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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 25, 2016
Registration No. 333-199842​
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
XL GROUP LTD
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Bermuda
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
   
O’Hara House
One Bermudiana Road
Hamilton, HM08
Bermuda
(441) 292-8515
(Address, including zip code, and telephone
number, including area code, of registrant’s
principal executive offices)
98-0665416
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
   
   
Puglisi & Associates
850 Library Avenue, Suite 204
Newark, Delaware 19711
(302) 738-6680
(Name, address, including zip code, and
telephone number, including area code, of agent
for service)
XL GROUP
Public Limited Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Ireland
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
   
XL House, 8 St. Stephen’s Green
Dublin 2
Ireland
+353 (1) 405-2033
(Address, including zip code, and telephone
number, including area code, of registrant’s
principal executive offices)
None
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
   
   
Puglisi & Associates
850 Library Avenue, Suite 204
Newark, Delaware 19711
(302) 738-6680
(Name, address, including zip code, and
telephone number, including area code, of agent
for service)
XLIT LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Cayman Islands
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
   
XL House, 8 St. Stephen’s Green
Dublin 2
Ireland
+353 (1) 405-2033
(Address, including zip code, and telephone
number, including area code, of registrant’s
principal executive offices)
98-0191089
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
   
Puglisi & Associates
850 Library Avenue, Suite 204
Newark, Delaware 19711
(302) 738-6680
(Name, address, including zip code, and
telephone number, including area code, of agent
for service)
Copies to:
Kirstin R. Gould, Esq.
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
XL Group Ltd
XL Group plc
XLIT Ltd.
O’Hara House
One Bermudiana Road
Hamilton, HM08
Bermuda
(441) 292-8515
Todd E. Freed, Esq.
Gregory A. Fernicola, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Four Times Square
New York, New York 10036
(212) 735-3000

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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of  “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☒
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
Calculation of Registration Fee
Title of each class of securities to be registered (1)
Amount to be
registered (2)
Proposed
maximum
offering price
per unit (2)
Proposed
maximum
aggregate
offering price (2)
Amount of
registration fee (2)
XL Group Ltd Common Shares (par value US$0.01 per
share)
XL Group Ltd Preference Shares (par value US$0.01 per
share)
XL Group Ltd Depositary Shares
XL Group Ltd Common Share Warrants
XL Group Ltd Purchase Contracts
XL Group Ltd Purchase Units (3)
XL Group Ltd Debt Securities
XL Group Ltd Guarantees of XLIT Ltd. Debt Securities (4)
XL Group plc Guarantees of XLIT Ltd. Debt Securities (5)
XLIT Ltd. Debt Securities
(1)
These offered securities may be sold separately, together as units or with other offered securities.
(2)
An unspecified amount of securities or initial aggregate offering price of each identified class is being registered hereunder. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are issued as units. With respect to all securities that may be offered and sold under this Registration Statement, the registrant has elected to rely on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act to defer all of the registration fee with respect to such securities.
(3)
Each XL Group Ltd Purchase Unit consists of  (a) an XL Group Ltd Purchase Contract, under which the holder or XL Group Ltd, upon settlement, will purchase a fixed or varying number of XL Group Ltd Common Shares, and (b) a beneficial interest in either XL Group Ltd Debt Securities (which may be senior or subordinated), debt or equity obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities of XL Group Ltd, XL Group Ltd Preference Shares or XLIT Ltd. Debt Securities (which may be senior or subordinated), in each case purchased with the proceeds from the sale of the XL Group Ltd Purchase Units. No separate consideration will be received for the XL Group Ltd Purchase Contracts.
(4)
Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act, no separate consideration will be received for the XL Group Ltd Guarantees.
(5)
Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act, no separate consideration will be received for the XL Group plc Guarantees.

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EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 (the “Post-Effective Amendment”) to Registration Statement No. 333-199842 on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) is being filed pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), by XL Group Ltd, a Bermuda exempted company (“XL-Bermuda”), as successor issuer to XL Group plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Ireland (the “XL-Ireland”). On July 25, 2016 at 7:00 a.m. (Eastern time) (the “Effective Time”), the scheme of arrangement (the “Scheme of Arrangement”) involving XL-Ireland and XL-Bermuda (as described in the Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Special Court-Ordered Meeting and Extraordinary General Meeting of Holders of Ordinary Shares held on June 23, 2016, filed by XL-Ireland on May 11, 2016) became effective.
Prior to the Scheme of Arrangement, XL-Bermuda, as a subsidiary of XL-Ireland, acquired ordinary shares of XL-Ireland. Pursuant to the Scheme of Arrangement, (i) the common share of XL-Bermuda owned by XL-Ireland was cancelled, (ii) all of the existing XL-Ireland ordinary shares were cancelled, other than the XL-Ireland ordinary shares held by XL-Bermuda, (iii) XL-Ireland issued XL-Ireland common shares to XL-Bermuda equal to the number of XL-Ireland ordinary shares cancelled pursuant to (ii) above, and (iv) in return for such issuance of XL-Ireland ordinary shares to XL-Bermuda, XL-Bermuda issued XL-Bermuda common shares to existing XL-Ireland shareholders, whose XL-Ireland ordinary shares were cancelled pursuant to (ii) above.
As a result of the Scheme of Arrangement, (i) each holder of XL-Ireland ordinary shares received one XL-Bermuda common share for each XL-Ireland ordinary share owned by such shareholder, except XL-Bermuda who retained its XL-Ireland ordinary shares held prior to the effectiveness of the Scheme of Arrangement, and (ii) all of the share capital of XL-Ireland became owned by XL-Bermuda.
The following diagram depicts the organizational structure immediately before and after the Effective Time. The diagram does not depict any subsidiaries of XL-Ireland other than XL-Bermuda prior to the Effective Time and XLIT Ltd. (“XL-Cayman”):
[MISSING IMAGE: T1601730_CHRT-ORG.JPG]
This Post-Effective Amendment pertains to the adoption by XL-Bermuda of the Registration Statement. XL-Bermuda hereby expressly adopts the Registration Statement as its own registration statement for all purposes of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

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As at the date of this Post-Effective Amendment, there are outstanding certain debt securities issued by XL-Cayman, a wholly owned subsidiary of XL-Ireland, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of XL-Bermuda, and which, as of the date of this Post-Effective Amendment, are guaranteed by each of XL-Ireland and XL-Bermuda (the “Relevant Debt Securities”). It is currently expected that the guarantee by XL-Ireland of the Relevant Debt Securities will be released (the “XL-Ireland Release”) upon the transfer of substantially all the assets of XL-Ireland to XL-Bermuda. Prior to the XL-Ireland Release, all XL-Cayman debt securities offered by XL-Cayman pursuant to the Registration Statement (if any) will be guaranteed by XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland. Therefore, this Post-Effective Amendment registers, among other things, guarantees by XL-Ireland of debt securities of XL-Cayman that may be offered and issued pursuant to the Registration Statement prior to the XL-Ireland Release.

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PROSPECTUS
XL Group Ltd
Common Shares
Preference Shares
Depositary Shares
Common Share Warrants
Purchase Contracts
Purchase Units
Debt Securities
Guarantees of XLIT Ltd. Debt Securities
XL Group plc
Guarantees of XLIT Ltd. Debt Securities
XLIT Ltd.
Debt Securities
Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by XL Group Ltd and, prior to the XL-Ireland Release
(as defined herein), by XL Group plc
The following are types of securities that may be offered and sold from time to time under this prospectus:

XL Group Ltd Common Shares

XL Group Ltd Preference Shares

XL Group Ltd Depositary Shares

XL Group Ltd Common Share Warrants

XL Group Ltd Purchase Contracts

XL Group Ltd Purchase Units

XL Group Ltd Debt Securities

XL Group Ltd Guarantees of XLIT Ltd. Debt Securities

XL Group plc Guarantees of XLIT Ltd. Debt Securities

XLIT Ltd. Debt Securities Guaranteed by XL Group Ltd
XL Group Ltd Common Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “XL” and on the Bermuda Stock Exchange under the symbol “XL.BH”.
Investing in our securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 2.
A prospectus supplement, which must accompany this prospectus, will describe the specific terms of the securities offered and tax considerations pertaining to an investment in the securities. Those terms may include, among others, as applicable:

Maturity

Interest rate

Dividend rate

Sinking fund terms

Ranking

Redemption terms

Conversion terms

Amount payable at maturity

Listing on a securities exchange
   
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state or other jurisdiction’s securities commission or regulatory body has approved or disapproved of the securities referred to in this prospectus or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The securities may be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering. The securities may be sold directly to you on a continuous or delayed basis. If agents, underwriters or dealers are used to sell the securities, they will be named, and their compensation described, in a prospectus supplement.
The date of this prospectus is July 25, 2016.

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II-1
As used in this prospectus, “XL-Bermuda” means XL Group Ltd, an exempted company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda, as successor issuer to XL Group plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Ireland (the “XL-Ireland”) and “XL-Cayman” means XLIT Ltd., an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands.
This document is important and requires your immediate attention. If you are in any doubt as to what action you should take, you should immediately consult your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, fund manager or other appropriate financial adviser being, if you are resident in Ireland, an organization or firm authorized or exempted pursuant to the European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 (as amended), or the Investments Intermediaries Act 1995 (as amended) or, if you are in a territory outside Ireland, another appropriately authorized adviser.
This document does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of Part 23 of the Companies Act, 2014 of Ireland (as amended) or an offer to sell or an invitation to purchase or the solicitation of an offer to purchase securities. No offer of any securities to the public is being made that requires the publication of a prospectus pursuant to Irish prospectus law (within the meaning of Part 23 of the Companies Act, 2014 of Ireland (as amended) in general or in particular pursuant to the Prospectus (Directive 2003/71/EC) Regulations 2005 of Ireland (as amended). This document has not been approved or reviewed by or registered with the Central Bank of Ireland.
No invitation, whether direct or indirect, may be made to the public in the Cayman Islands for any securities issued by XL-Cayman unless such securities are listed on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange.
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This document does not constitute investment advice or the provision of investment services within the meaning of the European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 of Ireland (as amended) or otherwise. XL-Ireland is not an authorized investment firm within the meaning of the European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 of Ireland (as amended), and the recipients of this document should seek independent legal and financial advice in determining their actions in respect of or pursuant to this document.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission, the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda nor the Bermuda Monetary Authority (the “BMA”) nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of the securities referred to in this prospectus (save that the BMA has approved the issuance of the common shares of XL-Bermuda pursuant to the scheme of arrangement involving XL-Ireland and XL-Bermuda that became effective on July 25, 2016) or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Securities may be offered or sold in Bermuda only in compliance with the provisions of the Bermuda Investment Business Act 2003, which regulates the sale of securities in Bermuda. In addition, the BMA must approve all issuances and transfers of securities of a Bermuda company, other than in cases where the BMA has granted a general permission. The BMA, in its policy notice to the public dated June 1, 2005, has issued its general permission for the free issuance and transferability of our equity securities, which would include our common shares, as long as any equity securities of XL-Bermuda remain listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) or other appointed stock exchange, to and among persons who are non-residents of Bermuda for exchange control purposes. The BMA and the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda accept no responsibility for the financial soundness of any proposal or for the correctness of any of the statements or opinions expressed in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement.
Pursuant to the Bermuda Insurance Act 1978, as amended, and its related regulations (the “Insurance Act”), each shareholder or prospective shareholder of XL-Bermuda will be responsible for notifying the BMA in writing of such shareholder becoming a shareholder controller, directly or indirectly, of 10%, 20%, 33% or 50% of Catlin Insurance Company Ltd., Catlin Re Switzerland Ltd., Hubble Re Ltd., XL Bermuda Ltd or XL Life Ltd, within 45 days of becoming such a shareholder controller. Each such shareholder controller will also be responsible for notifying the BMA in writing where he has reduced or disposed of his indirect or direct shareholding in such registered insurers (other than Hubble Re Ltd.) such that the proportion of the voting rights held by the shareholder controller reaches or falls below the thresholds set out above, not later than 45 days after such disposal. Such registered insurers are also required to notify the BMA in writing in the event of any person ceasing to be a controller, a controller being a managing director, chief executive or other person in accordance with whose directions or instructions the directors of any registered insurer are accustomed to act, including any person who holds, or is entitled to exercise, 10% of more of the voting shares or voting power, or is able to exercise a significant influence over the management of, the registered insurer. The BMA may serve a notice of objection on any controller of a registered insurer if it appears to the BMA that the person is no longer fit and proper to be such a controller.
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that XL Group Ltd, XL Group plc and XLIT Ltd. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process, relating to:
1.
XL Group Ltd’s common shares, preference shares, depositary shares, common share warrants, purchase contracts, purchase units, debt securities (which may include medium term notes) and guarantees of XLIT Ltd.’s debt securities;
2.
XLIT Ltd.’s debt securities, which will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by XL Group Ltd and, prior to the XL-Ireland Release, by XL Group plc; and
3.
prior to the XL-Ireland Release, XL Group plc’s guarantees of XLIT Ltd.’s debt securities.
Under this shelf process, we may sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings in an unlimited dollar amount. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For additional information, please refer to the registration statement. Each time we sell securities we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also supplement or update information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
In this prospectus, and in the accompanying prospectus supplement, unless the context requires otherwise and except as otherwise indicated:

“we,” “us” and “our” refer to XL Group Ltd and its subsidiaries;

“XL-Bermuda” refers to XL Group Ltd and not any of its subsidiaries;

“XL-Ireland” refers to XL Group plc and not any of its subsidiaries; and

“XL-Cayman” refers to XLIT Ltd. and not any of its subsidiaries.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
XL-Bermuda, XL-Ireland and XL-Cayman have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), a combined registration statement on Form S-3 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the “registration statement”) relating to the offered securities.
XL-Bermuda is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and in accordance therewith files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The public may read and copy any materials that XL-Bermuda files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including XL-Bermuda, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s Internet site is www.sec.gov.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information XL-Bermuda files with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information that XL-Bermuda files after the date of this prospectus with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below, which have been filed by XL-Ireland (the predecessor registrant to XL-Bermuda) with the SEC (SEC file number 1-10804), and any future filings made by XL-Bermuda pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than, unless otherwise indicated, any document or information that is, or is deemed to be, furnished and not filed in accordance with applicable SEC rules):

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed on February 26, 2016;
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Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, filed on May 6, 2016;

Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Annual General Meeting of Holders of Ordinary Shares of XL Group Ltd held on May 13, 2016, filed on March 16, 2016;

Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Special Court-Ordered Meeting and Extraordinary General Meeting of Holders of Ordinary Shares held on June 23, 2016, filed on May 11, 2016 (the ”Scheme Proxy Statement”);

Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 29, 2016, May 19, 2016, June 23, 2016, July 13, 2016 and July 25, 2016; and

the description of XL Group Ltd’s common shares included in the Scheme Proxy Statement, set forth in the section “Description of XL Group Ltd Share Capital,” including any amendment or report filed for the purposes of updating such description, and specifically including the Memorandum of Association and Bye-laws of XL Group Ltd filed as Exhibits 3.3 and 3.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 25, 2016.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or considered to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus shall be considered to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any subsequently filed document that is or is considered to be incorporated by reference modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement that is modified or superseded shall not, except as so modified or superseded, constitute a part of this prospectus.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, at no cost upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any of the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents that are not specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. You may request such documents by contacting us at:
XL Group
Investor Relations
100 Washington Boulevard
6th Floor
Stamford, CT 06902
Telephone: (203) 964-3470
Fax: (203) 964-3444
Email: investorinfo@xlgroup.com
We have not authorized anyone to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials that they have incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of the date of this prospectus.
RISK FACTORS
Investment in our securities involves various risks. In making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed on February 26, 2016, in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, filed on May 6, 2016 and in the Scheme Proxy Statement, each filed by XL-Ireland (as predecessor registrant to XL-Bermuda) and any future filings made by XL-Bermuda pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this offering.
XL GROUP LTD, XL GROUP PLC AND XLIT LTD.
XL-Bermuda, through its subsidiaries, including XL-Ireland and XL-Cayman, is a global insurance and reinsurance company providing property, casualty and specialty products to industrial, commercial and professional firms, insurance companies and other enterprises on a worldwide basis.
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XL-Bermuda is incorporated in Bermuda as an exempted company. XL-Bermuda’s principal executive offices are located at O’Hara House, One Bermudiana Road, Hamilton, HM08, Bermuda. XL-Bermuda’s telephone number is (441) 292-8515. XL-Bermuda’s website address is www.xlgroup.com. The information contained on XL-Bermuda’s website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
XL-Ireland is incorporated in Ireland as a public limited company. XL-Ireland’s principal executive offices are located at XL House, 8 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. XL-Ireland’s telephone number is +353 (1) 405-2033.
XL-Cayman is incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company and is a wholly owned subsidiary of XL-Ireland. XL-Cayman’s principal executive offices are located at XL House, 8 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. XL-Cayman’s telephone number is +353 (1) 405-2033.
You can obtain additional information about us in the reports and other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”) provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. This prospectus and any prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference or any other written or oral statements made by us or on our behalf may include forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Such statements include forward-looking statements both with respect to us in general, and to the insurance and reinsurance sectors in particular (both as to underwriting and investment matters). Statements that include the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “may,” “could” or “would” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements for purposes of the PSLRA or otherwise.
All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

changes in the size of our claims relating to unpredictable natural or man-made catastrophe losses, such as hurricanes, typhoons, floods, nuclear accidents or terrorism, due to the preliminary nature of some reports and estimates of loss and damage to date;

changes in the number of insureds and ceding companies impacted or the ultimate number and value of individual claims relating to the second quarter of 2016 natural catastrophe events due to the preliminary nature of reports and estimates of loss and damage to date;

the potential exit of member states from the European Union, including the United Kingdom, and the potential financial turmoil and uncertainty that could impact our investment portfolio, the impact on our operations both in the United Kingdom and the European Union, the impact on the insurance and reinsurance markets generally and in particular those located in London and any resulting changes to laws and regulations that impact our business;

the continuation of downward trends in rates for property and casualty insurance and reinsurance;

the availability, cost or quality of ceded reinsurance, and the timely and full recoverability of such reinsurance, or other amounts due to us, or changes to our projections relating to such recoverables;

actual loss experience from insured or reinsured events and the timing of claims payments being faster or the receipt of reinsurance recoverables being slower than we anticipated;

increased competition on the basis of pricing, capacity, coverage terms or other factors, such as the increased inflow of third-party capital into reinsurance markets, which could harm our ability to maintain or increase our business volumes or profitability;
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greater frequency or severity of claims and loss activity than our underwriting, reserving or investment practices anticipate based on historical experience or industry data;

the impact of changes in the global financial markets, such as the effects of inflation on our business including on pricing and reserving, changes in interest rates, credit spreads and foreign currency exchange rates and future volatility in the world’s credit, financial and capital markets that adversely affect the performance and valuation of our investments, future financing activities and access to such markets, our ability to pay claims or general financial condition;

the effects of climate change (such as changes to weather patterns, sea levels or temperatures) on our business, which our modeling or risk management practices may not adequately address due to the uncertain nature of climate change;

our ability to successfully implement our business strategy;

our ability to successfully attract and raise additional third party capital for existing or new investment vehicles;

changes in credit ratings or rating agency policies or practices, which could trigger cancelation provisions in our assumed reinsurance agreements or an event of default under our credit facilities;

the potential for changes to methodologies, estimations and assumptions that underlie the valuation of our financial instruments, that could result in changes to investment valuations;

changes to our assessment as to whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell, or have the intent to sell, available for sale fixed maturity securities before their anticipated recovery;

unanticipated constraints on our liquidity, including the availability of borrowings and letters of credit under our credit facilities, that inhibit our ability to support our operations, including our ability to underwrite policies and pay claims;

the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to XL-Bermuda, XL-Ireland, XL-Cayman and Catlin Insurance Company Ltd;

changes in regulators or regulation applicable to us, such as changes in regulatory capital balances that our operating subsidiaries must maintain, or to our brokers or customers;

the effects of business disruption, economic contraction or economic sanctions due to unpredictable global political and social conditions such as war, terrorism or other hostilities, or pandemics;

the actual amount of new and renewal business and acceptance of our products and services, including new products and services and the materialization of risks related to such products and services;

changes in the distribution or placement of risks due to increased consolidation of insurance and reinsurance brokers;

bankruptcies or other financial concerns of companies insofar as they affect P&C insurance and reinsurance coverages or claims that we may have as a counterparty;

the loss of key personnel;

the effects of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, including our ability to modify our internal control over financial reporting, changes to our risk appetite and our ability to realize the strategic value or financial benefits expected, in each case, as a result such transactions;

changes in general economic conditions, including new or continued sovereign debt concerns in Euro-Zone countries or emerging markets such as Brazil or China, or governmental actions for the purpose of stabilizing financial markets;
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changes in applicable tax laws, tax treaties or tax regulations or the interpretation or enforcement thereof;

judicial decisions and rulings, new theories of liability or emerging claims coverage issues, legal tactics and settlement terms; and

the other factors set forth in the documents incorporated by reference, which are on file with the SEC.
The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included or incorporated herein or elsewhere. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as may otherwise be described in the prospectus supplement relating to an offering of securities, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities included in this prospectus will be used for general corporate purposes. Any specific allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of securities to a specific purpose will be determined at the time of such offering and will be described in the related prospectus supplement.
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND RATIO OF
EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE DIVIDENDS
The following table shows the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preference dividends of XL-Ireland and its subsidiaries for each of the periods indicated:
(Unaudited)
Three Months
Ended
Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
March 31,
2016 (1)
2015 (1)
2014 (1)
2013 (1)
2012 (1)
2011 (1)
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
3.4 9.1 3.2 7.6 5.0 (0.4 )
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preference dividends
1.7 6.3 2.1 5.2 3.5 (0.3 )
(1)
We computed the foregoing ratios by dividing (a) income from continuing operations before income taxes, non-controlling interest and income or loss from equity investees plus the sum of fixed charges, amortization of capitalized interest and distributed income of equity investees, less non-controlling interest in pre-tax income of subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges, by (b) the sum of fixed charges and, where indicated, preference dividends. Fixed charges consist of interest expense on all indebtedness (including amortization of deferred financing costs), an estimate of the interest within rental expense and accretion of deposit liability transactions.
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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFERED SECURITIES
XL-Bermuda may offer from time to time under this prospectus, separately or together:

common shares;

preference shares;

depositary shares;

warrants to purchase common shares of XL-Bermuda;

purchase contracts;

purchase units, each representing ownership of one or more purchase contracts and, as security for the holder’s obligation to purchase common shares under the share purchase contract, any one or more of  (1) debt securities of XL-Bermuda (which may be senior or subordinated), (2) debt or equity obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities of XL-Bermuda, (3) preference shares of XL-Bermuda, or (4) debt securities of XL-Cayman (which may be senior or subordinated);

unsecured senior or subordinated debt securities; and

guarantees of unsecured senior or subordinated debt securities of XL-Cayman.
XL-Ireland may offer from time to time, prior to the XL-Ireland Release, under this prospectus guarantees of unsecured senior or subordinated debt securities of XL-Cayman.
XL-Cayman may offer from time to time under this prospectus unsecured senior or subordinated debt securities guaranteed by XL-Bermuda and, prior to the XL-Ireland Release, XL-Ireland.
References to “XL-Bermuda,” “we,” “our” or “us” in “Description of XL Group Ltd Share Capital,” “Description of XL Group Ltd Common Shares,” “Description of XL Group Ltd Preference Shares,” “Description of XL Group Ltd Depositary Shares,” “Description of XL Group Ltd Common Share Warrants,” “Description of XL Group Ltd Purchase Contracts and Purchase Units” and “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees” refer solely to XL Group Ltd and not its subsidiaries. References to “XL-Ireland” in “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees” refer solely to XL Group plc and not its subsidiaries. References to “XL-Cayman” in “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees” refer solely to XLIT Ltd. and not its subsidiaries.
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DESCRIPTION OF XL GROUP LTD SHARE CAPITAL
Our authorized share capital is US$9,999,900 divided into 500,000,000 common shares with a par value of  $0.01 per share, and 499,990,000 shares, which may include preference shares, with a par value of $0.01 per share. As of 7:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on July 25, 2016, we had 274,842,659 issued and outstanding common shares and no other issued and outstanding shares. All issued and outstanding shares are fully paid and nonassessable.
XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws authorize the XL-Bermuda Board of Directors (the “XL-Bermuda Board”), without shareholder approval, but subject to the provisions of XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws, the limitations prescribed by law and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred on holders of any existing class or series of shares of XL-Bermuda, to issue, allot, exchange or otherwise dispose of shares or options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares or securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for shares, at such time, for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the XL-Bermuda Board may determine.
The XL-Bermuda Board is authorized, pursuant to XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws and without shareholder approval, but subject to the provisions of XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws, the limitations prescribed by law and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred on the holders of any existing class or series of shares, to issue and allot non-voting common shares that do not entitle the holders thereof to voting rights.
XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws authorize the XL-Bermuda Board, without shareholder approval, but subject to the provisions of XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws, the limitations prescribed by law and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred on the holders of any existing class or series of shares, to issue shares in one or more series and if it does so, may name and designate each series in such manner as it deems appropriate to reflect the particular rights and restrictions attached to that series.
Each such share will have attached to it such preferred, qualified or other special rights, privileges and conditions and be subject to such restrictions, whether in regard to dividend, return of capital, redemption, conversion into the XL-Bermuda common shares or voting or otherwise, as the XL-Bermuda Board may determine on or before its allotment.
Except as otherwise specified below, references to voting by shareholders of XL-Bermuda are references to voting by holders of shares entitled to attend and vote generally at general meetings of the shareholders of XL-Bermuda.
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DESCRIPTION OF XL GROUP LTD COMMON SHARES
General
The following description of our common shares is a summary. You should refer to the provisions of our memorandum of association and our bye-laws. Rights under the common shares are subject to Bermuda law, including the Bermuda Companies Act 1981 as amended (the “Bermuda Companies Act”), as described in this prospectus.
Pre-emption Rights, Share Warrants and Share Options
Under Bermuda law, there are no statutory pre-emption rights and therefore, no shareholder of a Bermuda company has an automatic pre-emptive right to subscribe for additional issuances of a company’s shares unless, and to the extent that, such right is attached to a class of shares on issue or is otherwise expressly granted to the shareholder under the bye-laws of such company or under any contract between the shareholder and the company. XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws do not grant pre-emptive rights to shareholders.
XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws provide that the XL-Bermuda Board is authorized to issue share warrants and share options by a resolution of the XL-Bermuda Board and such share warrants and share options are contractual obligations of XL-Bermuda.
XL-Bermuda is subject to the rules of the NYSE requiring shareholder approval of certain share issuances.
Dividends
Under the bye-laws of XL-Bermuda and in accordance with the Bermuda Companies Act, the XL-Bermuda Board may from time to time declare dividends, or distributions out of contributed surplus (either in cash or in specie, including in shares of XL-Bermuda) to be paid to the shareholders in proportion to the number of shares held by them, and in accordance with their rights and interests, including such interim dividends as appear to the XL-Bermuda Board to be justified by the position of XL-Bermuda.
XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws authorize the XL-Bermuda Board, in its discretion (but subject to any rights or restrictions at the time lawfully attached to any class or series of shares, and subject to XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws and the solvency requirements discussed below), to declare such dividends and determine that any dividend shall be paid in cash or wholly or partly in specie, in which case the XL-Bermuda Board may fix the value for distribution in specie of any assets.
XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws provide that no dividend or distribution payable by XL-Bermuda will bear interest against XL-Bermuda and the XL-Bermuda Board may deduct from any such dividend or distribution all sums of money (if any) presently payable by him or her to XL-Bermuda on account of calls or otherwise in respect of shares of XL-Bermuda. Any dividend, or distribution out of contributed surplus, unclaimed for a period of six years from the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution will be forfeited and will revert and belong to XL-Bermuda.
Under the Bermuda Companies Act, a company may not (i) declare a dividend or (ii) make a distribution out of contributed surplus, if there are reasonable grounds for believing that: (x) the company is or would, after the payment, be unable to pay its liabilities as they become due or (y) the realizable value of the company’s assets would thereby be less than its liabilities.
Under XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws, a majority of the XL-Bermuda Board may fix, in advance, a record date for determining the shareholders entitled to receive any dividend or distribution.
Repurchased and redeemed XL-Bermuda common shares may be cancelled or held as treasury shares in accordance with the Bermuda Companies Act and on such terms as the XL-Bermuda Board thinks fit.
There is no distinction between interim and final dividends in Bermuda as the declaration and payment of dividends is at the discretion of the XL-Bermuda Board. Once the XL-Bermuda Board declares and pays a dividend, only then will the XL-Bermuda Board be obliged to pay the dividend to XL-Bermuda common shareholders, subject to the solvency requirements discussed above and any other conditions set by the XL-Bermuda Board. Directors must also consider that the dividend declaration is in the interests of XL-Bermuda.
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Share Repurchases, Redemptions and Conversions
Repurchases and Redemptions by XL-Bermuda
Under XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws, the XL-Bermuda Board may exercise all of the powers of XL-Bermuda to purchase or acquire all or any part of its own shares at any price and upon such terms as the XL-Bermuda Board may in its discretion determine, provided always that such acquisition is in accordance with the Bermuda Companies Act. Further XL-Bermuda may acquire its own shares as treasury shares in accordance with the Bermuda Companies Act and on such terms as the XL-Bermuda Board think fit. The Bermuda Companies Act prohibits XL-Bermuda from exercising the rights to attend and vote at a general meeting of XL-Bermuda that attach to any treasury shares acquired by XL-Bermuda.
XL-Bermuda must satisfy the solvency requirements under the Bermuda Companies Act if it is to purchase its shares and may not purchase its own shares if, on the date on which the purchase is to be effected, there are reasonable grounds for believing that XL-Bermuda is, or after the purchase would be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due.
Bonus Shares
Under XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws, the XL-Bermuda Board may capitalize any part of the amount standing to the credit of  (i) any of XL-Bermuda’s share premium or other reserve accounts or funds; or (ii) the profit and loss account or otherwise, available for distribution by applying such amount in paying up unissued shares to be allotted as fully paid bonus shares pro rata to XL-Bermuda’s shareholders.
Consolidation and Division; Subdivision
Under its bye-laws, XL-Bermuda may, by resolution of the XL-Bermuda shareholders passed by more than 50% of the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders, divide any or all of its share capital into shares of smaller par value than its existing shares (often referred to as a stock split) or consolidate any or all of its share capital into shares of larger par value than its existing shares (often referred to as a reverse stock split).
Reduction of Share Capital
XL-Bermuda may, by resolution of the XL-Bermuda shareholders and by publishing the intent to reduce its capital in a local newspaper, reduce its authorized but unissued share capital, or its issued share capital, in any way and on such terms as it sees fit, pursuant to the Bermuda Companies Act. Under the Bermuda Companies Act, a Bermuda company may agree in its bye-laws that no shareholder approval of such share capital reduction is required. However, for these purposes, XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws require more than 50% of the votes cast by XL-Bermuda shareholders at a meeting of shareholders to pass the resolution, provided a reduction of issued share capital shall require the affirmative vote of 75% of votes cast by shareholders present or represented by proxy and voting at such general meeting. Where any such share capital reduction is carried out, XL-Bermuda must file a memorandum of reduction of share capital with the Bermuda Registrar of Companies.
Voting
Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any series of preferred shares, if and when issued and subject to applicable law, each holder of XL-Bermuda common shares is entitled to one vote per share and all voting rights will be vested in those holders of record on the applicable record date on all matters voted on by the XL-Bermuda shareholders. However, if, and for so long as, the votes conferred by the XL-Bermuda Controlled Shares (as defined below) of any person constitute 10% or more of the votes conferred by the issued shares of the company, the voting rights with respect to the XL-Bermuda Controlled Shares of such person will be limited, in the aggregate, to a voting power equal to approximately (but slightly less than) 10%, pursuant to a formula set forth in XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws. “XL-Bermuda Controlled Shares” of a person (as defined in XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws) include (1) all XL-Bermuda shares owned directly, indirectly or constructively by that person (within the meaning of Section 958 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) or (2) all XL-Bermuda shares owned directly, indirectly or constructively by that person or any “group” of which that person is a part, within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.
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Holders of XL-Bermuda common shares will have noncumulative voting rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of directors to the XL-Bermuda Board can elect 100% of the directors to the XL-Bermuda Board and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors to the XL-Bermuda Board.
Shareholder decisions are generally taken by resolution at general meetings. Resolutions generally require approval by a simple majority of the votes cast at the meeting or by such higher majority as set out in the bye-laws or by statute. Matters requiring more than a simple majority resolution as a matter of Bermuda statutory law include, among other things, entering into a scheme of arrangement or merger (75%) (subject to reduction as set forth in XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws) and removing an auditor (66 2/3%).
Variation of Rights Attaching to a Class of Shares
Under the Bermuda Companies Act, the rights attaching to any class of shares may be varied by the consent of the holders of those issued shares at such threshold as set out in the bye-laws.
Variation of any special rights attached to any class of issued shares of XL-Bermuda must, in accordance with XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws, be approved by (i) the consent in writing of the holders of all of the issued and outstanding shares of that class; or (ii) with the sanction of a resolution passed by two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast at a separate general meeting of the shareholders of the class at which meeting the necessary quorum must be two persons at least holding or representing by proxy one-third (1/3) of the issued shares of the class.
The rights conferred upon the shareholders of any class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu therewith.
In addition, where the rights attaching to any class of shares are varied in accordance with the relevant bye-laws, the holders of at least 10% of the issued shares of that class could apply to the Bermuda Court to have the variation cancelled.
Inspection of Books and Records
Pursuant to XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws, the XL-Bermuda Board is required to keep records of account at XL-Bermuda’s registered office for inspection by the directors. Where the records of account are held in a location outside of Bermuda, the directors are required to keep at XL-Bermuda’s office such records as will enable the directors to ascertain with reasonable accuracy the financial position of XL-Bermuda at the end of each three month period. The shareholders of XL-Bermuda have no right to inspect any accounting record or book or document of XL-Bermuda except as provided for by law or as authorized by the XL-Bermuda Board.
XL-Bermuda must also keep a register of shareholders at its registered office in Bermuda for inspection and the Secretary of XL-Bermuda is required to establish and maintain a register of directors and officers for public inspection as prescribed by the Bermuda Companies Act. In addition, XL-Bermuda must file with the Bermuda Registrar of Companies a list of its directors containing, in the case of an individual director, his or her first and last name and address, or, in the case of a company acting as director, its name and registered office address. As a Bermuda company whose shares are listed on an appointed stock exchange (i.e. the NYSE), XL-Bermuda may, in addition to its register of members at its registered office, keep one or more branch registers in a location outside of Bermuda. However, such branch register(s) must be kept in the same manner in which the register of members in Bermuda must be kept.
Acquisitions
Amalgamations and Mergers
Under the Bermuda Companies Act, the amalgamation or merger of a Bermuda company with another company (wherever incorporated) (other than certain affiliated companies) requires, subject to the company’s bye-laws, the amalgamation or merger to be approved by the company’s board of directors and by its shareholders. The Bermuda Companies Act prescribes approval by 75% of shareholders but permits companies to reduce this in its bye-laws to a simple majority.
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The XL-Bermuda bye-laws require that any amalgamation or merger must be approved by (1) 75% of the votes cast by shareholders of XL-Bermuda present or represented by proxy and voting at a general meeting or (2) if the XL-Bermuda Board has unanimously approved the proposed amalgamation or merger, a majority of votes cast by shareholders of XL-Bermuda present or represented by proxy and voting at such general meeting.
For purposes of approval of an amalgamation or merger, all shares, whether or not otherwise entitled to vote, carry the right to vote. Holders of a separate class of shares are entitled to a separate class vote if the rights of such class would be varied by virtue of the amalgamation or merger.
Schemes of Arrangement
Bermuda companies are able to apply to the Bermuda Supreme Court (the “Bermuda Court”) under Section 99 of the Bermuda Companies Act to obtain the Bermuda Court’s sanction of a proposed scheme of arrangement. Schemes may be transfer schemes or cancellation schemes but, unlike a transfer scheme, a cancellation scheme requires the company to pass a solvency test or obtain the agreement of all of its creditors to the scheme. In either case, dissenting shareholders do not have express statutory appraisal rights, but the Bermuda Court will only sanction a scheme if it is fair. Shares owned by the offeror can be voted to approve the scheme but the Bermuda Court will be concerned to see that the shareholders approving the scheme are fairly representative of the general body of shareholders.
Under the Bermuda Companies Act, any scheme must be approved by a majority in number representing three quarters in value of the shareholders present and voting either in person or by proxy at the requisite special general meeting.
A Bermuda company may effect a squeeze-out of a minority shareholder in a Bermuda company by way of a general offer followed by a squeeze-out under Section 102 of the Bermuda Companies Act. Broadly, if the offer is approved by the holders of 90% in value of the shares which are the subject of the offer, the offeror can compulsorily acquire the shares of dissenting shareholders. Shares owned by the offeror or its subsidiaries or their nominees at the date of the offer do not, however, count towards the 90%. If the offeror or any of its subsidiaries or any nominee of the offeror, or any of its subsidiaries together already own more than 10% of the shares in the subject company at the date of the offer, the offeror must offer the same terms to all holders of the same class and the holders who accept the offer, besides holding not less than 90% in value of the shares, must also represent no less than 75% in number of the holders of those shares, although the additional restrictions should not apply if the offer is made by a subsidiary of a parent (where the subsidiary does not own more than 10% of the shares of the subject company) even where the parent owns more than 10% of the shares of the subject company, provided that the subsidiary and the parent are not nominees.
The 90% acceptance must be obtained within four months after the making of the offer and, once obtained, the compulsory acquisition may be commenced within two months of the acquisition of the 90%. Dissenting shareholders do not have express appraisal rights but are entitled to seek relief  (within one month of the compulsory acquisition notice) from the Bermuda Court which has power to make such orders as it thinks fit.
There is an alternative squeeze-out mechanism exercisable by the holders of 95% or more of the shares or any class of shares serving notice on the remaining shareholders or class of shareholders under Section 103 of the Bermuda Companies Act. Dissenting shareholders have a right to apply to the Bermuda Court within one month of the compulsory acquisition notice to have the value of their shares appraised by the Bermuda Court, but these appraisal rights differ from the appraisal rights in a merger, in that under Section 103 of the Bermuda Companies Act, if one dissenting shareholder applies to court and is successful in obtaining a higher valuation, that valuation must be paid to all shareholders being squeezed out.
Appraisal Rights
Under the Bermuda Companies Act, a dissenting shareholder of an amalgamating or merging company who did not vote in favor of the amalgamation or merger and does not believe it has been offered fair value for its shares may within one month of the giving of the notice calling the meeting at which the amalgamation or merger was decided upon apply to the Bermuda Court to appraise the fair value of its
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shares. Where the Bermuda Court has appraised any such shares and the amalgamation or merger has not been consummated before the appraisal then, within one month of the Bermuda Court appraising the value of the shares, the company is entitled to either: (i) pay to the dissenting shareholder an amount equal to the value of its shares as appraised by the Bermuda Court or (ii) terminate the amalgamation or merger agreement in accordance with the Bermuda Companies Act.
Where the Bermuda Court has appraised the fair value of any shares and the amalgamation or merger has proceeded prior to the appraisal then, within one month of the Bermuda Court appraising the value of the shares, if the amount (if any) paid to the dissenting shareholder for his or her shares is less than that appraised by the Bermuda Court, the amalgamated or surviving company must pay to such shareholder the difference between the amount paid to such shareholder and the value appraised by the Bermuda Court.
There is no right of appeal from an appraisal by the Bermuda Court. The costs of any application to the Bermuda Court to appraise the fair value of any shares will be allocated between the company and the shareholder in the discretion of the Bermuda Court.
Disclosure of Interests in Shares
Under Bermuda law, securities may be offered or sold in Bermuda only in compliance with provisions of the Investment Business Act 2003, the Exchange Control Act of 1972, and related regulations of Bermuda that regulate the sale of securities in Bermuda. In addition, specific permission is required from the BMA, pursuant to the provisions of the Exchange Control Act of 1972 and related regulations, for all issuances and transfers of securities of Bermuda companies, other than in cases where the BMA has granted a general permission. The BMA, in its policy dated June 1, 2005, provides that where any equity securities of a Bermuda company, which would include the XL-Bermuda common shares, are listed on an appointed stock exchange (the NYSE is deemed to be an appointed stock exchange under Bermuda law), general permission is given for the issue and subsequent transfer of any securities of such company from and/or to a non-resident of Bermuda, for as long as any equity securities of the company remain so listed.
In addition, persons or groups (within the meaning of the Exchange Act) beneficially owning 5% or more of XL-Bermuda common shares must comply with the reporting requirements under Regulation 13D-G of the Exchange Act.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
Bermuda law does not include any takeover regulations applicable to shareholders of Bermuda companies.
XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws provide that the XL-Bermuda Board must decline to register a transfer of shares if it appears to the XL-Bermuda Board that the effect of such transfer would be to increase the number of the XL-Bermuda Controlled Shares of any person to 10% or more of any class of voting shares of the total issued shares or of the voting power of XL-Bermuda.
Corporate Governance
XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws allocate authority over the management of XL-Bermuda to the XL-Bermuda Board who may exercise all the powers of XL-Bermuda (except those powers that are required by the Bermuda Companies Act and XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws to be exercised by the shareholders of XL-Bermuda). The XL-Bermuda Board may delegate management (including its powers, discretions and authorities) of XL-Bermuda to committees of the XL-Bermuda Board or to any company, firm or person or any fluctuating body of persons for such period and subject to such conditions as the XL-Bermuda Board may think fit. Regardless of any delegation, the XL-Bermuda directors cannot absolve themselves entirely of their responsibility by delegation to others.
Duration; Dissolution; Rights upon Liquidation
XL-Bermuda’s duration is unlimited. XL-Bermuda may be dissolved at any time by way of either a shareholder’s voluntary winding up or a creditors’ voluntary winding up. In the case of a shareholder’s voluntary winding up, the company must be solvent and a special resolution of the shareholders is required. XL-Bermuda may also be dissolved by way of court order on the application of a creditor.
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In the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of XL-Bermuda, the holders of XL-Bermuda common shares will be entitled to share equally in any of the assets available for distribution after XL-Bermuda has paid in full all of its debts and after the holders of all series of XL-Bermuda’s outstanding preferred shares, if any, have received their liquidation preferences in full.
The rights of the shareholders to a return of XL-Bermuda’s assets on dissolution or winding up, following the settlement of all claims of creditors, may be prescribed in XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws or the terms of any shares issued by the Board of Directors of XL-Bermuda from time to time. The holders of preference shares, in particular, may have the right to priority over common or other shareholders in a dissolution or winding up of XL-Bermuda.
No Share Certificates
It is not intended that XL-Bermuda will issue share certificates unless certificates are required by law, any stock exchange, a recognized depository, any operator of any clearance or settlement system, or the terms of issue of any class or series of its shares.
Under the bye-laws of XL-Bermuda, holders of XL-Bermuda common shares will have no right to certificates for their shares, except on request. Holders’ rights to request certificates for shares are subject to any resolution of the Board of Directors of XL-Bermuda determining otherwise.
Stock Exchange Listing
The XL-Bermuda common shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “XL,” and on the Bermuda Stock Exchange under the symbol “XL.BH”, the same symbol under which the XL-Ireland ordinary shares were listed.
No Sinking Fund
The XL-Bermuda common shares will have no sinking fund provisions.
Transfer and Registration of Shares
The XL-Bermuda share register is maintained by its transfer agent. Registration in this share register is determinative of membership in XL-Bermuda. A shareholder of XL-Bermuda who holds shares beneficially is not the holder of record of such shares. Instead, the depository (for example, Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC) or other nominee is the holder of record of such shares. Accordingly, a transfer of shares from a person who holds such shares beneficially to a person who will also hold such shares beneficially through the same depository or other nominee will not be registered in XL-Bermuda’s official share register, as the depository or other nominee will remain the record holder of such shares.
The XL-Bermuda Board may in its absolute discretion, and without providing a reason, refuse to register the transfer of a share, subject to any limitation on such right of the XL-Bermuda Board imposed by law.
The XL-Bermuda Board may also refuse to register a transfer unless the shares of XL-Bermuda are (i) listed on an appointed stock exchange (of which the NYSE is one) or (ii) (A) a duly executed instrument of transfer is provided to XL-Bermuda or XL-Bermuda’s transfer agent accompanied by the certificate (if any has been issued) in respect of the shares to which it relates and by such other evidence as the XL-Bermuda Board may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer, (B) the instrument of transfer is only in respect of one class of shares, and (C) all applicable consents, authorizations, permissions or approvals of any governmental body or agency in Bermuda or any other applicable jurisdiction have been obtained (if required).
Among other things, the XL-Bermuda Board may also decline to register a transfer of shares unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect with respect to the transfer or the transfer is exempt from registration. The registration of transfers may be suspended at such times and for such periods, not exceeding 30 days in any year, as the XL-Bermuda Board may from time to time determine (except as may be required by law). Further, XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws provide that the XL-Bermuda Board
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must decline to register a transfer of shares if it appears to the XL-Bermuda Board that the effect of such transfer would be to increase the number of the XL-Bermuda Controlled Shares of any person to 10% or more of any class of voting shares of the total issued shares or of the voting power of the company.
If the XL-Bermuda Board refuses to register a transfer of any share, it must send to the transferee notice of the refusal within thirty days after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged with XL-Bermuda.
Shares listed on an appointed stock exchange, such as the NYSE, may be transferred by any means permitted by the rules of such exchange.
Incentive Equity Plans
We maintain the 1991 Performance Incentive Program, as amended and restated effective May 13, 2016 (the “1991 Program”), which provides for grants to our employees of non-qualified or incentive stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) related to common shares. Pursuant to the amendment and restatement of the 1991 Program, non-employee directors have been removed as eligible participants in the 1991 Program; no awards have been made to our non-employee directors since April 29, 2005. The 1991 Program is administered by the compensation committee of the XL-Bermuda Board or another committee designated by the XL-Bermuda Board (the “Compensation Committee”). Options may be granted with or without SARs. Grant prices are established at the fair market value of our common shares at the date of grant. Options and SARs have a life of no longer than 10 years and vest as set forth at the time of grant.
Restricted stock and restricted share units settled in common shares issued under the 1991 Program vest over such period as the Compensation Committee may approve. These grants contain certain restrictions, prior to vesting, relating to, among other things, forfeiture in the event of termination of employment and transferability. The grant recipients generally have the rights and privileges of a shareholder as to the restricted stock, including the right to receive dividends, or dividend equivalent units, and the right to vote such restricted stock.
Performance units granted under the 1991 Program generally vest and pay out in an amount of common shares ranging from 0% to 200% of the number of performance units granted contingent on the achievement of performance metrics established by the Compensation Committee at the end of the specified performance period. Performance units do not have dividend rights, nor do they provide the participant the right to vote.
We also maintain the Directors Stock & Option Plan, as amended and restated effective May 13, 2016 (the “Directors’ Plan”), which provides for grants to non-employee directors of non-qualified options, restricted stock and restricted stock units related to common shares. Stock options granted under the Directors’ Plan have an exercise price of no less than 100% of the fair market value of the underlying share on the date of grant and the term of the options are not longer than 10 years. No stock options have been granted to our non-employee directors since 2014. A non-employee director who receives a grant of restricted stock has the rights and privileges of a shareholder as to the restricted stock, including the right to receive dividends, or dividend equivalent units, and the right to vote such restricted stock. Restricted stock unit awards provide for the delivery of a number of shares equal to the number of restricted stock units at the time and subject to the terms and conditions established by the XL-Bermuda Board of Directors.
During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 XL-Ireland granted: 1,974 thousand, 1,025 thousand and 1,047 thousand options, respectively, to purchase XL-Ireland ordinary shares to our directors and employees related to our incentive equity plans; 44 thousand, 46 thousand and 181 thousand shares, respectively, of our restricted stock to our directors and employees related to incentive equity plans; 1,534 thousand, 1,867 thousand and 1,803 thousand restricted stock units, respectively, which settle in common shares as described above, to our employees related to our incentive equity plans; and 781 thousand, 572 thousand and 656 thousand performance units, respectively, which settle in common shares as described above, to our employees related to our incentive equity plans.
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DESCRIPTION OF XL GROUP LTD PREFERENCE SHARES
General
We are authorized to issue up to 999,990,000 shares, consisting of 500,000,000 common shares with a par value of  $0.01 per share and 499,990,000 shares with a par value of  $0.01 per share. Without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred on the holders of existing shares, the board of directors has the power to issue shares with such preferred, deferred or other special rights and privileges or such limitations, conditions and restrictions, whether in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital, conversion, redemption or otherwise, as the board of directors may from time to time determine.
The following is a description of certain general terms and provisions of the shares that, following appropriate resolutions of the board of directors, we may issue with preferred rights (“preference shares”). The particular terms of any class or series of preference shares will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement may also state that any of the terms set forth herein are inapplicable to such series of preference shares, provided that the information set forth in such prospectus supplement does not constitute material changes to the information herein such that it alters the nature of the offering or the securities offered.
The following description of our preference shares is a summary. You should refer to the provisions of our memorandum of association, our bye-laws and the terms of each class or series of the preference shares that will be filed with the SEC at or prior to the time of issuance of such class or series of the preference shares and described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights under the preference shares are subject to the Bermuda Companies Act, as described in this prospectus.
Terms
The terms of each series of preference shares will be described in any prospectus supplement related to such class or series of preference shares and, in accordance with XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws, shall be set forth in a Certificate of Designation in the minutes of the XL-Bermuda Board authorizing the issuance of such shares and such Certificate of Designations shall be attached as an exhibit to the bye-laws of XL-Bermuda, but shall not form part of such bye-laws, and may be examined by any shareholder of XL-Bermuda on request (each, a “Certificate of Designation”).
The board of directors in approving the issuance of a class or series of preference shares shall determine, and the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth with respect to such class or series, the following:

whether dividends on that class or series of preference shares will be cumulative or non-cumulative;

the dividend rate and rights in respect of dividends on the preference shares of that class or series and whether the dividend rate is subject to reset (up to a specified maximum) under certain circumstances described, if applicable, in such prospectus supplement;

the liquidation preference per share of that class or series of preference shares, if any;

the voting powers, if any, of the preference shares of that class or series;

any redemption and sinking fund provisions applicable to that class or series of preference shares;

any conversion provisions applicable to that class or series of preference shares; and

the terms of any other preferences or other rights and limitations, if any, applicable to that class or series of preference shares.
Dividends
Holders of preference shares will be entitled to receive out of distributable profits of XL-Bermuda, when, as and if declared and paid by the XL-Bermuda Board, cash dividends at the rates and on the dates as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and Certificate of Designation. Except as set forth below, no dividends will be declared or paid on any class or series of preference shares unless full dividends
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for all classes or series of preference shares which have the same rank as, or rank senior to, such class or series of preference shares (including cumulative dividends still owing, if any) have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid. When those dividends are not paid in full, dividends will be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on that class or series of preference shares and on each other class or series of preference shares having the same rank as, or ranking senior to, that class or series of preference shares will in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on that class or series of preference shares and the other preference shares bear to each other. In addition, generally, unless all dividends on the preference shares have been paid, no dividends will be declared or paid on the common shares and generally we may not redeem or purchase any common shares.
For a discussion of limitations on funds available to us for the payment of dividends, see “Description of XL Group Ltd. Common Shares — Dividends.”
Voting Rights
The holders of the preference shares shall not, except as required by law or as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and Certificate of Designation, have any right or power to vote on any question or in any proceeding or to be represented at, or to receive notice of, any meeting of shareholders. On any matters on which the holders of the preference shares shall be entitled to vote, they shall be entitled to one vote for each share held.
Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement and Certificate of Designation, if six or more full quarterly dividends (whether consecutive or not) on any series of preference shares shall be in arrears, then during such period, which we refer to herein as the “voting period,” the holders of a majority of the outstanding preference shares of all series so in arrears and having such right represented in person or by proxy at any meeting of our shareholders held for the election of directors during such voting period shall be entitled, as a class, to the exclusion of the holders of all other classes of our shares, to elect two of our directors, each preference share entitling the holder thereof to one vote.
Any director who shall have been elected by holders of preference shares, or by any director so elected as herein contemplated, may be removed at any time during a voting period, either for or without cause, by, and only by, the affirmative votes of the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding preference shares of all series given at a special meeting of such shareholders called for such purpose. Any vacancy thereby created may be filled during such voting period by the holders of preference shares of all series, present in person or represented by proxy at such meeting. Any director elected by holders of preference shares, or by any director so elected as herein contemplated, who dies, resigns or otherwise ceases to be a director shall, except as otherwise provided in the preceding sentence, be replaced by the remaining director theretofore elected by the holders of preference shares. At the end of the voting period, the holders of preference shares of all series shall be automatically divested of all voting power vested in them under this provision but subject always to the subsequent vesting of voting power in the holders of preference shares in the event of any similar cumulated arrearage in payment of quarterly dividends occurring thereafter. The term of all directors elected pursuant to this provision shall in all events expire at the end of the voting period.
In addition, certain transactions that would vary the rights of the holders of any series of outstanding preference shares cannot be made, in accordance with XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws, without (i) the consent in writing of the holders of all of the issued and outstanding shares of that class, or (ii) with the sanction of a resolution passed by two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast at a separate general meeting of the shareholders of the class, at which meeting the necessary quorum must be two persons at least holding one-third (1/3) of the issued shares of the class.
Ranking
The preference shares will rank senior to our common shares with respect to payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of XL-Bermuda. Without the requisite vote of holders of the preference shares to vary the rights of such holders, as described above under “— Voting Rights,” no class or series of capital shares can be created ranking senior to the preference shares as to dividend rights or liquidation preference.
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Liquidation Rights
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of preference shares of each series are entitled to receive out of our assets available for distribution to shareholders, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of common shares or any other class or series of our capital shares (including any preferred shares) which is junior as to liquidation rights to our preference shares of such series, liquidating distributions in the amount set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, plus dividends accrued and accumulated but unpaid to the date of such distribution. If, upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the amounts payable with respect to our preference shares of such series and any of our other preference shares ranking as to any such distribution on a parity with our preference shares of such series are not paid in full, the holders of our preference shares of such series and of such of our other preference shares will share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of preference shares will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by us. Neither our consolidation, merger or amalgamation with another corporation nor a sale or transfer of all or part of our assets for cash or securities shall be considered a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of XL-Bermuda.
Redemption Provisions
The preference shares of each series will have such optional or mandatory redemption terms, if any, as shall be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Conversion and Exchange Rights
The preference shares, if convertible, will only be convertible into our common shares, and will not be convertible into or exchangeable for securities of a third party. The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of our preference shares is convertible into common shares or exchangeable into debt securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and Certificate of Designation relating to such series of preference shares. Such terms will include:
(1)
in the case of any series of preference shares that is convertible into common shares:
a.
the number of common shares into which preference shares of such series are convertible;
b.
the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof);
c.
the conversion period;
d.
provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of such series of preference shares, at our option or automatic (upon a specified date or upon the occurrence of a specified event);
e.
the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price; and
f.
provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of such series of preference shares; and
(2)
in the case of any series of preference shares that is exchangeable into debt securities:
a.
the principal amount of debt securities into which preference shares of such series are exchangeable;
b.
the exchange period; and
c.
provisions as to whether the exchange will be at the option of the holders of such series of preference shares, at our option or automatic (upon a specified date or upon the occurrence of a specified event).
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Any exchange of preference shares into debt securities will be carried out in a manner described in the applicable prospectus supplement and may be accomplished through a redemption of the preference shares and issuance of new debt securities if so specified.
Miscellaneous
Our preference shares will have no statutory pre-emption rights. All of our preference shares, upon payment in full therefor, will be fully paid and nonassessable.
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DESCRIPTION OF XL GROUP LTD DEPOSITARY SHARES
General
XL-Bermuda may issue depositary shares that represent preference shares, the particular terms of which, together with related agreements and receipts, will be described in the prospectus supplement and Certificate of Designation relating to those depositary shares. The following description of depositary shares that represent preference shares sets forth certain general terms and provisions of depositary agreements, depositary shares and depositary receipts. This summary does not contain all of the information that you may find useful. For more information, you should review the form of deposit agreement and form of depositary receipts relating to each series of the preference shares, which will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of that series of preference shares.
The preference shares of any series underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company we select. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of depositary shares will set forth the name and address of this preference share depositary. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, proportionately, to all the rights, preferences and privileges of the preference share represented by such depositary share (including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion, exchange and liquidation rights).
The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement, each of which will represent the applicable interest in a number of shares of a particular series of the preference shares described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
A holder of depositary shares will be entitled to receive the preference shares (but only in whole preference shares) underlying those depositary shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the whole number of preference shares to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to that holder at the same time a new depositary receipt for the excess of the whole number of depositary shares.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the depositary agreement, the depositary shares and the depositary receipts will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The preference share depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions in respect of the preference shares to the record holders of depositary receipts in proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders.
If there is a distribution other than in cash in respect of the preference shares, the preference share depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts in proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders, unless the preference share depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such a distribution. In that case, the preference share depositary may, with our approval, adopt any method that it deems equitable and practicable to effect the distribution, including a public or private sale of the property and distribution of the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.
The amount distributed in any of the above cases will be reduced by any amount we, or the preference share depositary, are required to withhold on account of taxes.
Conversion and Exchange
If any preference share underlying the depositary shares is subject to provisions relating to its conversion or exchange as set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement and Certificate of Designation, each record holder of depositary shares will have the right or obligation to convert or exchange those depositary shares pursuant to those provisions.
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Redemption of Depositary Shares
Whenever we redeem a preference share held by the preference share depositary, the preference share depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date a proportionate number of depositary shares representing the preference shares that were redeemed. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the aggregate redemption price payable with respect to the number of preference shares underlying the depositary shares. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or proportionately as we may determine.
After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the redemption price.
Voting
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any preference shares underlying the depositary shares are entitled to vote, the preference share depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the depositary receipts. Each record holder of the depositary receipts on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the preference shares) may then instruct the preference share depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of preference shares underlying that holder’s depositary shares. The preference share depositary will try to vote the number of preference shares underlying the depositary shares in accordance with the instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable action which the preference share depositary deems necessary to enable the preference share depositary to do so. The preference share depositary will abstain from voting the preference shares to the extent that it does not receive specific written instructions from holders of depositary receipts representing the preference shares.
Record Date
Whenever

any cash dividend or other cash distribution becomes payable, any distribution other than cash is made, or any rights, preferences or privileges are offered with respect to the preference shares; or

the preference share depositary receives notice of any meeting at which holders of preference shares are entitled to vote or of which holders of preference shares are entitled to notice, or of the mandatory conversion of or any election by us to call for the redemption of any preference share,
the preference share depositary will in each instance fix a record date (which will be the same as the record date for the preference shares) for the determination of the holders of depositary receipts:

who will be entitled to receive dividends, distributions, rights, preferences or privileges or the net proceeds of any sale; or

who will be entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting or to receive notice of the meeting or the redemption or conversion, subject to the provisions of the deposit agreement.
Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
We and the preference share depositary may at any time agree to amend the form of depositary receipt and any provision of the deposit agreement. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The deposit agreement may be terminated by us or by the preference share depositary only if all outstanding shares have been redeemed or if a final distribution in respect of the underlying preference shares has been made to the holders of the depositary shares in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us.
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Charges of Preferred Share Depositary
We will pay all charges of the preference share depositary, including charges in connection with the initial deposit of the preference shares, the initial issuance of the depositary receipts, the distribution of information to the holders of depositary receipts with respect to matters on which the preference share is entitled to vote, withdrawals of the preference share by the holders of depositary receipts or redemption or conversion of the preference share, except for taxes (including transfer taxes, if any) and other governmental charges and any other charges expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be at the expense of holders of depositary receipts or persons depositing preference shares.
Miscellaneous
Neither we nor the preference share depositary will be liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing any obligations under the deposit agreement. The obligations of the preference share depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performing its duties under the agreement without negligence or bad faith. Our obligations under the deposit agreement are limited to performing our duties in good faith. Neither we nor the preference share depositary is obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preference shares unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the preference share depositary may rely on advice of or information from counsel, accountants or other persons that we and the preference share depositary believe to be competent and on documents that we and the preference share depositary believe to be genuine.
The preference share depositary may resign at any time or be removed by us, effective upon the acceptance by its successor of its appointment. If we have not appointed a successor preference share depositary and the successor depositary has not accepted its appointment within 60 days after the preference share depositary delivered a resignation notice to us, the preference share depositary may terminate the deposit agreement. See “Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement” above.
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DESCRIPTION OF XL GROUP LTD COMMON SHARE WARRANTS
General
XL-Bermuda may issue common share warrants independently or together with any securities offered by any prospectus supplement and such common share warrants may be attached to or separate from such securities. Each series of common share warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between XL-Bermuda and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates representing the common share warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of common share warrant certificates or beneficial owners of common share warrants.
The following summaries of certain provisions of the warrant agreement and common share warrant certificate are not complete. You should look at the warrant agreement relating to, and the common share warrant certificate representing, a series of common share warrants.
The applicable prospectus supplement may also state that any of the terms set forth herein are inapplicable to such series, provided that the information set forth in such prospectus supplement does not constitute material changes to the information herein such that it alters the nature of the offering or the securities offered. Common share warrants for the purchase of common shares will be offered and exercisable for U.S. dollars only and will be in registered form only.
Terms
An applicable prospectus supplement will set forth and describe other specific terms regarding each series of common share warrants offered hereby, including:
(1)
the offering price;
(2)
the number of common shares purchasable upon exercise of each such common share warrant and the price at which such number of common shares may be purchased upon such exercise;
(3)
the date on which the right to exercise such common share warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; and
(4)
any other terms of such common share warrants.
Exercise of Common Share Warrants
Each common share warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase such common shares at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or calculable from, the prospectus supplement relating to the offered common share warrants. After the close of business on the expiration date of each common share warrant or such later date to which such expiration date may be extended by us, unexercised common share warrants will become void.
Common share warrants may be exercised by delivering to the warrant agent payment as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement of the amount required to purchase the common shares purchasable upon such exercise, together with certain information set forth on the reverse side of the common share warrant certificate. Upon receipt of such payment and the common share warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the common shares purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the common share warrants represented by such common share certificate are exercised, a new common share warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of common share warrants.
Amendments and Supplements to Warrant Agreement
The warrant agreement for a series of common share warrants may be amended or supplemented without the consent of the holders of the common share warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the common share warrants and that do not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the common share warrants.
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Common Share Warrant Adjustments
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the exercise price of, and the number of common shares covered by, an common share warrant are subject to adjustment in certain events, including:
(1)
the issuance of common shares as a dividend or distribution on the common shares;
(2)
certain subdivisions and combinations of the common shares;
(3)
the issuance to all holders of common shares of certain rights or warrants entitling them to subscribe for or purchase common shares at less than the current market value, as defined in the applicable warrant agreement for such series of common share warrants; and
(4)
the distribution to all holders of common shares of certain evidences of our indebtedness or assets, other than certain cash dividends and distributions described below.
No adjustment to the exercise price of, and the number of common shares covered by, an common share warrant will be made for regular quarterly or other periodic or recurring cash dividends or distributions or for cash dividends or distributions to the extent paid from retained earnings. No adjustment will be required unless such adjustment would require a change of at least one percent in the exercise price and exercise rate then in effect, provided , however , that any such adjustment not so made will be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment and, provided , further , that any such adjustment not so made shall be made no later than three years after the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment to be made or carried forward. Except as stated above, the exercise price of, and the number of common shares covered by, an common share warrant will not be adjusted for the issuance of common shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for common shares, or securities carrying the right to purchase any of the foregoing.
In the case of:
(1)
a redesignation of the common shares;
(2)
certain consolidation or merger events involving us; or
(3)
a sale or conveyance to another corporation of our property and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety;
in each case as a result of which holders of our common shares shall be entitled to receive stock, securities, other property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for such common shares, the holders of the common share warrants then outstanding will be entitled thereafter to convert such common share warrants into the kind and amount of common shares and other securities or property which they would have received upon such redesignation, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance had such common share warrants been exercised immediately prior to such redesignation, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance.
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DESCRIPTION OF XL GROUP LTD PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND
PURCHASE UNITS
XL-Bermuda may issue purchase contracts, which may be prepaid, representing contracts obligating holders to purchase from XL-Bermuda and obligating XL-Bermuda to sell or deliver to the holders, or holders to sell to XL-Bermuda and XL-Bermuda to purchase from the holders, to the extent permitted by the Bermuda Companies Act, a fixed or varying number of common shares or other securities at a future date or dates. The price per common share or other security may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are entered into or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the purchase contracts. Any purchase contract may include anti-dilution provisions to adjust the number of common shares or other securities to be delivered pursuant to such purchase contract upon the occurrence of certain events. The purchase contracts may be entered into separately or as a part of purchase units consisting of one or more purchase contracts and any one or more of:
(1)
debt securities of XL-Bermuda (which may be senior or subordinated) and have fixed maturity or provide for amortizing payments;
(2)
preference shares of XL-Bermuda;
(3)
debt or equity obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities owned by XL-Bermuda; or
(4)
debt securities of XL-Cayman (which may be senior or subordinated).
The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations in a specified manner and in certain circumstances we may deliver newly issued prepaid purchase contracts upon release to a holder of any collateral securing such holder’s obligations under the original purchase contract. Any one or more of the above securities, common shares, other securities or the purchase contracts or other collateral may be pledged as security for the holders’ obligations to purchase or sell, as the case may be, the common shares or other securities under the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may also allow the holders, under certain circumstances, to obtain the release of the security for their obligations under such contracts by depositing with the collateral agent, as substitute collateral, treasury securities with a principal amount at maturity equal to the collateral so released or the maximum number of common shares or other securities deliverable by such holders under purchase contracts requiring the holders to sell common shares or other securities to XL-Bermuda. The purchase contracts or purchase units also may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the purchase contracts or purchase units, as the case may be, or vice versa, and these payments may be unsecured or pre-funded, in whole or in part. The terms of any payments provided for under the purchase contracts and/or purchase units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any purchase contracts or purchase units and, if applicable, prepaid purchase contracts. The description in the prospectus supplement will be qualified in its entirety by reference to (1) the purchase contracts, (2) the collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable, relating to such purchase contracts or purchase units and (3) if applicable, the prepaid purchase contracts and the document pursuant to which such prepaid purchase contracts will be issued.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES
General
XL-Bermuda and/or XL-Cayman, each, for purposes of this section, an “Issuer,” may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series, under one or more indentures, each dated as of a date on or prior to the issuance of the debt securities to which it relates, such as (i) the Indenture dated September 30, 2011 (as amended and/or supplemented from time to time) by and among XL-Ireland, XL-Cayman and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and, pursuant to the Third Supplemental Indenture thereto dated July 25, 2016, XL-Bermuda or (ii) the Indenture dated as of March 30, 2015 (as amended and/or supplemented from time to time) by and among XL-Ireland, XL-Cayman and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and, pursuant to the Second Supplemental Indenture thereto dated July 25, 2016, XL-Bermuda. Any senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities issued by XL-Bermuda will be issued pursuant to a senior indenture or a subordinated indenture, respectively, in each case between XL-Bermuda and a trustee qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). Any senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities issued by XL-Cayman will be issued pursuant to a senior indenture or a subordinated indenture, respectively, in each case, among XL-Cayman, XL-Bermuda and a trustee qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. Such indentures are subject to such amendments or supplements as may be adopted from time to time. The senior indentures and the subordinated indentures, as amended or supplemented from time to time, are sometimes referred to individually as an “indenture” and collectively as the “indentures.” The trustee under any indenture is referred to as the “trustee.” Each indenture is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act. The aggregate principal amount of debt securities which may be issued under each indenture is unlimited and each indenture provides that the specific terms of any series of debt securities will be set forth in, or determined pursuant to, an authorizing resolution, as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement, and/or a supplemental indenture, if any, relating to such series, and executed by the same parties that are parties to the relevant indenture. All senior debt securities issued by XL-Cayman will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by XL-Bermuda and, prior to the XL-Ireland Release, by XL-Ireland. See “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees — Guarantees.”
The statements made below relating to the debt securities and the indentures are summaries of the material provisions thereof and are subject to, and are qualified by reference to, the provisions of the applicable indenture (including the guarantee provisions contained therein in the case of the XL-Cayman indenture) and any applicable U.S. federal income tax, Bermuda and Cayman Islands law considerations as well as any applicable supplements to the terms described below in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement may also state that any of the terms set forth herein are inapplicable to such series of debt securities; provided that the information set forth in such prospectus supplement does not constitute material changes to the information herein such that it alters the nature of the offering or the securities offered.
Terms
The debt securities will be unsecured obligations of the applicable Issuer.
The senior debt securities will rank equal in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the applicable Issuer.
The subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all senior indebtedness, which is defined in the section called “— Ranking of Debt Securities” below, of the applicable Issuer.
The specific terms of each series of debt securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating thereto, including the following, as applicable:
(1)
the Issuer of such debt securities, the title of such debt securities, whether such debt securities are offered pursuant to a medium term notes program, and whether such debt securities are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and, if subordinated debt securities, the specific subordination provisions applicable thereto;
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(2)
the aggregate principal amount of such debt securities and any limit on such aggregate principal amount;
(3)
the price (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which such debt securities will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or, if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible or exchangeable or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;
(4)
if convertible or exchangeable for other securities, the terms on which such debt securities are convertible or exchangeable, including the initial conversion or exchange price, the conversion or exchange period, any events requiring an adjustment of the applicable conversion or exchange price and any requirements relating to the reservation of securities for purposes of conversion in the case of convertible securities;
(5)
the date(s), or the method for determining such date or dates, on which the principal of such debt securities will be payable and, if applicable, the terms on which such maturity may be extended;
(6)
the rate(s) (which may be fixed or floating), or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, at which such debt securities will bear interest, if any, including, if applicable, that such debt securities will bear interest at an increased rate (up to a specified maximum) upon the occurrence of an event of default and/or under certain circumstances described in the applicable prospectus supplement (which may include, among other things, a reduction in the trading price of common shares below certain levels for a minimum period of time);
(7)
the date(s), or the method for determining such date or dates, from which any such interest will accrue, the dates on which any such interest will be payable, the record dates for such interest payment dates, or the method by which such dates shall be determined, the persons to whom such interest shall be payable, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
(8)
the place(s) where the principal of and interest, if any, on such debt securities will be payable, where such debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices or demands to or upon the applicable Issuer in respect of such debt securities and the applicable indenture may be served;
(9)
the period(s), if any, within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such debt securities may, pursuant to any optional or mandatory redemption provisions, be redeemed, as a whole or in part, at the Issuer’s option;
(10)
the Issuer’s obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or repurchase such debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund (as defined in the applicable supplemental indenture) or analogous provision or at the option of a holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, as a whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations;
(11)
if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which the principal of and interest, if any, on such debt securities are denominated and payable, which may be a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or a composite currency or currencies, and the terms and conditions relating thereto;
(12)
whether the amount of payments of principal of or interest, if any, on such debt securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may, but need not, be based on the yield on or trading price of other securities, including United States Treasury securities, or on a currency, currencies, currency unit or units, or composite currency or currencies) and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(13)
whether the principal of or interest, if any, on the debt securities of the series is to be payable, at the Issuer’s election or the election of a holder thereof, in a currency or currencies, currency unit
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or units or composite currency or currencies other than that in which such debt securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;
(14)
provisions, if any, granting special rights to the holders of debt securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;
(15)
any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the events of default or covenants with respect to debt securities of the series, whether or not such events of default or covenants are consistent with the events of default or covenants described herein;
(16)
whether debt securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any debt securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such security in permanent global form may exchange such interests for debt securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in the applicable indenture, and, if debt securities of the series are to be issuable as a global security, the identity of the depository for such series;
(17)
the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of the applicable indenture to the debt securities of the series;
(18)
if exchangeable into another series of debt securities of XL-Bermuda or XL-Cayman, the terms on which such debt securities are exchangeable; and
(19)
any other terms of the series of debt securities and any additions to the applicable indenture.
If the applicable prospectus supplement provides, the debt securities may be issued at a discount below their principal amount and provide for less than the entire principal amount thereof to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof. In such cases, all U.S. federal income tax considerations will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Except as may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that would limit either Issuer’s ability to incur indebtedness or that would afford holders of debt securities protection from transactions involving either Issuer, including a highly leveraged transaction involving either Issuer or a change in control. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information with respect to any additions to the events of default or covenants described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.
Guarantees
Payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on any senior debt securities issued by XL-Cayman will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by XL-Bermuda and, prior to the XL-Ireland Release, XL-Ireland, on a joint and several basis, and each such guarantee will be an unsecured and unsubordinated obligation of XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland (as applicable) and will rank equal with all the future unsubordinated debt of XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland (as applicable). Payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on any subordinated debt securities issued by XL-Cayman will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland (as applicable), on a joint and several basis, and each such guarantee will rank subordinate in right of payment to the senior indebtedness of XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland (as applicable). XL-Bermuda’s and XL-Ireland’s obligations under the guarantees will be irrespective of:

any lack of validity or enforceability of any agreement or instrument relating to the debt securities;

any change in the time, manner or place of payment under, or in any other term in respect of, all or any debt securities, or any other amendment or waiver of or consent to any departure from any other agreement relating the debt securities;
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any increase in, addition to, exchange or release of, or nonperfection of any lien on or security interest in, any collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to any departure from or failure to enforce any other guarantee, for all or any debt securities;

any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, XL-Cayman in respect of the debt securities;

the absence of any action on the part of the trustee to obtain payment under the debt securities or the indenture from XL-Cayman;

any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or dissolution, or any similar proceeding of or in respect of XL-Cayman, including, without limitation, rejection of the debt securities in such bankruptcy; or

the absence of notice or any delay in any action to enforce any provision of the debt securities or the indenture or to exercise any right or remedy against the guarantor or XL-Cayman, whether under the indenture, the debt securities or any agreement or any indulgence, compromise or extension granted.
Notwithstanding the above, XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland will not waive any defense that would be available to XL-Cayman based on a breach, default or misrepresentation by the trustee, or failure of any condition to XL-Cayman’s obligations under the indenture or the illegality of any provision of the indenture.
The trustee has the right to proceed first and directly against XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland, without first proceeding against XL-Cayman or exhausting any other remedies it may have, in the event of default of performance by XL-Cayman under the applicable indenture.
It is currently expected that the guarantee by XL-Ireland of debt securities issued by XL-Cayman will, in accordance with the provisions of the relevant indenture, be released (the “XL-Ireland Release”) upon the transfer of substantially all the assets of XL-Ireland to XL-Bermuda.
Denomination, Interest, Registration and Transfer
The applicable Issuer will issue the debt securities of each series only in registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of  $2,000 and increments of  $1,000 in excess thereof, or in such other currencies or denominations as may be set forth in the applicable supplemental indenture or specified in, or pursuant to, an authorizing resolution, if any, relating to such series of debt securities.
The principal of and interest, if any, on any series of debt securities will be payable at the corporate trust office of the trustee, the address of which will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. However, at the applicable Issuer’s option, interest payment may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as it appears in the applicable register for such debt securities.
Subject to certain limitations imposed upon debt securities issued in book-entry form, the debt securities of any series:

will be exchangeable for any authorized denomination of other debt securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor upon surrender of such debt securities at the trustee’s corporate trust office or at the office of any registrar designated by the Issuer for such purpose; and

may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange thereof at the corporate trust office of the trustee or at the office of any registrar designated by the Issuer for such purpose.
No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with certain transfers and exchanges. XL-Bermuda or XL-Cayman may act as registrar and may change any registrar without notice.
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Certain Covenants
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any material covenants in respect of a series of debt securities that are not described in this prospectus.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, all debt securities will include the provisions described below.
An Obligor (the “Relevant Obligor”) may not (1) consolidate with or merge with or into any other person (other than another Obligor) or convey, transfer, sell or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person (other than another Obligor), (2) permit any person (other than another Obligor) to consolidate with or merge into it or (3) permit any person to convey, transfer, sell or lease that person’s properties and assets substantially as an entirety to it unless:

in the case of  (1) and (2) above, the Relevant Obligor is the surviving person, or if the Relevant Obligor is not the surviving person, such person is an entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America (including any State thereof or the District of Columbia), the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda or any country which is a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development or the European Union and the person expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Relevant Obligor under the securities and the applicable indenture;

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default under the applicable indenture, and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default under the applicable indenture, will have occurred and be continuing; and

the Relevant Obligor shall have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, sale or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, comply with the provisions of the applicable indenture and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been satisfied.
As used above, “Obligor” means each of XL-Bermuda, XL-Ireland and XL-Cayman.
Reporting by the Issuer
Under the applicable indenture, the applicable Issuer will be required to file with the trustee, within 15 days after it is required to file the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports which such Issuer may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provided that availability of such reports on a website maintained by the SEC shall be deemed to fulfill this requirement. If the applicable Issuer is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said sections of the Exchange Act, then it shall file with the trustee and the SEC, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange. The applicable Issuer also will be required to file with the trustee and the SEC such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by such Issuer (in the case of debt securities issued by XL-Cayman, by XL-Cayman, XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland (as applicable)) with the conditions and covenants of the applicable indenture as may be required from time to time under the rules and regulations of the SEC. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of debt securities issued by XL-Cayman, for so long as XL-Bermuda remains a guarantor under the applicable indenture, or if at any time any other direct or indirect parent company of XL-Cayman is a guarantor of its debt securities, the reports, information and other documents required to be filed and furnished may, at the option of XL-Cayman, be filed by and be those of XL-Bermuda or such other parent, as applicable, rather than XL-Cayman.
Ranking of Debt Securities
General
Each Issuer is a holding company with no direct operations or significant assets other than the capital stock of its subsidiaries. The subsidiaries of XL-Cayman generate substantially all of the Issuers’ operating
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income and cash flow. As a result, distributions and advances from XL-Cayman’s subsidiaries are the principal source of funds necessary to meet each Issuer’s debt service obligations. Contractual provisions or laws, as well as the financial condition and operating and regulatory requirements of XL-Cayman’s subsidiaries, may limit the relevant Issuer’s ability to obtain cash from XL-Cayman or XL-Cayman’s subsidiaries, as the case may be, that it requires to pay its debt service obligations. For a description of certain regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends by each Issuer’s subsidiaries, see Item 1 “Business — Regulation” included in XL-Ireland’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. In addition, because each Issuer is a holding company, the debt securities and, in the case of debt securities issued by XL-Cayman, the related XL-Bermuda guarantee and the XL-Ireland guarantee (as applicable), will be structurally subordinated to the claims of creditors of the relevant Issuer’s subsidiaries on their assets and earnings.
Senior debt securities
The senior debt securities will be unsecured unsubordinated obligations of the applicable Issuer and will:

rank equal in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the applicable Issuer;

be effectively subordinated in right of payment to all secured indebtedness of the applicable Issuer to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and

be effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and mandatorily redeemable preferred stock of the applicable Issuer’s subsidiaries (because each Issuer is a holding company).
Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable senior indenture or specified in an authorizing resolution and/or supplemental indenture, if any, relating to a series of senior debt securities to be issued, there are no limitations in the senior indenture on the amount of additional indebtedness which may rank equal with the senior debt securities or on the amount of indebtedness, secured or otherwise, which may be incurred or preference shares which may be issued by either Issuer or their subsidiaries.
Subordinated debt securities
The subordinated debt securities will be the applicable Issuer’s unsecured subordinated obligations. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the payment of principal of, interest on and all other amounts owing in respect of the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of principal of, interest on and all other amounts owing in respect of all of the applicable Issuer’s senior indebtedness. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any total or partial liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or marshaling of assets or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding relating to the applicable Issuer or its property, whether voluntary or involuntary, all principal of, interest on and all other amounts due or to become due shall be paid, first, to all senior indebtedness in full in cash, or such payment duly provided for to the satisfaction of the holders of senior indebtedness, before any payment or distribution of any kind or character is made on account of any principal of, interest on or other amounts owing in respect of the subordinated debt securities, or for the acquisition of any of the subordinated debt securities for cash, property or otherwise.
If any default occurs and is continuing in the payment when due, whether at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise, of any principal of, interest on, unpaid drawings for letters of credit issued in respect of, or regularly accruing fees with respect to, any senior indebtedness, no payment of any kind or character shall be made by the applicable Issuer or any other person on the applicable Issuer’s behalf with respect to any principal of, interest on or other amounts owing in respect of the subordinated debt securities or to acquire any of the subordinated debt securities for cash, property or otherwise.
If any other event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to any senior indebtedness, as such event of default is defined in the instrument creating or evidencing such senior indebtedness, permitting the holders of such senior indebtedness then outstanding to accelerate the maturity thereof and if the
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representative (as defined in the applicable indenture) for the respective issue of senior indebtedness gives written notice of the event of default to the trustee (a “default notice”), then, unless and until all events of default have been cured or waived or have ceased to exist or the trustee receives notice from the representative for the respective issue of senior indebtedness terminating the blockage period (as defined below), during the 179 days after the delivery of such default notice (the “blockage period”), neither the applicable Issuer nor any other person on the applicable Issuer’s behalf shall:
(1)
make any payment of any kind or character with respect to any principal of, interest on or other amounts owing in respect of the subordinated debt securities; or
(2)
acquire any of the subordinated debt securities for cash, property or otherwise.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event will a blockage period extend beyond 179 days from the date the payment on the subordinated debt securities was due and only one such blockage period may be commenced within any 360 consecutive days. No event of default which existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any blockage period with respect to the senior indebtedness shall be, or be made, the basis for commencement of a second blockage period by the representative of such senior indebtedness whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days unless such event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days (it being acknowledged that any subsequent action, or any breach of any financial covenants for a period commencing after the date of commencement of such blockage period that, in either case, would give rise to an event of default pursuant to any provisions under which an event of default previously existed or was continuing shall constitute a new event of default for this purpose).
The subordinated indentures do not, and any supplemental subordinated indenture will not, restrict the amount of the applicable Issuer’s or the applicable Issuer’s subsidiaries’ senior indebtedness or other indebtedness. As a result of the foregoing provisions, in the event of the applicable Issuer’s insolvency, holders of the subordinated debt securities may recover ratably less than the applicable Issuer’s general creditors.
“senior indebtedness,” unless otherwise specified in one or more applicable supplemental indentures or approved pursuant to a board resolution in accordance with the applicable indenture, means, with respect to the applicable Issuer,
(1)
the principal (including redemption payments), premium, if any, interest and other payment obligations in respect of  (A) the applicable Issuer’s indebtedness for money borrowed and (B) the applicable Issuer’s indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, bonds, notes or other similar instruments issued by the applicable Issuer, including any such securities issued under any deed, indenture or other instrument to which the applicable Issuer is a party (including, for the avoidance of doubt, indentures pursuant to which senior debt securities have been or may be issued);
(2)
all of the applicable Issuer’s capital lease obligations;
(3)
all of the applicable Issuer’s obligations issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all of the applicable Issuer’s conditional sale obligations, all of the applicable Issuer’s hedging agreements and agreements of a similar nature thereto and all of the applicable Issuer’s agreements relating to any such agreements, and all obligations under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business);
(4)
all of the applicable Issuer’s obligations for reimbursement on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit transaction;
(5)
all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (4) above of other persons for the payment of which the applicable Issuer is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise;
(6)
all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (5) above of other persons secured by any lien on any of the applicable Issuer’s property or assets (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the applicable Issuer); and
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(7)
any deferrals, amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (6) above, in each case whether or not contingent and whether outstanding at the date of effectiveness of the applicable supplemental indenture or thereafter incurred;
except , in each case, for the subordinated debt securities and any such other indebtedness or deferral, amendment, renewal, extension, modification or refunding that contains express terms, or is issued under a deed, indenture or other instrument that contains express terms, providing that it is subordinate to or ranks equal with the subordinated debt securities.
Such senior indebtedness shall continue to be senior indebtedness and be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions of the applicable indenture irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such senior indebtedness and notwithstanding that no express written subordination agreement may have been entered into between the holders of such senior indebtedness and the trustee or any of the holders.
Discharge and Defeasance
Under the terms of the indentures, the applicable Issuer will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series and the applicable indenture (except in each case for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities, replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt security certificates or other title documents, maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust) and, in the case of debt securities issued by XL-Cayman, XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland (as applicable) will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the related guarantee and applicable indenture, if:
(1)
the applicable Issuer delivers all outstanding debt securities of such series to the trustee for cancellation and pays all sums payable by the applicable Issuer under such debt securities and the indenture with respect to such series; or
(2)
such debt securities either have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or are scheduled for redemption within one year) and the applicable Issuer deposits with the debt securities trustee, in trust:
a.
in the case of any debt securities of any series denominated in U.S. dollars, cash or U.S. government obligations sufficient to pay all principal of and interest and premium, if any, on such debt securities; and
b.
in the case of any debt securities of any series denominated in any currency other than U.S. dollars, an amount of the applicable currency in which such debt securities are denominated sufficient to pay all principal of and interest and premium, if any, on such debt securities.
In addition, unless the applicable prospectus supplement and supplemental indenture provide otherwise, the applicable Issuer may elect either (1) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to such debt securities (“defeasance”) or (2) to be released from its obligations with respect to such debt securities under certain covenants in the applicable indenture (and in the case of securities issued by XL-Cayman, to release XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland, from their respective obligations under equivalent covenants), and any omission to comply with such obligations will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to such debt securities (“covenant defeasance”):
(1)
by delivering all outstanding debt securities of such series to the trustee for cancellation and paying all sums payable by the applicable Issuer under such debt securities and the indenture with respect to such series;
(2)
by delivering to the trustee an officers’ certificate as to solvency and the absence of intent of preferring holders of the debt securities over the applicable Issuer’s other creditors; and
(3)
after giving notice to the trustee of the applicable Issuer’s intention to defease all of the debt securities of such series, by irrevocably depositing with the trustee or a paying agent:
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a.
in the case of any debt securities of any series denominated in U.S. dollars, cash or U.S. government obligations sufficient to pay all principal of and interest on such debt securities; and
b.
in the case of any debt securities of any series denominated in any currency other than U.S. dollars, an amount of the applicable currency in which the debt securities are denominated sufficient to pay all principal of and interest on such debt securities.
Such a trust may only be established if, among other things:
(1)
the applicable defeasance or covenant defeasance does not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument to which the applicable Issuer is a party or by which the applicable Issuer is bound;
(2)
no event of default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an event of default with respect to the debt securities to be defeased will have occurred and be continuing on the date of establishment of such a trust after giving effect to such establishment and, with respect to defeasance only, no bankruptcy proceeding with respect to the applicable Issuer will have occurred and be continuing at any time during the period ending on the 91 st day after such date; and
(3)
the applicable Issuer has delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel (as specified in the applicable supplemental indenture) to the effect that the holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred, and such opinion of counsel, in the case of defeasance, must refer to and be based upon a letter ruling of the Internal Revenue Service received by the applicable Issuer, a Revenue Ruling published by the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable United States federal income tax law occurring after the date of the applicable supplemental indenture.
In the event the applicable Issuer effects covenant defeasance with respect to any debt securities and such debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, other than an event of default with respect to any covenant as to which there has been covenant defeasance, the U.S. government obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on such debt securities at the time of the stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on such debt securities at the time of the acceleration resulting from such event of default.
Modification and Waiver
The applicable Issuer (and, in the case of debt securities issued by XL-Cayman, XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland (as applicable)), when authorized by a board resolution, and the trustee may modify, amend and/or supplement the applicable indenture and the applicable debt securities with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected thereby (voting as a single class); provided, however, that such modification, amendment or supplement may not, without the consent of each holder of the debt securities affected thereby:
(1)
change the stated maturity of the principal of or any premium or any installment of interest with respect to the debt securities;
(2)
reduce the principal amount of, or the rate of interest on or any premium payable upon the redemption of, the debt securities;
(3)
change the currency of payment of principal of or interest on the debt securities;
(4)
change the redemption provisions, if any, of any debt securities in any manner adverse to the holders of such series of debt securities;
(5)
impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the debt securities;
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(6)
reduce the above-stated percentage of holders of the debt securities of any series necessary to modify or amend the indenture relating to such series;
(7)
in the case of any subordinated indenture, modify the subordination provisions thereof in a manner adverse to the holders of such subordinated debt securities then outstanding;
(8)
in the case of any convertible or exchangeable debt securities, adversely affect the right to convert or exchange such debt securities in accordance with the provisions of the applicable indenture;
(9)
in the case of debt securities issued by XL-Cayman, release a guarantor from any of its obligations under the related guarantee, except in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture;
(10)
modify or change any provision of the applicable indenture or the related definitions affecting the ranking of the applicable series of senior debt securities or, in the case of debt securities issued by XL-Cayman, affecting the related guarantees, in each case in a manner which adversely affects the holders of such senior debt securities; or
(11)
modify the foregoing requirements or reduce the percentage of outstanding debt securities necessary to waive any covenant or past default.
Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected thereby (voting as a single class) may waive certain past defaults and may waive compliance by the applicable Issuer with any provision of the indenture relating to such debt securities (subject to the immediately preceding sentence); provided, however, that:
(1)
without the consent of each holder of debt securities affected thereby, no waiver may be made of a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any debt security or in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that expressly states that it cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder affected; and
(2)
only the holders of a majority in principal amount of debt securities of a particular series may waive compliance with a provision of the indenture relating to such series or the debt securities of such series having applicability solely to such series.
The applicable Issuer (and, in the case of debt securities issued by XL-Cayman, XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland (as applicable)), when authorized by a board resolution, and the trustee may amend or supplement the indentures or waive any provision of such indentures and the debt securities without the consent of any holders of debt securities in some circumstances, including:

to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

to make any change that does not, in the good faith opinion of the board of directors and the trustee, adversely affect the interests of holders of such debt securities in any material respect, provided that any amendment or supplement conforming the indenture, as applied to a series of debt securities, to the terms described in the prospectus (including any prospectus supplement) pursuant to which they were initially sold shall be deemed not to adversely affect the interests of holders of such debt securities;

to provide for the assumption of the Issuer’s (or, in the case of debt securities issued by XL-Cayman, XL-Cayman’s, XL-Bermuda’s or XL-Ireland’s (as applicable)) obligations under the applicable indenture by a successor upon any merger, consolidation or asset transfer permitted under the applicable indenture;

to add covenants that would benefit the holders of such debt securities or to surrender any rights or powers the Issuer (or, in the case of debt securities issued by XL-Cayman, XL-Cayman, XL-Bermuda or XL-Ireland (as applicable)) has under the applicable indenture;

to provide any security for or guarantees of such debt securities;

to add events of default with respect to such debt securities;
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to make any change necessary to comply with the Trust Indenture Act, or any amendment thereto, or to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the applicable indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities or to provide for bearer debt securities;

to add to or change any of the provisions of the applicable indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of the debt securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons;

to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the applicable indenture, provided, however , that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no debt security outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision;

to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted by the applicable indenture; or

to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the applicable indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the applicable indenture by more than one trustee, pursuant to the requirements of the applicable indenture.
Events of Default and Notice Thereof
The following events are “events of default” with respect to any series of debt securities issued hereunder:
(1)
the applicable Issuer’s failure to pay interest on any debt securities of such series within 60 days of when due or principal of any debt securities of such series when due (including any sinking fund installment);
(2)
the applicable Issuer’s failure to perform, or breach of, any material covenant, warranty or agreement contained in the debt securities of such series or the indenture relating to such series (other than those relating solely to another series of debt securities) for 60 days after a notice of default;
(3)
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to XL-Bermuda, XL-Cayman or XL-Ireland; and
(4)
in the case of XL-Cayman debt securities, the related guarantee by XL-Bermuda or XL-Ireland, being declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or ceasing to be in full force and effect, or XL-Bermuda or XL-Ireland (as applicable) denying or disaffirming its guarantee other than by reason of the termination of the indenture or the release of such guarantee in accordance with the indenture.
Additional or different events of default, if any, applicable to the series of debt securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The trustee under such indenture shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of any default (the term “default” to include the events specified above without grace or notice) with respect to any series of debt securities actually known to it, give to the holders of such debt securities notice of such default; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of or interest on any of the debt securities of such series or in the payment of a sinking fund installment, the trustee for such series shall be protected in withholding such notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the holders of such debt securities; and provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in clause (2) above with respect to debt securities of such series, no such notice to holders of such debt securities will be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. The applicable Issuer shall certify to the trustee quarterly as to whether any default exists.
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In the case that an event of default, other than an event of default resulting from bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, with respect to any series of debt securities shall occur and be continuing, the trustee for such series or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding, by notice in writing to the applicable Issuer (and to the trustee for such series if given by the holders of the debt securities of such series), will be entitled to declare all unpaid principal of and accrued interest on such debt securities then outstanding to be due and payable immediately.
In the case of an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, all unpaid principal of and accrued interest on all debt securities of such series then outstanding shall be due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee for such series or the holders of any debt securities of such series.
Such acceleration may be annulled and past defaults (except, unless theretofore cured, a default in payment of principal of or interest on the debt securities of such series) may be waived by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding upon the conditions provided in the applicable indenture.
No holder of the debt securities of any series issued thereunder may pursue any remedy under such indenture unless the trustee for such series shall have failed to act after, among other things, notice of an event of default and request by holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of such series in respect of which the event of default has occurred and the offer to the trustee for such series of indemnity satisfactory to it; provided , however , that such provision does not affect the right to sue for enforcement of any overdue payment on such debt securities.
Conversion and Exchange Rights
The terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities of any series will be convertible or exchangeable for other securities will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the conversion or exchange price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion or exchange period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be at the option of the holders of such series of debt securities, at the applicable Issuer’s option or automatic (upon a specified date or upon the occurrence of a specified event), the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of such series of debt securities. The debt securities, if convertible or exchangeable, will not be convertible into or exchangeable for securities of a third party.
The Trustee
The trustee for each series of debt securities will be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to such series. Each indenture contains certain limitations on the right of the trustee, as creditor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions; provided , however , that if it acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.
The trustee may resign at any time with respect to each series of debt securities by giving written notice thereof to the applicable Issuer. The trustee may be removed at any time, upon a 30 days’ notice, with respect to each series of debt securities by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding securities of such series delivered to the trustee and to the applicable Issuer. In addition, the applicable Issuer may also remove the trustee with or without cause if the applicable Issuer so notifies the trustee 30 days in advance and if no default occurs or is continuing during the 30-day period.
Subject to the terms of the applicable indenture, the holders of a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of a series (or if more than one series is affected thereby, of all series so affected, voting as a single class) have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy or power available to the trustee for such series or all such series so affected.
In case an event of default shall occur (and shall not be cured) under any indenture relating to a series of debt securities and is actually known to a responsible officer of the trustee for such series, such trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by such indenture and use the same degree of care
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and skill in such exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will not be under any obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable indenture at the request of any of the holders of debt securities unless they shall have offered to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it.
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities are governed by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws of such State.
Global Securities; Book-Entry System
The following description of the operations and procedures of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) is provided solely as a matter of convenience and the information set forth below has been provided to us by DTC. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of DTC and are subject to changes by DTC. We take no responsibility for these operations and procedures and urge investors to contact the systems or their participants directly to discuss these matters.
XL-Bermuda or XL-Cayman, as the case may be, may issue the debt securities of any series in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities to be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary (the “depositary”) identified in the prospectus supplement relating to such series. “Global securities” represent in the aggregate the total principal or face amount of the securities and, once on deposit with a depositary, allow trading of the securities through the depositary’s book-entry system (as further described below). Global securities, if any, issued in the United States are expected to be deposited with DTC, as depositary. Global securities will be issued in fully registered form and may be issued in either temporary or permanent form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities represented thereby, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any nominee of such depositary to a successor depositary or any nominee of such successor.
The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such series. We expect that unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to depositary arrangements.
Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary for such global security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the respective principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by such global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with such depositary (“participants”). Such accounts will be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to such debt securities or by us if such debt securities are offered directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in such global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants.
We expect that, pursuant to procedures established by DTC, ownership of beneficial interests in any global security with respect to which DTC is the depositary will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee (with respect to beneficial interests of participants) and records of participants (with respect to beneficial interests of persons who hold through participants). Neither the applicable Issuer nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records of DTC or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC or any of its participants relating to beneficial ownership interests in the debt securities. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the ability to own, pledge or transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
So long as the depositary for a global security or its nominee is the registered owner of such global security, such depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as described below or in the applicable prospectus supplement, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have any of the individual debt securities represented by such global
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security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any directions, instructions or approvals to the trustee thereunder.
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security with respect to which DTC is the depositary must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interests, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture. We understand that, under existing industry practice, if it requests any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to take any action which a holder is entitled to take under the applicable indenture, DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interest to take such action, and such participants would authorize beneficial owners through such participants to take such actions or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.
Payments of principal of, and any interest on, individual debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to or at the direction of the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security under the applicable indenture. Under the terms of the applicable indenture, the applicable Issuer and the trustee may treat the persons in whose name debt securities, including a global security, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments. Consequently, neither the applicable Issuer nor the trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of such amounts to beneficial owners of debt securities (including principal and interest). We believe, however, that it is currently the policy of DTC to immediately credit the accounts of relevant participants with such payments, in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the relevant global security as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in street name, and will be the responsibility of such participants. Redemption notices with respect to any debt securities represented by a global security will be sent to the depositary or its nominee. If less than all of the debt securities of any series are to be redeemed, we expect the depositary to determine the amount of the interest of each participant in such debt securities to be redeemed by lot. None of the applicable Issuer, the trustee, any paying agent or the registrar for such debt securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global security for such debt securities or for maintaining any records with respect thereto.
Neither the applicable Issuer nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by the holders of a global security or the depositary in identifying the beneficial owners of debt securities and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the holder of a global security or the depositary for all purposes. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.
If a depositary for any debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by the applicable Issuer within 90 days, the applicable Issuer will issue individual debt securities in exchange for the global security representing such debt securities.
All moneys paid by the applicable Issuer to a paying agent or a trustee for the payment of the principal of or interest on any debt security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such payment has become due and payable will be repaid to the applicable Issuer and the holder of such debt security thereafter may look only to the applicable Issuer for payment thereof.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
XL-Bermuda, XL-Ireland and XL-Cayman may sell the securities in any of the following ways: (1) through underwriters or dealers; (2) directly to a limited number of institutional purchasers or to a single purchaser; (3) through agents; or (4) through any other method permitted by applicable law. Any such dealer or agent, in addition to any underwriter, may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act.
To the extent that we make sales of common shares to or through one or more underwriters or agents in at-the-market offerings, we will do so pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement between us and the underwriters or agents. If we engage in at-the-market sales of common shares pursuant to a distribution agreement, we will issue and sell our common shares to or through one or more underwriters or agents, which may act on an agency basis or on a principal basis. During the term of any such agreement, we may sell common shares on a daily basis in exchange transactions or otherwise as we agree with the underwriters or agents. The distribution agreement will provide that any common shares sold will be sold at prices related to the then prevailing market prices for our common shares. Therefore, exact figures regarding proceeds that will be raised or commissions to be paid cannot be determined at this time and will be described in a prospectus supplement. Pursuant to the terms of the distribution agreement, we also may agree to sell, and the relevant underwriters or agents may agree to solicit offers to purchase, blocks of our common shares or other securities. The terms of each such distribution agreement will be set forth in more detail in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus.
Underwriters or agents in any distribution relating to an at-the-market offering of the securities will be named in the relevant prospectus supplement.
In the event that an underwriter or agent acts as principal, or a broker-dealer acts as underwriter, it may engage in certain transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our securities. We will describe any such activities in the prospectus supplement relating to the transaction.
Offers to purchase the securities offered by this prospectus may be solicited, and sales of those securities may be made, directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resales of the securities. The terms of any offer made in this manner will be included in the prospectus supplement relating to the offer.
In addition, to the extent permitted by law we may enter into derivative or other hedging transactions with financial institutions or other third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. These financial institutions or third parties may in turn engage in sales of the securities covered by this prospectus to hedge their position, deliver this prospectus in connection with some or all of those sales and use the securities covered by this prospectus to close out any short position created in connection with those sales. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with such a transaction the third parties may, pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by or borrowed from us or others to settle such sales or to close out any related open borrowings of securities and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related borrowings of shares and to close out any related short positions. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). We may also loan, pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to third parties to support a derivative or hedging position or other obligation, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities using this prospectus. Such financial institution or third party may transfer its short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a simultaneous offering of other securities offered by this prospectus.
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The terms of the offering of the securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and will include:

the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;

the purchase price of such securities and the proceeds to XL-Bermuda or XL-Cayman from such sale;

any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

the public offering price; and

any discounts or concessions which may be allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed.
If underwriters are used in the sale of securities, such securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by one or more underwriters acting alone. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such securities if any are so purchased by them. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
The securities may be sold directly by XL-Bermuda, XL-Ireland and/or XL-Cayman or through agents designated by XL-Bermuda, XL-Ireland and/or XL-Cayman from time to time. Any agents involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, and any commissions payable by XL-Bermuda, XL-Ireland and/or XL-Cayman to such agents, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
If dealers are utilized in the sale of any securities, XL-Bermuda, XL-Ireland and/or XL-Cayman will sell the securities to the dealers, as principals. Any dealer may resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. The name of any dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the prospectus supplement with respect to the securities being offered.
Securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more firms, which we refer to herein as the “remarketing firms,” acting as principals for their own accounts or as XL-Bermuda’s, XL-Ireland’s or XL-Cayman’s agents, as applicable. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with XL-Bermuda, XL-Ireland or XL-Cayman and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the Securities Act in connection with the securities remarketed thereby.
If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, XL-Bermuda, XL-Ireland or XL-Cayman will authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain specified institutions to purchase the securities to which this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement relates from XL-Bermuda, XL-Ireland or XL-Cayman at the public offering price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, plus, if applicable, accrued interest, pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts. Institutional investors with which these contracts may be made include, among others:

commercial and savings banks;

insurance companies;
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pension funds;

investment companies; and

educational and charitable institutions.
Underwriters will not be obligated to make a market in any securities. No assurance can be given regarding the activity of trading in, or liquidity of, any securities.
Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be entitled, under agreements entered into with XL-Bermuda, XL-Ireland or XL-Cayman, to indemnification by XL-Bermuda, XL-Ireland or XL-Cayman against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or to contribution to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof. Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, XL-Bermuda, XL-Ireland and/or XL-Cayman in the ordinary course of business.
Each series of securities will be a new issue and, other than the common shares, which are listed on the NYSE and the Bermuda Stock Exchange, will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of securities on an exchange, and in the case of the common shares, on any additional exchange, but, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we shall not be obligated to do so. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters with respect to the securities under the laws of the State of New York will be passed upon for us by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Certain legal matters with respect to the securities under the laws of Bermuda will be passed upon for XL-Bermuda by ASW Law Limited, Hamilton, Bermuda. Certain matters with respect to securities under the laws of Ireland will be passed upon for XL-Ireland by A&L Goodbody, IFSC, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1, Ireland. Certain legal matters with respect to the securities under the laws of the Cayman Islands will be passed upon for XL-Cayman by Maples and Calder, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) of XL Group plc incorporated in this prospectus by reference to XL Group Ltd’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 25, 2016 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report, which contains an explanatory paragraph on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting due to the exclusion of certain elements of the internal control over financial reporting of the former subsidiaries of Catlin Group Limited that the registrant acquired during 2015, of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES UNDER UNITED STATES
FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS
XL-Bermuda is a Bermuda exempted company. XL-Ireland is an Irish public limited company. XL-Cayman is a Cayman Islands exempted company. In addition, some of their respective officers and directors, as well as some of the experts named in this prospectus, reside outside the United States, and all or much of their assets are or may be located in jurisdictions outside of the United States. Therefore, investors may have difficulty effecting service of process within the United States upon those persons or recovering against XL-Bermuda, XL-Ireland, XL-Cayman or them on judgments of United States courts, including judgments based upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws. However, investors may serve XL-Bermuda, XL-Ireland or XL-Cayman with process in the United States with respect to actions against it arising out of or in connection with violations of United States federal securities laws relating to offers and sales of the securities covered by this prospectus by serving Puglisi & Associates, 850 Library Avenue, Suite 204, Newark, Delaware 19711, its United States agent appointed for that purpose.
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XL Group Ltd
Common Shares
Preference Shares
Depositary Shares
Common Share Warrants
Purchase Contracts
Purchase Units
Debt Securities
Guarantees of XLIT Ltd. Debt Securities
XL Group plc
Guarantees of XLIT Ltd. Debt Securities
XLIT Ltd.
Debt Securities
Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by XL Group Ltd and, prior to the XL-Ireland Release, by XL Group plc
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PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14.    OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, to be incurred by XL Group Ltd (“XL-Bermuda”), XL Group plc (“XL-Ireland”) and XLIT Ltd. (“XL-Cayman” and, together with XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland, each a “Registrant” and collectively, the “Registrants”) in connection with the distribution of securities registered hereunder.
Amount to
be paid
SEC registration fee
$     (1)
Stock exchange listing fees
    (2)
Printing and engraving expenses
    (2)
Legal fees and expenses
    (2)
Accounting fees and expenses
    (2)
Blue Sky fees and expenses
    (2)
Trustee and transfer agent fees
    (2)
Rating agency fees
    (2)
Miscellaneous
    (2)
Total
    (2)
(1)
Fees are being deferred pursuant to Rules 456(b) and 457(r).
(2)
The estimated amounts of fees and expenses to be incurred in connection with any offering of securities pursuant to this registration statement will be determined from time to time and reflected in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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ITEM 15.    INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
XL-Bermuda
The Bermuda Companies Act permits XL-Bermuda to indemnify its directors, officers and auditor against losses arising or liability resulting from their negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to XL-Bermuda or any subsidiary of XL-Bermuda; provided, that XL-Bermuda is not permitted to indemnify any such person against any liability arising from their fraud or dishonesty.
The bye-laws of XL-Bermuda provide that XL-Bermuda will indemnify every “Indemnified Person” (which includes any director or officer, including, if applicable, any resident representative) out of the assets of XL-Bermuda against all liabilities, loss, damage or expense (including but not limited to liabilities under contract, tort and statute or any applicable foreign law or regulation and all reasonable legal and other costs and expenses properly payable) incurred or suffered by such indemnitee by or by reason of any act done, conceived in or omitted in the conduct of XL-Bermuda’s business or in the discharge of his duties or in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal; provided, that such expenses and liabilities are not found by a court of competent jurisdiction (upon entry of a final non-appealable judgment) to be the result of any such Indemnified Person’s fraud and dishonesty.
In a recent Bermuda Supreme Court case, the Court ordered that the indemnity provisions of a Bermuda company’s bye-laws were enforceable and could be relied on by the defendant directors after the Court found them guilty of misfeasance for breaching their duty of care owed to the company. This case demonstrates that the Bermuda courts will uphold indemnification provisions in the bye-laws of a Bermuda company to protect its directors and officers.
XL-Bermuda’s bye-laws and the Bermuda Companies Act also permit XL-Bermuda to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any director or officer against any liability incurred by such person under the Bermuda Companies Act in such persons’ capacity as a director or officer or indemnifying such person in respect of any loss arising or liability attaching to such person by virtue of any rule of law in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which such person may be guilty in relation to XL-Bermuda or any subsidiary thereof. XL-Bermuda’s directors and officers are provided with indemnification against certain liabilities pursuant to a directors and officers liability insurance policy.
In order to continue to retain and attract highly experienced and capable persons to serve as directors of XL-Bermuda, XL-Bermuda has entered into indemnification agreements (the “Bermuda Indemnification Agreements”) with each of XL-Bermuda’s directors and its corporate secretary. The Bermuda Indemnification Agreements provide that XL-Bermuda will indemnify the indemnitees to the fullest extent permitted by Bermuda law against claims related to each indemnitee’s service to (or at the request of) XL-Bermuda, except in certain circumstances, including: (i) where payment is actually made or then due (A) under an insurance policy, (B) pursuant to an agreement between indemnitee and XL-Bermuda or other entity served by indemnitee at the request of XL-Bermuda or (C) under the governing documents of XL-Bermuda or other entity served by indemnitee at the request of XL-Bermuda; (ii) in connection with a proceeding initiated by indemnitee, unless such proceeding was authorized by the XL-Bermuda Board or falls within certain limited exceptions specifically provided for in the Bermuda Indemnification Agreements; and (iii) where the indemnitee is found, in a final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, to be liable for fraud or dishonesty or an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by the indemnitee of securities. The Bermuda Indemnification Agreements also provide that any and all indemnifiable expenses shall, if so requested by the indemnitee, be advanced promptly as they are incurred, provided that the indemnitee must repay any such expense advance if it is determined in a final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such expense.
XL-Ireland
XL-Ireland’s articles of association contain provisions that indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities to the fullest extent permitted by law (except in the case of claims by or in the right of XL-Ireland) and expenses they may incur in their capacity as directors and officers, if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the interests of XL-Ireland and,
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with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their actions were unlawful. In addition, to the extent that a director or officer is successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any relevant legal proceeding, the articles of association of XL-Ireland provide that he or she will be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with that legal proceeding. The indemnity provisions do not extend to situations involving claims by or in the right of XL-Ireland in which a court determines that a director or officer is liable for willful neglect or default in the performance of his or her duty to XL-Ireland.
The Irish Companies Act 2014 prescribes that an advance commitment to indemnify only permits a company to pay the costs or discharge the liability of a director or corporate secretary where judgment is given in favor of the director or corporate secretary in any civil or criminal action in respect of such costs or liability, or where the Irish High Court grants relief because the director or corporate secretary acted honestly and reasonably and ought fairly to be excused wholly or partly. Any provision whereby an Irish company seeks to commit in advance to indemnify its directors or corporate secretary over and above the limitations imposed by the Irish Companies Act 2014 will be void under Irish law, whether contained in its bye-laws or any contract between the company and the director or corporate secretary.
XL-Cayman
Article 109 of XL-Cayman’s articles of association contains provisions with respect to indemnification of its directors and officers. The general effect of these provisions is to provide for the indemnity by XL-Cayman of an officer, director, employee or agent of XL-Cayman for threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings (other than an action by or in the right of XL-Cayman) brought against such indemnified person by reason of the fact that such person was an officer, director, employee or agent of XL-Cayman, if such indemnified person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to XL-Cayman’s best interest and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
The articles of association also provide for the indemnification of such person against expenses actually and reasonably incurred in connection with suits brought by or in the right of XL-Cayman by reason of the fact that such indemnified person is an officer, director, employee or agent of XL-Cayman if such indemnified person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to XL-Cayman’s best interest; provided , however , that no such indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for willful neglect or default in the performance of his duty to XL-Cayman unless and only to the extent that the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Grand Court or other such court shall deem proper.
To the extent that such indemnified person shall be successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any such action, suit or proceeding, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection therewith.
XL-Cayman previously entered into indemnification agreements (the “Cayman Indemnification Agreements”) with each of the directors of XL-Ireland (who held such office prior to the effectiveness of the Scheme of Arrangement) and the corporate secretary of XL-Ireland, and a deed poll indemnity as to other current or former executives, directors and employees of XL-Ireland (and its subsidiaries) who did not enter into Indemnification Agreements. These remain in effect following the Scheme of Arrangement. In connection with the Scheme of Arrangement, XL Cayman amended the deed poll indemnity (as amended, the “Deed Poll”) to indemnify other current or former executives, directors and employees of XL-Bermuda (and its subsidiaries) who did not enter into Indemnification Agreements. The Cayman Indemnification Agreements and Deed Poll provide that XL-Cayman will indemnify the indemnitees to the fullest extent permitted by Cayman Islands law against claims related to each indemnitee’s service to (or at the request of) XL-Bermuda (or XL-Ireland, as the case may be), except in certain circumstances, including (i) where payment is actually made or then due (A) by XL-Bermuda (or XL-Ireland, as the case may be) in its discretion, (B) under an insurance policy, (C) pursuant to an agreement between indemnitee and
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XL-Bermuda (or XL-Ireland, as the case may be), XL-Cayman or other entity served by indemnitee at the request of XL-Ireland or (D) under the governing documents of XL-Bermuda (or XL-Ireland, as the case may be), XL-Cayman or other entity served by indemnitee at the request of XL-Bermuda (or XL-Ireland, as the case may be); (ii) in connection with a proceeding initiated by indemnitee, unless such proceeding was authorized by the XL-Cayman Board of Directors or falls within certain limited exceptions specifically provided for in the Cayman Indemnification Agreements; (iii) in connection with a proceeding brought by or in the name of XL-Bermuda (or XL-Ireland, as the case may be), where the indemnitee is found, in a final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, to be liable for willful neglect or willful default in the performance of the indemnitee’s duty, unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to such payment. The Cayman Indemnification Agreements and Deed Poll also provide that any and all indemnifiable expenses shall, if so requested by the indemnitee, be advanced promptly as they are incurred, provided that the indemnitee must repay any such expense advance if it is determined in a final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such expenses. Prior to seeking an indemnification payment or expense advance under the Cayman Indemnification Agreements, an indemnitee must request that XL-Ireland consider in its discretion whether to make such indemnification payment or expense advance. In the event an indemnification or expense advance (or an undertaking to provide such indemnification or advance) is not received from XL-Ireland within five business days of such request, the indemnitees will be eligible to receive such indemnification or expense advance from XL-Cayman pursuant to the terms of the Cayman Indemnification Agreement.
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ITEM 16.   EXHIBITS.
Exhibit
Number
Description
1.1** Form of Underwriting Agreement (XL Group Ltd Equity or Depositary Shares).
1.2** Form of Underwriting Agreement (XL Group Ltd Non-Equity).
1.3** Form of Underwriting Agreement (XL Group Ltd Purchase Contracts).
1.4** Form of Underwriting Agreement (XL Group Ltd Purchase Units).
1.5** Form of Distribution Agreement for Debt Securities that are Medium Term Notes.
1.6** Form of Underwriting Agreement (XLIT Ltd. Debt Securities).
4.1* Form of XL Group Ltd Senior Debt Securities Indenture.
4.2** Form of XL Group Ltd Senior Debt Security.
4.3* Form of XL Group Ltd Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture.
4.4** Form of XL Group Ltd Subordinated Debt Security.
4.5** Form of Debt Securities that are Fixed Rate Medium Term Notes.
4.6** Form of Debt Securities that are Floating Rate Medium Term Notes.
4.7** Form of XL Group Ltd Common Share Warrant Agreement.
4.8** Form of XL Group Ltd Common Share Warrant Certificate (included as part of Exhibit 4.7).
4.9** Form of XL Group Ltd Purchase Contract Agreement.
4.10** Form of Pledge Agreement.
4.11** Form of Deposit Agreement.
4.12** Form of Depositary Receipt
4.13** Form of XL Group Ltd Purchase Contract.
4.14** Form of Purchase Unit.
4.15 Certificate of Incorporation of XL Group Ltd (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to XL Group Ltd’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 25, 2016).
4.16 Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name of XL Group Ltd (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to XL Group Ltd’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 25, 2016).
4.17 Memorandum of Association of XL Group Ltd (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to XL Group Ltd’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 25, 2016).
4.18 Bye-laws of XL Group Ltd (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to XL Group Ltd’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 25, 2016).
4.19 Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Incorporation of XL Group plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to XL Group plc’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (No. 1-10804) for the period ended June 30, 2014).
4.20 Certification of Incorporation of XL Group plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to XL Group plc’s Current Report on Form 8-K12B (No. 1-10804) filed on July 1, 2010).
4.21 Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association of XLIT Ltd, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.19 to XL Group Ltd’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-177869) filed on November 9, 2011.
4.22 Amended and Restated Articles of Association of XLIT Ltd, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.20 to XL Group Ltd’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-177869) filed on November 9, 2011.
4.23 XLIT Ltd. Senior Debt Securities Indenture dated as of September 30, 2011 among XL Group plc, XLIT Ltd. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to XL Group plc’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 30, 2011).
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Exhibit
Number
Description
4.24 Third Supplemental Indenture to the XLIT Ltd. Senior Debt Securities Indenture which is Exhibit 4.22 to the Registration Statement, dated as of July 25, 2016 among XL Group Ltd, XLIT Ltd., XL Group plc and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to XL Group Ltd’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 25, 2016).
4.25** Form of XLIT Ltd. Senior Debt Security.
4.26 XLIT Ltd. Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture dated as of March 30, 2015 among XL Group plc, XLIT Ltd. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to XL Group plc’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 30, 2015).
4.27 Second Supplemental Indenture to the XLIT Ltd. Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture which is Exhibit 4.25 to the Registration Statement, dated as of July 25, 2016 among XL Group Ltd, XLIT Ltd., XL Group plc and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to XL Group Ltd’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 25, 2016).
4.28** Form of XLIT Ltd. Subordinated Debt Security.
4.29 Specimen Share Certificate (evidencing the common shares of XL Group Ltd) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to XL Group Ltd’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 25, 2016).
5.1* Opinion of ASW Law Limited in respect of XL Group Ltd Common Shares, Preference Shares and Depositary Shares, XL Group Ltd Debt Securities, XL Group Ltd Guarantees, Common Share Warrants, Purchase Contracts and Purchase Units (Bermuda Law Opinion).
5.2* Opinion of A&L Goodbody (Irish Law Opinion).
5.3* Opinion of Maples and Calder (Cayman Islands Law Opinion).
5.4* Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (New York Law Opinion).
12 Statement regarding Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preference Dividends (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12 to XL Group plc’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2016 filed on May 6, 2016).
23.1* Consent of ASW Law Limited (included as part of Exhibit 5.1).
23.3* Consent of A&L Goodbody (included as part of Exhibit 5.2).
23.4* Consent of Maples and Calder (included as part of Exhibit 5.3).
23.4* Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.4).
23.5* Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP relating to the consolidated financial statements of XL Group plc.
24.1* Powers of Attorney of XL Group Ltd (included on a signature page).
24.2* Powers of Attorney of XLIT Ltd. (included on a signature page).
25.1* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee (XL Group Ltd Senior Debt Securities).
25.2* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee (XL Group Ltd Subordinated Debt Securities).
25.3* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee (XLIT Ltd. Senior Debt Securities).
25.4* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee (XLIT Ltd. Subordinated Debt Securities).
99.1* Acceptance of Appointment of Puglisi & Associates as U.S. Agent for Service of Process.
*
Filed herewith.
**
To be filed as an amendment or as an exhibit to an Exchange Act report of the Registrant and incorporated herein by reference.
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ITEM 17.   UNDERTAKINGS.
EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED REGISTRANTS HEREBY UNDERTAKES:
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement on Form S-3 (this “Registration Statement”):
i.
To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
ii.
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC” or the “Commission”) pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
iii.
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;
provided, however , that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this Registration Statement.
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
A.
Each prospectus filed by such Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in this Registration Statement; and
B
Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in this Registration Statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of this Registration Statement relating to the securities in this Registration Statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided , however , that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of this Registration Statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement or prospectus that is part of this Registration Statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in this Registration Statement or prospectus that was part of this Registration Statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
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That, for the purpose of determining liability of such Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, each of the Registrants hereby undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of such undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, such undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
i.
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of such undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
ii.
Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of such undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by such undersigned Registrant;
iii.
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about such undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of such undersigned Registrant; and
iv.
Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by such undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.
Each of the undersigned Registrants hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of such Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of either Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, each Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by such Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of such Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, such Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Each of the undersigned Registrants hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
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POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES (XL-CAYMAN)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on July 25, 2016.
XLIT LTD.
By: /s/ Peter R. Porrino
Name: Peter R. Porrino
Title: Director
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KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned officers and directors of XLIT Ltd. (“ XL-Cayman ”) in their respective capacities set forth below constitutes and appoints Peter R. Porrino and Kirstin R. Gould, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign his or her name to this Registration Statement of XL-Cayman on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder and any and all amendments (including any post-effective amendments, including any registration statement filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and supplements to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities with respect to XLIT Ltd. and on the dates indicated:
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ PETER R. PORRINO
Name: Peter R. Porrino
Director
(Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
July 25, 2016
/s/ TIM GOODYER
Name: Tim Goodyer
Director
July 25, 2016
/s/ RONAN REDMON
Name: Ronan Redmon
Director
July 25, 2016
/s/ STEPHEN ROBB
Name: Stephen Robb
Director
July 25, 2016
/s/ MERVYN P. SKEET
Name: Mervyn P. Skeet
Director
July 25, 2016
/s/ RHICERT J.P. WEBB
Name: Rhicert J. P. Webb
Director
July 25, 2016
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POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES (XL-BERMUDA)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on July 25, 2016.
XL GROUP LTD
By: /s/ MICHAEL S. MCGAVICK
Name: Michael S. McGavick
Title: Chief Executive Officer
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KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned officers and directors of XL Group Ltd (“ XL-Bermuda ”) in their respective capacities set forth below constitutes and appoints Michael S. McGavick and Kirstin R. Gould, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign his or her name to this Registration Statement of XL-Bermuda on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder and any and all amendments (including any post-effective amendments, including any registration statement filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and supplements to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities with respect to XL Group Ltd and on the dates indicated:
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ MICHAEL S. MCGAVICK
Name: Michael S. McGavick
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) and Director
July 25, 2016
/s/ PETER R. PORRINO
Name: Peter R. Porrino
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
July 25, 2016
/s/ EUGENE M. MCQUADE
Name: Eugene M. McQuade
Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors
July 25, 2016
/s/ RAMANI AYER
Name: Ramani Ayer
Director
July 25, 2016
/s/ DALE R. COMEY
Name: Dale R. Comey
Director
July 25, 2016
/s/ CLAUS-MICHAEL DILL
Name: Claus-Michael Dill
Director
July 25, 2016
/s/ ROBERT R. GLAUBER
Name: Robert R. Glauber
Director
July 25, 2016
/s/ EDWARD J. KELLY, III
Name: Edward J. Kelly, III
Director
July 25, 2016
/s/ SUZANNE B. LABARGE
Name: Suzanne B. Labarge
Director
July 25, 2016
/s/ JOSEPH MAURIELLO
Name: Joseph Mauriello
Director
July 25, 2016
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Signature
Title
Date
/s/ CLAYTON S. ROSE
Name: Clayton S. Rose
Director
July 25, 2016
/s/ ANNE STEVENS
Name: Anne Stevens
Director
July 25, 2016
/s/ SIR JOHN VEREKER
Name: Sir John Vereker
Director
July 25, 2016
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POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES (XL-IRELAND)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on July 25, 2016.
XL GROUP PLC
By: /s/ MICHAEL S. MCGAVICK
Name: Michael S. McGavick
Title: Chief Executive Officer
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KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned officers and directors of XL Group plc (“ XL-Ireland ”) in their respective capacities set forth below constitutes and appoints Michael S. McGavick and Kirstin R. Gould, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign his or her name to this Registration Statement of XL-Ireland on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder and any and all amendments (including any post-effective amendments, including any registration statement filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and supplements to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities with respect to XL Group plc and on the dates indicated:
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ MICHAEL S. MCGAVICK
Name: Michael S. McGavick
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) and Director
July 25, 2016
/s/ PETER R. PORRINO
Name: Peter R. Porrino
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
July 25, 2016
/s/ TIMOTHY GOODYER
Name: Timothy Goodyer
Director
July 25, 2016
/s/ REGINA O’CONNOR
Name: Regina O’Connor
Director
July 25, 2016
/s/ RONAN REDMOND
Name: Ronan Redmond
Director
July 25, 2016
/s/ MERVYN P. SKEET
Name: Mervyn P. Skeet
Director
July 25, 2016
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SIGNATURES (AUTHORIZED U.S. REPRESENTATIVE)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the Authorized U.S. Representative on the date indicated:
Dated: July 25, 2016
Puglisi & Associates,
Authorized U.S. Representative
By: /s/ DONALD J. PUGLISI
Name: Donald J. Puglisi
Title: Managing Director
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Exhibit 4.1

 

XL GROUP LTD

 

as Issuer

 

[_________]

 

as Trustee

 

 

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of [______]

 

 

 

Senior Debt Securities

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Indenture.

 

TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION   INDENTURE SECTION
ss.310(a)   6.09
(b)   6.08, 6.10
(c)   Not Applicable
ss.311(a)   6.13
(b)   6.13
(c)   Not Applicable
ss.312(a)   7.01, 7.02(a)
(b)   7.02(b)
(c)   7.02(c)
ss.313(a)   7.03(a)
(b)   7.03(b)
(c)   7.03(b)
(d)   7.03(c)
ss.314(a)   7.04
(b)   Not Applicable
(c)   1.02
(d)   Not Applicable
(e)   1.02
(f)   Not Applicable
ss.315(a)   6.01
(b)   6.02, 7.03(b)
(c)   6.01(b)
(d)   6.01(c)
(e)   5.14
ss.316(a)(1)   5.12, 5.13
(b)   5.08
(c)   1.04(d)
ss.317(a)(1)   5.03
(b)   5.04
(c)   10.03
ss.318(a)   1.07

 

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

 

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    Page
     
ARTICLE I
 
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
     
Section 1.01 Definitions 1
Section 1.02 Compliance Certificates and Opinions 7
Section 1.03 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee 7
Section 1.04 Acts of Holders 8
Section 1.05 Notices, Etc., to Trustee and the Company 9
Section 1.06 Notice to Holders; Waiver 9
Section 1.07 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act 9
Section 1.08 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents 9
Section 1.09 Successors and Assigns 9
Section 1.10 Separability Clause 9
Section 1.11 Benefits of Indenture 10
Section 1.12 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial 10
Section 1.13 Legal Holidays 10
Section 1.14 References to Currency 10
Section 1.15 Force Majeure 10
Section 1.16 USA PATRIOT Act 10
     
ARTICLE II
 
SECURITY FORMS
     
Section 2.01 Forms Generally 11
Section 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication 11
Section 2.03 Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security 11
     
ARTICLE III
 
THE SECURITIES
     
Section 3.01 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series 13
Section 3.02 Denominations 15
Section 3.03 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating 15
Section 3.04 Temporary Securities 17
Section 3.05 Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange 17
Section 3.06 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities 18
Section 3.07 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved 19
Section 3.08 Persons Deemed Owners 20
Section 3.09 Cancellation 20

 

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Section 3.10 Computation of Interest 20
Section 3.11 CUSIP Numbers 21
     
ARTICLE IV
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
     
Section 4.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture 21
Section 4.02 Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification 22
Section 4.03 Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture 23
Section 4.04 Defeasance of Certain Obligations 24
     
ARTICLE V
 
REMEDIES
     
Section 5.01 Events of Default 25
Section 5.02 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment 26
Section 5.03 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits For Enforcement By Trustee 27
Section 5.04 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim 28
Section 5.05 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities 28
Section 5.06 Application of Money Collected 29
Section 5.07 Limitation on Suits 29
Section 5.08 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest 30
Section 5.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies 30
Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative 30
Section 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver 30
Section 5.12 Control by Holders 30
Section 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults 31
Section 5.14 Undertaking for Costs 31
Section 5.15 Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws 31
     
ARTICLE VI
 
THE TRUSTEE
     
Section 6.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities 32
Section 6.02 Notice of Defaults 33
Section 6.03 Certain Rights of Trustee 33
Section 6.04 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities 35
Section 6.05 May Hold Securities 35
Section 6.06 Money Held in Trust 35
Section 6.07 Compensation, Reimbursement and Indemnification 35
Section 6.08 Disqualification; Conflicting Interests 36
Section 6.09 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility 36
Section 6.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor 36

 

  iii  

 

 

Section 6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor 38
Section 6.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business 39
Section 6.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company 39
     
ARTICLE VII
 
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
     
Section 7.01 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders 39
Section 7.02 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders 40
Section 7.03 Reports by Trustee 41
Section 7.04 Reports 42
     
ARTICLE VIII
 
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
     
Section 8.01 When Company May Consolidate, Amalgamate, Merge or Transfer Assets 42
     
ARTICLE IX
 
AMENDMENTS & SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
     
Section 9.01 Amendments or Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders 43
Section 9.02 Amendments or Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders 44
Section 9.03 Execution of Supplemental Indentures 45
Section 9.04 Effect of Supplemental Indentures 45
Section 9.05 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act 46
Section 9.06 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures 46
     
ARTICLE X
 
COVENANTS
     
Section 10.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest 46
Section 10.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency 46
Section 10.03 Money for Securities; Payments to Be Held in Trust 46
Section 10.04 Corporate Existence 48
Section 10.05 Maintenance of Properties 48
Section 10.06 Statement by Officers as to Default 48
Section 10.07 Waiver of Certain Covenants 48
Section 10.08 Calculation of Original Issue Discount 49
     
ARTICLE XI
 
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
     
Section 11.01 Applicability of Article 49

 

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Section 11.02 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee 49
Section 11.03 Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed 49
Section 11.04 Notice of Redemption 50
Section 11.05 Deposit of Redemption Price 50
Section 11.06 Securities Payable on Redemption Date 50
Section 11.07 Securities Redeemed in Part 51
     
ARTICLE XII
 
SINKING FUNDS
     
Section 12.01 Applicability of Article 51
Section 12.02 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities 52
Section 12.03 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund 52

 

  v  

 

 

INDENTURE, dated as of [_____], among XL Group Ltd, a Bermuda exempted company (herein called the “ Company ” or the “ Issuer ”), having its principal office at XL House, One Bermudiana Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda, and [______], as trustee hereunder (herein called the “ Trustee ”).

 

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

 

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

 

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

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

 

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

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF
GENERAL APPLICATION

 

Section 1.01          Definitions . For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

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

 

(2)         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, 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 at the date of such computation;

 

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

 

(5)         all references used herein to the male gender shall include the female gender.

 

 

 

 

Act ” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.04.

 

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.

 

Board of Directors ” when used with reference to the Company means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of such board duly authorized to act hereunder.

 

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, delivered to the Trustee.

 

Business Day ” means, with respect to any Securities, a day that in the City of New York or in any Place of Payment is not a day on which banking institutions are authorized by law or regulation to close.

 

Capital Stock ” for any entity means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) shares issued by that entity.

 

Certificated Securities ” means Securities that are in registered definitive form.

 

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 entity shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor entity.

 

Company Request ” or “ Company Order ” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by (a) its chairman of the board, a vice chairman, its president or a vice president, and (b) its treasurer, an assistant treasurer, its secretary or an assistant secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Corporate Trust Office ” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time the trust created by this Indenture shall be administered, which office, at the time of the execution of this Indenture, is located at [______] or any successor Trustee as may be designated in writing.

 

Covenant Defeasance ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.04.

 

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Defaulted Interest ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07.

 

Depositary ” means, unless otherwise specified by the Company pursuant to either Section 2.03 or 3.01, with respect to Securities of any series issuable or issued as a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or any successor thereto registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable statute or regulation.

 

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.

 

Global Security ” means a Security issued to evidence all or a part of any series of Securities which is executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or its custodian or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture and pursuant to a Company Order, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.

 

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

 

Holder Action ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02(d).

 

Indenture ” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more amendments or indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.01.

 

Interest ,” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.

 

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

 

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

 

Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment ” has the meaning specified in Section 13.01.

 

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

 

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed by the chairman of the board, the president or a vice president, and by the treasurer, an assistant treasurer, the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

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

 

Optional Sinking Fund Payment ” has the meaning specified in Section 13.01.

 

Original Issue Discount Security ” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02.

 

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

 

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

 

(ii)         Securities for whose payment or redemption money or evidences of indebtedness 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 Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and

 

(iii)        Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.06 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

 

provided , however , that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee shall be full protection to the Trustee. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers’ Certificate listing and identifying all Securities, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above-described persons; and, subject to Section 6.01, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers’ Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein

 

  4  

 

 

set forth and of the fact that all Securities not listed therein are Outstanding for the purposes of any such determination.

 

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

 

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

 

Place of Payment ,” when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 3.01.

 

Predecessor Security ” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.06 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

 

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

 

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

 

Regular Record Date ” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.01.

 

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

 

Securities ” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

 

Security Register ” and “ Security Registrar ” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.05.

 

Special Record Date ” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.07.

 

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

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person:

 

(1)         any corporation or company a majority of whose Capital Stock with voting power, under ordinary circumstances, to elect directors is, at the date of determination, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person (a “subsidiary”), by one or more subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more subsidiaries of such Person;

 

(2)         a partnership in which such Person or a subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general partner of such partnership; or

 

(3)         any partnership, limited liability company or other Person in which such Person, a subsidiary of such Person or such Person and one or more subsidiaries of such Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (x) at least a majority ownership interest or (y) the power to elect or appoint or direct the election or appointment of the managing partner or member of such Person or, if applicable, a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.

 

Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 9.05.

 

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

 

U.S. Government Obligations ” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company which is a member of the Federal Reserve System and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as custodian with respect to any such obligation evidenced by such depository receipt or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such 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 obligation set forth in (i) or (ii) above or the specific payment of interest on or principal of such obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

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Section 1.02          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 Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and, where appropriate as to matters of law, an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Section 1.03          Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee . In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

 

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters is erroneous. Any certificate of counsel 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.

 

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.

 

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Section 1.04          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; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are received by 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 6.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.04.

 

(b)          The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may be proved in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in any reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

 

(c)          The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.

 

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

 

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

 

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Section 1.05          Notices, Etc., to Trustee and the Company . Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

 

(1)         the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (including a facsimile transmission) to or with the Trustee at [______], Attention: [______], or

 

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

 

Section 1.06          Notice to Holders; Waiver . Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, 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 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 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.

 

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other case 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.

 

Section 1.07          Conflict with Trust Indenture Act . If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required or deemed provision shall control.

 

Section 1.08          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 1.09          Successors and Assigns . All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind their successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

 

Section 1.10          Separability Clause . In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities 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.

 

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Section 1.11          Benefits of Indenture . Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

 

Section 1.12          Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial . This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes will be construed in accordance with the laws of said State without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws of such State.

 

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 THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

Section 1.13          Legal Holidays . In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.

 

Section 1.14          References to Currency . All references in this Indenture to “dollars” or “$” are to the currency of the United States of America.

 

Section 1.15          Force Majeure . In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

Section 1.16          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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ARTICLE II

SECURITY FORMS

 

Section 2.01          Forms Generally . The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the forms established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company in accordance with Section 3.01, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture and any indenture supplemental hereto, 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 securities regulatory authority or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 3.03 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.

 

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

 

Section 2.02          Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication . The Trustee’s certificate of authentication required by this article shall be in substantially the form set forth below:

 

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

 

  [______],
  as Trustee
     
  By:  
  Authorized Signatory

 

Section 2.03          Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security .

 

(a)          If the Issuer shall establish pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 3.01 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 3.03 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 Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or its custodian or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect: “UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS

 

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EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY, THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE (I) BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR (II) BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR THE DEPOSITARY TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

 

(b)          Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.03 or of Section 3.05, unless the terms of a Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for individual Securities, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 3.05, only to another nominee of the Depositary for such Global Security, or to a successor Depositary for such Global Security selected or approved by the Issuer or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

 

(c)          (i) If at any time the Depositary for a Global Security notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time the Depositary for the Securities 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 Issuer shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security. If a successor Depositary for such Global Security is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days after the Issuer receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Issuer will execute a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Security, and the Trustee, upon receipt of such Company Order, will authenticate and deliver individual Securities 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.

 

(ii)         If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or an event shall have occurred which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Securities represented by such Global Security, the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Security, will authenticate and deliver individual Securities 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.

 

(iii)        If specified by the Issuer pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to Securities 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

 

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individual Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form on such terms as are acceptable to the Issuer and such Depositary. Thereupon the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, (1) to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Security or Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms in definitive form and of any authorized denomination of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof 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 (2) to such Depositary a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of individual Securities delivered to Holders thereof.

 

(iv)        In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Issuer will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver individual Securities in definitive registered form in authorized denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Upon the exchange of a Global Security for individual Securities, such Global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee. Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.03 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

 

ARTICLE III

THE SECURITIES

 

Section 3.01          Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series . The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series,

 

(1)         any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.03, 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 9.06 or 12.07);

 

(2)         the issue price, expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount;

 

(3)         the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable;

 

(4)         the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such

 

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interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on the Interest Payment Date;

 

(5)         the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or repurchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, repaid or repurchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

(6)         the period of periods within which, the price or prices or ratios at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, converted or exchanged, in whole or in part;

 

(7)         if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

(8)         if other than the full principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration or provable in bankruptcy;

 

(9)         any events of default not set forth in this Indenture;

 

(10)       the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities shall be payable (if other than the currency of the United States of America), which unless otherwise specified shall be the currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public or private debts;

 

(11)       if the principal of (and premium, if any), or interest, if any, on such Securities are to be payable, at the election of the Company or any Holder thereof, in a coin or currency other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable, then the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;

 

(12)       whether interest will be payable in cash or additional Securities at the Company’s or the Holders’ option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;

 

(13)       if such Securities are to be denominated in a currency or currencies, including composite currencies, other than the currency of the United States of America, the equivalent price in the currency of the United States of America for purposes of determining the voting rights of Holders of such Securities as Outstanding Securities under this Indenture;

 

(14)       if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any), or portions thereof, or interest, if any, on such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method based on a coin or currency other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

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(15)       any restrictive covenants or other material terms relating to the offered debt securities, which covenants and terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(16)       whether the Securities 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 other individual Securities; and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities;

 

(17)       any listing of such Securities on any securities exchange;

 

(18)       additional or alternative provisions, if any, related to defeasance and discharge of the offered debt securities;

 

(19)       the applicability of any guarantees;

 

(20)       if convertible or exchangeable for other securities, the terms on which such Securities are convertible or exchangeable, including the initial conversion or exchange price, the conversion or exchange period, any events requiring an adjustment of the applicable conversion or exchange price and any requirements relating to the reservation of securities for purposes of conversion in the case of convertible securities;

 

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

 

(22)       each initial Place of Payment; and

 

(23)       any other terms of the series, which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution and set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

 

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the Securities of any series.

 

Section 3.02          Denominations . The Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

Section 3.03          Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating . The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by any two of the following individuals: any member of its Board of Directors, its president, treasurer, any of its corporate secretaries, assistant secretary or

 

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any of its vice presidents. The signature of any of these individuals on the Securities may be manual, facsimile or electronic (including “.pdf” format).

 

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

 

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee, in accordance with the Company Order, shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 3.01, or by one or more indentures supplemental hereto as provided by Section 9.01, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating,

 

(a)          that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

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

 

(c)          that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and to general equity principles;

 

(d)          that all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of the Securities have been complied with; and

 

(e)          the items set forth in Section 1.02 hereof and such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

 

If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication unless otherwise provided by the terms established and contemplated by Section 3.01.

 

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

 

Section 3.04          Temporary Securities . Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

 

If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

 

Section 3.05          Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange . The Company shall cause to be kept at one of its offices or agencies maintained pursuant to Section 10.02 or at the office of the Security Registrar a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “ Security Register ”) in which, subject to Section 2.03 and to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee initially is hereby appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided. The Company may act as Security Registrar and may change or appoint a Security Registrar without prior notice to Holders or to the Trustee.

 

Subject to Section 2.03, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the office or agency in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor.

 

Subject to Section 2.03, at the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall

 

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execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

Subject to Section 2.03, all Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

Every Security 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 Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 2.03, 3.04, 9.06 or 12.07 not involving any transfer.

 

The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that series selected for redemption (under Section 12.03) and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

 

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

 

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

 

Neither the Trustee nor any agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

Section 3.06          Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities . If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i)(A) any mutilated Security or (B) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to hold each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a

 

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bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its written request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for such mutilated Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

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

 

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 3.06, 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, which shall include any attorney’s fees and expenses) connected therewith.

 

Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section 3.06 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for such mutilated Security, shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

 

The provisions of this Section 3.06 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

 

Section 3.07          Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved . Interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

 

Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “ Defaulted Interest ”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the 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 Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security 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

 

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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, to each Holder of Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).

 

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

 

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.07, each Security lawfully delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

 

Section 3.08          Persons Deemed Owners . Subject to Section 2.03, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 3.07) interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

Section 3.09          Cancellation . All Securities 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 it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section 3.09, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of cancelled Securities in accordance with its customary procedures and deliver evidence of such destruction, at the request of, and at the expense of, the Company.

 

Section 3.10          Computation of Interest . Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for the Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

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Section 3.11          CUSIP Numbers . The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

ARTICLE IV

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 4.01          Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture . This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities (except as to (i) any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities herein expressly provided for, (ii) rights hereunder of Holders to receive payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Securities, and other rights, duties and obligations of the Holders as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the amounts, if any, so deposited with the Trustee, (iii) remaining obligations of the Company to make Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments and (iv) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, when:

 

(1) either

 

(a)          all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities of such series which have been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.06 and (ii) Securities of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.03) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(b)          all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:

 

(i) have become due and payable,

 

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

 

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

 

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust (i) money in dollars in an amount (or if the Securities are denominated in any currency other than dollars, an amount of the applicable currency), (ii) U.S.

 

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Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment referred to in this subparagraph, money in an amount, or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking firm or firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

 

(2) if all series of Securities are being discharged, 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 Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

 

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.07, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Subclause (1)(b) of this Section 4.01, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 4.02 and the next to last paragraph of Section 10.03, shall survive.

 

Section 4.02          Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification . (a) Subject to the provisions of the next to last paragraph of Section 10.03, all money and U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01, 4.03 or 4.04 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01, 4.03 or 4.04 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent), to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or to make Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments or analogous payments as contemplated by Section 4.03 or 4.04, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

(b)          The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 4.01, 4.03 or 4.04, or the interest and principal received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders.

 

(c)          The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request, any U.S. Government Obligations or money held by it as provided in Section 4.01, 4.03 or 4.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking firm or firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such obligations or money were deposited or received.

 

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Section 4.03          Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture . The Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the Outstanding Securities on the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (d) of this Section 4.03, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such Outstanding Securities, shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall at Company Request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except as to:

 

(a)          the rights of Holders of Securities to receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (d) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and each installment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Outstanding Securities on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) the benefit of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments applicable to the Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities;

 

(b)          the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.05, 3.06, 10.02 and 10.03; and

 

(c)          the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.07;

 

provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

 

(d)          the Company has or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 4.02) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities, (i) money in dollars in an amount (or if the Securities are denominated in any currency other than dollars, an amount of the applicable currency), (ii) U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment referred to in clause (A) or (B) of this subparagraph, money in an amount, or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking firm or firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge (A) the principal of (and premium, if any) and each installment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Outstanding Securities on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest or on the applicable Redemption Date and (B) any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments applicable to the Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of the Securities;

 

(e)          such deposit shall not cause the Trustee with respect to the Securities to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to the Securities;

 

(f)           such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any applicable laws, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

 

(g)          no Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time would become an Event of Default with respect to the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date;

 

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(h)          the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate as to solvency and the absence of any intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Company; and

 

(i)           if the deposit referred to in subparagraph (d) of this Section 4.03 is to be made on or prior to one year from the Stated Maturity for payment of principal of the Outstanding Securities, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel with no material qualifications, or a favorable ruling of the Internal Revenue Service, in either case to the effect that Holders of the Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

 

Section 4.04          Defeasance of Certain Obligations . If this Section 4.04 is specified to be applicable to Securities of any series, the Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in the sections of this Indenture or such Security with respect to the Securities of that series (“Covenant Defeasance”) if:

 

(1)         with reference to this Section 4.04, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of that series, (i) money in dollars in an amount (or if the Securities are denominated in any currency other than dollars, an amount of the applicable currency), or (ii) U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide not later than one day before the due date of any payment referred to in clause (A) or (B) of this subparagraph money in an amount, or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking firm or firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge (A) the principal of (and premium, if any) and each installment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest on the Outstanding Securities of that series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (B) any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments or analogous payments applicable to Securities of such series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities;

 

(2)         such deposit shall not cause the Trustee with respect to the Securities of that series to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to the Securities of any series;

 

(3)         such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

 

(4)         the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate as to solvency and the absence of any intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Company;

 

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(5)         if the deposit referred to in subparagraph (1) of this Section 4.04 is to be made on or prior to one year from the Stated Maturity for payment of principal of the Outstanding Securities, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel with no material qualifications, or a favorable ruling of the Internal Revenue Service, in either case to the effect that Holders of the Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance of certain obligations and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred; and

 

(6)         the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section 4.04 have been complied with.

 

In the event the Company effects Covenant Defeasance with respect to any Securities and such Securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, other than an Event of Default with respect to any covenant as to which there has been Covenant Defeasance, the U.S. Government Obligations on deposit with the Trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Securities at the time of the Stated Maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Securities at the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event of Default.

 

ARTICLE V

REMEDIES

 

Section 5.01          Events of Default .

 

Event of Default ” (except as otherwise specified or contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events:

 

(1)         default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 60 days;

 

(2)         default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity;

 

(3)         default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series;

 

(4)         default in the performance, or breach, of any material 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 5.01 specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series) and continuance of such for a period of 60 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 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, a written notice

 

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specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “ Notice of Default ” hereunder;

 

(5)         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 bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company as bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of 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 60 consecutive days;

 

(6)         the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable 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, as the case may be, in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable 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 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 of the Company 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 and its willingness to have a case commenced against it or to seek an order for relief under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or

 

(7)         any other Event of Default expressly provided with respect to Securities of that series.

 

Section 5.02          Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment . If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default resulting from bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) with respect to Securities 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 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all of the Securities 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.

 

In the case of an Event of Default resulting from bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, which occurs and is continuing with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, then all unpaid principal of and accrued interest on all such Outstanding Securities

 

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of that series shall become immediately due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the Trustee or the Holders of any Securities of such series.

 

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities 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 Defaulted Interest) on all Securities of that series,

 

(b)          the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities 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 Securities,

 

(c)          to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and

 

(d)          all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee hereunder and all sums due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.07; and

 

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

 

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

 

Section 5.03          Collection of Indebtedness and Suits For Enforcement By Trustee . The Company covenants that if

 

(1)         default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

 

(2)         default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof,

 

the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest 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, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.07.

 

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If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, at the expense of Company, 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 Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

 

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

 

Section 5.04          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 Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities 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 Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Section 5.05          Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities . All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by

 

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the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities 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 Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

 

Section 5.06          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 Securities 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 (including its agents and counsel) and each predecessor Trustee hereunder;

 

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities 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 Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and

 

THIRD: To the Company.

 

Section 5.07          Limitation on Suits . No Holder of any Security 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 Securities of that series;

 

(2)         the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities 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 indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

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

 

(5)         no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders (it being further understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders), or to obtain

 

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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 such Holders.

 

Section 5.08          Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest . Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 3.07) interest on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

 

Section 5.09          Restoration of Rights and Remedies . If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders 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 5.10          Rights and Remedies Cumulative . Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.06, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

Section 5.11          Delay or Omission Not Waiver . No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or any acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

 

Section 5.12          Control by Holders . The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series (or if more than one series is affected thereby, of all series so affected, voting as a single class) 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 Securities of such series, provided that:

 

(1)         such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, expose the Trustee to personal liability or be unduly prejudicial to Holders not joining therein, and

 

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

 

Nothing in this Indenture shall impair the right of the Trustee to take any other action which is not inconsistent with such direction.

 

Section 5.13          Waiver of Past Defaults . The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

 

(1)         in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series, or

 

(2)         in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under this Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security 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 5.14          Undertaking for Costs . All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.14 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 Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Securities on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date). This Section 5.14 shall be in lieu of Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 315(e) is hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Section 5.15          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.

 

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ARTICLE VI

THE TRUSTEE

 

Section 6.01          Certain Duties and Responsibilities .

 

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

 

(1)         the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture with respect to such series, 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 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.

 

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

 

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

 

(1)         this subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section 6.01;

 

(2)         the Trustee shall not be liable for any error or 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 Securities of any series, determined as provided in Section 5.12 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 Securities 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 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

 

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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 6.01.

 

Section 6.02          Notice of Defaults . Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities of such series, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, notice of such default hereunder actually known to a Responsible Officer of 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 on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series; and provided , further , that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 5.01(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section 6.02, 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 Securities of such series.

 

Section 6.03          Certain Rights of Trustee . Subject to the provisions of Section 6.01:

 

(a)          the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any Board Resolution, resolution, Officers’ Certificate, certificate, statement, instrument, Opinion of Counsel, 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;

 

(b)          any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, and any 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 Officers’ Certificate;

 

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

 

(e)          the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity

 

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satisfactory to it against any 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 and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

 

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

 

(h)          in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, 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;

 

(i)           the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture;

 

(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 each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;

 

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

 

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

 

(m)         the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; and

 

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

 

Section 6.04          Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities . The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

 

Section 6.05          May Hold Securities . The Trustee, 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 Securities and, subject to Sections 6.08 and 6.12, may otherwise deal with, and collect obligations owed to it by, the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.

 

Section 6.06          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 6.07          Compensation, Reimbursement and Indemnification . The Company agrees:

 

(1)         to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing 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);

 

(2)         except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by it 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 own negligence or bad faith; and

 

(3)         to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder and the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, a Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense is due to its own negligence or bad faith.

 

To ensure the performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder, the Trustee shall have a senior claim to which the Securities are hereby made subordinate upon all property

 

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and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except property and funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on particular Securities.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01, the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

 

The provisions of this Section 6.07 shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

 

Section 6.08          Disqualification; Conflicting Interests . The Trustee shall comply with the terms of Section 3.10(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Section 6.09          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 (or, in the case of the subsidiary of a bank holding company that guarantees the obligations of the Trustee under this Indenture, such holding company’s parent shall have) a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. If such corporation or holding company parent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.09, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation or holding company parent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.09, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this article.

 

Section 6.10          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 6.11.

 

(b)          The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.11 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may, at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. If the acceptance of appointment is substantially contemporaneous with the resignation, then the notice called for by the first sentence of this subsection may be combined with the instrument called for by Section 6.11.

 

(c)          The Trustee, upon 30 days’ notice, may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.

 

(d)          If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of removal, the Trustee

 

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being removed may, at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

(e)          If at any time:

 

(1)         the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 6.08 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months,

 

(2)         the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.09 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, upon 30 day’s notice, (i) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to Section 5.14, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

 

(f)           The Company also may remove the Trustee with or without cause if the Company so notifies the Trustee 30 days in advance and if no Default occurs or is continuing during the 30-day period.

 

(g)          If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

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(h)          The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office. The Trustee shall have no liability or responsibility for the actions or inaction of any successor Trustee.

 

Section 6.11          Acceptance of Appointment by Successor . (a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee 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 charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

 

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

 

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(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 6.11, 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 6.12          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 (including the administration of this Indenture), shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

 

Section 6.13          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 Securities) 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). A trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to the Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent provided therein.

 

ARTICLE VII

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

 

Section 7.01          Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders . The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee and Security Registrar (if not the Trustee) with respect to the Securities of each series

 

(a)          semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each Regular Record Date, or, in the case of any series of Securities on which semi-annual interest is not payable, not more than fifteen days after such semi-annual dates as may be specified by the Trustee, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such Regular Record Date or such semi-annual date, 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 a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

 

provided , however , that so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar, no such list need be furnished.

 

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Section 7.02          Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders .

 

(a)          The Security Registrar shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished by the Company as provided in Section 7.01. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

 

(b)          If three or more Holders (herein referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants’ desire to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either

 

(i)          afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.02(a), or

 

(ii)         inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.02(a), and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.

 

If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.02(a) a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment by such requesting Holders, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interest of the Holders or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

 

(c)          Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company, and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent thereof shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and

 

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addresses of the Holders in accordance with Section 7.02(b), 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 7.02(b).

 

(d)          Subject to Sections 7.02(a), 7.02(b), 7.02(c) and 6.01, if the Company or any other person (other than the Trustee) shall desire to communicate with Holders of Securities to solicit or obtain from them any proxy, consent, authorization, waiver, approval of a plan of reorganization, arrangement or readjustment or other action (“ Holder Action ”), the Trustee shall have no duty to participate in such communication or solicitation or the processing of responses in any manner except (i) to furnish the rules and regulations and to perform the functions referred to in Section 1.04 and (ii) to receive (A) the instruments evidencing the Holder Action together with (B) the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel referred to below. The Company hereby covenants that any and all communications and solicitations distributed by it in connection with any Holder Action will comply in all material respects with applicable law, including, without limitation, applicable law concerning adequacy of disclosure. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any materials circulated to solicit any Holder Action or for any related communications or for the compliance thereof with applicable law. No Holder Action shall become effective until the Trustee shall have received from the Company or other person who solicited the Holder Action the instruments evidencing such Holder Action (x) (in the case of Holder Action solicited by the Company or the representative of the Company’s estate if the Company is the debtor in any bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding) an Officers’ Certificate and (y) (in all cases) an Opinion of Counsel, each specifying the Holder Action taken and stating that such Holder Action has been duly and validly taken in compliance with this Indenture in all material respects. Such Officers’ Certificate, if any, shall also certify that (after giving effect to such Holder Action) no Event of Default or event or condition which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or has not been waived.

 

(e)          The Depositary may grant proxies and otherwise authorize its participants which own the Global Securities to give or take any Act which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture; provided , however , that the Depositary has delivered a list of such participants to the Trustee.

 

Section 7.03          Reports by Trustee .

 

(a)          Within 60 days after September 30 of each year commencing with the first September 30 following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, a brief report dated as of such September 30, to the extent required by Section 3.13(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

(b)          The Trustee shall comply with Sections 3.13(b) and 3.13(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

(c)          A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange, or of any delisting thereof.

 

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Section 7.04          Reports .

 

The Company 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) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (provided that availability of such reports on a website maintained by the Commission shall be deemed to fulfill this requirement); 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 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; and

 

(2)         file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with the 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.

 

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

 

ARTICLE VIII

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

Section 8.01          When Company May Consolidate, Amalgamate, Merge or Transfer Assets . (a) The Company shall not (1) consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer, sell or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, (2) permit any Person to consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into the Company, or (3) permit any Person to convey, transfer, sell or lease that Person’s properties and assets substantially as an entirety to the Company, unless:

 

(i)          in the case of (1) and (2) above, either (x) the Company shall be the surviving person or (y) the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance, transfer or lease the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety is an entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America (including any State thereof or the District of Columbia), the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda or any country which is a

 

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member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development or the European Union and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture;

 

(ii)         immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(iii)        the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conveyance, transfer, sale or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, comply with this Section 8.01 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been satisfied.

 

(b)          The successor Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company is merged or the successor Person to which such conveyance, transfer, sale 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 had been named as the Company herein; and thereafter, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities. Subject to Section 9.03, the Company, the Trustee and the successor Person shall enter into a supplemental indenture to evidence the succession and substitution of such successor Person and such discharge and release of the Company.

 

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS & SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

Section 9.01          Amendments or Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders . The Company, when authorized by Board Resolutions, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities or waive any provision of this Indenture or the Securities without the consent of any Holder, so long as such changes or waivers, other than those in clause (2), do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the Holder:

 

(1)         to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

(2)         to make any modifications or amendments that do not, in the good faith opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors and the Trustee, adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any material respect, provided that any amendment or supplement conforming this Indenture, as applied to a series of Securities, to the terms described in the prospectus (including any prospectus supplement) pursuant to which the Securities were initially sold shall be deemed not to adversely affect the interest of Holders;

 

(3)         to provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture by a successor upon any merger, consolidation, amalgamation or asset transfer as permitted by and in compliance with Article VIII of this Indenture;

 

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(4)         to provide any security for or guarantees of the Securities;

 

(5)         to add Events of Default with respect to the Securities;

 

(6)         to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company by this Indenture;

 

(7)         to make any change necessary to comply with the Trust Indenture Act, or any amendment thereto, or to comply with any requirement of the Commission in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

(8)         to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities or to provide for bearer Securities;

 

(9)         to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons;

 

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

 

(11)       to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 3.01; or

 

(12)       to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.11(b).

 

Section 9.02          Amendments or Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders . With the written consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of all series affected by such amendment or supplement (taken together as one class), the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment of or a supplement to this Indenture or the Securities may not:

 

(1)         change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or premium, if any, or any installment of interest with respect to the Securities;

 

(2)         reduce the principal amount of, or the rate of interest on, or any premium payable upon the redemption of, the Securities;

 

(3)         change the currency of payment of principal of or interest on the Securities;

 

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(4)         change the redemption provisions, if any, of any Securities in any manner adverse to the Holders of such Securities;

 

(5)         impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the Securities;

 

(6)         reduce the above-stated percentage of Holders of the Securities of any series necessary to modify or amend this Indenture;

 

(7)         if the Securities are convertible or exchangeable, adversely affect the right to convert or exchange the Securities in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(8)         modify or change any provision of this Indenture or the related definitions affecting the ranking of the Securities in any manner which adversely affects the Holders; or

 

(9)         modify the foregoing requirements or reduce the percentage of Outstanding Securities necessary to waive any covenant or past default.

 

It shall not be necessary for any Act of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act approves the substance thereof.

 

After an amendment or supplemental indenture under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to each Holder a notice briefly describing the amendment or supplemental indenture.

 

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

 

Section 9.03          Execution of Supplemental Indentures . The Trustee shall sign any supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this article if the amendment contained therein does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign such supplemental indenture. 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 receive, and (subject to Section 6.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that this Indenture as amended by such supplemental indenture is the valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Company in accordance with its terms.

 

Section 9.04          Effect of Supplemental Indentures . Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

 

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Section 9.05          Conformity with Trust Indenture Act . Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

Section 9.06          Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures . Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this article may, and shall if required by the 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 Securities 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 in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

 

ARTICLE X

COVENANTS

 

Section 10.01        Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest . The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture. At the option of the Company, payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest may be made by wire transfer or (subject to collection) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto at such address as shall appear in the Security Register.

 

Section 10.02        Maintenance of Office or Agency . The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company hereby initially appoints the Trustee its office or agency for each of said purposes. 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 or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , however , that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

Section 10.03        Money for Securities; Payments to Be Held in Trust . If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or

 

  46  

 

 

before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Securities 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 so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

 

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

 

The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 10.03, that such Paying Agent will:

 

(1)         hold all sums held by it for the payment on the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Securities 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 Securities of that series) in the making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities 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 on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look, only to the Company for payment 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 ,

 

  47  

 

 

however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, shall at the expense of the Company cause to be mailed or published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in the City, County and State of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such mailing or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

The Company shall have no obligation to make payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security in immediately available funds, except that if the Company shall have received original payment for Securities in immediately available funds it shall make available immediately available funds for payment of the principal of such Securities.

 

Section 10.04        Corporate Existence . Subject to Article VIII, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

 

Section 10.05        Maintenance of Properties . The Company will use its reasonable efforts to cause all material properties used or useful in the conduct of its business to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order (subject to wear and tear) and supplied with all necessary material equipment and will use its reasonable efforts to cause to be made all necessary material repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided , however , that nothing in this Section 10.05 shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

 

Section 10.06        Statement by Officers as to Default . The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, a certificate of the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture, and if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge.

 

Section 10.07        Waiver of Certain Covenants . The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in this Article X if, before or after the time for such compliance, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities (taken together as one class) shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition; except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become

 

  48  

 

 

effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Section 10.08        Calculation of Original Issue Discount . The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

ARTICLE XI

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

 

Section 11.01        Applicability of Article . Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this article.

 

Section 11.02        Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee . The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series, 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), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed, such notice to be accompanied by a written statement signed by an authorized officer of the Company stating that no defaults in the payment of interest or Events of Default with respect to the Securities of that series have occurred (which have not been waived or cured). In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.

 

Section 11.03        Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed . If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate, subject to the customary procedures of the Depositary, and which may provide for the selection or redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.

 

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

 

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

 

Section 11.04        Notice of Redemption . The Company shall give a notice of redemption by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 45 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at his address appearing in the Security Register. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice. Failure to give notice by mail, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder in respect of any Security, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security.

 

All notices of redemption shall state:

 

(1)         the Redemption Date,

 

(2)         the Redemption Price and any accrued interest,

 

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

 

(4)         that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price and any accrued interest will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed together with accrued interest thereon and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

 

(5)         the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest,

 

(6)         that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case, and

 

(7)         the CUSIP number and, if applicable, the ISIN number, of the Securities being redeemed.

 

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 written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

 

Section 11.05        Deposit of Redemption Price . On or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.03) an amount of money, in funds immediately available on the due date, sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.

 

Section 11.06        Securities Payable on Redemption Date . Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become

 

  50  

 

 

due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified together with accrued interest thereon, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided , however , that installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.07.

 

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

 

The Trustee shall not redeem any Securities of any series pursuant to this article (unless all Outstanding Securities of such series are to be redeemed) or mail or give any notice of redemption of Securities during the continuance of an Event of Default hereunder known to the Trustee with respect to such series, except that, where the mailing of notice of redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been made, the Trustee shall redeem or cause to be redeemed such Securities, provided that it shall have received from the Company a sum sufficient for such redemption. Except as aforesaid, any moneys theretofore or thereafter received by the Trustee shall, during the continuance of such Event of Default, be deemed to have been collected under Article V and held for the payment of all such Securities of such series. In case such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section 5.13 or the default cured on or before the sixtieth day preceding the Redemption Date, such moneys shall thereafter be applied in accordance with the provisions of this article.

 

Section 11.07        Securities Redeemed in Part . Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

 

ARTICLE XII

SINKING FUNDS

 

Section 12.01        Applicability of Article . The provisions of this article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of such series.

 

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “ Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment ,” and any

 

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payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “ Optional Sinking Fund Payment .” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 13.02. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

 

Section 12.02        Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities . The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (2) may apply as credit Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted Optional Sinking Fund Payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series; provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

Section 12.03        Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund . Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company (1) will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate (A) stating that no defaults in the payment of interest or Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series have occurred (which have not been waived or cured), (B) specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of Securities of that series, (C) stating whether or not the Company intends to exercise its right, if any, to make an Optional Sinking Fund Payment with respect to such series on the next ensuing sinking fund payment date and, if so, specifying the amount of such Optional Sinking Fund Payment and (D) specifying the portion of such sinking fund payment, 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 Securities of that series pursuant to Section 13.02 and (2) will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Securities of such series to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 12.03 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 12.04. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 12.05, 12.06 and 12.07. Failure of the Company, on or before any such 60th day, to deliver such Officers’ Certificate and Securities specified in this Section 13.03, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute, on and as of such date, the irrevocable election of the Company (a) that the Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof and (b) that the Company will make no Optional Sinking Fund Payment with respect to Securities of such series as provided in this article.

 

The Trustee shall not redeem or cause to be redeemed any Security of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of Securities of such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of a default in payment of interest on such Securities or of any Event of Default with respect to such series except that, where the mailing of notice of

 

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redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been made, the Trustee shall redeem or cause to be redeemed such Securities, provided that it shall have received from the Company a sum sufficient for such redemption. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such default or Event of Default shall occur, and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund, shall, during the continuance of such default or Event of Default, be deemed to have been collected under Article V and held for the payment of all such Securities of such series. In case such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section 5.13 or the default cured on or before the 60th day preceding the sinking fund payment date, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date in accordance with this Section 13.03 to the redemption of such Securities.

 

This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally blank ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto has executed this Indenture as of the day and year first before written.

 

  XL GROUP LTD
   
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
  BY ITS LAWFULLY APPOINTED ATTORNEY
   
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
  IN THE PRESENCE OF
   
  Witness
     
   
  Name:  
  Address:  
     
  [______],
  as Trustee
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

  54  

 

Exhibit 4.3

 

XL GROUP LTD

 

as Issuer

 

[______]

 

as Trustee

 

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of [______]

 

 

Subordinated Debt Securities

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Indenture.

 

TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION   INDENTURE SECTION
ss.310(a)   6.09
(b)   6.08, 6.10
(c)   Not Applicable
ss.311(a)   6.13
(b)   6.13
(c)   Not Applicable
ss.312(a)   7.01, 7.02(a)
(b)   7.02(b)
(c)   7.02(c)
ss.313(a)   7.03(a)
(b)   7.03(b)
(c)   7.03(b)
(d)   7.03(c)
ss.314(a)   7.04
(b)   Not Applicable
(c)   1.02
(d)   Not Applicable
(e)   1.02
(f)   Not Applicable
ss.315(a)   6.01
(b)   6.02, 7.03(b)
(c)   6.01(b)
(d)   6.01(c)
(e)   5.14
ss.316(a) (1)   5.12, 5.13
(b)   5.08
(c)   1.04(d)
ss.317(a) (1)   5.03
(b)   5.04
(c)   10.03
ss.318(a)   1.07

 

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

 

i

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
     
ARTICLE I
 
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
     
Section 1.01 Definitions 1
Section 1.02 Compliance Certificates and Opinions 7
Section 1.03 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee 8
Section 1.04 Acts of Holders 9
  Notices, Etc., to Trustee and the Company. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with, 9
Section 1.05 Notice to Holders; Waiver 10
Section 1.06 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act 10
Section 1.07 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents 10
Section 1.08 Successors and Assigns 10
Section 1.09 Separability Clause 10
Section 1.10 Benefits of Indenture 10
Section 1.11 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial 11
Section 1.12 Legal Holidays 11
Section 1.13 References to Currency 11
Section 1.14 Force Majeure 11
Section 1.15 USA PATRIOT Act 11
     
ARTICLE II
 
SECURITY FORMS
     
Section 2.01 Forms Generally 12
Section 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication 12
Section 2.03 Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security 12
     
ARTICLE III
 
THE SECURITIES
     
Section 3.01 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series 14
Section 3.02 Denominations 17
Section 3.03 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating 17
Section 3.04 Temporary Securities 18
Section 3.05 Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange 18
Section 3.06 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities 20

 

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Section 3.07 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved 20
Section 3.08 Persons Deemed Owners 22
Section 3.09 Cancellation 22
Section 3.10 Computation of Interest 22
Section 3.11 CUSIP Numbers 22
     
ARTICLE IV
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
     
Section 4.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture 22
Section 4.02 Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification 24
Section 4.03 Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture 24
Section 4.04 Defeasance of Certain Obligations 25
     
ARTICLE V
 
REMEDIES
     
Section 5.01 Events of Default 27
Section 5.02 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment 28
Section 5.03 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits For Enforcement By Trustee 29
Section 5.04 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim 30
Section 5.05 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities 30
Section 5.06 Application of Money Collected 31
Section 5.07 Limitation on Suits 31
Section 5.08 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest 32
Section 5.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies 32
Section 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative 32
Section 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver 32
Section 5.12 Control by Holders 32
Section 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults 33
Section 5.14 Undertaking for Costs 33
Section 5.15 Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws 33
     
ARTICLE VI
 
THE TRUSTEE
     
Section 6.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities 34
Section 6.02 Notice of Defaults 35
Section 6.03 Certain Rights of Trustee 35
Section 6.04 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities 37
Section 6.05 May Hold Securities 37
Section 6.06 Money Held in Trust 37
Section 6.07 Compensation, Reimbursement and Indemnification 37

 

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Section 6.08 Disqualification; Conflicting Interests 38
Section 6.09 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility 38
Section 6.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor 38
Section 6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor 40
Section 6.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business 41
Section 6.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company 41
  . If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities) 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). A trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to the Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent provided therein. 41
 
ARTICLE VII
 
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
     
Section 7.01 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders 41
Section 7.02 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders 42
Section 7.03 Reports by Trustee 44
Section 7.04 Reports 44
     
ARTICLE VIII
 
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
     
Section 8.01 When Company May Consolidate, Amalgamate, Merge or Transfer Assets 45
     
ARTICLE IX
 
AMENDMENTS & SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
     
Section 9.01 Amendments or Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders 46
Section 9.02 Amendments or Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders 47
Section 9.03 Execution of Supplemental Indentures 48
Section 9.04 Effect of Supplemental Indentures 48
Section 9.05 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act 48
Section 9.06 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures 48
     
ARTICLE X
     
COVENANTS
     
Section 10.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest 49
Section 10.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency 49
Section 10.03 Money for Securities; Payments to Be Held in Trust 49
Section 10.04 Corporate Existence 51
Section 10.05 Maintenance of Properties 51

 

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Section 10.06 Statement by Officers as to Default 51
Section 10.07 Waiver of Certain Covenants 51
Section 10.08 Calculation of Original Issue Discount 51
     
ARTICLE XI
 
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
     
Section 11.01 Applicability of Article 52
Section 11.02 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee 52
Section 11.03 Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed 52
Section 11.04 Notice of Redemption 52
Section 11.05 Deposit of Redemption Price 53
Section 11.06 Securities Payable on Redemption Date 53
Section 11.07 Securities Redeemed in Part 54
     
ARTICLE XII
 
SINKING FUNDS
     
Section 12.01 Applicability of Article 54
Section 12.02 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities 55
Section 12.03 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund 55
     
ARTICLE XIII
 
SUBORDINATION
     
Section 13.01 Agreement to Subordinate 56
Section 13.02 Default on Senior Indebtedness 56
Section 13.03 Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy 57
Section 13.04 Subrogation 59
Section 13.05 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination 59
Section 13.06 Notice by the Company 60
Section 13.07 Rights of The Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness 60
Section 13.08 Subordination May Not be Impaired 61
Section 13.09 Article Applicable to Paying Agents 61
Section 13.10 Defeasance of This Article 61
Section 13.11 Subordination Language to be Included in Securities 62
Section 13.12 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness 62

 

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INDENTURE, dated as of [_____], among XL Group Ltd, a Bermuda exempted company (herein called the “ Company ” or the “ Issuer ”), having its principal office at XL House, One Bermudiana Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda, and [______], as trustee hereunder (herein called the “ Trustee ”).

 

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

 

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

 

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

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

 

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

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

 

Section 1.01          Definitions . For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

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

 

(2)      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, 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 at the date of such computation;

 

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

 

 

 

 

(5)      all references used herein to the male gender shall include the female gender.

 

Act ” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.04.

 

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.

 

Board of Directors ” when used with reference to the Company means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of such board duly authorized to act hereunder.

 

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, delivered to the Trustee.

 

Business Day ” means, with respect to any Securities, a day that in the City of New York or in any Place of Payment is not a day on which banking institutions are authorized by law or regulation to close.

 

Capital Stock ” for any entity means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) shares issued by that entity.

 

Certificated Securities ” means Securities that are in registered definitive form.

 

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 entity shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor entity.

 

Company Request ” or “ Company Order ” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by (a) its chairman of the board, a vice chairman, its president or a vice president, and (b) its treasurer, an assistant treasurer, its secretary or an assistant secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Corporate Trust Office ” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time the trust created by this Indenture shall be administered, which office, at the time

 

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of the execution of this Indenture, is located at [______], or any successor Trustee as may be designated in writing.

 

Covenant Defeasance ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.04.

 

Defaulted Interest ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07.

 

Depositary ” means, unless otherwise specified by the Company pursuant to either Section 2.03 or 3.01, with respect to Securities of any series issuable or issued as a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or any successor thereto registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable statute or regulation.

 

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.

 

Global Security ” means a Security issued to evidence all or a part of any series of Securities which is executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or its custodian or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture and pursuant to a Company Order, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.

 

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

 

Holder Action ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02(d).

 

Indenture ” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more amendments or indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.01.

 

Interest ,” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.

 

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

 

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

 

Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment ” has the meaning specified in Section 13.01.

 

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

 

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Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed by the chairman of the board, the president or a vice president, and by the treasurer, an assistant treasurer, the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

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

 

Optional Sinking Fund Payment ” has the meaning specified in Section 13.01.

 

Original Issue Discount Security ” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02.

 

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

 

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

 

(ii) Securities for whose payment or redemption money or evidences of indebtedness 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 Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and

 

(iii) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.06 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

 

provided , however , that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee shall be full protection to the Trustee. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers’ Certificate listing and identifying all Securities, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held by or

 

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for the account of any of the above-described persons; and, subject to Section 6.01, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers’ Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Securities not listed therein are Outstanding for the purposes of any such determination.

 

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

 

Payment Blockage Notice ” has the meaning specified in Section 14.02(b).

 

Payment Blockage Period ” has the meaning specified in Section 14.02(b).

 

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

 

Place of Payment ,” when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 3.01.

 

Predecessor Security ” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.06 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

 

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

 

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

 

Regular Record Date ” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.01.

 

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

 

Securities ” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

 

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Security Register ” and “ Security Registrar ” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.05.

 

Senior Indebtedness ,” unless otherwise specified in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Section 3.01, means, with respect to the Company, (i) the principal (including redemption payments), premium, if any, interest and other payment obligations in respect of (A) indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, bonds, notes or other similar instruments issued by the Company, including any such securities issued under any deed, indenture or other instrument to which the Company is a party (including, for the avoidance of doubt, indentures pursuant to which subordinated debentures have been or may be issued); (ii) all capital 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, all hedging agreements and agreements of a similar nature thereto and all agreements relating to any such agreements, and all obligations of the Company under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business); (iv) all obligations of the Company for reimbursement on 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 for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; (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) and (vii) any deferrals, amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) above, in each case whether or not contingent and whether outstanding at the date hereof or thereafter incurred, except, in each case, for the Securities and any such other indebtedness or deferral, amendment, renewal, extension, modification or refunding that contains express terms, or is issued under a deed, indenture or other instrument, which contains express terms, providing that it is subordinate to or ranks pari passu with the Securities. Such Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions of this Indenture irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness and notwithstanding that no express written subordination agreement may have been entered into between the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and the Trustee or any of the Holders.

 

Special Record Date ” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.07.

 

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

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person:

 

(1)      any corporation or company a majority of whose Capital Stock with voting power, under ordinary circumstances, to elect directors is, at the date of determination, directly or indirectly, owned by such

 

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Person (a “subsidiary”), by one or more subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more subsidiaries of such Person;

 

(2)      a partnership in which such Person or a subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general partner of such partnership; or

 

(3)      any partnership, limited liability company or other Person in which such Person, a subsidiary of such Person or such Person and one or more subsidiaries of such Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (x) at least a majority ownership interest or (y) the power to elect or appoint or direct the election or appointment of the managing partner or member of such Person or, if applicable, a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.

 

Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 9.05.

 

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

 

U.S. Government Obligations ” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company which is a member of the Federal Reserve System and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as custodian with respect to any such obligation evidenced by such depository receipt or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such 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 obligation set forth in (i) or (ii) above or the specific payment of interest on or principal of such obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

Section 1.02          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 Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and, where appropriate as to matters of law, an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with,

 

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except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Section 1.03          Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee . In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

 

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters is erroneous. Any certificate of counsel 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.

 

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.

 

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Section 1.04          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; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are received by 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 6.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.04.

 

(b)          The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may be proved in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in any reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

 

(c)          The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.

 

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

 

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

 

Notices, Etc., to Trustee and the Company. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

 

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(1)      the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (including a facsimile transmission) to or with the Trustee at [______], Attention: [______],

 

(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 (including a facsimile transmission) and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company, addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company, to the attention of the secretary of the Company.

 

Section 1.05          Notice to Holders; Waiver . Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, 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 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 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.

 

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other case 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.

 

Section 1.06          Conflict with Trust Indenture Act . If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required or deemed provision shall control.

 

Section 1.07          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 1.08          Successors and Assigns . All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind their successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

 

Section 1.09          Separability Clause . In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities 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 1.10          Benefits of Indenture . Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their

 

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

 

Section 1.11          Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial . This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes will be construed in accordance with the laws of said State without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws of such State.

 

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 THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

Section 1.12          Legal Holidays . In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.

 

Section 1.13          References to Currency . All references in this Indenture to “dollars” or “$” are to the currency of the United States of America.

 

Section 1.14          Force Majeure . In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

Section 1.15          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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ARTICLE II

SECURITY FORMS

 

Section 2.01          Forms Generally . The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the forms established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company in accordance with Section 3.01, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture and any indenture supplemental hereto, 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 securities regulatory authority or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 3.03 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.

 

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

 

Section 2.02          Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication . The Trustee’s certificate of authentication required by this article shall be in substantially the form set forth below:

 

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

 

  [______],
  as Trustee
   
  By:
   
   
  Authorized Signatory

 

Section 2.03          Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security .

 

(a)          If the Issuer shall establish pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 3.01 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 3.03 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

 

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equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the Outstanding Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or its custodian or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect: “UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY, THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE (I) BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR (II) BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR THE DEPOSITARY TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

 

(b)          Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.03 or of Section 3.05, unless the terms of a Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for individual Securities, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 3.05, only to another nominee of the Depositary for such Global Security, or to a successor Depositary for such Global Security selected or approved by the Issuer or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

 

(c)          (i) If at any time the Depositary for a Global Security notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time the Depositary for the Securities 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 Issuer shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security. If a successor Depositary for such Global Security is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days after the Issuer receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Issuer will execute a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Security, and the Trustee, upon receipt of such Company Order, will authenticate and deliver individual Securities 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.

 

(ii)         If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or an event shall have occurred which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Securities represented by such Global Security, the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Security, will authenticate and deliver individual Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an

 

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aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security in exchange for such Global Security.

 

(iii)        If specified by the Issuer pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to Securities 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 Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form on such terms as are acceptable to the Issuer and such Depositary. Thereupon the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, (1) to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Security or Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms in definitive form and of any authorized denomination of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof 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 (2) to such Depositary a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of individual Securities delivered to Holders thereof.

 

(iv)        In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Issuer will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver individual Securities in definitive registered form in authorized denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Upon the exchange of a Global Security for individual Securities, such Global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee. Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.03 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

 

ARTICLE III

 

THE SECURITIES

 

Section 3.01          Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series . The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series,

 

(1)      any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of

 

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transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.03, 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 9.06 or 12.07);

 

(2)      the issue price, expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount;

 

(3)      the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable;

 

(4)      the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on the Interest Payment Date;

 

(5)      the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or repurchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, repaid or repurchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

(6)      the period of periods within which, the price or prices or ratios at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, converted or exchanged, in whole or in part;

 

(7)      if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

(8)      if other than the full principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration or provable in bankruptcy;

 

(9)      any events of default not set forth in this Indenture;

 

(10)   the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities shall be payable (if other than the currency of the United States of America), which unless otherwise specified shall be the currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public or private debts;

 

(11)   if the principal of (and premium, if any), or interest, if any, on such Securities are to be payable, at the election of the Company or any Holder thereof, in a coin or currency other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable, then the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;

 

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(12)    whether interest will be payable in cash or additional Securities at the Company’s or the Holders’ option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;

 

(13)    if such Securities are to be denominated in a currency or currencies, including composite currencies, other than the currency of the United States of America, the equivalent price in the currency of the United States of America for purposes of determining the voting rights of Holders of such Securities as Outstanding Securities under this Indenture;

 

(14)    if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any), or portions thereof, or interest, if any, on such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method based on a coin or currency other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

(15)    any restrictive covenants or other material terms relating to the offered debt securities, which covenants and terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(16)    whether the Securities 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 other individual Securities; and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities;

 

(17)    if other than as set forth in this Indenture, any terms with respect to subordination of such Securities, including, without limitation, the definition of “Senior Indebtedness”;

 

(18)    any listing of such Securities on any securities exchange;

 

(19)    additional or alternative provisions, if any, related to defeasance and discharge of the offered debt securities;

 

(20)    the applicability of any guarantees;

 

(21)    if convertible or exchangeable for other securities, the terms on which such Securities are convertible or exchangeable, including the initial conversion or exchange price, the conversion or exchange period, any events requiring an adjustment of the applicable conversion or exchange price and any requirements relating to the reservation of securities for purposes of conversion in the case of convertible securities;

 

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

 

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(23)    each initial Place of Payment; and

 

(24)    any other terms of the series, which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution and set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

 

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the Securities of any series.

 

Section 3.02          Denominations . The Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

Section 3.03          Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating . The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by any two of the following individuals: any member of its Board of Directors, its president, treasurer, any of its corporate secretaries, assistant secretary or any of its vice presidents. The signature of any of these individuals on the Securities may be manual, facsimile or electronic (including “.pdf” format).

 

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

 

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee, in accordance with the Company Order, shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 3.01, or by one or more indentures supplemental hereto as provided by Section 9.01, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating,

 

(a)          that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

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

 

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(c)          that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and to general equity principles;

 

(d)          that all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of the Securities have been complied with; and

 

(e)          the items set forth in Section 1.02 hereof and such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

 

If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication unless otherwise provided by the terms established and contemplated by Section 3.01.

 

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

 

Section 3.04          Temporary Securities . Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

 

If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

 

Section 3.05          Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange . The Company shall cause to be kept at one of its offices or agencies maintained pursuant to Section

 

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10.02 or at the office of the Security Registrar a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to Section 2.03 and to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee initially is hereby appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided. The Company may act as Security Registrar and may change or appoint a Security Registrar without prior notice to Holders or to the Trustee.

 

Subject to Section 2.03, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the office or agency in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor.

 

Subject to Section 2.03, at the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

Subject to Section 2.03, all Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

Every Security 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 Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 2.03, 3.04, 9.06 or 12.07 not involving any transfer.

 

The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that series selected for redemption (under Section 12.03) and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

 

Each Holder of a Security agrees to indemnify the Company and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Security in

 

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violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable United States federal or state securities law.

 

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

 

Neither the Trustee nor any agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

Section 3.06          Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities . If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) (A) any mutilated Security or (B) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to hold each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its written request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for such mutilated Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

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

 

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 3.06, 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, which shall include any attorney’s fees and expenses) connected therewith.

 

Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section 3.06 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for such mutilated Security, shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

 

The provisions of this Section 3.06 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

 

Section 3.07          Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved . Interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment

 

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Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

 

Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “ Defaulted Interest ”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the 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 Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security 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, to each Holder of Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).

 

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

 

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.07, each Security lawfully delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other

 

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Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

 

Section 3.08          Persons Deemed Owners . Subject to Section 2.03, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 3.07) interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

Section 3.09          Cancellation . All Securities 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 it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section 3.09, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of cancelled Securities in accordance with its customary procedures and deliver evidence of such destruction, at the request of, and at the expense of, the Company.

 

Section 3.10          Computation of Interest . Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for the Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

Section 3.11          CUSIP Numbers . The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 4.01          Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture . This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities (except as to (i) any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities herein expressly provided for, (ii) rights hereunder of Holders to receive payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Securities, and other rights, duties and obligations of the Holders as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the amounts, if any, so deposited with the Trustee, (iii) remaining obligations of the Company to make Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments and (iv) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder), and the Trustee, at the expense of

 

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the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, when:

 

(1)         either

 

(a)          all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities of such series which have been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.06 and (ii) Securities of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.03) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(b)          all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:

 

(i)          have become due and payable,

 

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

 

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

 

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust (i) money in dollars in an amount (or if the Securities are denominated in any currency other than dollars, an amount of the applicable currency), (ii) U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment referred to in this subparagraph, money in an amount, or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking firm or firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

 

(2)         if all series of Securities are being discharged, 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 Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

 

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.07, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Subclause (1)(b) of this Section 4.01, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 4.02 and the next to last paragraph of Section 10.03, shall survive.

 

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Section 4.02          Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification . (a) Subject to the provisions of the next to last paragraph of Section 10.03, all money and U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01, 4.03 or 4.04 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01, 4.03 or 4.04 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent), to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or to make Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments or analogous payments as contemplated by Section 4.03 or 4.04, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

(b)          The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 4.01, 4.03 or 4.04, or the interest and principal received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders.

 

(c)          The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request, any U.S. Government Obligations or money held by it as provided in Section 4.01, 4.03 or 4.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking firm or firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such obligations or money were deposited or received.

 

Section 4.03          Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture . The Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the Outstanding Securities on the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (d) of this Section 4.03, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such Outstanding Securities, shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall at Company Request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except as to:

 

(a)          the rights of Holders of Securities to receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (d) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and each installment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Outstanding Securities on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) the benefit of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments applicable to the Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities;

 

(b)          the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.05, 3.06, 10.02 and 10.03; and

 

(c)          the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.07;

 

provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

 

(d)          the Company has or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 4.02) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security

 

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for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities, (i) money in dollars in an amount (or if the Securities are denominated in any currency other than dollars, an amount of the applicable currency), (ii) U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment referred to in clause (A) or (B) of this subparagraph, money in an amount, or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking firm or firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge (A) the principal of (and premium, if any) and each installment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Outstanding Securities on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest or on the applicable Redemption Date and (B) any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments applicable to the Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of the Securities;

 

(e)          such deposit shall not cause the Trustee with respect to the Securities to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to the Securities;

 

(f)          such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any applicable laws, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

 

(g)          no Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time would become an Event of Default with respect to the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date;

 

(h)          the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate as to solvency and the absence of any intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Company; and

 

(i)          if the deposit referred to in subparagraph (d) of this Section 4.03 is to be made on or prior to one year from the Stated Maturity for payment of principal of the Outstanding Securities, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel with no material qualifications, or a favorable ruling of the Internal Revenue Service, in either case to the effect that Holders of the Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

 

Section 4.04          Defeasance of Certain Obligations . If this Section 4.04 is specified to be applicable to Securities of any series, the Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in the sections of this Indenture or such Security with respect to the Securities of that series (“Covenant Defeasance”) if:

 

(1)      with reference to this Section 4.04, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as

 

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trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of that series, (i) money in dollars in an amount (or if the Securities are denominated in any currency other than dollars, an amount of the applicable currency), or (ii) U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide not later than one day before the due date of any payment referred to in clause (A) or (B) of this subparagraph money in an amount, or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking firm or firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge (A) the principal of (and premium, if any) and each installment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest on the Outstanding Securities of that series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (B) any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments or analogous payments applicable to Securities of such series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities;

 

(2)      such deposit shall not cause the Trustee with respect to the Securities of that series to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to the Securities of any series;

 

(3)      such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

 

(4)      the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate as to solvency and the absence of any intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Company;

 

(5)      if the deposit referred to in subparagraph (1) of this Section 4.04 is to be made on or prior to one year from the Stated Maturity for payment of principal of the Outstanding Securities, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel with no material qualifications, or a favorable ruling of the Internal Revenue Service, in either case to the effect that Holders of the Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance of certain obligations and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred; and

 

(6)      the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section 4.04 have been complied with.

 

In the event the Company effects Covenant Defeasance with respect to any Securities and such Securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default,

 

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other than an Event of Default with respect to any covenant as to which there has been Covenant Defeasance, the U.S. Government Obligations on deposit with the Trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Securities at the time of the Stated Maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Securities at the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event of Default.

 

ARTICLE V

 

REMEDIES

 

Section 5.01          Events of Default .

 

Event of Default ” (except as otherwise specified or contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events:

 

(1)      default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 60 days;

 

(2)      default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity;

 

(3)      default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series;

 

(4)      default in the performance, or breach, of any material 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 5.01 specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series) and continuance of such for a period of 60 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 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, 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;

 

(5)      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 bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company as bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any

 

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such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

 

(6)      the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable 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, as the case may be, in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable 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 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 of the Company 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 and its willingness to have a case commenced against it or to seek an order for relief under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or

 

(7)      any other Event of Default expressly provided with respect to Securities of that series.

 

Section 5.02          Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment . If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default resulting from bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) with respect to Securities 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 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all of the Securities 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.

 

In the case of an Event of Default resulting from bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, which occurs and is continuing with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, then all unpaid principal of and accrued interest on all such Outstanding Securities of that series shall become immediately due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the Trustee or the Holders of any Securities of such series.

 

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

 

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

 

(a)          all overdue interest (including Defaulted Interest) on all Securities of that series,

 

(b)          the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities 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 Securities,

 

(c)          to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and

 

(d)          all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee hereunder and all sums due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.07; and

 

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

 

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

 

Section 5.03          Collection of Indebtedness and Suits For Enforcement By Trustee . The Company covenants that if

 

(1)      default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

 

(2)      default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof,

 

the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest 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, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.07.

 

If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, at the expense of Company, 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 Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in

 

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the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

 

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

 

Section 5.04          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 Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities 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 Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Section 5.05          Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities . All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities 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

 

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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 Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

 

Section 5.06          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 Securities 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 (including its agents and counsel) and each predecessor Trustee hereunder;

 

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities 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 Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and

 

THIRD: To the Company.

 

Section 5.07          Limitation on Suits . No Holder of any Security 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 Securities of that series;

 

(2)      the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities 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 indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

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

 

(5)      no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders (it

 

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being further understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders), or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

 

Section 5.08          Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest . Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 3.07) interest on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

 

Section 5.09          Restoration of Rights and Remedies . If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders 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 5.10          Rights and Remedies Cumulative . Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.06, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

Section 5.11          Delay or Omission Not Waiver . No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or any acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

 

Section 5.12          Control by Holders . The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series (or if more than one series is affected thereby, of all series so affected, voting as a single class) 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 Securities of such series, provided that:

 

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(1)      such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, expose the Trustee to personal liability or be unduly prejudicial to Holders not joining therein, and

 

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

 

Nothing in this Indenture shall impair the right of the Trustee to take any other action which is not inconsistent with such direction.

 

Section 5.13          Waiver of Past Defaults . The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

 

(1)      in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series, or

 

(2)      in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under this Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security 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 5.14          Undertaking for Costs . All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.14 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 Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Securities on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date). This Section 5.14 shall be in lieu of Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 315(e) is hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Section 5.15          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

 

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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 VI

 

THE TRUSTEE

 

Section 6.01          Certain Duties and Responsibilities .

 

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

 

(1)      the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture with respect to such series, 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 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.

 

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

 

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

 

(1)      this subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section 6.01;

 

(2)      the Trustee shall not be liable for any error or 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 Securities of any series, determined as provided in Section 5.12 relating to the

 

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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 Securities 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 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 6.01.

 

Section 6.02          Notice of Defaults . Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities of such series, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, notice of such default hereunder actually known to a Responsible Officer of 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 on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series; and provided , further , that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 5.01(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section 6.02, 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 Securities of such series.

 

Section 6.03          Certain Rights of Trustee . Subject to the provisions of Section 6.01:

 

(a)          the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any Board Resolution, resolution, Officers’ Certificate, certificate, statement, instrument, Opinion of Counsel, 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;

 

(b)         any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, and any 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 Officers’ Certificate;

 

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

 

(e)          the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any 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 and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

 

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

 

(h)          in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, 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;

 

(i)           the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture;

 

(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 each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;

 

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

 

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

 

(m)         the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; and the Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Section 6.04          Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities . The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

 

Section 6.05          May Hold Securities . The Trustee, 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 Securities and, subject to Sections 6.08 and 6.12, may otherwise deal with, and collect obligations owed to it by, the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.

 

Section 6.06          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 6.07          Compensation, Reimbursement and Indemnification . The Company agrees:

 

(1)      to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing 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);

 

(2)      except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by it 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 own negligence or bad faith; and

 

(3)      to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder and the performance of its duties hereunder, including

 

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the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, a Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense is due to its own negligence or bad faith.

 

To ensure the performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder, the Trustee shall have a senior claim to which the Securities are hereby made subordinate upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except property and funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on particular Securities.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01, the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

 

The provisions of this Section 6.07 shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

 

Section 6.08          Disqualification; Conflicting Interests . The Trustee shall comply with the terms of Section 3.10(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Section 6.09          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 (or, in the case of the subsidiary of a bank holding company that guarantees the obligations of the Trustee under this Indenture, such holding company’s parent shall have) a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. If such corporation or holding company parent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.09, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation or holding company parent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.09, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this article.

 

Section 6.10          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 6.11.

 

(b)         The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.11 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may, at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. If the acceptance of appointment is substantially contemporaneous with the resignation, then the notice called for by

 

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the first sentence of this subsection may be combined with the instrument called for by Section 6.11.

 

(c)          The Trustee, upon 30 days’ notice, may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.

 

(d)          If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of removal, the Trustee being removed may, at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

(e)          If at any time:

 

(1)      the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 6.08 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months,

 

(2)      the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.09 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, upon 30 day’s notice, (i) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to Section 5.14, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

 

(f)          The Company also may remove the Trustee with or without cause if the Company so notifies the Trustee 30 days in advance and if no Default occurs or is continuing during the 30-day period.

 

(g)          If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall

 

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be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

(h)          The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office. The Trustee shall have no liability or responsibility for the actions or inaction of any successor Trustee.

 

Section 6.11          Acceptance of Appointment by Successor . (a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee 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 charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

 

(b)          In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such

 

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

 

(c)          Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 6.11, 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 6.12          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 (including the administration of this Indenture), shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

 

Section 6.13          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 Securities) 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). A trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to the Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent provided therein.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

 

Section 7.01          Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders . The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee and Security Registrar (if not the Trustee) with respect to the Securities of each series

 

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(a)          semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each Regular Record Date, or, in the case of any series of Securities on which semi-annual interest is not payable, not more than fifteen days after such semi-annual dates as may be specified by the Trustee, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such Regular Record Date or such semi-annual date, 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 a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

 

provided , however , that so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar, no such list need be furnished.

 

Section 7.02          Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders .

 

(a)          The Security Registrar shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished by the Company as provided in Section 7.01. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

 

(b)          If three or more Holders (herein referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants’ desire to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either

 

(i)          afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.02(a), or

 

(ii)         inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.02(a), and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.

 

If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.02(a) a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment by such requesting Holders, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interest of the Holders or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall

 

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specify the basis of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

 

(c)          Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent thereof shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with Section 7.02(b), 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 7.02(b).

 

(d)          Subject to Sections 7.02(a), 7.02(b), 7.02(c) and 6.01, if the Company or any other person (other than the Trustee) shall desire to communicate with Holders of Securities to solicit or obtain from them any proxy, consent, authorization, waiver, approval of a plan of reorganization, arrangement or readjustment or other action (“ Holder Action ”), the Trustee shall have no duty to participate in such communication or solicitation or the processing of responses in any manner except (i) to furnish the rules and regulations and to perform the functions referred to in Section 1.04 and (ii) to receive (A) the instruments evidencing the Holder Action together with (B) the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel referred to below. The Company hereby covenants that any and all communications and solicitations distributed by it in connection with any Holder Action will comply in all material respects with applicable law, including, without limitation, applicable law concerning adequacy of disclosure. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any materials circulated to solicit any Holder Action or for any related communications or for the compliance thereof with applicable law. No Holder Action shall become effective until the Trustee shall have received from the Company or other person who solicited the Holder Action the instruments evidencing such Holder Action (x) (in the case of Holder Action solicited by the Company or the representative of the Company’s estate if the Company is the debtor in any bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding) an Officers’ Certificate and (y) (in all cases) an Opinion of Counsel, each specifying the Holder Action taken and stating that such Holder Action has been duly and validly taken in compliance with this Indenture in all material respects. Such Officers’ Certificate, if any, shall also certify that (after giving effect to such Holder Action) no Event of Default or event or condition which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or has not been waived.

 

(e)          The Depositary may grant proxies and otherwise authorize its participants which own the Global Securities to give or take any Act which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture; provided , however , that the Depositary has delivered a list of such participants to the Trustee.

 

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Section 7.03          Reports by Trustee .

 

(a)          Within 60 days after September 30 of each year commencing with the first September 30 following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, a brief report dated as of such September 30, to the extent required by Section 3.13(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

(b)          The Trustee shall comply with Sections 3.13(b) and 3.13(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

(c)          A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange, or of any delisting thereof.

 

Section 7.04          Reports .

 

The Company 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) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (provided that availability of such reports on a website maintained by the Commission shall be deemed to fulfill this requirement); 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 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; and

 

(2)         file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with the 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.

 

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

 

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ARTICLE VIII

 

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

Section 8.01          When Company May Consolidate, Amalgamate, Merge or Transfer Assets . (a) The Company shall not (1) consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer, sell or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, (2) permit any Person to consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into the Company, or (3) permit any Person to convey, transfer, sell or lease that Person’s properties and assets substantially as an entirety to the Company, unless:

 

(i)          in the case of (1) and (2) above, either (x) the Company shall be the surviving person or (y) the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance, transfer or lease the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety is an entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America (including any State thereof or the District of Columbia), the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda or any country which is a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development or the European Union and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture;

 

(ii)         immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(iii)        the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conveyance, transfer, sale or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, comply with this Section 8.01 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been satisfied.

 

(b)          The successor Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company is merged or the successor Person to which such conveyance, transfer, sale 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 had been named as the Company herein; and thereafter, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities. Subject to Section 9.03, the Company, the Trustee and the successor Person shall enter into a supplemental indenture to evidence the succession and substitution of such successor Person and such discharge and release of the Company.

 

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ARTICLE IX

 

AMENDMENTS & SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

Section 9.01          Amendments or Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders . The Company, when authorized by Board Resolutions, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities or waive any provision of this Indenture or the Securities without the consent of any Holder, so long as such changes or waivers, other than those in clause (2), do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the Holder:

 

(1)      to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

(2)      to make any modifications or amendments that do not, in the good faith opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors and the Trustee, adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any material respect, provided that any amendment or supplement conforming this Indenture, as applied to a series of Securities, to the terms described in the prospectus (including any prospectus supplement) pursuant to which the Securities were initially sold shall be deemed not to adversely affect the interest of Holders;

 

(3)      to provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture by a successor upon any merger, consolidation, amalgamation or asset transfer as permitted by and in compliance with Article VIII of this Indenture;

 

(4)      to provide any security for or guarantees of the Securities;

 

(5)      to add Events of Default with respect to the Securities;

 

(6)      to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company by this Indenture;

 

(7)      to make any change necessary to comply with the Trust Indenture Act, or any amendment thereto, or to comply with any requirement of the Commission in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

(8)      to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities or to provide for bearer Securities;

 

(9)      to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons;

 

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

 

(11)    to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 3.01; or

 

(12)    to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.11(b).

 

Section 9.02          Amendments or Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders . With the written consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of all series affected by such amendment or supplement (taken together as one class), the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment of or a supplement to this Indenture or the Securities may not:

 

(1)      change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or premium, if any, or any installment of interest with respect to the Securities;

 

(2)      reduce the principal amount of, or the rate of interest on, or any premium payable upon the redemption of, the Securities;

 

(3)      change the currency of payment of principal of or interest on the Securities;

 

(4)      change the redemption provisions, if any, of any Securities in any manner adverse to the Holders of such Securities;

 

(5)      impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the Securities;

 

(6)      reduce the above-stated percentage of Holders of the Securities of any series necessary to modify or amend this Indenture;

 

(7)      if the Securities are convertible or exchangeable, adversely affect the right to convert or exchange the Securities in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(8)      modify or change the subordination provisions hereof in any manner which adversely affects the Holders; or

 

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(9)         modify the foregoing requirements or reduce the percentage of Outstanding Securities necessary to waive any covenant or past default.

 

It shall not be necessary for any Act of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act approves the substance thereof.

 

After an amendment or supplemental indenture under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to each Holder a notice briefly describing the amendment or supplemental indenture.

 

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

 

Section 9.03          Execution of Supplemental Indentures . The Trustee shall sign any supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this article if the amendment contained therein does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign such supplemental indenture. 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 receive, and (subject to Section 6.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that this Indenture as amended by such supplemental indenture is the valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Company in accordance with its terms.

 

Section 9.04          Effect of Supplemental Indentures . Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

 

Section 9.05          Conformity with Trust Indenture Act . Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

Section 9.06          Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures . Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this article may, and shall if required by the 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 Securities 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 in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

 

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ARTICLE X

 

COVENANTS

 

Section 10.01        Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest . The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture. At the option of the Company, payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest may be made by wire transfer or (subject to collection) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto at such address as shall appear in the Security Register.

 

Section 10.02        Maintenance of Office or Agency . The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company hereby initially appoints the Trustee its office or agency for each of said purposes. 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 or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , however , that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

Section 10.03        Money for Securities; Payments to Be Held in Trust . If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Securities 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 so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

 

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

 

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The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 10.03, that such Paying Agent will:

 

(1)      hold all sums held by it for the payment on the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Securities 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 Securities of that series) in the making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities 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 on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look, only to the Company for payment 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 at the expense of the Company cause to be mailed or published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in the City, County and State of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such mailing or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

The Company shall have no obligation to make payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security in immediately available funds, except that if the Company shall have received original payment for Securities in immediately available funds it shall make available immediately available funds for payment of the principal of such Securities.

 

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Section 10.04        Corporate Existence . Subject to Article VIII, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

 

Section 10.05        Maintenance of Properties . The Company will use its reasonable efforts to cause all material properties used or useful in the conduct of its business to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order (subject to wear and tear) and supplied with all necessary material equipment and will use its reasonable efforts to cause to be made all necessary material repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided , however , that nothing in this Section 10.05 shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

 

Section 10.06        Statement by Officers as to Default . The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, a certificate of the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture, and if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge.

 

Section 10.07        Waiver of Certain Covenants . The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in this Article X if, before or after the time for such compliance, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities (taken together as one class) shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition; except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Section 10.08        Calculation of Original Issue Discount . The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

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ARTICLE XI

 

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

 

Section 11.01        Applicability of Article . Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this article.

 

Section 11.02        Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee . The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series, 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), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed, such notice to be accompanied by a written statement signed by an authorized officer of the Company stating that no defaults in the payment of interest or Events of Default with respect to the Securities of that series have occurred (which have not been waived or cured). In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.

 

Section 11.03        Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed . If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate, subject to the customary procedures of the Depositary, and which may provide for the selection or redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.

 

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

 

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

 

Section 11.04        Notice of Redemption . The Company shall give a notice of redemption by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 45 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at his address appearing in the Security Register. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice. Failure to give notice by mail, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder in respect of

 

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any Security, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security.

 

All notices of redemption shall state:

 

(1)      the Redemption Date,

 

(2)      the Redemption Price and any accrued interest,

 

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

 

(4)      that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price and any accrued interest will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed together with accrued interest thereon and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

 

(5)      the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest,

 

(6)      that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case, and

 

(7)      the CUSIP number and, if applicable, the ISIN number, of the Securities being redeemed.

 

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 written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

 

Section 11.05        Deposit of Redemption Price . On or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.03) an amount of money, in funds immediately available on the due date, sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.

 

Section 11.06        Securities Payable on Redemption Date . Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified together with accrued interest thereon, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided , however , that installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more

 

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Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.07.

 

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

 

The Trustee shall not redeem any Securities of any series pursuant to this article (unless all Outstanding Securities of such series are to be redeemed) or mail or give any notice of redemption of Securities during the continuance of an Event of Default hereunder known to the Trustee with respect to such series, except that, where the mailing of notice of redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been made, the Trustee shall redeem or cause to be redeemed such Securities, provided that it shall have received from the Company a sum sufficient for such redemption. Except as aforesaid, any moneys theretofore or thereafter received by the Trustee shall, during the continuance of such Event of Default, be deemed to have been collected under Article V and held for the payment of all such Securities of such series. In case such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section 5.13 or the default cured on or before the sixtieth day preceding the Redemption Date, such moneys shall thereafter be applied in accordance with the provisions of this article.

 

Section 11.07        Securities Redeemed in Part . Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

SINKING FUNDS

 

Section 12.01        Applicability of Article . The provisions of this article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of such series.

 

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “ Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment ,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “ Optional Sinking Fund Payment .” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 13.02. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

 

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Section 12.02        Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities . The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (2) may apply as credit Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted Optional Sinking Fund Payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series; provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

Section 12.03        Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund . Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company (1) will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate (A) stating that no defaults in the payment of interest or Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series have occurred (which have not been waived or cured), (B) specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of Securities of that series, (C) stating whether or not the Company intends to exercise its right, if any, to make an Optional Sinking Fund Payment with respect to such series on the next ensuing sinking fund payment date and, if so, specifying the amount of such Optional Sinking Fund Payment and (D) specifying the portion of such sinking fund payment, 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 Securities of that series pursuant to Section 13.02 and (2) will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Securities of such series to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 12.03 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 12.04. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 12.05, 12.06 and 12.07. Failure of the Company, on or before any such 60th day, to deliver such Officers’ Certificate and Securities specified in this Section 13.03, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute, on and as of such date, the irrevocable election of the Company (a) that the Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof and (b) that the Company will make no Optional Sinking Fund Payment with respect to Securities of such series as provided in this article.

 

The Trustee shall not redeem or cause to be redeemed any Security of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of Securities of such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of a default in payment of interest on such Securities or of any Event of Default with respect to such series except that, where the mailing of notice of redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been made, the Trustee shall redeem or cause to be redeemed such Securities, provided that it shall have received from the Company a sum sufficient for such redemption. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such default or Event of Default shall occur, and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund, shall, during the continuance of such default or Event of Default, be deemed to have been collected under Article V and held for the payment of all such

 

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Securities of such series. In case such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section 5.13 or the default cured on or before the 60th day preceding the sinking fund payment date, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date in accordance with this Section 13.03 to the redemption of such Securities.

 

This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

SUBORDINATION

 

Section 13.01        Agreement to Subordinate .

 

(a)          The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities issued hereunder by such Holder’s acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) all Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this article; and each Holder of a Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.

 

(b)          The payment by the Company of the principal of, and interest on, the Securities issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.

 

(c)          No provision of this article shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default hereunder.

 

Section 13.02        Default on Senior Indebtedness .

 

(a)          No direct or indirect payment by or on behalf of the Company of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities, whether pursuant to the terms of the Securities or upon acceleration, by way of repurchase, redemption, defeasance or otherwise, will be made if, at the time of such payment, there exists a default in the payment when due of all or any portion of the obligations under or in respect of any Senior Indebtedness, whether at maturity, on account of mandatory redemption or prepayment, acceleration or otherwise, and such default shall not have been cured or waived or the benefits of this sentence waived by or on of the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

 

(b)          In addition, during the continuance of any non-payment default or non-payment event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated, and upon receipt by the Trustee of written notice (a “Payment Blockage Notice”) from a holder or holders of such Senior Indebtedness or the trustee or agent acting on behalf of such Senior Indebtedness, then, unless and until such default or event of default has been cured or waived or has ceased to exist or such Senior Indebtedness has

 

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been discharged or repaid in full in cash, or the requisite holders of such Senior Indebtedness have otherwise agreed in writing, no payment of any kind or character with respect to any principal of or interest on or distribution will be made by or on behalf of the Company on account of or with respect to the Securities, during a period (a “Payment Blockage Period”) commencing on the date of receipt of such Payment Blockage Notice by the Trustee and ending 179 days thereafter.

 

(c)          Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) in no event will a Payment Blockage Period extend beyond 179 days from the date the Payment Blockage Notice in respect thereof was given and (y) there must be 180 days in any 360-day period during which no Payment Blockage Period is in effect. Not more than one Payment Blockage Period may be commenced with respect to the Securities during any period of 360 consecutive days. No default or event of default that existed or was continuing on the date of commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Senior Indebtedness initiating such Payment Blockage Period may be, or be made, the basis for the commencement of any other Payment Blockage Period by the holder or holders of such Senior Indebtedness or the trustee or agent acting on behalf of such Senior Indebtedness, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such default or event of default has been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

 

(d)          In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 13.02, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in cash, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders or to the Trustee.

 

Section 13.03        Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy .

 

(a)          Upon any distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any total or partial dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, assignment for the benefit of creditors or marshalling of the Company’s assets, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceedings, whether voluntary or involuntary, all principal, premium, if any, and interest due or to become due to all Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall first be paid in full in cash, or such payment duly provided for to the satisfaction of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, before the Holders are entitled to receive or retain any payment; and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character whether in cash, property or securities, which the Holders or the Trustee would be entitled to receive from the Company, except for the provisions of this article, shall be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their

 

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respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full in cash, or such payment duly provided for to the satisfaction of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders or to the Trustee.

 

(b)          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 before all Senior Indebtedness of the Company 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 such Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in cash, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders or to the Trustee.

 

(c)          For purposes of this article, 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 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 Securities to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company that may at the time be outstanding; provided, however, that (i) such 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 such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The amalgamation or 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 properties or assets substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article Eight of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 14.03 if such other corporation shall, as part of such amalgamation, consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article Eight of this Indenture. Nothing in Section 14.02 or in this Section 14.03 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.07 of this Indenture.

 

(d)          If the Trustee or any Holder of Securities does not file a proper claim or proof of debt in the form required in any proceeding referred to above prior to 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claim in such proceeding, then the holder of any Senior Indebtedness is hereby authorized, and has the right, to file an appropriate claim or claims for or on behalf of such Holder of Securities.

 

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Section 13.04        Subrogation .

 

(a)          Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company then outstanding, the rights of the Holders shall be subrogated 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 until the principal of and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this article, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this article to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by Holders or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the Holders, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of such Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this article are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the Holders, on the one hand, and the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.

 

(b)          Nothing contained in this Article XIV or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the Holders, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders the principal of and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or any Holder of Securities 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 such Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

 

(c)          Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this article, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 6.01 of this Indenture, and the Holders shall be entitled to rely conclusively upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or the Holders, for the purposes of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this article.

 

Section 13.05        Trustee to Effectuate Subordination . Each Holder of Securities by such Holder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this article and appoints the Trustee such Holder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

 

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Section 13.06        Notice by the Company .

 

(a)          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 Securities 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 Securities pursuant to the provisions of this article, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a Holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any representative or trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 6.01 of this Indenture, 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 14.06 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 interest on any Security), 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 such money was 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.

 

(b)          The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 6.01 of this Indenture, shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company (or a trustee or representative on behalf of such holder), to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or a trustee or representative 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 such 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 such 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 13.07        Rights of The Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness .

 

(a)          The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this article in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time 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.

 

(b)          With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this article and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness

 

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and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.01 of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Holders, the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this article or otherwise.

 

Section 13.08        Subordination May Not be Impaired .

 

(a)          No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company to enforce subordination as herein provided 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 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 that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.

 

(b)          Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders, without incurring responsibility to the Holders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this article or the obligations hereunder of the Holders to the holders of such 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, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing such Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising or waive any rights against the Company and any other Person.

 

(c)          Each present and future holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to the benefit of the provisions of this article notwithstanding that such holder is not a party to this Indenture.

 

Section 13.09        Article Applicable to Paying Agents . In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee 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; provided, however, that this Section 14.09 shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if it or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.

 

Section 13.10        Defeasance of This Article . Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from cash or the proceeds of United States Government Obligations held in trust under Article Four hereof by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) and which were deposited in accordance with the terms of Article Four hereof and not in violation of Section 14.02 hereof for the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Indebtedness or subject to the

 

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restrictions set forth in this article, and none of the Holders shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to the Company or any holder of Senior Indebtedness or any other creditor of the Company.

 

Section 13.11        Subordination Language to be Included in Securities . Each Security shall contain a subordination provision which will be substantially in the following form:

 

“The Securities are subordinated in right of payment, in the manner and to the extent set forth in the Indenture, to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture, or as set forth in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, a Board Resolution in accordance with Section 3.01 of the Indenture or in this Security). Each Holder by accepting a Security agrees to such subordination and authorizes the Trustee to give it affect.”

 

Section 13.12        Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness . The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and shall not be liable to any such holders if the Trustee shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of Securities 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. With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants or obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto has executed this Indenture as of the day and year first before written.

 

  XL GROUP LTD
   
  By:    
    Name:
    Title:
   
  BY ITS LAWFULLY APPOINTED ATTORNEY
   
   
  Name:
  Title:
   
  IN THE PRESENCE OF
   
  Witness
   
   
  Name:
  Address:
   
  [______],
  as Trustee
   
  By:    
    Name:
    Title:

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

 

 

XL Group Ltd

O’Hara House

One Bermudiana Road

Hamilton HM 08

Bermuda

 

Our ref: 6388-029

25 July, 2016

 

Dear Sirs/Madams,

 

XL Group Ltd – Registration Statement on Form S-3

 

We have acted as special legal counsel in Bermuda to XL Group Ltd, a Bermuda exempted company (the “Company”), in connection with the filing of post-effective amendment No.1 to a registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on 25 July, 2016 (the “Registration Statement”) filed by the Company, XL Group plc and XLIT Ltd. pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). The Registration Statement relates to, among other things, the registration of securities of the Company under the Securities Act including:

 

· common shares in the capital of the Company, with a par value of US$0.01 per common share (the “Common Shares”);
· preference shares in the capital of the Company, with a par value of US$0.01 per preference share (the “Preference Shares”) (the Preference Shares together with the Common Shares being the “Shares”);
· depositary receipts representing fractional Preference Shares, which are called depositary shares of the Company (the “Depositary Shares”);
· warrants to purchase Common Shares (the “Warrants”);
· contracts for the purchase of Common Shares or other securities (the “Purchase Contracts”);
· senior or subordinated debt securities of the Company (the “Debt Securities”);
· guarantees issued by the Company of senior or subordinated debt securities of XLIT Ltd. (the “Guarantees”); and
· units each consisting of one or more Purchase Contracts (the “Units”) and, as security for the holder’s obligation to purchase Common Shares thereunder, any one or more of (a) Debt Securities, (b) debt or equity obligations of third

 

 

 

1  

 

 

 

 

parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, (c) Preference Shares or (d) debt securities of XLIT Ltd., which may be senior or subordinated;

 

(the proposals and arrangements described in the Registration Statement being referred to in this letter as the “Transaction”; and the Shares, the Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Guarantees, Warrants, Purchase Contracts and Units being referred to in this letter in the aggregate as the “Obligations” and includes, in respect of Warrants, Purchase Contracts and Units, any applicable underlying or related Shares, Debt Securities or Guarantees, as applicable).

 

Unless otherwise defined, all defined terms used in this opinion shall have the same meaning as respectively given to such terms in the Registration Statement.

 

1. For the purpose of giving this opinion, we have reviewed the following documents:

 

1.1 a copy of the Registration Statement;

 

1.2 a copy of the certificate of incorporation, memorandum of association and the amended and restated bye-laws of the Company (together the “Constitutional Documents”);

 

1.3 certified copies of the resolutions (“Resolutions”) of meetings of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) held on 25 April, 2016 and 27 June 2016, and unanimous written resolutions of the Board dated 15 June 2016, in each case relating to the Transaction;

 

1.4 a certificate of compliance from the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda dated 7 July, 2016; and

 

1.5 such other documents in relation thereto as we have deemed necessary in order to render the opinions given below.

 

2. We have assumed for the purposes of this opinion:

 

2.1 the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures and the conformity to the originals of all copies (whether or not certified) examined by us and the authenticity and completeness of the originals from which such copies were taken;

 

2.2 that where a document has been examined by us in draft form, it will be or has been executed and/or filed in the form of that draft, and where a number of drafts of a document have been examined by us all changes thereto have been marked or otherwise drawn to our attention;

 

 

 

2  

 

 

 

 

2.3 the accuracy and completeness of all factual representations made in the Registration Statement and other documents reviewed by us;

 

2.3 that there are no agreements or arrangements in existence which in any way amend or vary the terms of the Transaction as disclosed by the Registration Statement;

 

2.4 that the resolutions set forth in the Resolutions are in full force and effect, have not been rescinded or amended and that there is no matter affecting the authority of the directors to effect entry by the Company into the offering, not disclosed by the Constitutional Documents or the Resolutions, which would have any adverse implication in relation to the opinions expressed herein;

 

2.5 that the Company will issue the Obligations in furtherance of its objects as set out in its memorandum of association;

 

2.6 that the Constitutional Documents will not be amended in any manner that would affect the opinions set forth herein;

 

2.7 that at the time of the issue of any Shares whether as a principal issue or on the conversion, exchange or exercise of any Obligations, the Company shall have sufficient number of shares as part of its authorised share capital available for issue;

 

2.8 that the Company will at the relevant time of issuance of the Obligations hold the necessary permissions (general or specific) of the Bermuda Monetary Authority for such issuance or transfer;

 

2.9 that there is no provision of the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction, other than Bermuda, which would have any implication in relation to the opinions expressed in this opinion;

 

2.10 that the form and terms of any and all Obligations (including, without limitation, the designation, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of Preference Shares) or other securities (or other obligations, rights, currencies, commodities or other subject matter) comprising the same or subject thereto (in the case of the Warrants, Purchase Contracts, Debt Securities, Guarantees and Units), the issuance and sale thereof by the Company, and the Company’s incurrence and performance of its obligations thereunder or in respect thereof (including, without limitation, its obligations under any related agreement or supplement thereto) in accordance with the terms thereof will not violate the Constitutional Documents of the Company nor any applicable law, regulation, order or decree in Bermuda;

 

2.11 that all necessary corporate action will be taken to authorise and approve any issuance of the Obligations (including, if Preference Shares are to be issued, all necessary corporate action to establish one or more series of Preference

 

 

 

3  

 

 

 

 

Shares and fix the designation, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof), the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, and that the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement will be duly approved, executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Company and all other parties thereto;

 

2.12 except as set forth in the opinion at paragraph 3.4 below, that any applicable purchase, underwriting or similar agreement and any other agreement or other document relating to any of the Obligations will be valid and binding in accordance with its terms pursuant to its governing law;

 

2.13 that the issuance and sale of and payment for the Obligations will be in accordance with any applicable purchase, underwriting or similar agreement duly approved by or on behalf of the Board, and the Registration Statement;

 

2.14 that, upon the issue of any Shares, the Company will receive consideration for the full issue price thereof which shall be equal to at least the par value thereof;

 

2.15 the Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Part III of the Companies Act 1981, as amended, entitled “Prospectuses and Public Offers”; and

 

2.16 the capacity, power and authority of all parties other than the Company to enter into and perform their obligations under any and all documents entered into by such parties in connection with the issuance of the Obligations, and the due execution and delivery thereof by each party thereto.

 

3. On the basis of and subject to the foregoing, and further subject to the reservations set out below and any matters not disclosed to us, we are of the opinion that:

 

3.1 The Company is an exempted company duly incorporated with limited liability and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Bermuda (meaning solely that the Company has not failed to make any filing with any Bermuda governmental authority or to pay any Bermuda government fee or tax which might make it liable to be struck off the Register of Companies and thereby cease to exist under the laws of Bermuda).

 

3.2 When duly issued and paid for as provided in the Registration Statement, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not be subject to any calls for any additional payment.

 

3.3 The Company has all the requisite power and authority under its Constitutional Documents to enter into, execute and perform its obligations under the Obligations, including the issue and offer of the Obligations.

 

 

 

4  

 

 

 

 

3.4 When the Obligations have been duly authorised by the Company and when the Obligations are signed executed by a director or officer of the Company on behalf of the Company in accordance with the Constitutional Documents and, if appropriate, authenticated in the manner set forth in the document(s) governing such Obligations, including (as applicable) an indenture, deposit agreement, receipt, unit agreement, purchase contract or warrant agreement related thereto and delivered against due payment therefor, the Obligations will be duly executed, issued and delivered and will be the valid, binding obligations of the Company and the Depositary Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and will not be subject to any calls for any additional payment and will entitle their holders to the rights specified in any depositary share agreement and the depositary receipt.

 

4. We have made no investigation of and express no opinion in relation to the laws of any jurisdiction other than Bermuda. This opinion is to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Bermuda and is limited to and is given on the basis of the current law and practice in Bermuda.

 

5. This opinion may be relied upon by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP for the purposes solely of any legal opinion that they may be required to give with respect to the Registration Statement and the Transaction.

 

6. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are experts within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act or that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

/s/ ASW Law Limited

 

ASW LAW LIMITED

 

 

 

5  

 

 

Exhibit 5.2

 

A&L Goodbody Solicitors International Financial Services Centre North Wall Quay Dublin 1

Tel: + 353 1 649 2000 Fax: +353 1 649 2649 email: info@algoodbody.com website: www.algoodbody.com dx: 29 Dublin

 

Our ref       RL2/DM5 01416218 Your ref    Date       25 July 2016

 

XL House

8 St. Stephen's Green

Dublin 2, Ireland

 

XL Group plc (the Company)

 

Dear Sir/Madam

 

We are acting as Irish counsel to the Company, a public company limited by shares, incorporated under the laws of Ireland, with its registered office at XL House, 8 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland, in connection with the filing by the Company, XL Group Ltd and XLIT Ltd. ( XL Cayman ) of post-effective amendment no.1 to the registration statement on Form S-3 and related prospectus (together the Registration Statement ) to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC ) on 25 July 2016 under the Securities Act of 1933 of the United States of America, as amended (the Securities Act ). The Registration Statement relates to securities including guarantees issued by the Company of senior or subordinated debt securities of XL Cayman (the Guarantees ),

 

(the proposals and arrangements described in the Registration Statement being referred to in this letter as the Transaction; and the Guarantees being referred to in this letter as the Obligations ).

 

1. For the purposes of giving this Opinion we have examined the Registration Statement and (ii) the corporate documents set out in Schedule 1 (the Corporate Documents ).

 

2. In connection with this letter, we have assumed:

 

2.1. the accuracy and completeness of all information appearing on public records;

 

2.2. the completeness and authenticity of the draft of the Registration Statement dated 25 July 2016 and that the Registration Statement will be filed with the SEC in a form and content having no material differences to such draft;

 

2.3. that the excerpt from the minutes of the meeting of the board of directors of the Company dated 12 May 2016 produced to us correctly record the proceedings of the meeting to which they relate and the resolutions passed and/or the subject matter which the minutes purport to record, that the resolutions contained in the minutes are in full force and effect and that no further resolutions have been passed

 

Dublin Belfast London New York San Francisco Palo Alto          

P.M. Law L.A. Kennedy M.P. McKenna C. Rogers C. Christle M.F. Barr M. Traynor D. Inverarity L. Mulleady R. Grey P. Diggin
C.E. Gill S.M. Doggett K.A. Feeney G. O’Toole S. O’Croinin A.M. Curran P.M. Murray M. Coghlan K. Ryan R. Lyons J. Williams
E.M. FitzGerald B. McDermott M. Sherlock J.N. Kelly J.W. Yarr A. Roberts N. Ryan D.R. Francis E. Hurley J. Sheehy A. O'Beirne
J. G. Grennan C. Duffy E.P. Conlon N. O’Sullivan D.R. Baxter M. Dale P. Walker A. Casey G. Stanley C. Morrissey M. Cole
J. Coman E.M. Brady E. MacNeill M.J. Ward A. McCarthy R.M. Moore K. Furlong B. Hosty D. Dagostino C. McLoughlin  
P.D. White P.V. Maher K.P. Allen A.C. Burke J.F. Whelan D. Main P.T. Fahy M. O’Brien E. Keane C. Carroll  
V.J. Power S. O’Riordan E.A. Roberts D. Widger J.B. Somerville J. Cahir M. Rasdale K. Killalea C. Clarkin S.E. Carson  

Consultant s:   J.R. Osborne S.W. Haughey Professor J.C.W. Wylie A.F. Browne M.A. Greene A.V. Fanagan J.A. O’Farrell I.B. Moore    

 

 

 

  

(whether by the board of directors of the Company or a committee of such board) or corporate or other action taken which would or might alter the effectiveness thereof;

 

2.4. that there are no agreements or arrangements in existence which in any way amend or vary the terms of the Transaction as disclosed by the Registration Statement;

 

2.5. that the Company has entered into the Transaction and will enter into the Obligations in good faith and on arm’s length terms, for its legitimate and bona fide business purposes, and that the Company derives and will at all times derive commercial benefit from the Obligations commensurate with the risks undertaken by it in relation to the entry into of the Obligations and it receives adequate consideration therefor;

 

2.6. the absence of fraud and the presence of good faith on the part of the Company under the Registration Statement and its officers, employees, agents and advisers in respect of the Transaction and entry into the Obligations described in the Registration Statement;

 

2.7. that (a) the Company will be fully solvent at the time of and immediately following the filing of the Registration Statement and upon the entry into of any Obligations; (b) the Company would not as a consequence of doing any act or thing which the Registration Statement or entry into of any Obligations contemplates, permits or requires the Company to do, be insolvent; (c) no resolution or petition for the appointment of a liquidator or examiner has been passed or presented in relation to the Company and none will be passed or presented prior to the entry into of any Obligations; and (d) no receiver has been appointed in relation to any of the assets or undertakings of the Company and none will be appointed prior to the entry into of any Obligations;

 

2.8. no authorisations, approvals, licences, exemptions or consents of governmental or regulatory authorities with respect to the agreements or arrangements referred to in the Registration Statement or entry into of any Obligations are or will be required to be obtained;

 

2.9. that the Obligations will conform with the terms of the agreements related to the Obligations, including the terms of (i) the indenture dated as of 30 September 2011 as supplemented by the supplemental indentures thereto dated as of 30 September 2011, 21 November 2013 and 25 July 2016 or (ii) the indenture dated 30 March 2015 as supplemented by the supplemental indentures thereto dated 30 March 2015 and 25 July 2016;

 

2.10. that the representations and warranties contained in the Registration Statement are true and correct and that the Company will at all times comply with its obligations under, and the representations and warranties contained in, the Registration Statement and the agreements and arrangements referred to in the Registration Statement and all other agreements and arrangements relating to the entry into or performance of any Obligations;

 

2.11. that, to the extent the Obligations include any right to convert or exchange such Obligations into shares of the Company, the Obligations will not be issued by the Company unless there are, at that time, sufficient numbers of authorised but unissued

 

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shares in the Company’s capital (and that the Company will have designated a sufficient number of undesignated shares in its capital as in accordance with its articles of association and any applicable law for this purpose) and that, at the time of the issue of the relevant Obligation, there are subsisting valid authorities given by the Company’s shareholders or under the Company’s articles of association pursuant to sections 1021 and 1022 of the Irish Companies Act 2014;

 

2.12. that the Company will have the necessary power and authority, and all necessary corporate and other action will have been taken, to enter into and perform the Obligations and to execute, deliver and perform the obligations undertaken by it in relation thereto to which it is party, and the implementation by the Company of the foregoing will:

 

2.12.1. not cause any limit on it or on its directors (whether imposed by the documents constituting the Company or by statute or regulation) to be exceeded or any terms of any agreement, contract or undertaking binding on it or its assets to be breached; or

 

2.12.2. not cause any law (including public policy) or order of any jurisdiction to be contravened;

 

2.12.3. comply in all respects with the provisions of the Companies Act 2014; and

 

2.13. that, at that time, the entry into and performance of any of the Obligations or any indenture related thereto and the registration of such Obligations will not violate any law applicable to the Company.

 

3. We are admitted to practise law only in Ireland (excluding Northern Ireland) and accordingly, we express no opinion on the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws (and the interpretation thereof) of Ireland (excluding Northern Ireland) in force as at the date hereof. This opinion is also strictly confined to:

 

3.1. the matters expressly stated at paragraph 4 below (and, in particular, no view or opinion is offered or given in respect of any type of security referred to in the Registration Statement);

 

3.2. the searches referred to at paragraph 4.1 below; and

 

3.3. the Obligations, but only in so far as expressly described at paragraphs 4.2 and 4.3 below.

 

4. Based on the foregoing and the qualifications contained in paragraph 5 of this letter, we are of the opinion that:

 

4.1. the Company is a company duly incorporated under the laws of Ireland. Based only on searches carried out in the Irish Companies Registration Office and the Central Office of the High Court on 22 July 2016, the Company is validly existing under the laws of Ireland;

 

4.2. the Company has all the requisite power and authority under its Memorandum and Articles of Association to enter into, execute and perform its obligations under the Obligations, including the issue and offer of the Obligations; and
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4.3. when the Obligations have been duly authorised by the Company and when the Obligations are signed in facsimile or manually by a director or officer of the Company on behalf of the Company and / or executed under the Company's common seal in accordance with its articles of association and, if appropriate, authenticated in the manner set forth in the indenture related thereto and delivered against due payment therefor, the Obligations will be duly executed, issued and delivered and will be the valid, binding obligations of the Company.

 

5. The opinions set forth in this letter are given subject to the following qualifications:

 

5.1. an order of specific performance or any other equitable remedy is a discretionary remedy and is not available when damages are considered to be an adequate remedy;

 

5.2. this opinion is given subject to general provisions of Irish law relating to insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganisation, receivership, moratoria, court schemes of arrangement, administration and examination and the fraudulent preference of creditors and other Irish law generally affecting the rights of creditors;

 

5.3. claims may become barred under relevant statutes of limitation if not pursued within the time limited by such statutes;

 

5.4. a determination, description, calculation, opinion or certificate of any person as to any matter provided for in the agreements and arrangements referred to in the Registration Statement or any other agreements or arrangements relating to the Obligations might be held by the Irish courts not to be final, conclusive or binding if it could be shown to have an unreasonable, incorrect or arbitrary basis or not to have been made in good faith;

 

5.5. claims may be or become subject to defences of set-off or counter-claim;

 

5.6. an Irish court has power to stay an action where it is shown that there is some other forum having competent jurisdiction which is more appropriate for the trial of the action, in which the case can be tried more suitably for the interests of all the parties and the ends of justice and where staying the action is not inconsistent with Council Regulation 2001/44/EC;

 

5.7. the enforceability of severance clauses is at the discretion of the court and may not be enforceable in all circumstances;

 

5.8. a waiver of all defences to any proceedings may not be enforceable;

 

5.9. provisions in any of the agreements or arrangements referred to in the Registration Statement or any other agreements or arrangements relating to the Obligations providing for indemnification resulting from loss suffered on conversion of the amount of a claim made in a foreign currency into euro in a liquidation may not be enforceable;

 

5.10. an Irish court may refuse to give effect to undertakings contained in any of the agreements or arrangements referred to in the Registration Statement or any other agreements or

 

  4

 

  

arrangements relating to the Obligations, that the Company will pay legal expenses and costs in respect of any action before the Irish courts;

 

5.11. the searches referred to in paragraph 4.1 do not necessarily reveal whether or not a prior charge has been created or a resolution has been passed or a petition presented or any other action taken for the winding-up of, or the appointment of a receiver or an examiner to, the Company;

 

5.12. we express no opinion on any taxation matters; and

 

5.13. we express no opinion on the enforceability or otherwise of any security which may be granted by the Company to secure its obligations under the Obligations.

 

6. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the SEC as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to our firm under the headings “Legal Matters” and “Enforcement of Civil Liabilities under United States Federal Securities Laws”. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are 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. We assume no obligation to advise you or any other person, or to make any investigations, as to any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof that might affect the opinions expressed herein.

 

7. This opinion may be relied upon by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP for the purposes solely of any legal opinion that they may be required to give with respect to the Registration Statement and the Transaction.

 

This opinion is to be interpreted in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of Ireland and speaks only of its date.

 

Yours faithfully,  
/s/ A&L GOODBODY  
A&L Goodbody  

 

  5

 

  

SCHEDULE 1

 

Corporate Certificate of the Company dated 25 July 2016 including, inter alia;

 

Extract Resolutions of the directors of the Company dated 12 May 2016;

 

Certified copy of the Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Re-registration as a public limited company and Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company; and

 

Letter of Status dated 22 July 2016 from the Companies Registration Office, Dublin.

 

  6

 

Exhibit 5.3

 

 

Our ref     TZC/652940-000006/42039712v3

 

To the Addressees named in the First Schedule

 

25 July 2016

 

Dear Sirs

 

XLIT Ltd.

 

We have acted as counsel as to Cayman Islands law to XLIT Ltd., an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability (the " Company ") in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of the post-effective amendment no. 1 to registration statement no. 333-199842 on Form S-3 dated 25 July 2016 (the " Registration Statement ") of (i) XL Group Ltd, a Bermuda exempted company (" XL-Bermuda "), as successor issuer to XL Group plc, an Irish public limited company (" XL-Ireland "), (ii) XL-Ireland and (iii) the Company, relating to the offering from time to time by the Company of:

 

(i)          senior debt securities of the Company (the " XL-Cayman Senior Debt Securities "), guaranteed by XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland (" Senior Guarantees "), which may be issued in one or more series under an Indenture entered into as of 30 September 2011 between the Company, as issuer, XL-Ireland, as guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the " Trustee "), as amended by the third supplemental indenture dated as of 25 July 2016 between the Company, as issuer, XL-Ireland, as guarantor, XL-Bermuda, as guarantor, and the Trustee (the " XL-Cayman Senior Debt Indenture "), which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; and

 

(ii)         subordinated debt securities of the Company (together with the XL-Cayman Senior Debt Securities, the " Debt Securities "), guaranteed by XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland (together with the Senior Guarantees, the " Guarantees ", and together with the Debt Securities, the " Securities "), which may be issued in one or more series under an Indenture entered into as of 30 March 2015, between the Company, as issuer, XL-Ireland, as guarantor, and the Trustee, as amended by the second supplemental indenture dated as of 25 July 2016 between the Company, as issuer, XL-Ireland, as guarantor, XL-Bermuda, as guarantor and the Trustee (together with the XL-Cayman Senior Debt Indenture, the " Indentures "), which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

 

 

 

 

 

1 Documents Reviewed

 

We have reviewed originals, copies, drafts or conformed copies of the following documents:

 

1.1 The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated 16 March 1998 and the Certificates of Incorporation on Change of Name of the Company dated 7 August 1998, 1 February 1999, 1 July 2010 and 8 November 2011.

 

1.2 The Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company as adopted pursuant to special resolution of the Company dated 8 November 2011 (the " Memorandum and Articles ").

 

1.3 The minutes (the " May 2011 Board Minutes ") of the meeting (the " May 2011 Board Meeting ") of the board of directors of the Company held on 5 May 2011, the minutes (the " SFC Minutes ") of a meeting (the " SFC Meeting ") of the special pricing committee of the board of directors of the Company dated 24 June 2011, the minutes (the " October 2013 Board Minutes ") of a meeting (the " October 2013 Board Meeting ") of the board of directors of the Company held on 24 October 2013, the excerpt of the minutes (the " October 2014 Minutes ") of a meeting (the " October 2014 Board Meeting ") of the board of directors of the Company held on 30 October 2014, the excerpt of the minutes (the " February 2015 Board Minutes ") of a meeting (the " February 2015 Board Meeting ") of the board of directors of the Company held on 19 February 2015 and the extract of the minutes (the " June 2016 Board Minutes ", and together with the May 2011 Board Minutes, the SFC Minutes, the October 2013 Board Minutes, the October 2014 Minutes and the February 2015 Minutes, the " Minutes ") of a meeting (the " June 2016 Board Meeting ", and together with the May 2011 Board Meeting, the SFC Meeting, the October 2013 Board Meeting, the October 2014 Board Meeting and the February 2015 Board Meeting, the " Meetings ") of the board of directors of the Company held on 30 June 2016 and the corporate records of the Company maintained at its registered office in the Cayman Islands.

 

1.4 A certificate from a director of the Company (a " Director ") a copy of which is attached to this opinion letter (the " Director's Certificate ").

 

1.5 The Registration Statement dated 25 July 2016 relating to the Securities.

 

1.6 Copies of the Indentures.

 

2 Assumptions

 

The following opinions are given only as to, and based on, circumstances and matters of fact existing and known to us on the date of this opinion letter. These opinions only relate to the laws of the Cayman Islands which are in force on the date of this opinion letter. In giving the following opinions, we have relied (without further verification) upon the completeness and accuracy of the Director's Certificate. We have also relied upon the following assumptions, which we have not independently verified:

 

2.1 The Indentures and the Debt Securities issuable under the Indentures have been, or will be, authorised and duly executed and unconditionally delivered by or on behalf of all relevant parties in accordance with all relevant laws (other than, with respect to the Company with respect to the Indentures and the Debt Securities issuable thereunder, the laws of the Cayman Islands).

 

2.2 The Indentures and the Debt Securities issuable under the Indentures are, or will be, legal, valid, binding and enforceable against all relevant parties in accordance with their terms under the laws of the State of New York (the " Relevant Law ") and all other relevant laws (other than, with

 

2

 

 

respect to the Company with respect to the Indentures and the Securities issuable thereunder, the laws of the Cayman Islands).

 

2.3 Copies of documents, conformed copies or drafts of documents provided to us are true and complete copies of, or in the final forms of, the originals, and translations of documents provided to us are complete and accurate.

 

2.4 All signatures, initials and seals are genuine.

 

2.5 The capacity, power, authority and legal right of all parties under all relevant laws and regulations (other than, with respect to the Company, the laws of the Cayman Islands) to enter into, execute, unconditionally deliver and perform their respective obligations under the Indentures and the Debt Securities issuable under the respective Indentures.

 

2.6 The Debt Securities will be issued and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indentures.

 

2.7 There is no contractual or other prohibition or restriction (other than as arising under Cayman Islands law) binding on the Company prohibiting or restricting it from entering into and performing its obligations under the Indentures and the Debt Securities issuable under the respective Indentures.

 

2.8 There is nothing under any law (other than the laws of the Cayman Islands) which would or might affect the opinions set out below. Specifically, we have made no independent investigation of the Relevant Law.

 

2.9 The issue of the Debt Securities under the Indentures will be of commercial benefit to the Company.

 

Save as aforesaid we have not been instructed to undertake and have not undertaken any further enquiry or due diligence in relation to the transaction the subject of this opinion letter.

 

3 Opinions

 

Based upon, and subject to, the foregoing assumptions and the qualifications set out below, and having regard to such legal considerations as we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that:

 

3.1 The Company has been duly incorporated as an exempted company with limited liability and is validly existing.

 

3.2 The Company has (or will have) all the requisite power and authority under the Memorandum and Articles to enter into, execute and perform its obligations under the Indentures to which it will be a party and the Debt Securities issuable under each such Indenture to which it is, or will be, a party.

 

3.3 The Debt Securities issued pursuant to the Indentures have been duly authorised by the Company and when such Debt Securities are signed in facsimile or manually by a director or officer of the Company on behalf of the Company and, if appropriate, authenticated in the manner set forth in the Indentures and delivered against due payment therefor, the Debt Securities issued pursuant to the Indentures will be duly executed, issued and delivered and will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.

 

3

 

 

4 Qualifications

 

The opinions expressed above are subject to the following qualifications:

 

4.1 To maintain the Company in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, annual filing fees must be paid and returns made to the Registrar of Companies within the time frame prescribed by law.

 

4.2 The obligations assumed by the Company under the Indentures or the Debt Securities issuable thereunder will not necessarily be enforceable in all circumstances in accordance with their terms. In particular:

 

(a) enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, reorganisation, readjustment of debts or moratorium or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the rights of creditors;

 

(b) enforcement may be limited by general principles of equity. For example, equitable remedies such as specific performance may not be available, inter alia , where damages are considered to be an adequate remedy;

 

(c) some claims may become barred under relevant statutes of limitation or may be or become subject to defences of set off, counterclaim, estoppel and similar defences;

 

(d) where obligations are to be performed in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands, they may not be enforceable in the Cayman Islands to the extent that performance would be illegal under the laws of that jurisdiction;

 

(e) the courts of the Cayman Islands have jurisdiction to give judgment in the currency of the relevant obligation and statutory rates of interest payable upon judgments will vary according to the currency of the judgment. If the Company becomes insolvent and is made subject to a liquidation proceeding, the courts of the Cayman Islands will require all debts to be proved in a common currency, which is likely to be the "functional currency" of the Company determined in accordance with applicable accounting principles. Currency indemnity provisions have not been tested, so far as we are aware, in the courts of the Cayman Islands;

 

(f) arrangements that constitute penalties will not be enforceable;

 

(g) enforcement may be prevented by reason of fraud, coercion, duress, undue influence, misrepresentation, public policy or mistake or limited by the doctrine of frustration of contracts;

 

(h) provisions imposing confidentiality obligations may be overridden by compulsion of applicable law or the requirements of legal and/or regulatory process;

 

(i) the courts of the Cayman Islands may decline to exercise jurisdiction in relation to substantive proceedings brought under or in relation to the Indentures in matters where they determine that such proceedings may be tried in a more appropriate forum;

 

(j) we reserve our opinion as to the enforceability of the relevant provisions of the Indentures to the extent that they purport to grant exclusive jurisdiction as there may be

 

4

 

 

circumstances in which the courts of the Cayman Islands would accept jurisdiction notwithstanding such provisions; and

 

(k) a company cannot, by agreement or in its articles of association, restrict the exercise of a statutory power and there is doubt as to the enforceability of any provision in the Indentures whereby the Company covenants to restrict the exercise of powers specifically given to it under the Companies Law (2013 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, including, without limitation, the power to increase its authorised share capital, amend its memorandum and articles of association or present a petition to a Cayman Islands court for an order to wind up the Company.

 

4.3 We express no opinion as to the meaning, validity or effect of any references to foreign (i.e. non-Cayman Islands) statutes, rules, regulations, codes, judicial authority or any other promulgations and any references to them in the Indentures or the Debt Securities.

 

4.4 A certificate, determination, calculation or designation of any party to the Indentures or the Debt Securities issuable thereunder as to any matter provided therein might be held by a Cayman Islands court not to be conclusive final and binding if, for example, it could be shown to have an unreasonable or arbitrary basis, or in the event of manifest error.

 

4.5 We reserve our opinion as to the extent to which the courts of the Cayman Islands would, in the event of any relevant illegality or invalidity, sever the relevant provisions of the Indentures or the Debt Securities and enforce the remainder of the Indentures or the Debt Securities or the transaction of which such provisions form a part, notwithstanding any express provisions in the Indentures in this regard.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In providing our consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

 

We express no view as to the commercial terms of the Indentures or the Debt Securities or whether such terms represent the intentions of the parties and make no comment with regard to warranties or representations that may be made by the Company.

 

The opinions in this opinion letter are strictly limited to the matters contained in the opinions section above and do not extend to any other matters. We have not been asked to review and we therefore have not reviewed any of the ancillary documents relating to the Indentures or the Debt Securities and express no opinion or observation upon the terms of any such document. This opinion letter may be relied upon by ASW Law Limited, A&L Goodbody and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP for the purposes solely of any legal opinion that they may be required to give with respect to the Registration Statement.

 

Yours faithfully  
   
/s/ Maples and Calder  

 

5

 

 

First Schedule

 

Addressees

 

1 XL Group Ltd

O'Hara House

One Bermudiana Road

Hamilton HM08

Bermuda

 

2 XLIT Group plc

XL House

8 St. Stephen's Green

Dublin 2

Ireland

 

3 XLIT Ltd.

XL House

8 St. Stephen's Green

Dublin 2

Ireland

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.4

 

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom llp

Four Times Square

New York 10036-6522

 

 

 

TEL: (212) 735-3000

FAX: (212) 735-2000

www.skadden.com

 

 

 

July 25, 2016

 

 

FIRM/AFFILIATE
OFFICES

 

 

 

BOSTON

CHICAGO

HOUSTON

LOS ANGELES

PALO ALTO

WASHINGTON, D.C.

WILMINGTON

 

 

 

BEIJING

BRUSSELS

FRANKFURT

HONG KONG

LONDON

MOSCOW

MUNICH

PARIS

SÃO PAULO

SEOUL

SHANGHAI

SINGAPORE

TOKYO

XL Group Ltd

O’Hara House

One Bermudiana Road

Hamilton, HM08

Bermuda

 

XL Group plc

XL House, 8 St. Stephen’s Green

Dublin 2

Ireland

 

XLIT Ltd.

XL House, 8 St. Stephen’s Green

Dublin 2

Ireland

TORONTO

 

RE: XL Group Ltd, XL Group plc and XLIT Ltd.
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special United States counsel to XL Group Ltd, a Bermuda private limited company (“XL-Bermuda”), XL Group plc, an Irish public limited company (“XL-Ireland”), and XLIT Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“XL-Cayman” and, together with XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland, the “Obligors”), in connection with post-effective amendment No. 1 to the registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed on the date hereof by the Obligors with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale by XL-Bermuda from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated under the Securities Act (the “Rules and Regulations”), of:

 

 

 

 

XL Group Ltd
XL Group plc
XLIT Ltd.

July 25, 2016

Page 2

 

(i)          common shares, par value $0.01 per share, of XL-Bermuda (“Common Shares”);

 

(ii)         preference shares, par value $0.01 per share, of XL-Bermuda (“Preference Shares”), which may be issued in one or more series;

 

(iii)        depositary receipts (the “Receipts”) representing fractional Preference Shares, which are called depositary shares of XL-Bermuda (the “Depositary Shares”) and which may be issued pursuant to one or more depositary agreements (each, a “Depositary Agreement”) proposed to be entered into between XL-Bermuda and one or more bank or trust companies to be named in the applicable Depositary Agreement (each a “Bank Depositary”);

 

(iv)        (A) senior debt securities of XL-Bermuda (“XL-Bermuda Senior Debt Securities”), which may be issued in one or more series under an Indenture (the “XL-Bermuda Senior Debt Indenture”) proposed to be entered into between XL-Bermuda and a bank or trust company as trustee, a form of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and (B) subordinated debt securities of XL-Bermuda (together with XL-Bermuda Senior Debt Securities, “XL-Bermuda Debt Securities”), which may be issued in one or more series under an Indenture (together with the XL-Bermuda Senior Debt Indenture, the “XL-Bermuda Indentures”) proposed to be entered into between XL-Bermuda and a bank or trust company as trustee, a form of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement;

 

(v)         warrants to purchase Common Shares (“Warrants”), which may be issued pursuant to one or more warrant agreements (each, a “Warrant Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by XL-Bermuda and one or more warrant agents to be named therein;

 

(vi)        purchase contracts (“Purchase Contracts”) obligating the holders thereof to purchase from XL-Bermuda, and XL-Bermuda to sell to such holders, or obligating holders thereof to sell to XL-Bermuda, and XL-Bermuda to purchase from such holders, Common Shares or other securities at a future date or dates, which may be issued pursuant to one or more purchase contract agreements (each, a “Purchase Contract Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by XL-Bermuda and one or more purchase contract agents to be named therein;

 

(vii)       purchase units of XL-Bermuda (“Purchase Units”), each consisting of one or more Preference Shares, Debt Securities or other debt or equity obligations of third parties, which may be issued pursuant to one or more agreements (each, a “Purchase Unit Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by XL-Bermuda and one or more purchase unit agents to be named therein; and

 

(viii)      such indeterminate number of Common Shares, Preference Shares or Depositary Shares and indeterminate amount of Debt Securities as may be issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise, as applicable, of any Preference Shares, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or settlement of any Purchase Contracts or Purchase Units,

 

 

 

 

XL Group Ltd
XL Group plc
XLIT Ltd.

July 25, 2016

Page 3

 

including such Common Shares, Preference Shares or Depositary Shares as may be issued pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments determined at the time of offering (collectively, “Indeterminate Securities”).

 

The Registration Statement also relates to the issuance and sale from time to time by XL-Cayman, pursuant to Rule 415 of the Rules and Regulations, of:

 

(i)          senior debt securities of the XL-Cayman (“XL-Cayman Senior Debt Securities”), guaranteed by XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland (“Senior Guarantees”), which may be issued in one or more series under an Indenture entered into as of September 30, 2011 between XL-Cayman, as issuer, XL-Ireland, as guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as amended by the third supplemental indenture dated as of July 25, 2016 between XL-Cayman, as issuer, XL-Ireland, as guarantor, XL-Bermuda, as guarantor, and the Trustee (the “XL-Cayman Senior Debt Indenture”), which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; and

 

(ii)         subordinated debt securities of XL-Cayman (together with XL-Cayman Senior Debt Securities, “XL-Cayman Debt Securities” and, together with XL-Bermuda Debt Securities, “Debt Securities”), guaranteed by XL-Bermuda and XL-Ireland (together with the Senior Guarantees, “Guarantees”), which may be issued in one or more series under an Indenture entered into as of March 30, 2015, between XL-Cayman, as issuer, XL-Ireland, as guarantor, and the Trustee, as amended by the second supplemental indenture dated as of July 25, 2016 between XL-Cayman, as issuer, XL-Ireland, as guarantor, XL-Bermuda, as guarantor and the Trustee (together with the XL-Cayman Senior Debt Indenture, the “XL-Cayman Indentures” and, together with the XL-Bermuda Indentures, each an “Indenture” and collectively the “Indentures”), which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. The Common Shares, Preference Shares, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Purchase Contracts, Purchase Units, Indeterminate Securities and Guarantees offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”

 

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

 

In rendering the opinions stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the following:

 

(a)          the Registration Statement; and

 

(b)          executed copies of the XL-Cayman Indentures, and the forms of the XL-Bermuda Indentures, in each case incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

 

We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Obligors and such agreements, certificates and receipts of

 

 

 

 

XL Group Ltd
XL Group plc
XLIT Ltd.

July 25, 2016

Page 4

 

public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Obligors and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions stated below.

 

In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including endorsements, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts relevant to the opinions stated herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Obligors and others and of public officials.

 

We do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than (i) the laws of the State of New York, and (ii) to the extent that judicial or regulatory orders or decrees or consents, approvals, licenses, authorizations, validations, filings, recordings or registrations with governmental authorities are relevant, to those required under such laws (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined on Law”). We do not express any opinion as to the effect of any non-Opined on Law on the opinions stated herein. The Securities may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, and this opinion is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof, which laws are subject to change with possible retroactive effect.

 

As used herein, “Transaction Agreements” means the Indentures, the Guarantees, the Warrant Agreements, the Purchase Contract Agreements, the Purchase Unit Agreements and any applicable underwriting or purchase agreement.

 

The opinions stated in paragraphs 1 through 6 below presume that all of the following (collectively, the “general conditions”) shall have occurred prior to the issuance of the Securities referred to therein: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act, (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to such Securities has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations, (iii) the applicable Transaction Agreements shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the applicable Obligors and the other parties thereto, including, if such Securities are to be sold or otherwise distributed pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement or purchase agreement with respect thereto, (iv) the applicable Obligors shall have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and sale of such Securities and related matters and appropriate officers of the applicable Obligors have taken all related action as directed by or under the direction of the necessary directors and officers of the relevant Obligor; and (v) the terms of the applicable Transaction Agreements and the issuance and sale of such Securities have been duly established in conformity with the applicable organizational documents of the applicable Obligors so as not to violate any applicable law or the applicable organizational documents of the applicable Obligors, or result in a default under or breach of

 

 

 

 

XL Group Ltd
XL Group plc
XLIT Ltd.

July 25, 2016

Page 5

 

any agreement or instrument binding upon the applicable Obligors, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the applicable Obligors.

 

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

 

1.          With respect to any series of Debt Securities offered by XL-Bermuda or XL-Cayman, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Debt Securities of such series (the “Offered Debt Securities”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the applicable Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “TIA”), (c) the issuance, sale and terms of the Offered Debt Securities and related matters have been approved and established in conformity with the applicable Transaction Agreements and (d) the certificates evidencing the Offered Debt Securities have been issued in a form that complies with the provisions of the applicable Indenture or supplemental indenture and have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture or supplemental indenture and any other applicable Transaction Agreement and issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Agreement upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the Offered Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of XL-Bermuda or XL-Cayman, as applicable, enforceable against XL-Bermuda or XL-Cayman, as applicable, in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.

 

2.          With respect to any Guarantee of any series of Offered Debt Securities, including any Guarantee of Indeterminate Securities constituting Offered Debt Securities of such series (the “Offered Guarantees”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the applicable Indenture has been duly qualified under the TIA, (c) the issuance, sale and terms of the Offered Guarantees and related matters have been approved and established in conformity with the applicable Transaction Agreements, (d) certificates (if any) evidencing the Offered Guarantees and the certificates evidencing the Debt Securities guaranteed thereby have been duly executed and, if applicable, authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture and any other applicable Transaction Agreement and (e) such Debt Securities have been issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Agreement upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the Offered Guarantees will constitute valid and binding obligations of XL-Bermuda or XL-Ireland, enforceable against XL-Bermuda or XL-Ireland, in accordance with their terms under the laws of the State of New York.

 

3.          With respect to any Depositary Shares offered by XL-Bermuda, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Depositary Shares (the “Offered Depositary Shares”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Preferred Shares relating to such Offered Depositary Shares has been duly authorized for issuance by XL-Bermuda, (c) the Offered Depositary Shares have been duly executed, delivered, countersigned, issued and sold in accordance with the provisions of the applicable

 

 

 

 

XL Group Ltd
XL Group plc
XLIT Ltd.

July 25, 2016

Page 6

 

Depositary Agreement, and the Offered Depositary Shares have been delivered to the Bank Depositary for deposit in accordance with the applicable Depositary Agreement; and (d) the Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares have been duly issued against deposit of the related Preference Shares with the Bank Depositary in accordance with the applicable Depositary Agreement, such Depositary Agreement will constitute a valid and binding obligation of XL-Bermuda, enforceable against XL-Bermuda in accordance with its terms under the laws of the State of New York.

 

4.          With respect to any Warrants offered by XL-Bermuda (the “Offered Warrants”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Common Shares for which the Offered Warrants are exercisable have been duly authorized for issuance by XL-Bermuda and (c) certificates evidencing the Offered Warrants have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Warrant Agreement, the Offered Warrants, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Agreement upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of XL-Bermuda, enforceable against XL-Bermuda in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.

 

5.          With respect to any Purchase Contracts offered by XL-Bermuda (the “Offered Purchase Contracts”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Common Shares, Preference Shares, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities and/or other securities relating to such Offered Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized for issuance by XL-Bermuda and (c) the Purchase Contracts Agreements have been duly executed and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Purchase Contract Agreements, the Offered Purchase Contracts, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Agreement upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of XL-Bermuda, enforceable against XL-Bermuda in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.

 

6.          With respect to any Purchase Units offered by XL-Bermuda (the “Offered Purchase Units”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Common Shares, Preference Shares, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants and/or any combination of such securities included in such Offered Purchase Units have been duly authorized for issuance by XL-Bermuda and (c) certificates evidencing the Offered Purchase Units have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Purchase Unit Agreement, the Offered Purchase Units, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Agreement upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of XL-Bermuda, enforceable against XL-Bermuda in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.

 

The opinions stated herein are subject to the following qualifications:

 

 

 

 

XL Group Ltd
XL Group plc
XLIT Ltd.

July 25, 2016

Page 7

 

(a)          the opinions stated herein are limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law);

 

(b)          we do not express any opinion with respect to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to any party to any of the Transaction Agreements or the transactions contemplated thereby solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any such party or any of its affiliates as a result of the specific assets or business operations of such party or such affiliates;

 

(c)          we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision contained in any Transaction Agreement relating to any indemnification, contribution, exculpation, release or waiver that may be contrary to public policy or violative of federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations;

 

(d)          we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision of any Transaction Agreement to the extent that such section purports to bind any party to the exclusive jurisdiction of any particular federal court or courts;

 

(e)          we call to your attention that irrespective of the agreement of the parties to any Transaction Agreement, a court may decline to hear a case on grounds of forum non conveniens or other doctrine limiting the availability of such court as a forum for resolution of disputes; in addition, we call to your attention that we do not express any opinion with respect to the subject matter jurisdiction of the federal courts of the United States of America in any action arising out of or relating to any Transaction Agreement;

 

(f)           we have assumed that any agent of service will have accepted appointment as agent to receive service of process and call to your attention that we do not express any opinion if and to the extent such agent shall resign such appointment. Further, we do not express any opinion with respect to the irrevocability of the designation of such agent to receive service of process;

 

(g)          we have assumed that the choice of New York law to govern the Indenture and any supplemental indenture thereto is a valid and legal provision;

 

(h)          we have assumed that the laws of the State of New York will be chosen to govern any Depositary Agreements, Warrant Agreements, Purchase Contract Agreements and Purchase Unit Agreements and that such choice is and will be a valid and legal provision;

 

(i)           to the extent that any opinion relates to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and choice of New York forum provisions contained in any Transaction Agreement, the opinions stated herein are subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be subject to, in each case, (i) the exceptions and limitations in New York General

 

 

 

 

XL Group Ltd
XL Group plc
XLIT Ltd.

July 25, 2016

Page 8

 

Obligations Law sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 and (ii) principles of comity or constitutionality;

 

(j)           we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provisions contained in the Offered Guarantees or the related Transaction Agreements to the extent that such provisions provide that the obligations of the Guarantors are absolute and unconditional irrespective of the enforceability or genuineness of the applicable Indenture or the effect thereof on the opinions herein stated;

 

(k)          we call to your attention that the opinions stated herein are subject to possible judicial action giving effect to governmental actions or laws of jurisdictions other than those with respect to which we express our opinion; and

 

(l)           we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision contained in any Transaction Agreement providing for indemnity by any party thereto against any loss in obtaining the currency due to such party under any Transaction Agreement from a court judgment in another currency.

 

In addition, in rendering the foregoing opinions we have assumed that:

 

(a)          except, as to the Obligors, to the extent expressly stated in the opinions contained herein, each of the Transaction Agreements constitutes and will constitute the valid and binding obligation of each party to such Transaction Agreement, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms;

 

(b)          the XL-Bermuda Indentures will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the trustee in substantially the form reviewed by us, and that any Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Purchase Contracts and Purchase Units that may be issued will be manually authenticated, signed or countersigned, as the case may be, by duly authorized officers of any trustee, Bank Depositary, warrant agent, purchase contract agent and purchase unit agent, as the case may be;

 

(c)          we have assumed that the choice of a currency other than U.S. dollars as the currency in which any Securities may be denominated does not contravene any exchange control or other laws of the jurisdiction of any such currency, and further we call to your attention that a court may not award a judgment in any currency other than U.S. dollars;

 

(d)          each of the Obligors (i) is duly organized and is validly existing, (ii) has requisite legal status and legal capacity under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (iii) has complied and will comply with all aspects of the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization in connection with the transactions contemplated by, and the performance of its obligations under, the Transaction Agreements to which such Obligor is a party;

 

(e)          each of the Obligors has the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform all its obligations under each of the Transaction Agreements to which such Obligor is a party;

 

 

 

 

XL Group Ltd
XL Group plc
XLIT Ltd.

July 25, 2016

Page 9

 

(f)           neither the execution and delivery by the Obligors of the Transaction Agreements to which such Obligor is a party nor the performance by such Obligor of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the applicable Securities: (i) conflicts or will conflict with the organizational documents of the relevant Obligor, (ii) constitutes or will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any lease, indenture, instrument or other agreement to which such Obligor or its property is subject, (iii) contravenes or will contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which such Obligor or its property is subject, or (iv) violates or will violate any law, rule or regulation to which such Obligor or its property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (iv) with respect to the Opined-on Law); and

 

(g)          neither the execution and delivery by each of the Obligors of the Transaction Agreements to which such Obligor is a party nor the performance by such Obligor of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the applicable Securities, requires or will require the consent, approval, licensing or authorization of, or any filing, recording or registration with, any governmental authority under any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  /s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.5

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 26, 2016, except with respect to our opinion on the consolidated financial statements insofar as it relates to the guarantor financial information included in Note 27, as to which the date is July 25, 2016, relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedules, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of XL Group plc, which appears in XL Group Ltd's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 25, 2016.  We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
July 25, 2016

 

 

 

Exhibit 25.1

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM T-1

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

 

 

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b) (2)

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

A National Banking Association 94-1347393
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or (I.R.S. Employer
organization if not a U.S. national Identification No.)
bank)  
   
101 North Phillips Avenue  
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Wells Fargo & Company
Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-175

Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, 17 th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

(612) 667-4608

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

 

 

 

XL GROUP LTD
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Bermuda 98-0665416
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

 

O’Hara House  
One Bermudiana Road  
Hamilton, HM08  
Bermuda  
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

 

 

Senior Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.  General Information.    Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

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

 

Comptroller of the Currency
Treasury Department
Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
San Francisco, California 94120

 

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

 

 

 

 

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

Item 2.  Affiliations with Obligor.    If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

 

None with respect to the trustee.

 

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

 

Item 15. Foreign Trustee.              Not applicable.

 

Item 16. List of Exhibits.               List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

 

Exhibit 1.      A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*

 

Exhibit 2.      A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 14, 2015.*

 

Exhibit 3.      A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certification of Fiduciary Powers for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 6, 2014.*

 

Exhibit 4.      Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.*

 

Exhibit 5.      Not applicable.

 

Exhibit 6.      The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

 

Exhibit 7.      A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

Exhibit 8.      Not applicable.

 

Exhibit 9.      Not applicable.

 

* Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit to the Filing 305B2 dated March 13, 2015 of file number 333-190926.
 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the 13th day of July, 2016.

 

  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
   
  /s/Raymond Delli Colli
  Raymond Delli Colli    
  Vice President

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 6

 

July 13, 2016

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Gentlemen:

 

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
   
  /s/Raymond Delli Colli
  Raymond Delli Colli    
  Vice President   

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

 

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business March 31, 2016, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 

          Dollar Amounts  
          In Millions  
             
ASSETS                
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:                
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin         $ 17,096  
Interest-bearing balances             249,869  
Securities:                
Held-to-maturity securities             79,348  
Available-for-sale securities             236,036  
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:                
Federal funds sold in domestic offices             88  
Securities purchased under agreements to resell             21,788  
Loans and lease financing receivables:                
Loans and leases held for sale             13,154  
Loans and leases, net of unearned income     905,478          
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses     10,504          
Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance             894,974  
Trading Assets             37,241  
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)             7,767  
Other real estate owned             1,205  
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies           10,083  
Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures           0  
Intangible assets                
Goodwill             23,004  
Other intangible assets             16,667  
Other assets             59,465  
                 
Total assets           $ 1,667,785  
                 
LIABILITIES                
Deposits:                
In domestic offices           $ 1,139,478  
Noninterest-bearing     348,335        
Interest-bearing     791,143        
In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs           145,961  
Noninterest-bearing     959        
Interest-bearing     145,002        
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:                
Federal funds purchased in domestic offices             6,268  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase             20,054  

 

 

 

 

    Dollar Amounts  
    In Millions  
       
Trading liabilities     25,900  
Other borrowed money
(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)
    130,425  
Subordinated notes and debentures     14,780  
Other liabilities     30,233  
         
Total liabilities   $ 1,513,099  
         
EQUITY CAPITAL        
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus     0  
Common stock     519  
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)     106,704  
Retained earnings     43,436  
Accumulated other comprehensive income     3,626  
Other equity capital components     0  
         
Total bank equity capital     154,285  
Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries     401  
         
Total equity capital     154,686  
         
Total liabilities, and equity capital   $ 1,667,785  

 

I, John R. Shrewsberry, Sr. EVP & CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

  John R. Shrewsberry
    Sr. EVP & CFO

 

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

 

John Stumpf Directors
James Quigley  
Enrique Hernandez, Jr  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 25.2

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM T-1

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

 

 

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b) (2)

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

A National Banking Association 94-1347393
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or (I.R.S. Employer
organization if not a U.S. national Identification No.)
bank)  
   
101 North Phillips Avenue  
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Wells Fargo & Company
Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-175

Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, 17 th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

(612) 667-4608

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

 

 

 

XL GROUP LTD
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Bermuda 98-0665416
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
   
O’Hara House  
One Bermudiana Road  
Hamilton, HM08  
Bermuda  
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

 

Subordinated Debt Securities

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 

 
     

 

Item 1.  General Information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

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

 

Comptroller of the Currency
Treasury Department
Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
San Francisco, California 94120

 

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

 

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

Item 2.  Affiliations with Obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

 

None  with respect to the trustee.

 

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

 

Item 15. Foreign Trustee.          Not applicable.

 

Item 16. List of Exhibits.           List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

 

Exhibit 1.      A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*

 

Exhibit 2.      A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 14, 2015.*

Exhibit 3.      A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certification of Fiduciary Powers for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 6, 2014.*

 

Exhibit 4.      Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.*

 

Exhibit 5.      Not applicable.

 

Exhibit 6.      The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

 

Exhibit 7.      A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

Exhibit 8.      Not applicable.

 

 
     

 

Exhibit 9.      Not applicable.

 

* Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit to the Filing 305B2 dated March 13, 2015 of file number 333-190926.

 
     

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the 13th day of July, 2016.

 

  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
   
  /s/Raymond Delli Colli
  Raymond Delli Colli    
  Vice President
 
     

 

EXHIBIT 6

 

July 13, 2016

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Gentlemen:

 

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
   
  /s/Raymond Delli Colli
  Raymond Delli Colli    
  Vice President

 

 
     

 

EXHIBIT 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

 

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business March 31, 2016, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 

          Dollar Amounts  
          In Millions  
             
ASSETS                
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:                
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin         $ 17,096  
Interest-bearing balances             249,869  
Securities:                
Held-to-maturity securities             79,348  
Available-for-sale securities             236,036  
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:                
Federal funds sold in domestic offices             88  
Securities purchased under agreements to resell             21,788  
Loans and lease financing receivables:                
Loans and leases held for sale             13,154  
Loans and leases, net of unearned income     905,478          
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses     10,504          
Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance             894,974  
Trading Assets             37,241  
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)             7,767  
Other real estate owned             1,205  
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies           10,083  
Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures           0  
Intangible assets                
Goodwill             23,004  
Other intangible assets             16,667  
Other assets             59,465  
                 
Total assets           $ 1,667,785  
                 
LIABILITIES                
Deposits:                
In domestic offices           $ 1,139,478  
Noninterest-bearing     348,335        
Interest-bearing     791,143        
In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs           145,961  
Noninterest-bearing     959        
Interest-bearing     145,002        
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:                
Federal funds purchased in domestic offices             6,268  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase             20,054  

 

 

 

 

    Dollar Amounts  
    In Millions  
       
Trading liabilities     25,900  
Other borrowed money
(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)
    130,425  
Subordinated notes and debentures     14,780  
Other liabilities     30,233  
         
Total liabilities   $ 1,513,099  
         
EQUITY CAPITAL        
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus     0  
Common stock     519  
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)     106,704  
Retained earnings     43,436  
Accumulated other comprehensive income     3,626  
Other equity capital components     0  
         
Total bank equity capital     154,285  
Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries     401  
         
Total equity capital     154,686  
         
Total liabilities, and equity capital   $ 1,667,785  

 

I, John R. Shrewsberry, Sr. EVP & CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

  John R. Shrewsberry
    Sr. EVP & CFO

 

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

 

John Stumpf Directors
James Quigley  
Enrique Hernandez, Jr  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 25.3

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM T-1

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

 

 

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b) (2)

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

A National Banking Association 94-1347393
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or (I.R.S. Employer
organization if not a U.S. national Identification No.)
bank)  
   
101 North Phillips Avenue  
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Wells Fargo & Company
Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-175

Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, 17 th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

(612) 667-4608

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

 

 

 

XL GROUP LTD
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Bermuda 98-0665416
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
   
O’Hara House  
One Bermudiana Road  
Hamilton, HM08  
Bermuda  
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

XL GROUP

Public Limited Company
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Ireland None
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
   
XL House, 8 St. Stephen's Green  
Dublin 2  
Ireland  
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

XLIT LTD.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Cayman Islands 98-0191089
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
   
XL House, 8 St. Stephen's Green  
Dublin 2  
Ireland  
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

 

Senior Debt Securities

And Guarantees of Senior Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 

 
     

 

Item 1.  General Information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

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

 

Comptroller of the Currency
Treasury Department
Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
San Francisco, California 94120

 

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

 

 
     

 

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

Item 2.  Affiliations with Obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

 

None with respect to the trustee.

 

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

 

Item 15. Foreign Trustee.         Not applicable.

 

Item 16. List of Exhibits.          List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

 

Exhibit 1.      A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*

 

Exhibit 2.      A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate
Existence for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 14, 2015.*

Exhibit 3.      A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certification of Fiduciary Powers for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 6, 2014.*

 

Exhibit 4.      Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.*

 

Exhibit 5.      Not applicable.

 

Exhibit 6.      The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

 

Exhibit 7.      A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

Exhibit 8.      Not applicable.

 

Exhibit 9.      Not applicable.

 

* Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit to the Filing 305B2 dated March 13, 2015 of file number 333-190926.
 

 
     

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the 13th day of July, 2016.

 

  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
   
  /s/Raymond Delli Colli
  Raymond Delli Colli    
  Vice President

 

 
     

 

EXHIBIT 6

 

July 13, 2016

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Gentlemen:

 

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
   
  /s/Raymond Delli Colli
  Raymond Delli Colli    
  Vice President   

 

 
     

 

EXHIBIT 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

 

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business March 31, 2016, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 

          Dollar Amounts  
          In Millions  
             
ASSETS                
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:                
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin         $ 17,096  
Interest-bearing balances             249,869  
Securities:                
Held-to-maturity securities             79,348  
Available-for-sale securities             236,036  
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:                
Federal funds sold in domestic offices             88  
Securities purchased under agreements to resell             21,788  
Loans and lease financing receivables:                
Loans and leases held for sale             13,154  
Loans and leases, net of unearned income     905,478          
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses     10,504          
Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance             894,974  
Trading Assets             37,241  
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)             7,767  
Other real estate owned             1,205  
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies           10,083  
Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures           0  
Intangible assets                
Goodwill             23,004  
Other intangible assets             16,667  
Other assets             59,465  
                 
Total assets           $ 1,667,785  
                 
LIABILITIES                
Deposits:                
In domestic offices           $ 1,139,478  
Noninterest-bearing     348,335        
Interest-bearing     791,143        
In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs           145,961  
Noninterest-bearing     959        
Interest-bearing     145,002        
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:                
Federal funds purchased in domestic offices             6,268  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase             20,054  

 

 

 

 

    Dollar Amounts  
    In Millions  
       
Trading liabilities     25,900  
Other borrowed money
(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)
    130,425  
Subordinated notes and debentures     14,780  
Other liabilities     30,233  
         
Total liabilities   $ 1,513,099  
         
EQUITY CAPITAL        
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus     0  
Common stock     519  
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)     106,704  
Retained earnings     43,436  
Accumulated other comprehensive income     3,626  
Other equity capital components     0  
         
Total bank equity capital     154,285  
Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries     401  
         
Total equity capital     154,686  
         
Total liabilities, and equity capital   $ 1,667,785  

 

I, John R. Shrewsberry, Sr. EVP & CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

  John R. Shrewsberry
    Sr. EVP & CFO

 

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

 

John Stumpf Directors
James Quigley  
Enrique Hernandez, Jr  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 25.4

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM T-1

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

 

 

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b) (2)

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

A National Banking Association 94-1347393
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or (I.R.S. Employer
organization if not a U.S. national Identification No.)
bank)  
   
101 North Phillips Avenue  
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Wells Fargo & Company
Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-175

Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, 17 th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

(612) 667-4608

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

 

 

 

XL GROUP LTD
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Bermuda 98-0665416
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
   
O’Hara House  
One Bermudiana Road  
Hamilton, HM08  
Bermuda  
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

XL GROUP

Public Limited Company
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Ireland None
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
   
XL House, 8 St. Stephen's Green  
Dublin 2  
Ireland  
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

XLIT LTD.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Cayman Islands 98-0191089
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
   
XL House, 8 St. Stephen's Green  
Dublin 2  
Ireland  
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

 

Subordinated Debt Securities

And Guarantees of Subordinated Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 

 
     

 

Item 1.   General Information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

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

 

Comptroller of the Currency
Treasury Department
Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
San Francisco, California 94120

 

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

 

 
     

 

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

Item 2.   Affiliations with Obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

 

None with respect to the trustee.

 

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

 

Item 15. Foreign Trustee.          Not applicable.

 

Item 16. List of Exhibits.           List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

 

Exhibit 1.      A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*

 

Exhibit 2.      A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 14, 2015.*

Exhibit 3.      A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certification of Fiduciary Powers for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 6, 2014.*

 

Exhibit 4.      Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.*

 

Exhibit 5.      Not applicable.

 

Exhibit 6.      The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

 

Exhibit 7.      A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

Exhibit 8.      Not applicable.

 

Exhibit 9.      Not applicable.

 

* Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit to the Filing 305B2 dated March 13, 2015 of file number 333-190926.
 

 
     

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the 13th day of July, 2016.

 

  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
   
  /s/Raymond Delli Colli
  Raymond Delli Colli    
  Vice President
 
     

 

EXHIBIT 6

 

July 13, 2016

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Gentlemen:

 

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
   
  /s/Raymond Delli Colli
  Raymond Delli Colli    
  Vice President   

 

 
     

 

EXHIBIT 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

 

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business March 31, 2016, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 

          Dollar Amounts  
          In Millions  
             
ASSETS                
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:                
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin         $ 17,096  
Interest-bearing balances             249,869  
Securities:                
Held-to-maturity securities             79,348  
Available-for-sale securities             236,036  
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:                
Federal funds sold in domestic offices             88  
Securities purchased under agreements to resell             21,788  
Loans and lease financing receivables:                
Loans and leases held for sale             13,154  
Loans and leases, net of unearned income     905,478          
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses     10,504          
Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance             894,974  
Trading Assets             37,241  
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)             7,767  
Other real estate owned             1,205  
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies           10,083  
Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures           0  
Intangible assets                
Goodwill             23,004  
Other intangible assets             16,667  
Other assets             59,465  
                 
Total assets           $ 1,667,785  
                 
LIABILITIES                
Deposits:                
In domestic offices           $ 1,139,478  
Noninterest-bearing     348,335        
Interest-bearing     791,143        
In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs           145,961  
Noninterest-bearing     959        
Interest-bearing     145,002        
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:                
Federal funds purchased in domestic offices             6,268  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase             20,054  

 

 
     

 

    Dollar Amounts  
    In Millions  
       
Trading liabilities     25,900  
Other borrowed money
(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)
    130,425  
Subordinated notes and debentures     14,780  
Other liabilities     30,233  
         
Total liabilities   $ 1,513,099  
         
EQUITY CAPITAL        
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus     0  
Common stock     519  
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)     106,704  
Retained earnings     43,436  
Accumulated other comprehensive income     3,626  
Other equity capital components     0  
         
Total bank equity capital     154,285  
Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries     401  
         
Total equity capital     154,686  
         
Total liabilities, and equity capital   $ 1,667,785  

 

I, John R. Shrewsberry, Sr. EVP & CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

  John R. Shrewsberry
    Sr. EVP & CFO

 

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

 

John Stumpf Directors
James Quigley  
Enrique Hernandez, Jr  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

Puglisi & Associates

July 25, 2016
 

XL Group Ltd/XL Group plc/XLIT Ltd.
Attn: Kirstin R. Gould

Harbor Point

100 Washington Boulevard

Stamford, CT 06902

 

Re:    Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 of XL Group Ltd, XL Group plc and XLIT Ltd. (the “Registration Statement”)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Puglisi & Associates, located at 850 Library Avenue, Suite 204, Newark, Delaware 19711, hereby accepts its appointment as agent for service of process for XL Group Ltd, XL Group plc and XLIT Ltd., in connection with the Registration Statement.

Any process received by us will be forwarded to:

XL Group Ltd/XL Group plc/XLIT Ltd.
Attn: Kirstin R. Gould
Brookfield Place
200 Liberty Street, 22nd Floor
New York, New York 10281
(212) 905-3320

We acknowledge receiving $500.00 as payment for the current year of this appointment, which is renewable annually.

Our acceptance of this designation and our continued representation is contingent upon our receipt of timely payment of our charges for this service.

Very truly yours,

Puglisi & Associates 

By: /s/ DONALD J. PUGLISI
  Name: Donald J. Puglisi
  Title: Managing Director