Section 904. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, immunities or liabilities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 905. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

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

Section 906. Conformity With Trust Indenture Act.

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 907. Reference in Junior Subordinated Notes to Supplemental Indentures.

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

ARTICLE TEN

COVENANTS

Section 1001. Payment of Principal and Interest.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Junior Subordinated Notes that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, including Additional Interest (subject to the right of the Company to extend an interest payment period pursuant to the terms of a supplemental indenture authorizing the Junior Subordinated Notes of that series), on the Junior Subordinated Notes of that series in accordance with the terms of the Junior Subordinated Notes and this Indenture.

Section 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company or its Affiliate will maintain an office or agency where Junior Subordinated Notes of each series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Junior Subordinated Notes of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Junior Subordinated Notes of that series 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 shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency in respect of any series of Junior Subordinated Notes or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations and surrenders of Junior Subordinated Notes of that series may be made and notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Junior Subordinated Notes of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. 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.

Section 1003. Money for Junior Subordinated Notes Payments to be Held in Trust.

If the Company or one of its Affiliates shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Junior Subordinated Notes, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on any of the Junior Subordinated Notes of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest, if any) so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee, in writing, of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Junior Subordinated Notes, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on any Junior Subordinated Notes of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest, if any) so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest (including Additional Interest, if any), and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee, in writing, of its action or failure so to act.

 

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

(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on Junior Subordinated Notes of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Junior Subordinated Notes of that series) in the making of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on the Junior Subordinated Notes of that series; and

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

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

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on any Junior Subordinated Note of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest, if any) has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Junior Subordinated Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, shall, upon receipt of a Company Request and at the expense of the Company, cause to be mailed, on one occasion only, notice to such Holder that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than thirty (30) days from the date of such mailing, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be paid to the Company.

Section 1004. Additional Interest.

If the Junior Subordinated Notes of a series provide for the payment of Additional Interest (for purposes of this Section 1004, as defined in clause (i) of the definition thereof) to the Holders of such Junior Subordinated Notes, then the Company shall pay to each Holder of such Securities the Additional Interest as provided therein. The Trustee shall not be responsible for calculating such Additional Interest or monitoring when, or if, such Additional Interest is due.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, if the Junior Subordinated Notes of a series provide for the payment of Additional Interest, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of Junior Subordinated Notes upon which such Additional Interest shall be payable (or, if the Junior Subordinated Notes of that series shall not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal and any premium is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal and any premium or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officer’s Certificate, the Company will furnish the Trustee and the Company’s Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee or the Company, with an Officer’s Certificate stating the amount of the Additional Interest payable per minimum authorized denomination of such Junior Subordinated Notes (and, if such Additional Interest is payable only with respect to particular Junior Subordinated Notes, then the names of the Holders of such Junior Subordinated Notes).

Section 1005. Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep its corporate existence in full force and effect.

Section 1006. Limitations on Dividend and Certain Other Payments.

The Company covenants, for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Junior Subordinated Notes, that, subject to the next succeeding sentence, (a) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend or make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock, and (b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including guarantees other than the Guarantee with respect to the series of Trust Securities, if any, related to such series of Junior Subordinated Notes) issued by the Company which rank pari passu with or junior to the Junior Subordinated Notes, (a) if at such time the Company shall have given notice of its election to extend an interest payment period for such series of Junior Subordinated Notes and such extension shall be continuing, (b) if at such time the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment or other obligations under the Guarantee with respect to the series of Trust Securities, if any, related to such series of Junior Subordinated Notes, or (c) if at such time an Event of Default hereunder with respect to

 

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such series of Junior Subordinated Notes shall have occurred and be continuing. The preceding sentence, however, shall not restrict (i) any of the actions described in the preceding sentence resulting from any reclassification of the Company’s capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Company’s capital stock for another class or series of the Company’s capital stock, or (ii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged.

Section 1007. Statement as to Compliance.

(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, on or before June 1 of each year, beginning June 1, 2025, a written statement, which need not comply with Section 102, signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company, as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 1007, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.

(b) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, no later than the Business Day on which the event occurs, written notice of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of a Securities Trust if such liquidation, dissolution or winding-up would occur earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Junior Subordinated Notes owned by such Securities Trust.

(c) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within five days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default pursuant to Section 501.

Section 1008. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 1005 and 1006 with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes of any series if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

REDEMPTION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES

Section 1101. Applicability of Article.

Junior Subordinated Notes of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Junior Subordinated Notes of any series) in accordance with this Article.

Section 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

The election of the Company to redeem any Junior Subordinated Notes shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate. The Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee and the related Property Trustee), notify the Trustee and the related Property Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Junior Subordinated Notes of such series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Junior Subordinated Notes (i) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Junior Subordinated Notes or elsewhere in this Indenture, or (ii) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Junior Subordinated Notes, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.

Section 1103. Selection by Trustee of Junior Subordinated Notes to be Redeemed.

If the Junior Subordinated Notes are held in global form, any partial redemptions shall be made in accordance with the Depositary’s applicable policies and procedures. If the Junior Subordinated Notes are held in definitive form by more than one Holder and if less than all the Junior Subordinated Notes of any series are to be redeemed, the particular Junior Subordinated Notes to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes of such series not previously called for redemption, by lot.

Except in the case of Global Securities, the Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Junior Subordinated Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Junior Subordinated 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 Junior Subordinated Notes shall relate, in the case of any Junior Subordinated Notes redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Junior Subordinated Notes which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

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Section 1104. Notice of Redemption.

Unless otherwise indicated in the supplemental indenture relating to any series of Junior Subordinated Notes, notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106 to the Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes to be redeemed not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date,

(2) the Redemption Price,

(3) the CUSIP number of the Junior Subordinated Notes being redeemed;

(4) if less than all the Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Junior Subordinated Notes to be redeemed,

(5) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Junior Subordinated Note to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

(6) the place or places where such Junior Subordinated Notes are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price, and

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

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Junior Subordinated Notes, in accordance with Section 301, with respect to any redemption of Junior Subordinated Notes at the election of the Company or any redemption which is contingent on the occurrence or nonoccurrence of an event or condition which cannot be ascertained prior to the time a redemption notice is required to be given hereunder, such notice may state that such redemption shall be conditional upon receipt by the Trustee or the Paying Agent or Agents for such Junior Subordinated Notes, on or prior to the date fixed for such redemption, of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of such Junior Subordinated Notes and accrued interest, if any, thereon to the Redemption Date (or direction from the Company to apply such money for the payment of such Junior Subordinated Notes, if such money shall have been deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent or Agents upon the condition that the Trustee or Paying Agent or Agents will apply such money only at the direction of the Company) and that if such money shall not have been so received (or if such money shall have been received but the Trustee or the Paying Agent or Agents have been directed by the Company not to apply such money to redeem such Junior Subordinated Notes) such notice shall be of no force or effect and the Company shall not be required to redeem such Junior Subordinated Notes; provided, however, that conditional notice shall not be given if upon the giving of notice, such Junior Subordinated Notes shall be deemed to have been paid in accordance with Section 401. In the event that such notice of redemption contains such a condition and such money is not so received, or the Trustee or Paying Agent or Agents have been directed by the Company not to apply such money to the redemption of such Junior Subordinated Notes, the redemption shall not be made, and within a reasonable time thereafter notice shall be given, in the manner in which the notice of redemption was given, that such money was not so received or that the Trustee or Paying Agent or Agents have been directed by the Company not to redeem such Junior Subordinated Notes and such redemption was not required to be made, and the Trustee or Paying Agent or Agents for the Junior Subordinated Notes otherwise to have been redeemed shall promptly return to the Holders thereof any of such Junior Subordinated Notes which had been surrendered for payment upon such redemption.

Notice of redemption of Junior Subordinated Notes to be redeemed at the election of the Company, and any notice of non-satisfaction of a condition for redemption as aforesaid, shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company. Notice of mandatory redemption of Junior Subordinated Notes shall be given by the Trustee, at the Company’s request, in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.

Except as otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 301, prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company or its Affiliate is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of and accrued interest, if any, on all the Junior Subordinated Notes which are to be redeemed on that date.

Section 1106. Junior Subordinated Notes Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Junior Subordinated Notes so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified together with any accrued interest (including any Additional Interest) thereon, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Junior Subordinated Notes shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Junior Subordinated Note for redemption in accordance with such notice, such Junior Subordinated Note shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, and any Additional Interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 301, installments of interest on Junior Subordinated Notes whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Junior Subordinated Notes, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 305.

 

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

Section 1107. Junior Subordinated Notes Redeemed in Part.

Any Junior Subordinated Note that is to be redeemed only in part shall, if requested by the Company, be surrendered at an office or agency of the Company therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and, as directed in writing by the Company, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Junior Subordinated Note without service charge, a new Junior Subordinated Note of the same series, Stated Maturity and original issue date 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 Junior Subordinated Note so surrendered.

ARTICLE TWELVE

SINKING FUNDS

Section 1201. Applicability of Article.

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Junior Subordinated Notes of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Junior Subordinated Notes of such series.

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

Section 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments With Junior Subordinated Notes.

The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes of a series (other than any previously called for redemption), and (2) may apply as a credit Junior Subordinated Notes of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Junior Subordinated Notes or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Junior Subordinated Notes, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Junior Subordinated Notes as provided for by the terms of such series; provided that such Junior Subordinated Notes have not been previously so credited. Such Junior Subordinated Notes shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Junior Subordinated Notes for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

Section 1203. Redemption of Junior Subordinated Notes for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Junior Subordinated Notes, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Junior Subordinated Notes of that series pursuant to Section 1202 and stating the basis for such credit and that such Junior Subordinated Notes have not previously been so credited and will also deliver to the Trustee any Junior Subordinated Notes to be so delivered.

Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Junior Subordinated Notes to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Junior Subordinated Notes shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

SUBORDINATION

Section 1301. Junior Subordinated Notes Subordinate to Senior Indebtedness.

The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of a Junior Subordinated Note, by his acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth in this Article (subject to Article Four), the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest) on each and all of the Junior Subordinated Notes are hereby expressly made subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of all Senior Indebtedness.

 

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Section 1302. Payment of Proceeds Upon Dissolution, Etc.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company to creditors upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshalling of assets or liabilities or any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings of the Company (each such event, if any, referred to as a “Proceeding”), the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due on or to become due on or in respect of all Senior Indebtedness (including any interest accruing thereon after the commencement of any such Proceeding, whether or not allowed as a claim against the Company in such Proceeding), before the Holders of the Junior Subordinated Notes are entitled to receive any payment or distribution (excluding any payment described in Section 1309) on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on the Junior Subordinated Notes or on account of any purchase, redemption or other acquisition of Junior Subordinated Notes by the Company (all such payments, distributions, purchases, redemptions and acquisitions, whether or not in connection with a Proceeding, herein referred to, individually and collectively, as a “Payment”).

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Junior Subordinated Notes before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

For purposes of this Article, “assets of the Company” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness that may at the time be outstanding; provided, however, that (i) the Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article Eight hereof shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 1302 if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article Eight hereof. Nothing in Section 1303 or in this Section 1302 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 607.

Section 1303. No Payment When Senior Indebtedness in Default.

No payment of any principal, including redemption payments, if any, premium, if any, or interest on (including Additional Interest) the Junior Subordinated Notes shall be made if

(i) any Senior Indebtedness is not paid when due whether at the stated maturity of any such payment or by call for redemption and any applicable grace period with respect to such default has ended, with such default remaining uncured and such default has not been waived or otherwise ceased to exist;

(ii) the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness has been accelerated because of a default; or

(iii) notice has been given of the exercise of an option to require repayment, mandatory payment or prepayment or otherwise.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall make any Payment to the Trustee or any Holder prohibited by the foregoing provisions of this Section, then in such event such Payment shall be held in trust and paid over and delivered forthwith to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness.

The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any Payment with respect to which Section 1302 hereof would be applicable.

Section 1304. Payment Permitted if No Default.

Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in any of the Junior Subordinated Notes shall prevent the Company, at any time except during the pendency of any Proceeding referred to in Section 1302 hereof or under the conditions described in Section 1303 hereof, from making Payments. Nothing in this Article shall have any effect on the right of the Holders or the Trustee to accelerate the maturity of the Junior Subordinated Notes upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, but, in that event, no payment may be made in violation of the provisions of this Article with respect to the Junior Subordinated Notes. If payment of the Junior Subordinated Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company shall promptly notify the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (or their representatives) of such acceleration.

Section 1305. Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness.

The rights of the Holders of the Junior Subordinated Notes shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments and distributions of cash, property and securities applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until the principal of, premium,

 

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if any, and interest (including Additional Interest) on the Junior Subordinated Notes shall be paid in full. For purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of the Junior Subordinated Notes or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article, and no payments pursuant to the provisions of this Article to the holders of Senior Indebtedness by Holders of the Junior Subordinated Notes or the Trustee, shall, as among the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of the Junior Subordinated Notes, be deemed to be a payment or distribution by the Company to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness.

Section 1306. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights.

The provisions of this Article are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders on the one hand and the holders of Senior Indebtedness on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Junior Subordinated Notes is intended to or shall (a) impair, as among the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of the Junior Subordinated Notes, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional (and which, subject to the rights under this Article of the holders of Senior Indebtedness, is intended to rank equally with all other general obligations of the Company), to pay to the Holders of the Junior Subordinated Notes the principal of, premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest) on the Junior Subordinated Notes as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms; or (b) affect the relative rights against the Company of the Holders of the Junior Subordinated Notes and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness; or (c) prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Junior Subordinated Note from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive cash, property and securities otherwise payable or deliverable to the Trustee or such Holder or, under the conditions specified in Section 1303, to prevent any payment prohibited by such Section or enforce their rights pursuant to the penultimate paragraph in Section 1303.

Section 1307. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.

Each Holder of a Junior Subordinated Note by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes, including, in the event of any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership proceedings, or otherwise, the timely filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of the indebtedness of the Company owing to such Holder in the form required in such proceedings and the causing of such claim to be approved.

Section 1308. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.

No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce the subordination provisions provided herein shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or any failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof any such holder may have or be otherwise charged with.

Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of the Junior Subordinated Notes, without incurring responsibility to the Holders of the Junior Subordinated Notes and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article or the obligations hereunder of the Holders of the Junior Subordinated Notes to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) permit the Company to borrow, repay and then reborrow any or all of the Senior Indebtedness; (iii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Indebtedness; (iv) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of Senior Indebtedness; (v) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person; or (vi) apply any sums received by them to Senior Indebtedness.

Section 1309. Trust Moneys Not Subordinated.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from money held in trust by the Trustee under Article Four for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest) on any series of Junior Subordinated Notes shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Indebtedness or subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article and no Holder of such Junior Subordinated Notes nor the Trustee shall be obligated to pay over such amount to the Company, any holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a designated representative of such holder) or any other creditor of the Company.

Section 1310. Notice to the Trustee.

The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Junior Subordinated Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Article.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Junior Subordinated Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Article unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received

 

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written notice thereof at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 1310 at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which, by the terms hereof, any money may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Junior Subordinated Note), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within two Business Days prior to such date.

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI, shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article, and if such evidence is not furnished the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

Section 1311. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI hereof, and the Holders of the Junior Subordinated Notes shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such Proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article, provided that the foregoing shall apply only if such court has been apprised of the provisions of this Article.

Section 1312. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness.

With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of Junior Subordinated Notes or to the Company or to any other Person cash, property or securities to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article or otherwise.

Section 1313. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness; Preservation of Trustees Rights.

The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

Nothing in this Article shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 607 hereof.

Section 1314. Article Applicable to Paying Agents.

In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee (or the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article shall in such case (unless the context otherwise requires) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee.

Section 1315. Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions.

Each Holder by accepting a Junior Subordinated Note acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of any Senior Indebtedness, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Junior Subordinated Notes, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness and such holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness.

 

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ARTICLE FOURTEEN

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 1401. No Recourse Against Others.

An incorporator or any past, present or future director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Junior Subordinated Notes or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Junior Subordinated Note, each Holder shall waive and release all such liability. Such waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Junior Subordinated Notes.

Section 1402. Set-Off.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or in any Junior Subordinated Note of any series, prior to the dissolution of any Securities Trust that has issued Trust Securities related to a series of Junior Subordinated Notes, the Company shall have the right to set-off and apply against any payment it is otherwise required to make hereunder or thereunder with respect to the principal of or interest (including any Additional Interest) on the Junior Subordinated Notes of such series with and to the extent the Company has theretofore made, or is concurrently on the date of such payment making, a payment with respect to the Trust Securities of the series related to such series of Junior Subordinated Notes under the applicable Guarantee. Contemporaneously with, or as promptly as practicable after, any such payment under such Guarantee, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate (upon which the Trustee shall be entitled to rely conclusively without any requirement to investigate the facts contained therein) to the effect that such payment has been made and that, as a result of such payment, the corresponding payment under the related series of Junior Subordinated Notes has been set-off in accordance with this Section 1402.

Section 1403. Assignment; Binding Effect.

The Company shall have the right at all times to assign any of its rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, provided that, in the event of any such assignment, the Company shall remain primarily liable for the performance of all such obligations. This Indenture may also be assigned by the Company in connection with a transaction described in Article Eight. This Indenture shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, the Trustee, the Holders, any Security Registrar, Paying Agent, and Authenticating Agent and their respective successors and assigns. The provisions of clause (2) of Section 508 and Section 1006 are for the benefit of the holders of the series of Trust Securities referred to therein and, prior to the dissolution of the related Securities Trust, may be enforced by such holders. A holder of a Trust Security shall not have the right, as such a holder, to enforce any other provision of this Indenture.

Section 1404. Additional Interest.

Whenever there is mentioned in this Indenture, in any context, the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or in respect of, any Junior Subordinated Note of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Interest provided for by the terms of such series of Junior Subordinated Notes to the extent that, in such context, Additional Interest is, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment of Additional Interest in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

Section 1405. Execution in Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by PDF or other electronic transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by PDF or other electronic means shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. All notices, approvals, consents, requests and any communications hereunder must be in writing (provided that any communication sent to the Trustee hereunder must be in the form of a document that is signed manually or by way of a digital signature provided by DocuSign (or such other digital signature provider as specified in writing to the Trustee by the authorized representative), in English). The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of using digital signatures and electronic methods to submit communications to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

Section 1406. Severability. In the event any provision of this Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

Section 1407. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE COMPANY, EACH HOLDER AND THE TRUSTEE 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 RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 1408. USA Patriot Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

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Section 1409. Electronic Communications. The Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon instructions, including funds transfer instructions (“Instructions”) given pursuant to this Indenture and delivered using Electronic Means; provided, however, that the Company shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing officers with the authority to provide such Instructions (“Authorized Officers”) and containing specimen signatures of such Authorized Officers, which incumbency certificate shall be amended by the Company whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee Instructions using Electronic Means and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such Instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such Instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Company understands and agrees that the Trustee cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that the Trustee shall conclusively presume that directions that purport to have been sent by an Authorized Officer listed on the incumbency certificate provided to the Trustee have been sent by such Authorized Officer. The Company shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Officers transmit such Instructions to the Trustee and that the Company and all Authorized Officers are solely responsible to safeguard the use and confidentiality of applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys upon receipt by the Company. Absent gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Trustee, the Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such Instructions notwithstanding such directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees, absent gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith by the Trustee: (i) to assume all risks arising out of the use of Electronic Means to submit Instructions to the Trustee, including the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized Instructions and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties; (ii) that it is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting Instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions than the method(s) selected by the Company; (iii) that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection with its transmission of Instructions provide to it a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances; and (iv) to notify the Trustee as soon as practicable upon learning of any compromise or unauthorized use of the security procedures.

Section 1410. FATCA. In order to comply with Sections 1471 through 1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and the rules and regulations thereunder (as in effect from time to time, collectively, the “Applicable Law”), the Company agrees (i) to provide to the Trustee upon its request information in the Company’s possession about holders or other applicable parties and/or transactions (including any modification to the terms of such transactions) so the Trustee can determine whether it has tax related obligations under the Applicable Law, and (ii) that the Trustee shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments under this Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with the Applicable Law for which the Trustee shall not have any liability for its withholding or deduction from payment under this Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law and (iii) to hold harmless the Trustee for any losses it may suffer due to the actions it takes to comply with such Applicable Law. The terms of this Section 1410 shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

 

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

 

PG&E CORPORATION
By:   /s/ Margaret K. Becker
  Name:   Margaret K. Becker
  Title:   Vice President, Internal Audit and Treasurer
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By:   /s/ April Bradley
  Name:   April Bradley
  Title:   Vice President

Exhibit 4.2

Execution Version

PG&E CORPORATION

TO

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

Trustee

First Supplemental Indenture

Dated as of September 11, 2024

7.375% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes due 2055

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

 

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS

     1  

Section 1.1

  Defined Terms      1  

ARTICLE 2 DESIGNATION OF THE NOTES

     4  

Section 2.1

  Designation and Principal Amount      4  

Section 2.2

  Form of the Notes      4  

Section 2.3

  Maturity Date of the Notes      4  

Section 2.4

  Interest on the Notes      4  

Section 2.5

  Minimum Denominations      5  

Section 2.6

  No Sinking Fund      5  

Section 2.7

  Paying Agent and Security Registrar      5  

Section 2.8

  Other Terms of the Notes      5  

ARTICLE 3 SUBORDINATION

     5  

Section 3.1

  Notes Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness      5  

Section 3.2

  Disputes with Holders of Certain Senior Indebtedness      7  

Section 3.3

  Subrogation      7  

Section 3.4

  Payments on the Notes Permitted      7  

ARTICLE 4 EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     7  

Section 4.1

  Events of Default      7  

ARTICLE 5 ACCELERATION OF MATURITY

     8  

Section 5.1

  Acceleration of Maturity      8  

ARTICLE 6 OPTION TO DEFER INTEREST AND COVENANTS

     8  

Section 6.1

  Option to Defer Interest Payments      8  

Section 6.2

  Payment of Principal and Interest      9  

Section 6.3

  Limitations on Dividend and Certain Other Payments      9  

Section 6.4

  Notice of Deferral      10  

ARTICLE 7 OPTIONAL REDEMPTION BY the Company

     10  

Section 7.1

  Optional Redemption      10  

Section 7.2

  Redemption Following a Tax Event      10  

Section 7.3

  Redemption Following a Rating Agency Event      10  

Section 7.4

  Payments of Interest      10  

Section 7.5

  Notes Called for Redemption      11  

Section 7.6

  Notice of Redemption      11  

Section 7.7

  Redemption Price      11  

ARTICLE 8 MISCELLANEOUS

     12  

Section 8.1

  Execution and Delivery      12  

Section 8.2

  Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indenture Part of Indenture      12  

Section 8.3

  Severability      12  

Section 8.4

  Governing Law      12  

Section 8.5

  Waiver of Jury Trial      12  

Section 8.6

  Execution in Counterparts; Electronic Signatures      12  

Section 8.7

  Effect of Headings      12  

Section 8.8

  Trustee      12  

 

 

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FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (“Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of September 11, 2024, between PG&E Corporation, a California corporation (the “Company”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee (the “Trustee”), under the Indenture dated as of the date hereof between the Company and the Trustee (the “Base Indenture” and, together with the Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”).

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee are parties to the Base Indenture providing for the issuance by the Company of unsecured subordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series as determined by the Company, in an unlimited principal amount which may be authenticated and delivered as provided in the Base Indenture.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 301 of the Base Indenture, the Company desires to provide for the establishment of a new series of its Junior Subordinated Notes to be known as the 7.375% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes due 2055 (the “Notes”), in an initial aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000,000, and pursuant to Section 201 of the Base Indenture, the Company desires to establish the form of the Notes.

WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture. All conditions precedent and requirements necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid and legally binding instrument in accordance with its terms have been complied with, performed and fulfilled, and the execution and delivery hereof has been duly authorized in all respects.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Defined Terms. Unless the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Base Indenture. As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Base Indenture or in the preamble or recitals hereto are used as so defined. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular section hereof. A reference to a Section or Article is to a Section or Article of this Supplemental Indenture unless otherwise stated. A reference to a Section or Article in the Base Indenture that has been replaced or amended in this Supplemental Indenture shall be construed for purposes of the Notes to refer to such Section or Article as replaced or amended in this Supplemental Indenture.

The following additional terms are hereby established for the purposes of this Supplemental Indenture and shall have the meanings set forth in this Supplemental Indenture solely for the purposes of this Supplemental Indenture:

“business day” means, unless otherwise expressly stated, any day other than (i) a Saturday or Sunday or (ii) a day on which banks and trust companies in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

“compound interest” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

“calculation agent” means, at any time, the entity appointed by the Company and serving as such agent with respect to the Notes at such time. Unless the Company has validly called all of the outstanding Notes for redemption on a redemption date occurring prior to the First Reset Date, the Company will appoint a calculation agent for the Notes prior to the Reset Interest Determination Date immediately preceding the First Reset Date; provided that, if the Company has called all of the outstanding Notes for redemption on a redemption date occurring prior to the First Reset Date but the Company does not redeem all of the outstanding Notes on such redemption date, the Company will


appoint a calculation agent for the Notes as promptly as practicable after such proposed redemption date. The Company may terminate any such appointment and may appoint a successor calculation agent at any time and from time to time (so long as there shall always be a calculation agent in respect of the Notes when so required). The Company may appoint the Company or an affiliate of the Company as calculation agent. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. shall be under no obligation to act as calculation agent hereunder.

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

“First Reset Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

“Five-year U.S. Treasury Rate” means, as of any Reset Interest Determination Date, (i) an interest rate (expressed as a decimal) determined to be the per annum rate equal to the arithmetic mean of the yields to maturity for U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity with a maturity of five years from the next Reset Date and trading in the public securities markets, for the five consecutive business days immediately prior to the respective Reset Interest Determination Date as published (or, if fewer than five consecutive business days are so published on the applicable Reset Interest Determination Date, for such number of business days published) in the most recent H.15, or (ii) if there is no such published U.S. Treasury security with a maturity of five years from the next Reset Date and trading in the public securities markets, then the rate will be determined by interpolation between the arithmetic mean of the yields to maturity for each of the two series of U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity trading in the public securities markets, (A) one maturing as close as possible to, but earlier than, the Reset Date following the next succeeding Reset Interest Determination Date, and (B) the other maturing as close as possible to, but later than, the Reset Date following the next succeeding Reset Interest Determination Date, in each case for the five consecutive business days immediately prior to the respective Reset Interest Determination Date as published in the most recent H.15. If the Five-year U.S. Treasury Rate cannot be determined pursuant to the methods described in clause (i) or (ii) above, then the Five-year U.S. Treasury Rate will be the same interest rate determined for the prior Reset Interest Determination Date or, if the Five-year U.S. Treasury Rate cannot be so determined as of the Reset Interest Determination Date preceding the First Reset Date, then the interest rate applicable for the Reset Period beginning on and including the First Reset Date will be deemed to be 7.375% per annum, which is the same interest rate as in effect from and including the Original Issue Date to, but excluding, the First Reset Date.

“H.15” means the statistical release designated as such, or any successor publication, published by the Board of Governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve System (or any successor thereto).

“interest payment date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

“Interest Payment Period” means the semi-annual period from and including an interest payment date to but excluding the next succeeding interest payment date, except for the first Interest Payment Period which shall be the period from and including the Original Issue Date to but excluding March 15, 2025.

“Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

“most recent H.15” means the H.15 published closest in time but prior to the close of business on the second business day prior to the applicable Reset Date.

“Optional Deferral Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

“Original Issue Date” means September 11, 2024.

“Rating Agency Event” means, as of any date, a change, clarification or amendment in the methodology published by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or any successor provision thereto), that then publishes a rating for the

 

2


Company (together with any successor thereto, a “rating agency”) in assigning equity credit to securities such as the Notes, (a) as such methodology was in effect on September 9, 2024, in the case of any rating agency that published a rating for the Company as of September 9, 2024, or (b) as such methodology was in effect on the date such rating agency first published a rating for the Company, in the case of any rating agency that first publishes a rating for the Company after September 9, 2024 (in the case of either clause (a) or (b), the “current methodology”), that results in (i) any shortening of the length of time for which a particular level of equity credit pertaining to the Notes by such rating agency would have been in effect had the current methodology not been changed or (ii) a lower equity credit (including up to a lesser amount) being assigned by such rating agency to the Notes as of the date of such change, clarification or amendment than the equity credit that would have been assigned to the Notes by such rating agency had the current methodology not been changed.

“record date” has the meaning set for the in Section 2.4.

“redemption date” when used with respect to any Notes to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture.

“Reset Date” means the First Reset Date and March 15 of every fifth year after 2030.

“Reset Interest Determination Date” means, in respect of any Reset Period, the day falling two business days prior to the first day of such Reset Period.

“Reset Period” means the period from and including the First Reset Date to, but excluding, the next following Reset Date and thereafter each period from and including a Reset Date to, but excluding, the next following Reset Date.

“Rights Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.

“Senior Indebtedness” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

“Tax Event” means that the Company has received an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of:

 

  (i)

any amendment to, clarification of, or change, including any announced prospective change, in the laws or treaties of the United States or any of its political subdivisions or taxing authorities, or any regulations under those laws or treaties;

 

  (ii)

an administrative action, which means any judicial decision or any official administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to issue or adopt any administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure or regulation;

 

  (iii)

any amendment to, clarification of, or change in the official position or the interpretation of any administrative action or judicial decision or any interpretation or pronouncement that provides for a position with respect to an administrative action or judicial decision that differs from the previously generally accepted position, in each case by any legislative body, court, governmental authority or regulatory body, regardless of the time or manner in which that amendment, clarification or change is introduced or made known; or

 

  (iv)

a threatened challenge asserted in writing in connection with a tax audit of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or a publicly-known threatened challenge asserted in writing against any other taxpayer that has raised capital through the issuance of securities that are substantially similar to the Notes,

which amendment, clarification or change is effective or the administrative action is taken or judicial decision, interpretation or pronouncement is issued or threatened challenge is asserted or becomes publicly-known after September 9, 2024, there is more than an insubstantial risk that interest payable by the Company on the Notes is not deductible, or within 90 days would not be deductible, in whole or in part, by the Company for United States federal income tax purposes.

 

3


ARTICLE 2

DESIGNATION OF THE NOTES

Section 2.1 Designation and Principal Amount.

(a) Pursuant to the terms hereof and Section 301 of the Base Indenture, the Company hereby establishes a series of Junior Subordinated Notes designated as the “7.375% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes due 2055”, the principal amount of which to be issued shall be in accordance with Section 2.1(b) and the form and terms of which shall be as set forth hereinafter.

(b) The Notes shall be issued in an initial aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000,000. The Company may, without the consent of the Holders, create and issue an unlimited amount of additional Notes ranking equally with the Notes in all respects and having the same terms (except for the price to public, the issue date and the initial interest accrual date and the first interest payment date, as applicable) as the Notes, so that such additional Notes shall be consolidated and form a single series with, and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as, the Notes authenticated and delivered on the date hereof. Such additional Notes will have the same CUSIP number as the Notes being authenticated on the date hereof, provided that such additional Notes must be part of the same issue as the Notes being authenticated on the date hereof for U.S. federal income tax purposes or, if they are not part of the same issue for such purposes, such additional Notes must be issued with a separate CUSIP number. No additional Notes may be issued if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Notes.

Section 2.2 Form of the Notes. The Notes shall be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities substantially in the form attached in Exhibit A hereto, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Supplemental Indenture. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication for such Notes shall be substantially in the form required by Section 202 of the Base Indenture. The Notes shall bear the legend set forth in Exhibit A.

Section 2.3 Maturity Date of the Notes. The Notes will mature on March 15, 2055 (the “Maturity Date”), subject to earlier redemption at the Company’s option as set forth in Article 7.

Section 2.4 Interest on the Notes. The Notes will bear interest (i) from and including the Original Issue Date to, but excluding, March 15, 2030 (the “First Reset Date”) at the rate of 7.375% per annum and (ii) from and including the First Reset Date, during each Reset Period at a rate per annum equal to the Five-year U.S. Treasury Rate as of the most recent Reset Interest Determination Date plus a spread of 3.883%, to be reset on each Reset Date; provided, that the interest rate during any Reset Period will not reset below 7.375% (which equals the initial interest rate on the Notes). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the Original Issue Date and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 (each, an “interest payment date”) of each year, beginning on March 15, 2025, to Holders at the close of business on the record date for the applicable interest payment date, which will be (i) the business day immediately preceding such interest payment date so long as all of the Notes remain in book-entry only form or (ii) the 15th calendar day preceding such interest payment date (whether or not a business day) if any of the Notes do not remain in book-entry only form (each, a “record date”), subject to the Company’s right to defer interest payments as described in Article 6 below. Interest on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

The applicable interest rate for each Reset Period will be determined by the calculation agent, as of the applicable Reset Interest Determination Date. Promptly upon such determination, the calculation agent will notify the Company of the interest rate for the Reset Period and the Company will promptly notify, or cause the calculation agent to promptly notify, in writing, the Trustee and each paying agent of such interest rate. The calculation agent’s determination of any interest rate, and its calculation of the amount of interest for any Interest Payment Period beginning on or after the First Reset Date, will be on file at the Company’s principal offices, will be made available to any Holder or beneficial owner of the Notes upon request and will be final and binding in the absence of manifest error.

 

4


If an interest payment date, redemption date, or Maturity Date falls on a day that is not a business day, payment will be made on the next succeeding business day with the same force and effect as if made on such payment date.

Section 2.5 Minimum Denominations. The Notes shall be issued in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Section 2.6 No Sinking Fund. No sinking fund is provided for the Notes.

Section 2.7 Paying Agent and Security Registrar. The Trustee is hereby appointed as initial Paying Agent and initial Security Registrar for the Notes. The Notes shall be payable at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

Section 2.8 Other Terms of the Notes. The other terms of the Notes shall be as expressly set forth herein and in Exhibit A hereto.

ARTICLE 3

SUBORDINATION

The following subordination provisions for the Notes are established pursuant to Article Thirteen of the Base Indenture and are in addition to the provision of Article Thirteen of the Base Indenture, which shall apply to the Notes, except that Section 3.1 of this Supplemental Indenture replaces in its entirety Section 1301 and Section 1302 of the Base Indenture, Section 3.3 of this Supplemental Indenture replaces in its entirety Section 1305 of the Base Indenture and the definition of Senior Indebtedness included in Section 3.1 of this Supplemental Indenture replaces the definition of Senior Indebtedness in Section 101 of the Base Indenture.

Section 3.1 Notes Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness. The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of the Notes, by his acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that (a) the indebtedness represented by the Notes and the payment of the principal of and any premium or interest on each and all of the Notes is subordinate, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness; and (b) Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Notes irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness or extension or renewal of such Senior Indebtedness (other than any such amendment, modification or waiver that makes such Senior Indebtedness equal in right of payment to the Notes).

With respect to the Notes, in the event (a) of any payment by, or distribution of assets of, the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceedings, or (b) subject to the provisions of Section 3.2, that (i) a default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to the payment of principal, interest or any other monetary amounts due and payable on any Senior Indebtedness and such default shall have continued beyond the period of grace, if any, specified in the instrument evidencing such Senior Indebtedness (and the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or one or more holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued), or (ii) the maturity of any such Senior Indebtedness shall have been accelerated because of a default in respect of such Senior Indebtedness (and the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or one or more holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued), then:

(1) the holders of all such Senior Indebtedness shall first be entitled to receive, in the case of clause (a) above, payment of all amounts due or to become due upon all such Senior Indebtedness or, in the case of subclauses (i) and (ii) of clause (b) above, payment of all amounts due upon all such Senior Indebtedness, or provision shall be made for such payment in money or money’s worth, before the Holders of any of the Notes are entitled to receive any payment on account of the principal of or any premium or interest on the indebtedness evidenced by the Notes, including, without limitation, any payments made pursuant to Article Eleven of the Base Indenture or Article 7 of this Supplemental Indenture;

 

 

5


(2) so long as any of the events in clause (a) or subclauses (i) or (ii) of clause (b) above has occurred and is continuing, any payment by, or distribution of assets of, the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of any of the Notes would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article, including any such payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of the Notes, shall be paid or distributed, as the case may be, by the Person making such payment or distribution, whether a trustee in bankruptcy, receiver or liquidating trustee or otherwise, directly to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably according to aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of such Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment, in the case of clause (a) above, of all amounts due and to become due upon all such Senior Indebtedness, or, in the case of subclauses (i) and (ii) of clause (b) above, of all amounts due upon all such Senior Indebtedness, in each case remaining unpaid after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution (or provision therefor) to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders of the indebtedness evidenced by the Notes; and

(3) so long as any of the events in clause (a) or subclauses (i) or (ii) of clause (b) above has occurred and is continuing, in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment by, or distribution of assets of, the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including any such payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of the Notes, in respect of principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Notes or in connection with the repurchase by the Company of any of the Notes, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of any of the Notes before, in the case of clause (a) above, all amounts due or to become due upon all such Senior Indebtedness or, in the case of subclauses (i) or (ii) of clause (b) above, all amounts due upon all such Senior Indebtedness is paid in full (or provision is made for such payment), then such payment or distribution shall be paid over to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably as aforesaid, for application to the payment of, in the case of clause (a) above, all amounts due and to become due upon all such Senior Indebtedness or, in the case of subclauses (i) or (ii) of clause (b) above, all amounts due upon all such Senior Indebtedness, in each case until all such amounts shall have been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution (or provision therefor) to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

For purposes of this Article 3, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other Person provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article with respect to the Notes to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness which may at the time be outstanding; provided that (i) all such Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the Person, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its properties and assets as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other Person upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article Eight of the Base Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section if such other Person shall, as part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article Eight of the Base Indenture. Nothing in this Section 3.1 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 607 of the Base Indenture.

“Senior Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Notes, (i) indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding at the date of the indenture or incurred, created or assumed after such date, (a) in respect of money borrowed by the Company (including any financial derivative, hedging or futures contract or similar instrument, to the extent any such item is primarily a financing transaction) and (b) evidenced by debentures, bonds, notes, credit or loan agreements or other similar instruments or agreements issued or entered into by the Company; (ii) all finance lease obligations of the Company; (iii) all obligations of the Company issued or assumed as the deferred purchase

 

6


price of property, all conditional sale obligations of the Company and all obligations of the Company under any title retention agreement (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business and long-term purchase obligations); (iv) all obligations of the Company for the reimbursement of any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit transaction; and (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above of other persons for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, except for any obligations, instruments or agreements of the type referred to in any of clauses (i) through (v) above that, by the terms of the instruments or agreements creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, are subordinated or equal in right of payment to the Notes.

Section 3.2 Disputes with Holders of Certain Senior Indebtedness. Any failure by the Company to make any payment of or on or perform any other obligation under any Senior Indebtedness, other than any Senior Indebtedness incurred by the Company or assumed or guaranteed, directly or indirectly, by the Company for money borrowed (or any deferral, renewal, extension or refunding thereof) or any indebtedness or obligation as to which the provisions of this Section shall have been waived by the Company in the instrument or instruments by which the Company incurred, assumed, guaranteed or otherwise created such indebtedness or obligation, shall not be deemed a default or event of default with respect to such Senior Indebtedness under clause (b) of the second paragraph of Section 3.1 if (i) the Company shall be disputing its obligation to make such payment or perform such obligation and (ii) either (A) no final judgment relating to such dispute shall have been issued against the Company which is in full force and effect and is not subject to further review, including a judgment that has become final by reason of the expiration of the time within which a party may seek further appeal or review, or (B) in the event of a judgment that is subject to further review or appeal has been issued, the Company shall in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or other proceeding for review and a stay of execution shall have been obtained pending such appeal or review.

Section 3.3 Subrogation. Subject to the payment in full, in the case of clause (a) of the second paragraph of Section 3.1, of all amounts due and to become due on all Senior Indebtedness or, in the case of subclauses (i) or (ii) of clause (b) of the second paragraph of Section 3.1, of all amounts due on all such Senior Indebtedness, as the case may be, the Holders of the Notes shall be subrogated (equally and ratably with the holders of all obligations of the Company which are subordinated in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness of the Company to the same extent as the Notes are subordinated, or which by their express terms rank equally in right of payment with the Notes with regard to Senior Indebtedness, and which in each case are entitled to like rights of subrogation) to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to such Senior Indebtedness. Such subrogation shall continue until all amounts owing on the Notes shall be paid in full, and as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of such Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of the Notes, no such payment or distribution made to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by virtue of this Article that otherwise would have been made to the Holders of the Notes shall be deemed to be a payment by the Company on account of such Senior Indebtedness. The provisions of this Article are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Notes, on the one hand, and the holders of Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.

Section 3.4 Payments on the Notes Permitted. Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes shall affect the obligations of the Company to make, or prevent the Company from making, payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on the Notes in accordance with the provisions hereof and thereof, except as otherwise provided in this Article and Article Thirteen of the Base Indenture.

ARTICLE 4

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

Section 501 of the Base Indenture is replaced in its entirety as follows:

Section 4.1 Events of Default. An “Event of Default” occurs with respect to the Notes if:

(a) the Company defaults in the payment of any interest upon any Note when it becomes due and payable and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (whether or not such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions applicable to the Notes), except as the result of a deferral of interest payments in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 hereof; or

 

7


(b) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note at its Maturity (whether or not such payment is prohibited by Article 3 hereof or Article Thirteen of the Base Indenture); or

(c) the Company defaults in the performance of or breaches any covenant or warranty of the Company in the Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in or pursuant to this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Junior Subordinated Notes other than the Notes), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given to the Company by the Trustee, or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(d) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition by one or more Persons other than the Company or any of its Affiliates seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official for the Company or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

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

ARTICLE 5

ACCELERATION OF MATURITY

Section 5.1 Acceleration of Maturity. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 502 of the Base Indenture, neither the Trustee nor the Holders of the Notes shall be entitled to declare the principal of or accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be immediately due and payable by reason of the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default specified in clause (c) of Section 4.1 of this Supplemental Indenture, and any notice of declaration of acceleration based on such an Event of Default shall be null and void with respect to the Notes; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as an Event of Default specified in clause (c) of Section 4.1 of this Supplemental Indenture with respect to the Notes shall have occurred and shall be continuing, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes may exercise the other rights and remedies available under the Indenture in connection with such Event of Default, as well as such other rights and remedies as may be available under applicable law or otherwise.

ARTICLE 6

OPTION TO DEFER INTEREST AND COVENANTS

Section 6.1 Option to Defer Interest Payments. So long as no Event of Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing, the Company may, at its option, defer interest payments on the Notes, from time to time, for one or more deferral periods of up to 20 consecutive Interest Payment Periods (each such deferral period, commencing on the interest payment date on which the first such deferred interest payment otherwise would have been made, an “Optional Deferral Period”), except that no such Optional Deferral Period may extend beyond the final maturity date of the Notes or end on a day other than the day immediately preceding an interest payment date. During any Optional Deferral Period, interest on the Notes will continue to accrue at the then-applicable interest rate on the Notes (as reset from time to time on any Reset Date occurring during such Optional Deferral Period in accordance

 

8


with the terms of the Notes). In addition, during any Optional Deferral Period, interest on the deferred interest (“compound interest”) will accrue at the then-applicable interest rate on the Notes (as reset from time to time on any Reset Date occurring during such Optional Deferral Period in accordance with the terms of the Notes), compounded semi-annually, to the extent permitted by applicable law. No interest will be due or payable on the Notes during an Optional Deferral Period, except upon a redemption of any Notes on any redemption date during such Optional Deferral Period (in which case all accrued and unpaid interest (including, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any compound interest) on the Notes to be redeemed to, but excluding, such redemption date will be due and payable on such redemption date), or unless the principal of and interest on the Notes shall have been declared due and payable as the result of an Event of Default with respect to the Notes (in which case all accrued and unpaid interest, including, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any compound interest, on the Notes shall become due and payable). All references in the Notes and, insofar as it relates to the Notes, the Indenture, to “interest” on the Notes shall be deemed to include any such deferred interest and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any compound interest, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.

Before the end of any Optional Deferral Period that is shorter than 20 consecutive Interest Payment Periods, the Company may elect, at its option, to extend such Optional Deferral Period, so long as the entire Optional Deferral Period does not exceed 20 consecutive Interest Payment Periods or extend beyond the final maturity date of the Notes. The Company may also elect, at its option, to shorten the length of any Optional Deferral Period. No Optional Deferral Period (including as extended or shortened) may end on a day other than the day immediately preceding an interest payment date. At the end of any Optional Deferral Period, if all amounts then due on the Notes, including all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including, without limitation and to the extent permitted by applicable law, any compound interest), are paid, the Company may elect to begin a new Optional Deferral Period; provided, however, that, without limitation of the foregoing, the Company may not begin a new Optional Deferral Period unless the Company has paid all accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes (including, without limitation and to the extent permitted by applicable law, any compound interest) from any previous Optional Deferral Periods.

Section 6.2 Payment of Principal and Interest. Section 1001 of the Base Indenture is replaced in its entirety as follows:

“The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the holders of the Notes that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, including Additional Interest (subject to the right of the Company to defer interest payments as described in the supplemental indenture authorizing such series) on the Notes in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.”

Section 6.3 Limitations on Dividend and Certain Other Payments. Section 1006 of the Base Indenture is replaced in its entirety as follows:

“During any Optional Deferral Period, the Company will not do any of the following:

 

  (i)

declare or pay any dividends or distributions on any Capital Stock of the Company;

 

  (ii)

redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to any Capital Stock of the Company;

 

  (iii)

pay any principal, interest (to the extent such interest is deferrable) or premium on, or repay, repurchase or redeem, any indebtedness of the Company that ranks equally with or junior to the Notes in right of payment; or

 

  (iv)

make any payments with respect to any guarantees by the Company of any indebtedness if such guarantees rank equally with or junior to the Notes in right of payment;

provided; however, during an Optional Deferral Period, the Company may (a) declare and pay dividends or distributions payable solely in shares of the Company’s common stock (together, for the avoidance of doubt, with cash in lieu of any fractional share) or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, (b) declare and pay any dividend in connection with the implementation of a plan (a “Rights Plan”)

 

9


providing for the issuance by the Company to all holders of the Company’s common stock of rights entitling them to subscribe for or purchase common stock or any class or series of the Company’s preferred stock, which rights (1) are deemed to be transferred with such common stock, (2) are not exercisable until the occurrence of a specified event or events and (3) are also issued in respect of future issuances of the Company’s common stock, (c) issue any of shares of the Company’s Capital Stock under any Rights Plan or redeem or repurchase any rights distributed pursuant to a Rights Plan, (d) reclassify the Company’s Capital Stock or exchange or convert one class or series of the Company’s Capital Stock for another class or series of the Company’s Capital Stock, (e) purchase fractional interests in shares of the Company’s Capital Stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such Capital Stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (f) purchase, acquire or withhold shares of the Company’s common stock related to the issuance of the Company’s common stock or rights under any dividend reinvestment plan or related to any of the Company’s benefit plans for the Company’s directors, officers, employees, consultants or advisors, including any employment contract, (g) for the avoidance of doubt, convert convertible Capital Stock of the Company into other Capital Stock of the Company in accordance with the terms of such convertible Capital Stock (together, for the avoidance of doubt, with cash in lieu of any fractional share) and (h) settle conversions of any convertible notes that rank equally with the Notes.”

Section 6.4 Notice of Deferral. The Company will give the Holders of the Notes and the Trustee written notice of its election of, or any shortening or extension of, an Optional Deferral Period at least 10 business days prior to the earlier of (1) the next succeeding interest payment date or (2) the date upon which the Company is required to give notice to any applicable self-regulatory organization or to Holders of the Notes of the next succeeding interest payment date or the record date therefor. The record date for the payment of deferred interest and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any compound interest payable on the interest payment date immediately following the last day of an Optional Deferral Period will be the regular record date with respect to such interest payment date.

ARTICLE 7

OPTIONAL REDEMPTION BY the Company

Section 7.1 Optional Redemption. The Company may redeem some or all of the Notes, at its option, in whole or in part (i) on any day in the period commencing on the date falling 90 days prior to the First Reset Date and ending on and including the First Reset Date and (ii) after the First Reset Date, on any interest payment date, at a Redemption Price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus, (subject to the provisions set forth in Section 7.4 regarding the payment of installments of interest on the Notes that are due and payable on any interest payment date falling on or prior to a redemption date), accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed to, but excluding, the redemption date.

Section 7.2 Redemption Following a Tax Event. The Company may at its option redeem the Notes, in whole but not in part, at any time following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Tax Event at a Redemption Price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus (subject to the provisions set forth in Section 7.4 regarding the payment of installments of interest on the Notes that are due and payable on any interest payment date falling on or prior to a redemption date) accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to, but excluding, the redemption date.

Section 7.3 Redemption Following a Rating Agency Event. The Company may at its option redeem the Notes, in whole but not in part, at any time following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Rating Agency Event at a Redemption Price in cash equal to 102% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus (subject to the provisions set forth in Section 7.4 regarding the payment of installments of interest on the Notes that are due and payable on any interest payment date falling on or prior to a redemption date) accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to, but excluding, the redemption date.

Section 7.4 Payments of Interest. Notwithstanding any statement in Article 7 to the contrary, installments of interest on the Notes that are due and payable on any interest payment date falling on or prior to a redemption date for the Notes will be payable on that interest payment date to the Holders thereof as of the close of business on the relevant record date according to the terms of the Notes and the Indenture, except that, if the redemption date for any Notes falls on any day during an Optional Deferral Period, accrued and unpaid interest (including, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any compound interest) on such Notes will be paid on such redemption date to the persons entitled to receive the Redemption Price of such Notes. For the avoidance of doubt, the interest payment date falling immediately after the last day of an Optional Deferral Period shall not be deemed to fall on a day during such Optional Deferral Period.

 

10


Section 7.5 Notes Called for Redemption. Section 1106 of the Base Indenture is replaced in its entirety as follows:

“Once notice of redemption is sent, the Notes called for redemption will become due and payable on the Redemption Date at the applicable Redemption Price, plus, subject to the terms described in the supplemental indenture authorizing such series, accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, and will be paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, unless (a) the notice of redemption provides that such redemption shall be subject to the condition described in the supplemental indenture authorizing such series and (b) such redemption shall have been canceled in accordance with the provisions of the supplemental indenture authorizing such series because such condition shall not have been satisfied. If only part of a Note is redeemed, the Trustee will issue in the name of the Registered Holder of the Note and deliver to such Holder a new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Note surrendered for redemption (or otherwise reduce the principal balance of such Note in accordance with the Depositary’s customary policies and procedures). If the Company elects to redeem all or a portion of the Notes, then, unless otherwise provided in such notice of redemption in accordance with the supplemental indenture authorizing such series, the redemption will not be conditional upon receipt by the paying agent or the Trustee of monies sufficient to pay the Redemption Price.”

Section 7.6 Notice of Redemption. Notice of any redemption will be mailed or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures) at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed in accordance with Section 106 of the Base Indenture and this Section 7.6.

The following two paragraphs replace the last two paragraphs of Section 1104 of the Base Indenture:

“If, at the time a notice of redemption is given, (i) the Company has not effected satisfaction and discharge of the Notes pursuant to Article Four of the Indenture and (ii) such notice of redemption is not being given in connection with or in order to effect satisfaction and discharge of the Notes, then, if the notice of redemption so provides and at the Company’s option, the redemption may be subject to the condition that the Trustee shall have received, on or before the applicable redemption date, monies in an amount sufficient to pay the Redemption Price and accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes called for redemption to, but excluding, the redemption date. If monies in such amount are not received by the Trustee on or before such redemption date, such notice of redemption shall be automatically canceled and of no force or effect, such proposed redemption shall be automatically canceled and the Company shall not be required to redeem the Notes called for redemption on such redemption date. In the event that a redemption is canceled, the Company will, not later than the business day immediately following the proposed redemption date, deliver, or cause to be delivered, notice of such cancellation to the Holders of the Notes called for redemption (which notice will also indicate that any Notes or portions thereof surrendered for redemption shall be returned to the applicable Holders), and the Company will direct the Trustee to, and the Trustee will, promptly return any Notes or portions thereof that have been surrendered for redemption to the applicable Holders.

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

Section 7.7 Redemption Price. Section 1105 of the Base Indenture is deleted in its entirety and does not apply to the Notes. The Company’s actions and determinations in determining the Redemption Price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

11


ARTICLE 8

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1 Execution and Delivery. This Supplemental Indenture shall be effective upon execution by the parties hereto.

Section 8.2 Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indenture Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Base Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Base Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.

Section 8.3 Severability. In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.

Section 8.4 Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CONTRARY CONFLICT OF LAWS OR CHOICE OF LAW PROVISIONS OF THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

Section 8.5 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE 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 RELATING TO THE INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 8.6 Execution in Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by PDF or other electronic transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by PDF or other electronic means shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. All notices, approvals, consents, requests and any communications hereunder must be in writing (provided that any communication sent to the Trustee hereunder must be in the form of a document that is signed manually or by way of a digital signature provided by DocuSign (or such other digital signature provider as specified in writing to the Trustee by the authorized representative), in English). The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of using digital signatures and electronic methods to submit communications to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

Section 8.7 Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 8.8 Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Company.

[Signature page follows]

 

12


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

 

PG&E CORPORATION
By:   /s/ Margaret K. Becker
Name: Margaret K. Becker
Title: Vice President, Internal Audit and Treasurer
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By:   /s/ April Bradley
Name: April Bradley
Title: Vice President

 

[Signature Page to First Supplemental Indenture]


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF 7.375% FIXED-TO-FIXED RESET RATE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2055

UNLESS THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO PG&E CORPORATION OR ITS AGENT OR AGENTS FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY GLOBAL NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT 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 GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

 

No.: [ ]

CUSIP No.: [ ]

ISIN No.: [ ]

   $[ ]

7.375% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes due 2055

PG&E Corporation, a California corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Company”), promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of [    ] ($[  ]) on March 15, 2055 (the “Maturity Date”), and to pay interest thereon (i) from and including September 11, 2024 (the “Original Issue Date”) to, but excluding, March 15, 2030 (the “First Reset Date”) at the rate of 7.375% per annum and (ii) from and including the First Reset Date, during each Reset Period (as defined on the reverse hereof) at a rate per annum equal to the Five-year U.S. Treasury Rate (as defined on the reverse hereof) as of the most recent Reset Interest Determination Date (as defined on the reverse hereof) plus a spread of 3.883%, to be reset on each Reset Date (as defined on the reverse hereof); provided, that the interest rate during any Reset Period will not reset below 7.375%.

Interest Payment Dates: March 15 and September 15, beginning March 15, 2025, subject to the Company’s right to defer interest payments pursuant to the provisions set forth below.

Record Dates: (i) if all of the Notes are in book-entry form represented by one or more Global Securities, the Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date and (ii) if any of the Notes are not in book-entry form represented by one or more Global Securities, the 15th calendar day preceding such Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day) (each such date in clauses (i) and (ii), a “Regular Record Date”).

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the reverse of this Note.


Dated:

 

PG&E Corporation

By:

   

Name:

Title:


TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Notes of the series referred to

in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Dated:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee
By:    
Authorized Officer


[Reverse of Note]

7.375% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes due 2055

1. Interest

Interest on the Notes will accrue from the Original Issue Date and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 (each, an “Interest Payment Date”) of each year, beginning on March 15, 2025, to Holders at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for the applicable Interest Payment Date, subject to the Company’s right to defer interest payments pursuant to the provisions set forth below.

Interest on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

The applicable interest rate for each Reset Period will be determined by the Calculation Agent, as of the applicable Reset Interest Determination Date. Promptly upon such determination, the Calculation Agent will notify the Company of the interest rate for the Reset Period and the Company will promptly notify, or cause the Calculation Agent to promptly notify, in writing, the Trustee and each Paying Agent of such interest rate. The Calculation Agent’s determination of any interest rate, and its calculation of the amount of interest for any Interest Payment Period beginning on or after the First Reset Date, will be on file at the Company’s principal offices, will be made available to any Holder or beneficial owner of the Notes upon request and will be final and binding in the absence of manifest error.

If an Interest Payment Date, redemption date, or Maturity Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, payment will be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such payment date.

Business Day” means, unless otherwise expressly stated, any day other than (i) a Saturday or Sunday or (ii) a day on which banks and trust companies in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

Calculation Agent” means, at any time, the entity appointed by the Company and serving as such agent with respect to the Notes at such time. Unless the Company has validly called all of the outstanding Notes for redemption on a redemption date occurring prior to the First Reset Date, the Company will appoint a Calculation Agent for the Notes prior to the Reset Interest Determination Date immediately preceding the First Reset Date; provided that, if the Company has called all of the outstanding Notes for redemption on a redemption date occurring prior to the First Reset Date but the Company does not redeem all of the outstanding Notes on such redemption date, the Company will appoint a Calculation Agent for the Notes as promptly as practicable after such proposed redemption date. The Company may terminate any such appointment and may appoint a successor Calculation Agent at any time and from time to time (so long as there shall always be a Calculation Agent in respect of the Notes when so required). The Company may appoint itself or an affiliate of the Company as Calculation Agent. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. shall be under no obligation to act as calculation agent hereunder.

Five-year U.S. Treasury Rate” means, as of any Reset Interest Determination Date, (i) an interest rate (expressed as a decimal) determined to be the per annum rate equal to the arithmetic mean of the yields to maturity for U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity with a maturity of five years from the next Reset Date and trading in the public securities markets, for the five consecutive Business Days immediately prior to the respective Reset Interest Determination Date as published (or, if fewer than five consecutive Business Days are so published on the applicable Reset Interest Determination Date, for


such number of Business Days published) in the most recent H.15, or (ii) if there is no such published U.S. Treasury security with a maturity of five years from the next Reset Date and trading in the public securities markets, then the rate will be determined by interpolation between the arithmetic mean of the yields to maturity for each of the two series of U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity trading in the public securities markets, (A) one maturing as close as possible to, but earlier than, the Reset Date following the next succeeding Reset Interest Determination Date, and (B) the other maturing as close as possible to, but later than, the Reset Date following the next succeeding Reset Interest Determination Date, in each case for the five consecutive Business Days immediately prior to the respective Reset Interest Determination Date as published in the most recent H.15. If the Five-year U.S. Treasury Rate cannot be determined pursuant to the methods described in clause (i) or (ii) above, then the Five-year U.S. Treasury Rate will be the same interest rate determined for the prior Reset Interest Determination Date or, if the Five-year U.S. Treasury Rate cannot be so determined as of the Reset Interest Determination Date preceding the First Reset Date, then the interest rate applicable for the Reset Period beginning on and including the First Reset Date will be deemed to be 7.375% per annum, which is the same interest rate as in effect from and including the Original Issue Date to, but excluding, the First Reset Date.

H.15” means the statistical release designated as such, or any successor publication, published by the Board of Governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve System (or any successor thereto).

Interest Payment Period” means the semi-annual period from and including an Interest Payment Date to but excluding the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, except for the first Interest Payment Period which shall be the period from and including the Original Issue Date to but excluding March 15, 2025.

most recent H.15” means the H.15 published closest in time but prior to the close of business on the second Business Day prior to the applicable Reset Date.

redemption date” when used with respect to any Notes to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to the Indenture.

Reset Date” means the First Reset Date and March 15 of every fifth year after 2030.

Reset Interest Determination Date” means, in respect of any Reset Period, the day falling two Business Days prior to the first day of such Reset Period.

Reset Period” means the period from and including the First Reset Date to, but excluding, the next following Reset Date and thereafter each period from and including a Reset Date to, but excluding, the next following Reset Date.

2. Optional Interest Deferral

So long as no Event of Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing, the Company may, at its option, defer interest payments on the Notes, from time to time, for one or more deferral periods of up to 20 consecutive Interest Payment Periods (each such deferral period, commencing on the interest payment date on which the first such deferred interest payment otherwise would have been made, an “Optional Deferral Period”), except that no such Optional Deferral Period may extend beyond the final maturity date of the Notes or end on a day other than the day immediately preceding an Interest Payment Date. During any Optional Deferral Period, interest on the Notes will continue to accrue at the then-applicable interest rate on the Notes (as reset from time to time on any Reset Date occurring during such Optional Deferral Period in accordance with the terms of the Notes). In addition, during any


Optional Deferral Period, interest on the deferred interest (“compound interest”) will accrue at the then-applicable interest rate on the Notes (as reset from time to time on any Reset Date occurring during such Optional Deferral Period in accordance with the terms of the Notes), compounded semi-annually, to the extent permitted by applicable law. No interest will be due or payable on the Notes during an Optional Deferral Period, except upon a redemption of any Notes on any redemption date during such Optional Deferral Period (in which case all accrued and unpaid interest (including, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any compound interest) on the Notes to be redeemed to, but excluding, such redemption date will be due and payable on such redemption date), or unless the principal of and interest on the Notes shall have been declared due and payable as the result of an Event of Default with respect to the Notes (in which case all accrued and unpaid interest, including, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any compound interest, on the Notes shall become due and payable). All references in the Notes and, insofar as it relates to the Notes, the Indenture, to “interest” on the Notes shall be deemed to include any such deferred interest and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any compound interest, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.

Before the end of any Optional Deferral Period that is shorter than 20 consecutive Interest Payment Periods, the Company may elect, at its option, to extend such Optional Deferral Period, so long as the entire Optional Deferral Period does not exceed 20 consecutive Interest Payment Periods or extend beyond the final maturity date of the Notes. The Company may also elect, at its option, to shorten the length of any Optional Deferral Period. No Optional Deferral Period (including as extended or shortened) may end on a day other than the day immediately preceding an Interest Payment Date. At the end of any Optional Deferral Period, if all amounts then due on the Notes, including all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including, without limitation and to the extent permitted by applicable law, any compound interest), are paid, the Company may elect to begin a new Optional Deferral Period; provided, however, that, without limitation of the foregoing, the Company may not begin a new Optional Deferral Period unless the Company has paid all accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes (including, without limitation and to the extent permitted by applicable law, any compound interest) from any previous Optional Deferral Periods.

During any Optional Deferral Period, the Company will not do any of the following:

 

  (i)

declare or pay any dividends or distributions on any Capital Stock of the Company;

 

  (ii)

redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to any Capital Stock of the Company;

 

  (iii)

pay any principal, interest (to the extent such interest is deferrable) or premium on, or repay, repurchase or redeem, any indebtedness of the Company that ranks equally with or junior to the Notes in right of payment; or

 

  (iv)

make any payments with respect to any guarantees by the Company of any indebtedness if such guarantees rank equally with or junior to the Notes in right of payment;

provided; however, during an Optional Deferral Period, the Company may (a) declare and pay dividends or distributions payable solely in shares of the Company’s common stock (together, for the avoidance of doubt, with cash in lieu of any fractional share) or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, (b) declare and pay any dividend in connection with the implementation of a plan (a “Rights Plan”) providing for the issuance by the Company to all holders of the Company’s common stock of rights entitling them to subscribe for or purchase common stock or any class or series of the Company’s preferred stock, which rights (1) are deemed to be transferred with such common stock, (2) are not exercisable until the occurrence of a specified event or events and (3) are also


issued in respect of future issuances of the Company’s common stock, (c) issue any of shares of the Company’s Capital Stock under any Rights Plan or redeem or repurchase any rights distributed pursuant to a Rights Plan, (d) reclassify the Company’s Capital Stock or exchange or convert one class or series of the Company’s Capital Stock for another class or series of the Company’s Capital Stock, (e) purchase fractional interests in shares of the Company’s Capital Stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such Capital Stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (f) purchase, acquire or withhold shares of the Company’s common stock related to the issuance of the Company’s common stock or rights under any dividend reinvestment plan or related to any of the Company’s benefit plans for the Company’s directors, officers, employees, consultants or advisors, including any employment contract, (g) for the avoidance of doubt, convert convertible Capital Stock of the Company into other Capital Stock of the Company in accordance with the terms of such convertible Capital Stock (together, for the avoidance of doubt, with cash in lieu of any fractional share) and (h) settle conversions of any convertible notes that rank equally with the Notes.

The Company will give the Holders of the Notes and the Trustee written notice of its election of, or any shortening or extension of, an Optional Deferral Period at least 10 Business Days prior to the earlier of (1) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date or (2) the date upon which the Company is required to give notice to any applicable self-regulatory organization or to Holders of the Notes of the next succeeding Interest Payment Date or the record date therefor. The record date for the payment of deferred interest and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any compound interest payable on the Interest Payment Date immediately following the last day of an Optional Deferral Period will be the Regular Record Date with respect to such Interest Payment Date.

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

3. Subordination

The indebtedness represented by the Notes and the payment of the principal of and any premium or interest on each and all of the Notes is subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (as defined below), to the extent set forth in the Indenture. Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness with respect to the Notes irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness or extension or renewal of such Senior Indebtedness (other than any such amendment, modification or waiver that makes such Senior Indebtedness equal in right of payment to the Notes).

Senior Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Notes, (i) indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding at the date of the indenture or incurred, created or assumed after such date, (a) in respect of money borrowed by the Company (including any financial derivative, hedging or futures contract or similar instrument, to the extent any such item is primarily a financing transaction) and (b) evidenced by debentures, bonds, notes, credit or loan agreements or other similar instruments or agreements issued or entered into by the Company; (ii) all finance lease obligations of the Company; (iii) all obligations of the Company issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of the Company and all obligations of the Company under any title retention agreement (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business and long-term purchase obligations); (iv) all obligations of the Company for the reimbursement of any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit


transaction; and (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above of other persons for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, except for any obligations, instruments or agreements of the type referred to in any of clauses (i) through (v) above that, by the terms of the instruments or agreements creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, are subordinated or equal in right of payment to the Notes.

4. Method of Payment

The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the Regular Record Date next preceding each Interest Payment Date even if Notes are canceled after the Regular Record Date and on or before the Interest Payment Date. Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Security (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by DTC, as Depositary.

5. Paying Agent and Security Registrar

Initially, the Trustee will act as Paying Agent and Security Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Security Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Company may act as Paying Agent or Security Registrar.

6. Indenture

The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of September 11, 2024 (the “Base Indenture”), by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 11, 2024 (the “Supplemental Indenture”), by and between the Company and the Trustee (the Base Indenture, as amended and supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”). The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Supplemental Indenture (the “Act”). Capitalized terms used herein and defined in the Indenture but not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders of Notes are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of those terms.

The Notes issued on the Original Issue Date will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture.

7. Optional Redemption

The Company may redeem some or all of the Notes, at its option, in whole or in part (i) on any day in the period commencing on the date falling 90 days prior to the First Reset Date and ending on and including the First Reset Date and (ii) after the First Reset Date, on any interest payment date, at a Redemption Price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus, (subject to the provisions set forth in the Indenture regarding the payment of installments of interest on the Notes that are due and payable on any Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to a redemption date), accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed to, but excluding, the redemption date.


The Company may at its option redeem the Notes, in whole but not in part, at any time following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Tax Event (as defined below) at a Redemption Price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus, (subject to the provisions set forth in the Indenture regarding the payment of installments of interest on the Notes that are due and payable on any Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to a redemption date), accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to, but excluding, the redemption date.

Tax Event” means that the Company has received an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of:

(i) any amendment to, clarification of, or change, including any announced prospective change, in the laws or treaties of the United States or any of its political subdivisions or taxing authorities, or any regulations under those laws or treaties;

(ii) an administrative action, which means any judicial decision or any official administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to issue or adopt any administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure or regulation;

(iii) any amendment to, clarification of, or change in the official position or the interpretation of any administrative action or judicial decision or any interpretation or pronouncement that provides for a position with respect to an administrative action or judicial decision that differs from the previously generally accepted position, in each case by any legislative body, court, governmental authority or regulatory body, regardless of the time or manner in which that amendment, clarification or change is introduced or made known; or

(iv) a threatened challenge asserted in writing in connection with a tax audit of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or a publicly-known threatened challenge asserted in writing against any other taxpayer that has raised capital through the issuance of securities that are substantially similar to the Notes,

which amendment, clarification or change is effective or the administrative action is taken or judicial decision, interpretation or pronouncement is issued or threatened challenge is asserted or becomes publicly-known after September 9, 2024, there is more than an insubstantial risk that interest payable by the Company on the Notes is not deductible, or within 90 days would not be deductible, in whole or in part, by the Company for United States federal income tax purposes.

The Company may at its option redeem the Notes, in whole but not in part, at any time following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Rating Agency Event (as defined below) at a Redemption Price in cash equal to 102% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus, (subject to the provisions set forth in the Indenture regarding the payment of installments of interest on the Notes that are due and payable on any Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to a redemption date), accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to, but excluding, the redemption date.

Rating Agency Event” means, as of any date, a change, clarification or amendment in the methodology published by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or any successor provision thereto), that then publishes a rating for the Company (together with any successor thereto, a “rating agency”) in assigning equity credit to securities such as the Notes, (a) as such methodology was in effect on September 9, 2024, in the case of any rating agency that published a rating for the Company as of September 9, 2024, or (b) as such methodology was in effect on the date such rating agency first published a rating for the


Company, in the case of any rating agency that first publishes a rating for the Company after September 9, 2024 (in the case of either clause (a) or (b), the “current methodology”), that results in (i) any shortening of the length of time for which a particular level of equity credit pertaining to the Notes by such rating agency would have been in effect had the current methodology not been changed or (ii) a lower equity credit (including up to a lesser amount) being assigned by such rating agency to the Notes as of the date of such change, clarification or amendment than the equity credit that would have been assigned to the Notes by such rating agency had the current methodology not been changed.

The Trustee shall have no duty to calculate the Redemption Price.

8. Notice of Redemption

Notice of any redemption will be mailed or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures) at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed in accordance with Section 106 of the Base Indenture and Section 7.6 of the Supplemental Indenture. In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by lot or by such other customary method prescribed by the Depositary. No Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such Note will state the portion of the principal amount of the Note to be redeemed. A new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note will be issued in the name of the Holder of the original Note upon surrender for cancellation of the original Note. For so long as the Notes are held by DTC (or another Depositary), the redemption of the Notes shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Depositary, which may be on a pro rata pass-through distribution of principal basis. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price or the proposed redemption is canceled in accordance with the provisions set forth in the next succeeding paragraph, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

If, at the time a notice of redemption is given, (i) the Company has not effected satisfaction and discharge of the Notes pursuant to Article Four of the Indenture and (ii) such notice of redemption is not being given in connection with or in order to effect satisfaction and discharge of the Notes, then, if the notice of redemption so provides and at the Company’s option, the redemption may be subject to the condition that the Trustee shall have received, on or before the applicable redemption date, monies in an amount sufficient to pay the Redemption Price and accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes called for redemption to, but excluding, the redemption date. If monies in such amount are not received by the Trustee on or before such redemption date, such notice of redemption shall be automatically canceled and of no force or effect, such proposed redemption shall be automatically canceled and the Company shall not be required to redeem the Notes called for redemption on such redemption date. In the event that a redemption is canceled, the Company will, not later than the business day immediately following the proposed redemption date, deliver, or cause to be delivered, notice of such cancellation to the Holders of the Notes called for redemption (which notice will also indicate that any Notes or portions thereof surrendered for redemption shall be returned to the applicable Holders), and the Company will direct the Trustee to, and the Trustee will, promptly return any Notes or portions thereof that have been surrendered for redemption to the applicable Holders.

9. Additional Notes

The Company may, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, create and issue additional Notes ranking equally with the Notes in all respects, including having the same terms (except for the price to public, the issue date and the initial interest accrual date and the first Interest Payment Date, as applicable), so that such additional Notes shall be consolidated and form a single series with the Notes and


shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Notes. Such additional Notes will have the same CUSIP number as the Notes being authenticated on the date hereof, provided that such additional Notes are part of the same issue as the Notes being authenticated on the date hereof for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If such additional Notes are not part of the same issue for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional Notes must be issued with a separate CUSIP number. No additional Notes may be issued if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Notes.

10. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Security Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Security Registrar need not register the transfer or exchange of any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Note not to be redeemed) for a period of fifteen (15) Business Days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

11. Persons Deemed Owners

The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

12. Unclaimed Money

If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Company at its request. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Company and not to the Trustee or the Paying Agent for payment.

13. Satisfaction and Discharge

Under the Indenture, the Company can terminate its obligations with respect to the Notes not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation when those Notes have become due and payable or will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for giving notice of redemption. The Company may terminate its obligations with respect to the Notes by depositing with the Trustee, as funds in trust dedicated solely for that purpose, an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes. In that case, the Indenture will cease to be of further effect and the Company’s obligations will be satisfied and discharged with respect to the Notes (other than those provisions that expressly survive the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture). At the expense of the Company, the Trustee will execute proper instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and discharge.

14. Amendment, Waiver

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture may be amended with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes of each series affected by such amendment, (ii) the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes and (iii) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any Holder, the Company and the Trustee shall be entitled to amend the Indenture to, among other things, cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or to evidence the succession


of another Person as obligor under the Indenture, or to add to the Company’s covenants or to surrender any right or power conferred on the Company under the Indenture, or to add events of default, or to secure the Notes, or to evidence or provide for the acceptance or appointment by a successor Trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the Indenture by more than one trustee, or to conform the Indenture to any amendment of the Act.

15. Defaults and Remedies

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately.

Neither the Trustee nor the Holders of the Notes shall be entitled to declare the principal of or accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be immediately due and payable by reason of the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default specified in clause (c) of Section 4.1 of the Supplemental Indenture, and any notice of declaration of acceleration based on such an Event of Default shall be null and void with respect to the Notes; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as an Event of Default specified in clause (c) of Section 4.1 of the Supplemental Indenture with respect to the Notes shall have occurred and shall be continuing, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes may exercise the other rights and remedies available under the Indenture in connection with such Event of Default, as well as such other rights and remedies as may be available under applicable law or otherwise.

Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or the Notes unless it receives indemnity and/or security satisfactory to it. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing default (except a default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.

16. Trustee Dealings with the Company

Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

17. No Recourse Against Others

A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company or the Trustee shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Note, each Holder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.

18. Authentication

This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an Authenticating Agent) signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note in accordance with requirements set forth in the Indenture and the Officers’ Certificate.


19. 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 rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

20. CUSIP and ISIN Numbers

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused the applicable CUSIP number to be printed on the Notes and has directed the Trustee to use such CUSIP number in any notice of redemption as a convenience to the Holders. To the extent such number has been issued, the Company has caused the applicable ISIN number to be similarly printed on the Notes and has similarly instructed the Trustee. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

21. Governing Law.

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO CONTRARY CONFLICT OF LAWS OR CHOICE OF LAWS PROVISIONS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge to the Holder a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

PG&E Corporation

300 Lakeside Drive

Oakland, California 94612

Attention: Corporate Secretary


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 soc. Sec. 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 other side of this Note.
Signature Guarantee:      
         
Signature must be guaranteed       Signature

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Security Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO   FILE NO. 026915.69

September 11, 2024

PG&E Corporation

300 Lakeside Drive

Oakland, California 94612

 

Re:

PG&E Corporation

Registration Statement on Form S-3

To the Addressee:

We have served as counsel to PG&E Corporation, a California corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the issuance and sale by the Company of $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 7.375% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes due 2055 (the “Junior Subordinated Notes”) covered by the Company’s Registration Statement (the “Registration Statement”) on Form S-3 (File No. 333-277286), including the prospectus constituting a part thereof, dated February 22, 2024, and the final prospectus supplement, dated September 9, 2024 (collectively, the “Prospectus”), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

The Junior Subordinated Notes were issued under the Company’s Subordinated Notes Indenture, dated as of September 11, 2024 (the “Original Indenture”), as amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 11, 2024 (the “First Supplemental Indenture”, together with the Original Indenture, the “Indenture”) between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”). The forms, terms and other provisions of the Junior Subordinated Notes were established under the First Supplemental Indenture. The Junior Subordinated Notes were sold by the Company pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, dated September 9, 2024 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), among the Company, Barclays Capital Inc., BofA Securities, Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters named therein.

In rendering the opinion expressed below, we have examined and relied upon copies of the Registration Statement and the exhibits filed therewith and the Indenture. We have also examined originals, or copies of originals certified to our satisfaction, of such agreements, documents, certificates and statements of government officials and other instruments, and have examined such questions of law and have satisfied ourselves as to such matters of fact, as we have considered relevant and necessary as a basis for this opinion letter. We have assumed: (i) the genuineness of all signatures; (ii) the legal capacity of natural persons; (iii) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and (iv) the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. We have also assumed that the Indenture will be the valid and legally binding obligation of the Trustee.

 

ATLANTA AUSTIN BANGKOK BEIJING BOSTON BRUSSELS CHARLOTTE DALLAS DUBAI HOUSTON

LONDON LOS ANGELES MIAMI NEW YORK RICHMOND SAN FRANCISCO TOKYO TYSONS WASHINGTON, DC

www.HuntonAK.com


PG&E Corporation

September 11, 2024

Page 2

 

Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that the Junior Subordinated Notes, when duly authenticated by the Trustee and issued and delivered by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture, will constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company (subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, receivership, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, transfer or other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of mortgagees’ and other creditors’ rights and by the effect of general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

We do not express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of California.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to all references to us included in or made a part of the Registration Statement. In giving the foregoing consent, we do not hereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder. This opinion letter is limited to the matters stated in this opinion letter, and no opinion may be implied or inferred beyond the matters expressly stated in this opinion letter. This opinion letter is given as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to advise you after the date hereof of facts or circumstances that come to our attention or changes in the law, including judicial or administrative interpretations thereof, that occur which could affect the opinions contained herein. 

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ HUNTON ANDREWS KURTH LLP

Exhibit 8.1

 

LOGO   FILE NO. 026915.69

September 11, 2024

PG&E Corporation

300 Lakeside Drive

Oakland, California 94612

PG&E Corporation

$1,000,000,000 7.375% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes due 2055

To the Addressee:

We have acted as counsel to PG&E Corporation, a California corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the offering and sale (the “Offering”) of $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.375% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes due 2055 (the “Notes”) of the Company pursuant to a preliminary prospectus supplement dated September 9, 2024 and a final prospectus supplement dated September 9, 2024 (together, the “Prospectus Supplement”) and a base prospectus dated February 22, 2024 (the “Base Prospectus”). The Notes are being issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of September 11, 2024 (the “Base Indenture”), as amended and supplemented by a supplemental indenture, dated as of September 11, 2024 (the “First Supplemental Indenture”, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee. You have requested our opinion as to certain U.S. federal income tax matters. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the Indenture.

In rendering the opinion expressed below, we have made such legal and factual examinations and inquiries as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of rendering this opinion letter, including but not limited to the examination of the following: (i) the Base Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement, (ii) the Indenture and (iii) such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth below.

As to any facts material to the opinion expressed herein, we have relied upon certificates and statements and representations and warranties of the officers and other representatives and agents of the parties to the documents and of public officials. In rendering this opinion letter, except for the matters that are specifically addressed in the opinion expressed below, with your permission, we have assumed, and are relying on without independent investigation, (i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, (ii) the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies, (iii) the genuineness of signatures, (iv) the legal capacity of natural persons signing the documents, (v) the necessary entity formation and continuing existence in the jurisdiction of

 

ATLANTA AUSTIN BANGKOK BEIJING BOSTON BRUSSELS CHARLOTTE DALLAS DUBAI HOUSTON

LONDON LOS ANGELES MIAMI NEW YORK RICHMOND SAN FRANCISCO TOKYO TYSONS WASHINGTON, DC

www.HuntonAK.com


PG&E Corporation

September 11, 2024

Page 2

 

formation, and the necessary licensing and qualification in all jurisdictions, of all parties to the documents, (vi) the necessary entity authorization, execution, delivery and enforceability (as limited by bankruptcy and other insolvency laws) of all documents by all parties thereto, and the necessary entity power and authority with respect thereto, (vii) the validity, binding effect, and enforceability of all documents, (viii) that each of the parties to the documents will comply (without waiver) with all of the terms of such documents, and (ix) that there is not any other agreement that modifies or supplements the agreements expressed in any document to which this opinion letter relates and that renders the opinion expressed below inconsistent with such document as so modified or supplemented.

In rendering this opinion letter, except for matters that are specifically addressed in the opinion expressed below, we have made no inquiry, have conducted no investigation and assume no responsibility with respect to (i) the accuracy of and compliance by the parties thereto with the representations, warranties, covenants, certifications and assumptions as to factual matters contained in any document or (ii) the conformity of the documents to the requirements of any agreement to which this opinion letter relates.

Based on the foregoing and subject to the qualifications, representations, warranties, covenants, certifications and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that under current U.S. federal income tax law as of the date hereof, although there are no regulations, rulings or judicial precedents addressing the characterization of securities having terms substantially similar to the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Notes should be classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as indebtedness of the Company to the extent that they are not beneficially owned by any person related to the Company including (i) any member of the Company’s “expanded group” within the meaning of the regulations under section 385 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) (hereinafter, such regulations are the “Section 385 Regulations”), (ii) with respect to the Company’s expanded group, a “controlled partnership” within the meaning of the Section 385 Regulations, or (iii) a disregarded entity owned by any entity described in (i) or (ii) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Other than in the context of certain related party debt instruments addressed under the Section 385 Regulations, there are no Treasury regulations defining instruments held by persons unrelated to the issuer as equity or indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Furthermore, there are no controlling Treasury regulations, published rulings, or judicial decisions involving securities with terms substantially the same as the Notes that discuss whether, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the securities constitute equity or indebtedness. Therefore, our opinion regarding the characterization of the Notes as evidences of indebtedness is based upon rulings and judicial decisions under the Code involving situations that we consider to be analogous and an analysis of all of the facts and circumstances surrounding the issuance and sale of the Notes.

The foregoing opinion is based only on the federal income tax laws of the United States, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change. The foregoing opinion is limited to the matters addressed herein, and no other opinion is rendered with respect to other United States federal tax


PG&E Corporation

September 11, 2024

Page 3

 

matters or to any issues arising under the tax laws of any other country, or any state or locality or governmental agency (other than the Internal Revenue Service) including without limitation (i) any statute, regulation, or provision of law of any state, county, municipality, or other political subdivision or any agency or instrumentality thereof or (ii) the securities or tax laws of any jurisdiction (other than the federal income tax laws of the United States). Additional issues may exist that could affect the United States federal tax treatment of the transaction or matter that is the subject of this opinion letter, and this opinion letter does not consider or provide a conclusion with respect to such additional issues. You should be aware that this opinion letter represents conclusions as to the application of existing law, regulations, administrative rules and practices, and legislative history to the transactions described above. There can be no assurance, however, that existing law will not change or that contrary positions will not be taken by the Internal Revenue Service. Any such change might be retroactive and might affect the opinion set forth above.

We express no opinion on any other laws and intimate no view on any other matter that may be relevant to your interests. We also caution you that our opinion depends upon the facts, representations, warranties, covenants, certifications, assumptions and documents to which this letter refers, which are subject to change, reinterpretation and misunderstanding. Our conclusion could differ if these items on which we have relied are, become or are found to be different.

This opinion letter is rendered as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation to update the opinion expressed herein after the date of this letter or advise you of changes in the event there is any change in legal authorities, facts, representations, warranties, covenants, certifications and assumptions or documents on which this opinion letter is based (including the taking of any action by any party to the documents pursuant to any opinion of counsel or a waiver), or any inaccuracy in any of these items upon which we have relied in rendering this opinion letter, unless we are specifically engaged to do so. Except as described in the next paragraph, this opinion letter may not be distributed, quoted in whole or in part or otherwise reproduced in any document, or filed with any governmental agency without our express written consent.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on the date of this opinion letter. We also consent to the references to Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP under the captions “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus Supplement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ HUNTON ANDREWS KURTH LLP