UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 27, 2016
B. Riley Financial, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 000-54010 | 27-0223495 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
21255 Burbank Boulevard, Suite 400 Woodland Hills, California |
91367 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (818) 884-3737
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On October 27, 2016, B. Riley Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Wunderlich Securities, Inc. and Compass Point Research & Trading LLC as representatives of the several underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to the Underwriters $25,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Firm Notes”) plus an additional $3,750,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes to cover underwriter overallotments (the “Additional Notes” and together with the Firm Notes, the “Notes”). The Notes were issued pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-203534) initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on April 20, 2015, as amended by Amendment No. 1 filed with the Commission on May 22, 2015, and declared effective by the Commission on July 2, 2015 and the registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-214234) filed by the Company with the Commission on October 25, 2016 in connection with the registration pursuant to the Act of up to an aggregate of $1,749,310 of the Company’s senior and subordinated debt securities. On October 27, 2016, the Company priced the offering and on November 2, 2016, the offering of the Notes closed. The Underwriting Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants of the Company, customary conditions to closing, indemnification obligations of the Company and the Underwriters, including for liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, other obligations of the parties and termination provisions. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Underwriting Agreement were made only for purposes of such agreement and as of specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, and may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties.
The foregoing description of the material terms of the Underwriting Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Underwriting Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
The Notes will be issued pursuant to the provisions of an indenture dated as of November 2, 2016, as heretofore supplemented (the “Base Indenture”) between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 2, 2016 (the “Supplemental Indenture,” and together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”) among the Company and the Trustee.
The Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Company and rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s other existing and future senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The Notes will be effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future secured indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness of the Company’s subsidiaries, including trade payables. The Notes will bear interest at the rate of 7.50% per annum. Interest on the Notes is payable quarterly in arrears on January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31 of each year, commencing on January 31, 2017. The Notes will mature on October 31, 2021.
The Company may, at its option, at any time and from time to time, on or after October 31, 2018, redeem the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest payments otherwise payable for the then-current quarterly interest period accrued, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption. On and after any redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the redeemed Notes.
The Indenture contains customary events of default and cure provisions. If an uncured default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of the Notes may declare the entire amount of the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to be immediately due and payable. In the case of an event of default involving the Company’s bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the principal amount of the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or the holders of the Notes, become due and payable.
The foregoing description of the Base Indenture, First Supplemental Indenture and the Notes does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Base Indenture, First Supplemental Indenture and the form of Note which attached as an exhibit to the First Supplemental Indenture, copies of which are attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference and into the Registration Statement.
Attached as Exhibit 5.1 to this Current Report and incorporated herein by reference is a copy of the opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP relating to the validity of the Notes that may be sold in the Offering (the “ Legal Opinion ”). The Legal Opinion is also filed with reference to, and is hereby incorporated by reference into, the Registration Statement.
Item 2.03. | Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant. |
The information regarding the Notes and the Indenture set forth in Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8.01. | Other Events. |
On October 28, 2016, the Company issued a press release announcing the pricing of the Notes in the Offering. A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.
On November 2, 2016, the Company issued a press release announcing the closing of the offering. A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) | Exhibits . |
Exhibit
No. |
Description | |
1.1 | Underwriting Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2016, by and among the Company, Wunderlich Securities, Inc. and Compass Point Research & Trading LLC, as representative of the several underwriters named therein. | |
4.1 | Base Indenture, dated as of November 2, 2016, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee. | |
4.2 | First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 2, 2016, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee. | |
5.1 | Opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP. | |
23.1 | Consent of Morrison & Foerster LLP to the filing of Exhibit 5.1 herewith (included in Exhibit 5.1). | |
99.1 | Press release, dated October 28, 2016. | |
99.2 | Press release, dated November 2, 2016. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
November 2, 2016 | B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Phillip J. Ahn | ||
Name: | Phillip J. Ahn | ||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer & | ||
Chief Operating Officer |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No. |
Description | |
1.1 | Underwriting Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2016, by and among the Company, Wunderlich Securities, Inc. and Compass Point Research & Trading LLC, as representative of the several underwriters named therein. | |
4.1 | Base Indenture, dated as of November 2, 2016, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee. | |
4.2 | First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 2, 2016, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee. | |
5.1 | Opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP. | |
23.1 | Consent of Morrison & Foerster LLP to the filing of Exhibit 5.1 herewith (included in Exhibit 5.1). | |
99.1 | Press release, dated October 28, 2016. | |
99.2 | Press release, dated November 2, 2016. |
Exhibit 1.1
Execution Version
B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.
7.50% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2021
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
October 27, 2016
Wunderlich Securities, Inc.
Compass Point Research & Trading LLC
As representatives of the several underwriters
c/o Wunderlich Securities, Inc.
6000 Poplar Avenue
Suite 150
Memphis, TN 38104
Ladies and Gentlemen:
B. Riley Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters on Schedule A hereto (the “ Underwriters ”), for whom Wunderlich Securities, Inc. and Compass Point Research & Trading LLC are acting as representatives (in such capacity, the “ Representatives ”), $25,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “ Firm Notes ”). In addition, the Company proposes to grant to the Underwriters the option to purchase from the Company up to an additional $3,750,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “ Additional Notes ”), to cover overallotments, if any. The Firm Notes and, if and to the extent such option is exercised, the Additional Notes are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Notes .”
The Notes will be issued under an indenture dated as of November 2, 2016 (the “ Base Indenture ”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture to be dated as of November 2, 2016 (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”). The Notes will be issued to Cede & Co., as nominee of the Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) pursuant to a blanket letter of representations (the “ DTC Agreement ”) to be dated on or prior to the Closing Date (as defined herein), between the Company and DTC. The Indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “ Trust Indenture Act ”).
The Company and the Underwriters agree as follows:
1. The Offering . Upon the basis of the representations and warranties and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, the aggregate principal amount of Firm Notes set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule A , and each of the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company at the price (the “ Purchase Price ”) set forth in Schedule B hereto the aggregate principal amount of Firm Notes set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule A hereto subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 7 hereof.
In addition, the Company hereby grants to the several Underwriters the option to purchase and, upon the basis of the representations and warranties and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Underwriters shall have the right to purchase, severally and not jointly, from the Company, ratably in accordance with the number of Firm Notes to be purchased by each of them, all or a portion of the Additional Notes, for the sole purpose of covering overallotments made in the offering of the Firm Notes, at the same Purchase Price to be paid by the Underwriters for the Firm Notes (without giving effect to any accrued interest from the Closing Date to the Additional Closing Date). This option may be exercised by Representatives on behalf of the several Underwriters at any time and from time to time in whole or in part by written notice from the Representatives to the Company, which notice may be given at any time within 30 days from the date of this Agreement. Such notice shall set forth (i) the aggregate principal amount of Additional Notes as to which the option is being exercised and (ii) the date, time and place at which such Additional Notes are to be delivered (such date, the “ Additional Closing Date ” and such time of such date, the “ Additional Time of Purchase ”); provided , however , that the Additional Time of Purchase may be simultaneous with, but shall not be earlier than the Time of Purchase (as defined below) and shall not be earlier than two nor later than five full business days after delivery of such notice of exercise. The aggregate principal amount of Additional Notes to be sold to each Underwriter shall be the aggregate principal amount which bears the same proportion to the total aggregate principal amount of Additional Notes being purchased as the number of Firm Notes set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule A hereto bears to the total aggregate principal amount of Firm Notes, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 7 hereof. The Representatives may cancel the option at any time prior to its expiration by giving written notice of such cancellation to the Company.
2. Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Underwriters that:
(a) The Company has prepared and filed in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and published rules and regulations thereunder (the “ Rules and Regulations ”) adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) a “shelf” Registration Statement (as hereinafter defined) on Form S-3 (File No. 333-203534), which was declared effective by the Commission as of July 2, 2015 (the “ Effective Date ”), including a base prospectus relating to the securities registered pursuant to such Registration Statement (the “ Base Prospectus ”), and such amendments and supplements thereto as may have been required to the date of this Agreement. The term “ Registration Statement ” as used in this Agreement means the registration statement (including all exhibits, financial schedules and all documents and information deemed to be a part of the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430B of the Rules and Regulations), as amended and/or supplemented to the date of this Agreement, including the Base Prospectus. The Registration Statement is effective under the Securities Act, and no stop order preventing or suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or suspending or preventing the use of the Prospectus (as defined below) has been issued by the Commission, and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are threatened by the Commission. The Company, if required by the Rules and Regulations of the Commission, will file the Prospectus with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations. The term “ Prospectus ” as used in this Agreement means the prospectus, in the form in which it is to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations, except that if any revised prospectus or prospectus supplement shall be provided to the Underwriters by the Company for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Notes (the “Offering ”) which differs from the Prospectus (whether or not such revised prospectus or prospectus supplement is required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations), the term “ Prospectus ” shall refer to such revised prospectus or prospectus supplement, as the case may be, from and after the time it is first provided to the Underwriters for such use. Any reference herein to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 which were filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), on or before the last to occur of the Effective Date, or the date of the Prospectus, and any reference herein to the terms “amend,” “amendment,” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include (i) the filing of any document under the Exchange Act after the Effective Date or the date of the Prospectus, as the case may be, which is incorporated by reference and (ii) any such document so filed. The Company will file an abbreviated registration statement to register additional securities pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Rules and Regulations (the “ 462(b) Registration Statement ”), and any reference herein to the Registration Statement shall also be deemed to include such 462(b) Registration Statement.
(b) As of the Applicable Time (as defined below) and as of the Time of Purchase and any Additional Time of Purchase, as the case may be, none of (i) any General Use Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below) issued at or prior to the Applicable Time, and the Pricing Prospectus (as defined below), all considered together (collectively, the “ General Disclosure Package ”), (ii) any individual Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below) issued at or prior to the Time of Purchase and any Additional Time of Purchase, as the case may be, or (iii) the bona fide electronic road show, if any (as defined in Rule 433(h)(5) of the Rules and Regulations), that has been made available without restriction to any person, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included or will include any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, or as of the Time of Purchase and any Additional Time of Purchase, as the case may be, will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however , that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to information contained in or omitted from the General Disclosure Package, any individual Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus or the bona fide electronic road show, if any, in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Underwriters specifically for inclusion therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the “ Underwriter’s Information ” which is defined as the information set forth in Section 15 . As used in this Section 2(b) and elsewhere in this Agreement:
“ Applicable Time ” means 1:40 P.M., Los Angeles time, on the date of this Agreement.
“ General Use Free Writing Prospectus ” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus identified on Schedule C to this Agreement.
“ Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means any “ issuer free writing prospectus ,” as defined in Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations relating to the Notes in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g) of the Rules and Regulations.
“ Limited Use Free Writing Prospectuses ” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not a General Use Free Writing Prospectus.
“ Pricing Prospectus ” means the Base Prospectus as amended and supplemented immediately prior to the Applicable Time, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof.
(c) No order preventing or suspending the use of any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus relating to the Offering has been issued by the Commission, and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act has been instituted or threatened by the Commission.
(d) At the time the Registration Statement became effective, at the Applicable Time and at the Time of Purchase and any Additional Time of Purchase, as the case may be, the Registration Statement conformed and will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; the Prospectus, at the time the Prospectus became effective and at the Time of Purchase and any Additional Time of Purchase, as the case may be, conformed and will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however , that the foregoing representations and warranties in this Section 2(d) shall not apply to information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in reliance upon, and in conformity with, the Underwriter’s Information.
(e) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, if any, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Notes or until any earlier date that the Company notified or notifies the Representatives as described in Section 4(c) , did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified, or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon, and in conformity with, the Underwriter’s Information.
(f) The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, the Rules and Regulations and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Exchange Act, and none of such documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and any further documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when such documents become effective or are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, the Rules and Regulations and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Exchange Act and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(g) The Company is not an “ineligible issuer” in connection with the Offering pursuant to Rules 164, 405 and 433 under the Securities Act. The Company has not, directly or indirectly, distributed and will not distribute any offering material in connection with the Offering other than the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus, the Prospectus, any General Use Free Writing Prospectuses and any Limited Use Free Writing Prospectuses reviewed and consented to by the Representatives (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). The Company will file with the Commission all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses (other than a “road show,” as defined in Rule 433(d)(8) of the Rules and Regulations), if any, in the time and manner required under Rules 163(b)(2) and 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations.
(h) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation or other legal entity in good standing (or the foreign equivalent thereof) under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other legal entity in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification and has all power and authority (corporate or other) necessary to own or hold its properties and to conduct the businesses in which each is engaged, except where the failure to so qualify or have such power or authority would not (i) have, singularly or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, assets, or business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) impair in any material respect the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate any transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the General Disclosure Package, or the Prospectus (any such effect as described in clauses (i) or (ii), a “ Material Adverse Effect ”).
“ Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Company as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
(i) The Company has the full right, power and authority to execute and deliver, and perform its obligations under, this Agreement, the Indenture, the Notes and the DTC Agreement.
(j) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
(k) The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and, as of the Closing Date, will be duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming it has been executed and delivered by the Trustee, will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or thereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or law).
(l) The DTC Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or thereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or law).
(m) The Notes have been duly authorized for sale to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and, when executed and delivered by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and of the Indenture relating thereto, against payment of the consideration set forth in this Agreement, will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or thereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or law), and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture relating thereto.
(n) The Notes and the Indenture conform in all material respect to the statements relating thereto contained in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and other than as contemplated in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has issued any debt securities or entered into any agreement or arrangement relating to the issuance of any debt securities
(o) All issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company outstanding prior to the issuance of the Firm Notes have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and were issued in compliance in all material respects with United States federal and applicable state securities laws. All of the Company’s options, warrants and other rights to purchase or exchange any securities for shares of the Company’s capital stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and were issued in compliance in all material respects with United States federal and applicable state securities laws. None of the outstanding shares of capital stock was issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities of the Company.
(p) The membership interests, capital stock, partnership interests or other similar equity interests, as applicable, of each Subsidiary have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and, except to the extent set forth in the General Disclosure Package, are owned by the Company directly, free and clear of any claim, lien, encumbrance, security interest, restriction upon voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party.
(q) None of (1) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Indenture by the Company and (2) the issuance and sale of the Notes by the Company (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) (x) conflicts with or results in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, constitutes a default under, gives rise to any right of termination or other right or the cancellation or acceleration of any right or obligation or loss of a benefit under or pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, (y) results in any violation of the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or analogous governing instruments, as applicable) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (z) results in any violation of provisions of any law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets; except, with respect to clauses (x) or (z), any contravention which would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(r) No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency or self-regulatory authority is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, the Indenture, the DTC Agreement and the Notes, except as have been obtained or as may be required by (1) the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states, (2) the bylaws, rules and regulations of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., including legacy NASD rules (“ FINRA ”) or the NASDAQ Capital Market or (3) any necessary qualification under the Trust Indenture Act, in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes.
(s) Marcum LLP, who has audited certain financial statements of the Company and related schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company as required by the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). To the knowledge of the Company, except as pre-approved in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 10A of the Exchange Act, the applicable independent registered public accounting firms above have not been engaged by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, to perform any “prohibited activities” (as defined in Section 10A of the Exchange Act).
(t) PricewaterhouseCooper LLP, who has audited certain financial statements of United Online, Inc. and related schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, was an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to United Online, Inc. as required by the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
(u) The financial statements, together with the related notes and schedules included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and in the Registration Statement fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position and the results of operations and changes in financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries and other consolidated entities at the respective dates or for the respective periods therein specified. Such statements and related notes and schedules have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“ GAAP ”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved except as may be set forth in the related notes included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package. The financial statements, together with the related notes and schedules, included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the Rules and Regulations and the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act. No other financial statements or supporting schedules or exhibits are required by the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations to be described, or included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus. There is no pro forma or as adjusted financial information which is required to be included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, or the Prospectus or a document incorporated by reference therein in accordance with the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations which has not been included or incorporated as so required. The pro forma financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the related notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in to the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and the Registration Statement present fairly, in all material respects, the information contained therein, have been prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements and have been properly presented on the bases described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein.
(v) The Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations or any “variable interest entities” within the meaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810), which are not disclosed in the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and the Registration Statement.
(w) Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (i) there has not occurred any event or circumstance that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) each of the Company and its Subsidiaries, considered as one entity, has not incurred any material liability or obligation, indirect, direct or contingent, not in the ordinary course of business nor entered into any material transaction or agreement not in the ordinary course of business, in each case, other than is set forth or contemplated therein.
(x) There is no legal or governmental proceeding, action, suit or claim pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened, to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, (i) other than proceedings accurately described in all material respects in the General Disclosure Package or proceedings that would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus and are not so described; and there are no statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described or filed as required.
(y) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is or, after giving effect to the Offering and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will become an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
(z) Except to the extent expressly set forth in the General Disclosure Package as part of the offering contemplated hereby, neither the Company, its Subsidiaries nor any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ officers, directors or affiliates has bid for or purchased, for any account in which it or any of its affiliated purchasers has a beneficial interest, any Notes, or attempted to induce any person to purchase any Notes; and has not, and has not caused its affiliated purchasers to, make bids or purchase for the purpose of creating actual, or apparent, active trading in or of raising the price of the Notes.
(aa) The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real and personal property owned by them which is material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects of title except such as are described in the General Disclosure Package or would not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; and any real property and buildings held under lease by the Company and its Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases except such as are described in the General Disclosure Package or would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(bb) Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any statute, rule, regulation, decision or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, relating to the use, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or relating to the protection or restoration of the environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances (collectively, “ Environmental Laws ”), operates any real property contaminated with any substance that is subject to any Environmental Laws, is liable for any off-site disposal or contamination pursuant to any Environmental Laws, or is subject to any claim relating to any Environmental Laws, which violation, contamination, liability or claim would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company is not aware of any pending investigation which might lead to such a claim.
(cc) Except as described in the General Disclosure Package, the Company and its Subsidiaries own or possess, or have the right to use, adequate trademarks, trade names and other rights to inventions, know-how, patents, copyrights, confidential information and other intellectual property (collectively, “ Intellectual Property Rights ”) necessary to conduct the business now operated by them, or presently employed by them, and have not received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property Rights, except such as will not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.
(dd) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries maintains a system of internal accounting and other controls (A) sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences and (B) which are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established. Except as described in the General Disclosure Package, since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (A) no material weakness or significant deficiencies in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated), (B) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, and (C) no fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
(ee) No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company and any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders (or analogous interest holders), customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their affiliates, on the other hand, which is required to be described in the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or a document incorporated by reference therein and which is not so described.
(ff) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any of its directors, officers, agents, employees, affiliates or other person acting on their behalf is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that has violated or would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA” ), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA. The Company and its Subsidiaries have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.
(gg) The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times, in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar applicable rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(hh) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“ OFAC ”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of this Offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.
(ii) No person or entity has the right to require registration of any securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under the Securities Act because of the filing or effectiveness of the Registration Statement, except as set forth in therein or in the General Disclosure Package.
(jj) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or the Underwriters for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the Offering or any transaction contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus.
(kk) No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in either the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.
(ll) The Company is subject to, and in compliance in all material respects with, the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. As of the filing date of the Registration Statement and as of any update of the Registration Statement pursuant to Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act (including the filing of any Annual Report on Form 10-K), the Company was eligible to file a “shelf” Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the Commission.
(mm) The Company is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or is implementing the provisions thereof that are currently in effect.
(nn) The statistical and market-related data included in the General Disclosure Package are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate, and such data agree with the sources from which they are derived.
(oo) Except as otherwise disclosed in the General Disclosure Package, each of the Company and its Subsidiaries possess such valid and current certificates, authorizations or permits issued by the appropriate state, federal or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct their respective businesses, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company has received, or has any reason to believe that it will receive, any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of, or non-compliance with, any such certificate, authorization or permit which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, could result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(pp) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries have filed all material federal, state and foreign income and franchise tax returns or have properly requested extensions thereof and have paid all material taxes required to be paid by any of them and, if due and payable, any related or similar assessment, fine or penalty levied against any of them except as may be being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings.
(qq) Except as set forth in the General Disclosure Package, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, or is an associated person (within the meaning of Article I, Section 1(ee) of the By-laws of FINRA) of, any member firm of FINRA.
(rr) No approval of the stockholders of the Company under the rules and regulations of NASDAQ (including Rule 5635 of the NASDAQ Capital Rules) is required for the Company to issue and deliver the Notes.
(ss) Except as described in the General Disclosure Package, the Company has not sold, issued or distributed any securities during the six-month period preceding the date hereof, including any sales pursuant to Rule 144A under, or Regulation D or S of, the Securities Act, other than shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified equity compensation plans or other employee compensation plans or pursuant to outstanding options, rights or warrants.
(tt) Except as otherwise disclosed in the General Disclosure Package, each of the Company and its Subsidiaries maintains insurance issued by nationally recognized insurers covering their respective properties, operations, personnel and businesses, with policies in such amounts and with such deductibles and covering such risks as the Company reasonably deems adequate. The Company has no reason to believe that it or any of its Subsidiaries will not be able (i) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (ii) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and at a cost that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(uu) The Company nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its respective directors, officers or affiliates has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that might be reasonably expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any “reference security” (as defined in Rule 100 of Regulation M under the 1934 Act (“ Regulation M ”)), whether to facilitate the sale or resale of the Notes or otherwise, and has taken no action which would directly or indirectly violate Regulation M.
(vv) The Company has not distributed and will not distribute, prior to the later of (i) the expiration or termination of the option granted to the Underwriters in Section 1 and (ii) the completion of distribution of the Notes, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Notes other than a preliminary prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus, the Prospectus, any free writing prospectus reviewed and consented to by the Representatives, or the Registration Statement.
(ww) Any certificate signed by or on behalf of the Company and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.
3. | The Closing . |
(a) Payment of the purchase price for the Firm Notes shall be made to the Company by Federal Funds wire transfer against delivery of such Firm Notes to or as designated by the Representatives through the facilities of DTC for the respective accounts of the Underwriters. Such payment and delivery shall be made at 7:00 A.M., Los Angeles time, on November 2, 2016 (such date, the “ Closing Date ”). The time at which such payment and delivery are to be made is hereinafter sometimes called the “ Time of Purchase .” Electronic transfer of the Firm Notes shall be made at the Time of Purchase in such names and in such denominations as the Representatives shall specify.
(b) Payment of the purchase price for the Additional Notes shall be made at the Additional Time of Purchase in the same manner and at the same office and time of day as the payment for the Firm Notes. Electronic transfer of the Additional Notes shall be made at the Additional Time of Purchase in such names and in such denominations as the Representatives shall specify.
(c) Delivery of the documents required to be delivered to the Underwriters pursuant to Sections 4 and 6 hereof shall be at 7:00 A.M., Los Angeles time, on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, at the offices of Dechert LLP, One International Place, 40th Floor, 100 Oliver Street, Boston, MA 02110.
4. Further Covenants and Agreements of the Company .
The Company covenants and agrees with the Underwriters as follows:
(a) To prepare the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if necessary, in a form approved by the Representatives, and file such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission on the date hereof; to prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by the Representatives, containing information previously omitted at the time of effectiveness of the Registration Statement in reliance on rules 430A, 430B and 430C and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations not later than the second business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be required by Rule 430A of the Rules and Regulations; to notify the Representatives promptly of the Company’s intention to file or prepare any supplement or amendment to any Registration Statement or to the Prospectus in connection with this Offering and to provide a draft of any such amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus to the Representatives, for review within an amount of time that is reasonably practical under the circumstances and prior to filing, and to file no such amendment or supplement to which the Representatives shall have reasonably objected in writing; to advise the Representatives, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when any amendment to any Registration Statement has been filed in connection with the Offering or becomes effective or any supplement to the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus has been filed and to furnish the Representatives with copies thereof; to file within the time periods prescribed by the Exchange Act, including any extension thereof, all material required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) or 163(b)(2), as the case may be; to advise the Representatives, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus, of the suspension of the qualification of the Notes for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus or suspending any such qualification, and promptly to use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order.
(b) To prepare a final term sheet for the Notes, containing solely a description of final terms of the Notes and the offering thereof, in the form approved by you and attached as Schedule D hereto and to file such term sheet pursuant to, and within the time required by, Rule 433(d).
(c) That, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Representatives, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Notes that would constitute a “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations unless the prior written consent of the Representatives has been received (each, a “ Permitted Free Writing Prospectus ”), other than a free writing prospectus containing the information contained in the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof; provided that the prior written consent of the Representatives shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Free Writing Prospectuses included in Schedule C hereto and any electronic road show, if any. The Company shall furnish to the Representatives, a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed time of filing or use thereof, a copy of each proposed free writing prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto to be prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company. The Company represents that it has treated and agrees that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and that it has and will comply with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 of the Rules and Regulations applicable to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, including the requirements relating to timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping.
(d) If at any time when a Prospectus relating to the Notes is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, any event occurs or condition exists as a result of which the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or the Registration Statement, as then amended or supplemented, would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or if for any other reason it is necessary at any time to amend or supplement any Registration Statement or the Prospectus to comply with the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives, and upon the Representatives’ request, the Company will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, at the Company’s expense, an amendment to the Registration Statement or an amendment or supplement to the Prospectus that corrects such statement or omission or effects such compliance. The Company consents to the use of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by the Underwriters.
(e) To the extent not available on the Commission’s EDGAR system, to make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than eighteen (18) months after the effective date of each Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) of the Rules and Regulations), an earnings statement of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158).
(f) To take promptly from time to time such actions as the Representatives may reasonably request to qualify the Notes for offering and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Representatives may designate and to continue such qualifications in effect, and to comply with such laws, for so long as required to permit the offer and sale of Notes in such jurisdictions; provided that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be obligated to qualify as foreign corporations in any jurisdiction in which they are not so qualified or to file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction.
(g) To supply the Underwriters with copies of all correspondence to and from, and all documents issued to and by, the Commission in connection with the registration of the Notes under the Securities Act or the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto or document incorporated by reference therein.
(h) Prior to the Time of Purchase and the Additional Time of Purchase, if any, not to issue any press release or other communication directly or indirectly or hold any press conference (other than the Company’s customary quarterly press release and conference call) without the prior written consent of the Representatives (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld).
(i) Until the Representatives shall have notified the Company of the completion of the Offering, that the Company will not, and will cause its affiliated purchasers (as defined in Regulation M under the Exchange Act) not to, either alone or with one or more other persons, and except to the extent expressly set forth in the General Disclosure Package as part of the offering contemplated hereby, bid for or purchase, for any account in which it or any of its affiliated purchasers has a beneficial interest, any Notes, or attempt to induce any person to purchase any Notes; and not to, and to cause its affiliated purchasers not to, make bids or purchase for the purpose of creating actual, or apparent, active trading in or of raising the price of the Notes.
(j) To apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “Use of Proceeds.”
(k) Not to sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, any debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company or file or cause to be declared effective a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any of the foregoing for a period of 30 days after the date hereof without the prior written consent of the Representatives, which may not be unreasonably withheld. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to the registration of the Notes and the sales to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement.
(l) To cooperate with the Representatives and use its commercially reasonable efforts to permit the offered Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through the facilities of DTC.
(m) To use its reasonable best efforts to list, effect and maintain, subject to notice of issuance, the Notes on the Nasdaq Global Market.
(n) Until the Representatives shall have notified the Company of the completion of the offering of the Notes, the Company will not take directly or indirectly any action designed, or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, or that will constitute, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Notes.
(o) To use its reasonable best efforts to do and perform all things required to be done or performed under this Agreement by the Company prior to the Time of Purchase or the Additional Time of Purchase, as applicable and to satisfy all conditions precedent to the delivery of the Notes to be delivered at such time.
5. Payment of Expenses .
The Company agrees to pay, or reimburse if paid by the Underwriters, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated or this Agreement is terminated: (a) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Notes to the Underwriters and any taxes payable in that connection; (b) the costs incident to the registration of the Notes under the Securities Act; (c) the costs incident to the preparation, printing and distribution of the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, any amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein; (d) the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters incurred in connection with securing any required review by FINRA and any filings made with FINRA; (e) all costs and expenses incident to listing the Notes on the Nasdaq Global Market; (f) the fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters incurred in connection with qualifying the Notes under the securities laws of the several jurisdictions as provided in Section 4(e) and of preparing, printing and distributing wrappers and blue sky memoranda; (g) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any transfer agent, registrar or depository with respect to the Notes; (h) the expenses and application fees incurred in connection with the approval of the Notes for book-entry transfer by DTC; and (i) all other costs and expenses of the Company incident to the offering of the Notes by, or the performance of the obligations of, the Company under this Agreement (including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and the Company’s independent accountants and the travel and other reasonable expenses incurred by Company personnel in connection with any “road show”).
6. Conditions to the Obligations of the Underwriters, and the Sale of the Notes . The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder, and the closing of the sale of the Notes, are subject to the accuracy, when made and as of the Applicable Time and at the Time of Purchase or the Additional Time of Purchase, as the case may be, of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein (except for inaccuracies that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect), to the accuracy of the statements of the Company made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company, in all material respects, of its obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional terms and conditions:
(a) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof, preventing or suspending the use of any Base Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A under the Securities Act shall have been initiated by the Commission, and all requests for additional information on the part of the Commission (to be included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or otherwise) shall have been complied with; the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, if any, and the Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by, and in compliance with, the Rules and Regulations and in accordance with Section 4(a) , and the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, shall have become effective immediately upon its filing with the Commission; and FINRA shall have raised no objection to the fairness and reasonableness of the terms of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) The Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and none of the General Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, shall contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
(c) The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a certificate, dated the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, of its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer stating that (i) since the effective date of the Registration Statement, no event has occurred which should have been set forth in a supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, (ii) to the best of their knowledge after reasonable investigation, as of such date, the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct, except for inaccuracies that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect, and the Company has complied, in all material respects, with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to such date, and (iii) there has not been, subsequent to the date of the most recent audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package, any material adverse change in the financial position or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any change or development that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to involve a material adverse change in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, business or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except as set forth in the Prospectus.
(e) Since the date of the latest audited financial statements with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries included in the General Disclosure Package or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package as of the date hereof, (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall have sustained any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth in the General Disclosure Package, and (ii) there shall not have been any change in the capital stock of the Company or any change in the long-term debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any change or any development in or affecting the business, general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, otherwise than as set forth in the General Disclosure Package, the effect of which, in any such case described in clause (i) or (ii) of this Section 6(e) , would result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(f) No action shall have been taken and no law, statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any governmental agency or body which would prevent the issuance or sale of the Notes or result in a Material Adverse Effect; and no injunction, restraining order or order of any other nature by any United States federal or state court of competent jurisdiction shall have been issued which would prevent the issuance or sale of the Notes or result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(g) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market or in the over-the-counter market, or trading in any securities of the Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market, shall have been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices or maximum range for prices shall have been established on any such exchange or such market by the Commission, by such exchange or market or by any other regulatory body or governmental authority having jurisdiction; (ii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared by United States federal or state authorities or a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States; (iii) the United States shall have become engaged in hostilities, or the subject of an act of terrorism, or there shall have been an outbreak of or escalation in hostilities involving the United States, or there shall have been a declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States; or (iv) there shall have occurred such a material adverse change in general economic, political or financial conditions (or the effect of international conditions on the financial markets in the United States shall be such) as to make it, in the reasonable judgment of the Underwriter, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the sale or delivery of the Notes on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(h) The Underwriters shall have received an opinion and negative assurance letter of Morrison & Foerster LLP, counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, covering such matters as the Underwriters shall reasonably request.
(i) The Underwriters shall have received the favorable opinion of Dechert LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, dated the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and covering such matters as the Underwriters shall reasonably request.
(j) The Underwriters shall have received from Marcum LLP letters dated, respectively, the date hereof, the Closing Date and, if applicable, the Additional Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and the Registration Statement.
(k) The Underwriters shall have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, letters dated, respectively, the date hereof, the Closing Date and, if applicable, the Additional Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information regarding United Online, Inc. contained in the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and the Registration Statement.
(l) The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such further certificates and documents as the Representative may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling the Underwriters to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Notes as herein contemplated.
(m) The Company and the Trustee shall have executed and delivered the Base Indenture, the First Supplemental Indenture and the Notes.
If any condition specified in this Section 6 is not satisfied when and as required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated in the absolute discretion of either Representative by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to the Closing Date and, with respect to the Additional Notes, at any time on or prior to the applicable Additional Closing Date, which termination shall be without liability on the part of any party to any other party(except to the extent provided in Section 8 hereof), except that Sections 5 , 6 , 8 and 9 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.
7. Increase in Underwriters’ Commitments .
Subject to Section 6 hereof, if any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to take up and pay for the Firm Notes to be purchased by it hereunder (otherwise than for a failure of a condition set forth in Section 6 hereof) and if the aggregate principal amount of Firm Notes which all Underwriters so defaulting shall have agreed but failed to take up and pay for does not exceed 10% of the total aggregate principal amount of Firm Notes, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall take up and pay for (in addition to the aggregate principal amount of Firm Notes they are obligated to purchase pursuant to Section 1 hereof) the aggregate principal amount of Firm Notes agreed to be purchased by all such defaulting Underwriters, as hereinafter provided. Such Notes shall be taken up and paid for by such non-defaulting Underwriters in such amount or amounts as the Representatives may designate with the consent of each Underwriter so designated or, in the event no such designation is made, such Notes shall be taken up and paid for by all non-defaulting Underwriters pro rata in proportion to the aggregate principal amount of Firm Notes set opposite the names of such non-defaulting Underwriters in Schedule A.
Without relieving any defaulting Underwriter from its obligations hereunder, the Company agrees with the non-defaulting Underwriters that it will not sell any Firm Notes hereunder unless all of the Firm Notes are purchased by the Underwriters (or by substituted Underwriters selected by the Representatives with the approval of the Company or selected by the Company with the Representative’s approval).
If a new Underwriter or Underwriters are substituted by the Representatives or by the Company for a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters in accordance with the foregoing provision, the Company or the Representatives shall have the right to postpone the time of purchase for a period not exceeding five business days in order that any necessary changes in the General Disclosure Package and other documents that may be effected.
The term Underwriter as used in this Agreement shall refer to and include any Underwriter substituted under this Section 7 with like effect as if such substituted Underwriter had originally been named in Schedule A .
If the aggregate principal amount of Firm Notes which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed to purchase exceeds 10% of the total aggregate principal amount of Firm Notes which all Underwriters agreed to purchase hereunder, and if neither the non-defaulting Underwriters nor the Company shall make arrangements within the five business day-period stated above for the purchase of all the Firm Notes which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed to purchase hereunder, then this Agreement shall terminate without further act or deed and without any liability on the part of the Company to any non-defaulting Underwriter (except as provided in Section 8 ) and without any liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter to the Company. Nothing in this paragraph, and no action taken hereunder, shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.
8. Indemnification and Contribution .
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its respective affiliates and each of their respective directors, officers, members, employees, representatives and agents and their respective affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively the “ Underwriter Indemnified Parties, ” and each, an “ Underwriter Indemnified Party ”) against any loss, claim, damage, expense or liability whatsoever (or any action, investigation or proceeding in respect thereof), joint or several, to which such Underwriter Indemnified Party may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding arises out of or is based upon (A) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations, any Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or document incorporated by reference therein, (B) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations, any Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or document incorporated by reference therein, a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (C) any breach of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein or failure of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder or pursuant to any law, and shall reimburse the Underwriter Indemnified Party promptly upon demand for any legal fees or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter Indemnified Party in connection with investigating, or preparing to defend, or defending against, or appearing as a third party witness in respect of, or otherwise incurred in connection with, any such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding, as such fees and expenses are incurred; provided, however , that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, expense or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement in, or omission or alleged omission from, any Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any such amendment or supplement thereto, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning the Underwriters furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Underwriters specifically for use therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriter’s Information. This indemnity agreement is not exclusive and will be in addition to any liability, which the Company may otherwise have and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available at law or in equity to each Underwriter Indemnified Party.
(b) Each Underwriter severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its directors, its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively the “ Company Indemnified Parties ” and each a “ Company Indemnified Party ”) against any loss, claim, damage, expense or liability whatsoever (or any action, investigation or proceeding in respect thereof), joint or several, to which such Company Indemnified Party may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations, any Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations, any Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but in each case only to the extent that the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Underwriter specifically for use therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriter’s Information, and shall reimburse the Company Indemnified Parties for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or preparing to defend or defending against or appearing as third party witness in connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability, action, investigation or proceeding, as such fees and expenses are incurred. This indemnity agreement is not exclusive and will be in addition to any liability which such Underwriter might otherwise have and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available under this Agreement, at law or in equity to the Company Indemnified Parties.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action, the indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 8 , notify such indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of that action; provided, however , that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have under this Section 8 except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced by such failure; and, provided, further , that the failure to notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 8 . If any such action shall be brought against an indemnified party, and it shall notify the indemnifying party thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with any other similarly notified indemnifying party, to assume the defense of such action with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party (which counsel shall not, except with the written consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party). After notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel as set forth herein, except as provided herein, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to the indemnified party under Section 8 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense of such action other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however , that any indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and to participate in the defense of such action but the fees and expenses of such counsel (other than reasonable costs of investigation which shall remain the expense of the Company) shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) in the case of an Underwriter Indemnified Party, the employment thereof has been specifically authorized in writing by the Company in the case of a claim for indemnification under Section 8(a) , or (ii) such indemnified party shall have been advised by its counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, or (iii) the indemnifying party has failed to assume the defense of such action and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party within a reasonable period of time after notice of the commencement of the action or the indemnifying party does not diligently defend the action after assumption of the defense, in which case, if such indemnified party notifies the indemnifying party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of (or, in the case of a failure to diligently defend the action after assumption of the defense, to continue to defend) such action on behalf of such indemnified party and the indemnifying party shall be responsible for legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense of such action; provided, however , that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one such action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all such indemnified parties (in addition to any local counsel), which firm shall be designated in writing by the Underwriter if the indemnified parties under this Section 8 consist of any Underwriter Indemnified Party or by the Company if the indemnified parties under this Section 8 consist of any Company Indemnified Parties. Subject to this Section 8(c) , the amount payable by an indemnifying party under Section 8 shall include, but not be limited to, (x) reasonable legal fees and expenses of counsel to the indemnified party and any other expenses in investigating, or preparing to defend or defending against, or appearing as a third party witness in respect of, or otherwise incurred in connection with, any action, investigation, proceeding or claim, and (y) all amounts paid in settlement of any of the foregoing. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of judgment with respect to any pending or threatened action or any claim whatsoever, in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 8 (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party. Subject to the provisions of the following sentence, no indemnifying party shall be liable for settlement of any pending or threatened action or any claim whatsoever that is effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), but if settled with its written consent, or if its consent has been unreasonably withheld or delayed, or if there be a judgment for the plaintiff in any such matter, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. In addition, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested that an indemnifying party reimburse the indemnified party for reasonable fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated herein effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than forty-five (45) days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the request for reimbursement, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least thirty (30) days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b) , then each applicable indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, contribute to the amount paid, payable or otherwise incurred by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (or any action, investigation or proceeding in respect thereof), as incurred, (i) in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the Offering, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) of this Section 8(d) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) of this Section 8(d) but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and each of the respective Underwriters on the other with respect to the statements, omissions, acts or failures to act which resulted in such loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (or any action, investigation or proceeding in respect thereof) as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand with respect to such Offering shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the Offering pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total compensation received by the Underwriter in connection with the Offering, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other hand, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement, omission, act or failure to act.
The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 8(d) were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding referred to above in this Section 8(d) shall be deemed to include, for purposes of this Section 8(d) , any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending against or appearing as a third party witness in respect of, or otherwise incurred in connection with, any such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8(d) , no Underwriter shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the total compensation received by such Underwriter hereunder less the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise paid or become liable to pay by reason of any untrue or alleged untrue statement, omission or alleged omission, act or alleged act or failure to act or alleged failure to act
No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 10(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
9. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship . The Company acknowledges and agrees that:
(a) the Underwriters’ responsibility to the Company is solely contractual in nature, the Underwriters have been retained solely to act as underwriters in connection with the Offering and no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company and any Underwriter has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is advising the Company on other matters;
(b) the price of the Notes set forth in this Agreement was established by the Company following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Underwriters, and the Company is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(c) no Underwriter has advised, and no Underwriter is advising, the Company or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby;
(d) the Company shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and no Underwriter shall have any responsibility or liability to the Company with respect thereto;
(e) no Underwriter has or will be rendering an opinion to the Company as to the fairness of the terms of the offering of the Notes;
(f) it has been advised that each Underwriter, and their respective affiliates, are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and no Underwriter has an obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship; and
(g) it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against any Underwriter for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that each Underwriter shall not have any liability (whether direct or indirect) to the Company in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on behalf of or in right of the Company, including stockholders, employees or creditors of the Company.
10. Successors; Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters, the Company, and their respective successors and assigns. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, other than the persons mentioned in the preceding sentence, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement, or any provisions herein contained, this Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof being intended to be and being for the sole and exclusive benefit of such persons and for the benefit of no other person; except that the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and indemnities of the Company contained in this Agreement shall also be for the benefit of the Underwriter Indemnified Parties, and the indemnity of the Underwriters shall be for benefit of the Company Indemnified Parties.
11. Survival of Indemnities, Representations, Warranties, Etc . The respective indemnities, covenants, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company and the Underwriters, as set forth in this Agreement or made by them respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Underwriters, the Company or any person controlling any of them and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Notes. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the indemnity and contribution agreements contained in Section 8 and the covenants, representations, warranties set forth in this Agreement shall not terminate and shall remain in full force and effect at all times.
12. Notices . All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in writing, and:
(a) if to the Underwriters, shall be delivered or sent by mail, facsimile transmission, overnight courier or email to Wunderlich Securities, Inc., Attn: James Ritt, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer, 6000 Poplar Avenue, Suite 150, Memphis, TN 38104, and Compass Point Research & Trading, LLC, Attn: Jody Adam Rosen, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer, 1055 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW, Suite 303, Washington, DC 20007, with a copy to Dechert LLP, Attn: Thomas J. Friedmann, One International Place, 100 Oliver Street, Boston, MA 02110.
(b) if to the Company, shall be delivered or sent by mail, facsimile transmission, overnight courier or email to B. Riley Financial, Inc., Facsimile: (818) 746-9921, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, 21255 Burbank Blvd Suite 400, Woodland Hills, CA 91367, with a copy to Morrison & Foerster LLP, Attn: Scott Stanton, 12531 High Bluff Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92130.
13 Definition of Certain Terms . For purposes of this Agreement “ business day ” means any day on which the NASDAQ Stock Market is open for trading.
14. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
15. Underwriter’s Information . The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, for all purposes of this Agreement, the Underwriter’s Information consists solely of the following information in the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and in the Registration Statement: the concession figure appearing in the first paragraph under the section entitled “Underwriting – Commission and Discounts” and the information contained in the first and second paragraphs relating to stabilization transactions under the section entitled “Underwriting – Price Stabilization and Short Positions.”
16. Partial Unenforceability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any section, paragraph, clause or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other section, paragraph, clause or provision hereof. If any section, paragraph, clause or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.
17. General . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof. In this Agreement, the masculine, feminine and neuter genders and the singular and the plural include one another. The section headings in this Agreement are for the convenience of the parties only and will not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. This Agreement may be amended or modified, and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived, only by a writing signed by the Company and the Representatives.
178. Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument and such signatures may be delivered by facsimile.
If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Company and the several Underwriters, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this agreement and your acceptance shall constitute a binding agreement between the Company and the Underwriters, severally.
Very truly yours, | ||
B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Phillip J. Ahn | |
Name: | Phillip J. Ahn | |
Title: |
Chief Financial Officer & Chief
Operating Officer |
Accepted and agreed to as of the date first above written:
By: | WUNDERLICH SECURITIES, INC. | |
By: | /s/ Chad D. Champion | |
Name: Chad D. Champion | ||
Title: Managing Director | ||
By: | COMPASS POINT RESEARCH & TRADING LLC | |
By: | /s/ Burke F. Hayes Jr. | |
Name: Burke F. Hayes Jr. | ||
Title: Managing Director |
SCHEDULE A
Underwriters
Underwriters |
Aggregate
Principal Amount of Securities to be Purchased |
|||
Wunderlich Securities, Inc. | $ | 12,500,000 | ||
Compass Point Research & Trading LLC | 12,500,000 | |||
Total | $ | 25,000,000 |
SCHEDULE B
Pricing Information
The aggregate principal amount of the Firm Notes is $25,000,000
The public offering price for the Notes shall be 100% of the aggregate principal amount.
The purchase price for the Notes to be paid by the several Underwriters shall be 96.5% of the aggregate principal amount thereof.
The interest rate is 7.50%
The maturity date for the Notes shall be October 31, 2021
The expiration of the no-call period shall be October 31, 2018
SCHEDULE C
Free Writing Prospectuses
Final term sheet as prepared pursuant to Section 4(b) hereto and filed as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus by the Company with the Commission on October 27, 2016.
SCHEDULE D
B . Riley Financial, Inc.
US$25,000,0000 7.50% Senior Notes Due 2021
Final Term Sheet
Issuer: | B. Riley Financial, Inc. | |
Securities: | 7.50% Senior Notes Due 2021 | |
Type: | SEC Registered | |
Trade Date | October 28, 2016 | |
Settlement Date | November 2, 2016 | |
Listing: | Expected NASDAQ “RILYL” | |
Size: | $25,000,000 | |
Maturity Date: | October 31, 2021 | |
Annual Coupon: | 7.50%, paid quarterly in arrears | |
Interest Payment Dates: | January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31, commencing January 31, 2017 | |
Price to the Public | 100% | |
Day Count: | 30/360 | |
Optional Redemption: | October 31, 2018, in whole or in part and anytime thereafter | |
Minimum Denomination / Multiples: | $25.00/$25.00 | |
CUSIP/ISIN: | 05580M 207/US05580M2070 | |
Bookrunning Managers |
Wunderlich Securities, Inc.
Compass Point Research & Trading LLC |
This communication is intended for the sole use of the person to whom it is provided by the issuer.
The issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering.
You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov . Alternatively, the issuer, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling 1-888-295-0155.
ANY DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY APPEAR BELOW ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS COMMUNICATION AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. SUCH DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES WERE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMUNICATION BEING SENT VIA BLOOMBERG OR ANOTHER E-MAIL SYSTEM.
Exhibit 4.1
B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.
and
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
INDENTURE
Dated as of November 2, 2016
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
TIA Section | Indenture Section | |
310 (a)(1) | 6.9 | |
(a)(2) | 6.9 | |
(a)(3) | N/A | |
(a)(4) | N/A | |
(a)(5) | 6.9 | |
(b) | 6.8; 6.9 | |
311 (a) | 6.13 | |
(b) | 6.13 | |
312 (a) | 7.1 | |
(b) | 7.2 | |
(c) | 7.2 | |
313 (a) | 7.3 | |
(b)(1) | 7.3 | |
(b)(2) | 7.3 | |
(c) | 7.3 | |
(d) | 7.3 | |
314 (a) | 7.4 | |
(b) | N/A | |
(c)(1) | 1.2 | |
(c)(2) | 1.2 | |
(c)(3) | N/A | |
(d) | N/A | |
(e) | 1.2 | |
(f) | 1.2 | |
315 (a) | 6.1 | |
(b) | 6.2 | |
(c) | 6.1 | |
(d) | 6.1;6.3 | |
(e) | 5.14 | |
316 (a) (last sentence) | 1.1(“Outstanding”) | |
(a)(1)(A) | 5.12 | |
(a)(1)(B) | 5.13 | |
(a)(2) | N/A | |
(b) | 5.8 | |
(c) | 9.2 | |
317 (a)(1) | 5.3 | |
(a)(2) | 5.4 | |
(b) | 10.3 | |
318 (a) | 1.7 |
N/A means Not Applicable
Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of this Indenture.
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Table of Contents
Page | |||
ARTICLE I | DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION | 1 | |
Section 1.1. | Definitions | 1 | |
Section 1.2. | Compliance Certificates and Opinions | 5 | |
Section 1.3. | Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee | 5 | |
Section 1.4. | Acts of Holders | 6 | |
Section 1.5. | Notices, Etc., to Trustee or Company | 7 | |
Section 1.6. | Notice to Holders; Waiver | 7 | |
Section 1.7. | Conflict with Trust Indenture Act | 8 | |
Section 1.8. | Effect of Headings and Table of Contents | 8 | |
Section 1.9. | Successors and Assigns | 8 | |
Section 1.10. | Separability Clause | 8 | |
Section 1.11. | Benefits of Indenture | 8 | |
Section 1.12. | Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial | 8 | |
Section 1.13. | Legal Holidays | 8 | |
Section 1.14. | Force Majeure | 8 | |
ARTICLE II | SECURITY FORMS | 9 | |
Section 2.1. | Forms Generally | 9 | |
Section 2.2. | Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication | 9 | |
ARTICLE III | THE SECURITIES | 9 | |
Section 3.1. | Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series | 9 | |
Section 3.2. | Denominations | 11 | |
Section 3.3. | Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating | 11 | |
Section 3.4. | Temporary Securities | 12 | |
Section 3.5. | Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange | 12 | |
Section 3.6. | Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 14 | |
Section 3.7. | Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved | 14 | |
Section 3.8. | Persons Deemed Owners | 15 | |
Section 3.9. | Cancellation | 15 | |
Section 3.10. | Computation of Interest | 15 | |
ARTICLE IV | SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | 16 | |
Section 4.1. | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture | 16 | |
Section 4.2. | Application of Trust Money | 16 | |
ARTICLE V | REMEDIES | 17 | |
Section 5.1. | Events of Default | 17 | |
Section 5.2. | Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment | 18 | |
Section 5.3. | Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee | 19 | |
Section 5.4. | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 19 | |
Section 5.5. | Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities | 20 | |
Section 5.6. | Application of Money Collected | 20 | |
Section 5.7. | Limitation on Suits | 20 |
- i - |
Table of Contents
(Continued)
Page | |||
Section 5.8. | Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest | 20 | |
Section 5.9. | Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 21 | |
Section 5.10. | Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 21 | |
Section 5.11. | Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 21 | |
Section 5.12. | Control by Holders | 21 | |
Section 5.13. | Waiver of Past Defaults | 21 | |
Section 5.14. | Undertaking for Costs | 22 | |
Section 5.15. | Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws | 22 | |
ARTICLE VI | THE TRUSTEE | 22 | |
Section 6.1. | Certain Duties and Responsibilities | 22 | |
Section 6.2. | Notice of Defaults | 23 | |
Section 6.3. | Certain Rights of Trustee | 23 | |
Section 6.4. | Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities | 24 | |
Section 6.5. | May Hold Securities | 25 | |
Section 6.6. | Money Held in Trust | 25 | |
Section 6.7. | Compensation and Reimbursement | 25 | |
Section 6.8. | Disqualification; Conflicting Interests | 26 | |
Section 6.9. | Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility | 26 | |
Section 6.10. | Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor | 26 | |
Section 6.11. | Acceptance of Appointment by Successor | 27 | |
Section 6.12. | Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business | 28 | |
Section 6.13. | Preferential Collection of Claims | 28 | |
Section 6.14. | Appointment of Authenticating Agent | 28 | |
ARTICLE VII | HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY | 29 | |
Section 7.1. | Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders | 29 | |
Section 7.2. | Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders | 29 | |
Section 7.3. | Reports by Trustee | 29 | |
Section 7.4. | Reports by Company | 30 | |
ARTICLE VIII | CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE | 30 | |
Section 8.1. | Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms | 30 | |
Section 8.2. | Successor Substituted | 31 | |
ARTICLE IX | SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | 31 | |
Section 9.1. | Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders | 31 | |
Section 9.2. | Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders | 32 | |
Section 9.3. | Execution of Supplemental Indentures | 32 | |
Section 9.4. | Effect of Supplemental Indentures | 33 | |
Section 9.5. | Conformity with Trust Indenture Act | 33 | |
Section 9.6. | Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures | 33 | |
ARTICLE X | COVENANTS | 33 | |
Section 10.1. | Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest | 33 |
- ii - |
Table of Contents
(Continued)
Page | |||
Section 10.2. | Maintenance of Office or Agency | 33 | |
Section 10.3. | Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust | 34 | |
Section 10.4. | Corporate Existence | 34 | |
Section 10.5. | [Reserved] | 34 | |
Section 10.6. | Statement by Officer as to Default | 34 | |
ARTICLE XI | REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES | 35 | |
Section 11.1. | Applicability of Article | 35 | |
Section 11.2. | Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee | 35 | |
Section 11.3. | Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed | 35 | |
Section 11.4. | Notice of Redemption | 35 | |
Section 11.5. | Deposit of Redemption Price | 36 | |
Section 11.6. | Securities Payable on Redemption Date | 36 | |
Section 11.7. | Securities Redeemed in Part | 36 | |
ARTICLE XII | ARTICLE XII SINKING FUNDS | 37 | |
Section 12.1. | Applicability of Article | 37 | |
Section 12.2. | Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities | 37 | |
Section 12.3. | Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund | 37 | |
ARTICLE XIII | DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE | 37 | |
Section 13.1. | Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance | 37 | |
Section 13.2. | Defeasance and Discharge | 38 | |
Section 13.3. | Covenant Defeasance | 38 | |
Section 13.4. | Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance | 38 | |
Section 13.5. | Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions | 39 |
- iii - |
INDENTURE, dated as of November 2, 2016, between B. Riley Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (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 senior 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 any series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.1. 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 I have the meanings assigned to them in this Article I 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, 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; |
(5) | any reference to an “Article” or a “Section” refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this Indenture. |
“Act”, when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.4(a).
“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.
“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of such board.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
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“Business Day” means, for any place where the principal and interest on the Notes is payable, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day in which banking institutions in New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
“Capital Stock” for any corporation means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) stock issued by that corporation.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act 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 Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.
“Company Request” or “Company Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by any Officer.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office, as at the date of this Indenture, is located at U.S. Bank National Association, 633 West Fifth Street, 24 th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071, Attention: P. Oswald (B. Riley Financial, Inc.), or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).
“corporation” includes corporations, associations, companies (including limited liability companies) and business trusts.
“covenant defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.3.
“default”, when used in Section 6.2, has the meaning specified in Section 6.2.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7(b).
“defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.2.
“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary for such series by the Company pursuant to Section 3.1(b)(15), which Person shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of such series.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute successor thereto, in each case, as amended.
“Global Security” or “Global Securities” means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, evidencing all or part of a series of Securities, issued to the Depositary for such series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depositary or nominee.
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.
“Indebtedness” of any Person means indebtedness for borrowed money and indebtedness under purchase money mortgages or other purchase money liens or conditional sales or similar title retention agreements, in each case where such indebtedness has been created, incurred, or assumed by such Person to the extent such indebtedness would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles as in effect on the date hereof, guarantees by such Person of such indebtedness, and indebtedness for borrowed money secured by any mortgage, pledge or other lien or encumbrance upon property owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness (but not exceeding the amount of indebtedness secured by such mortgage, pledge, lien or encumbrance).
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“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.1.
“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.
“Market Exchange Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 1.4(f).
“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.
“Notice of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.
“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary or the Controller of the Company.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by any Officer. An Officer’s Certificate provided pursuant to Section 10.6 shall be signed by the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company (including an employee or officer of the Company or any of its Affiliates) and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
“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 5.2.
“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 canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; |
(ii) | Securities for whose payment or redemption money (or in the case of payment by defeasance under Section 13.2, money, U.S. Government Obligations or both) 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 provided further , in the case of payment by defeasance under Section 13.2, that all conditions precedent to the application of such Section shall have been satisfied; and |
(iii) | Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 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, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 and (ii) 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 the Trustee 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 independent right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. |
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“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, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, incorporated or 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 3.1 or, if not so specified, the City of New York, New York.
“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 3.6 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 3.1.
“Responsible Officer”, when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer in the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter relating to this Indenture, any other officer to whom such 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 3.5(a).
“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.7(b).
“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 (i) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50.0% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; and (ii) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which (x) more than 50.0% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or otherwise, and (y) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.
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“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 9.5 and, to the extent required by any amendment thereto, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
“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 Obligation” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.4(a).
“Vice President” means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president”.
Section 1.2. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
(a) Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
(b) Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than certificates provided pursuant to Section 10.6) shall include:
(1) a statement that the individual 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 such individual, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 1.3. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
(a) In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion 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 more documents.
(b) Any certificate of any officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate 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 representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
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(c) Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 1.4. 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 delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. The Trustee shall promptly deliver to the Company copies of any such instrument or instruments delivered to the Trustee. 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 6.1) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.4.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his or her individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his or her authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section 1.4.
(c) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.
(d) 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, the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security or such other Security.
(e) The Depositary selected pursuant to subsection (b)(15) of Section 3.1, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take hereunder.
(f) Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Indenture with respect to a particular series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all series or all series affected by a particular action at the time outstanding and, at such time, there are outstanding Securities of any series which are denominated in a coin or currency other than U.S. Dollars, then the principal amount of Securities of such series which shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of U.S. Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate at such time. For purposes of this Section 1.4(f), “Market Exchange Rate” shall mean the noon U.S. Dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of that currency as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. If such Market Exchange Rate is not available for any reason with respect to such currency, the Trustee shall use, without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or quotations from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question or such other quotations as the Company shall deem appropriate and direct the Trustee to use pursuant to a Company Order. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a series denominated in currency other than U.S. Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture. All decisions and determinations of the Trustee regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in this paragraph shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive to the extent permitted by law for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company and all Holders.
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Section 1.5. Notices, Etc., to Trustee or 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 to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office or sent by facsimile, electronic transmission or first-class mail, postage-prepaid at the address set forth below: |
U.S. Bank National Association
633 West Fifth Street, 24 th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071
Attention: P. Oswald (B. Riley Financial)
Facsimile: (213) 615-6197
E-mail: paula.oswald@usbank.com,
(2) | the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and sent, to the Company either by facsimile, electronic transmission or first-class mail, postage prepaid at the address set forth below: |
B. Riley Financial, Inc.
21255 Burbank Blvd, Suite 400
Woodland Hills, California 91367
Attention: Phillip Ahn – Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
Facsimile: (818) 746-9288
E-mail: pahn@greatamerican.com
The Company or the Trustee may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Notices given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, will be deemed given five calendar days after mailing.
Section 1.6. Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders (including any notice of redemption), such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing (including facsimile or other electronic transmission) and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder entitled thereto, at his last address as it appears in the Security Register or if given to the applicable Depositary (or its designee) according to the applicable procedures of such Depositary. If such notice or communication is mailed (or delivered by electronic transmission in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary) in the manner provided above within the time prescribed herein, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it. In any case where notice to Holders is given, neither the failure to send such notice, nor any defect in any notice so sent, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. 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.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or purchase) to a Holder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary.
Notices given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, will be deemed given five calendar days after mailing.
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Section 1.7. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act such imposed duties shall control. If any provision of the Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under the Trust Indenture Act to be a part of and govern the Indenture, such provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall control. If any provision of the Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to the Indenture as such provision of the Trust Indenture Act is so modified or excluded, as the case may be.
Section 1.8. 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 1.9. Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 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.
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. Each of the Company and the Trustee irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture, the Securities, or the transactions contemplated thereby.
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 on the amount then payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.
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 under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable 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 or hardware) services.
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ARTICLE
II
SECURITY FORMS
Section 2.1. Forms Generally .
(a) The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Officer executing such Securities, as evidenced by his or her execution of such 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 3.3 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.
(b) 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 Officer executing such Securities, as evidenced by his or her execution of such Securities.
Section 2.2. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
The Trustee’s certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
U.S. Bank National Association, | ||
as Trustee | ||
By | ||
Authorized Signatory |
ARTICLE
III
THE SECURITIES
Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
(a) The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
(b) The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and (subject to Section 3.3) set forth or determined as provided in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series,
(1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities);
(2) 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 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 9.6 or 11.7 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 3.3, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);
(3) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be payable, if other than 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;
(4) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable and/or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined;
(5) the rate or rates (or method for establishing 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 any Interest Payment Date (or method for establishing such date or dates);
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(6) the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Securities of the series shall be payable;
(7) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
(8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase 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 or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(9) 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;
(10) if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;
(11) if other than such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public or private debts, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and/or interest on the Securities of the series shall be payable;
(12) if the principal of (and premium, if any) and/or interest on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or any Holder, in a currency or currencies (including composite currencies) other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions, upon which, such election may be made;
(13) if the amounts of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and/or interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(14) in the case of Securities of a series the terms of which are not established pursuant to subsection (11), (12) or (13) above, whether either or both of Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 shall not be applicable to the Securities of such series; or, in the case of Securities the terms of which are established pursuant to subsection (11), (12) or (13) above, the adoption and applicability, if any, to such Securities of any terms and conditions similar to those contained in Section 13.2 and/or Section 13.3;
(15) whether the Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities;
(16) any additional or different events of default that apply to Securities of the series, and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders of such Securities to declare the principal thereof due and payable;
(17) any additional or different covenants that apply to Securities of the series;
(18) the form of the Securities of the series; and
(19) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not contradict the provisions of this Indenture).
(c) All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Notes of such series; provided, however, that if such additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes of such series for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number.
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(d) If any of the terms of the 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 Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of the series. With respect to Securities of a series constituting a medium term note program, such Board Resolution may provide general terms or parameters for Securities of such series and may provide that the specific terms of particular Securities of such series, and the Persons authorized to determine such terms or parameters, may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to the Company Order referred to in Section 3.3.
Section 3.2. 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 3.1. 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 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
(a) The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by any Officer. The signature of any such Officer on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.
(b) Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signature of an individual who was at any time a proper Officer of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individual has ceased to hold such office prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such office at the date of such Securities.
(c) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with such Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided, that, with respect to Securities of a series constituting a medium term note program, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities of such series for original issue from time to time in the aggregate principal amount established for such series as may be specified from time to time by a Company Order and pursuant to such procedures acceptable to the Trustee. The maturity dates, original issue dates, interest rates and any other terms of the Securities of such series shall be determined by or pursuant to such Company Order and procedures.
(d) 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 2.1 and 3.1, 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 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating,
(1) if the form of any of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 2.1, that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(2) if the terms of any of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 3.1, that such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and
(3) 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, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
(e) Notwithstanding that 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 would adversely 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.
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.1 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to this Section 3.3 at or prior to the time of authentication of each Security of such series if such documents have been delivered at or prior to the time of authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.
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(g) With respect to Securities of a series constituting a medium term note program, if the form and general terms of the Securities of such series have been established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions or by an indenture supplemental hereto, as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1, 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 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the foregoing documents and Opinion of Counsel, or in lieu of clause (c) above, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Securities have been duly authorized by the Company and, when duly executed by the Company and completed and authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture and issued, delivered and paid for in accordance with any applicable distribution agreement, will have been duly issued under the Indenture and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
(h) Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
(i) 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 3.9 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 1.2 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 3.4. Temporary Securities.
(a) Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the Officer executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by his or her execution of such Securities.
(b) 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, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor, 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 3.5. Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
(a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee 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 such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided and “Paying Agent” for the Securities. In acting hereunder and in connection with the Securities, the Paying Agent and Security Registrar shall act solely as agents of the Company, and will not thereby assume any obligations towards or relationship of agency or trust for or with any Holder.
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(b) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at an office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment designated by the Company pursuant to Section 10.2 for that series, the Company shall execute and, upon Company Order, 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.
(c) 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, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
(d) All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the 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.
(e) Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company, the Security Registrar 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 such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing.
(f) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or for exchange of Securities, but the Company or the Trustee 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 3.4, 9.6 or 11.7 not involving any transfer.
(g) 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 sending of a notice of redemption of Securities of that series selected for redemption under Section 11.3 and ending at the close of business on the day of such transmission, 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.
(h) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to this Section 3.5 for Securities registered in the names of Persons other than the Depositary for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or if any time such Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and the Company has not appointed a successor Depositary within 90 days from the date of such notice or from the date the Company became aware that such Depositary is no longer registered, as applicable, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or (iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default of which the Trustee has been notified with respect to the Securities and the Depositary for such Global Security requests such exchange in writing. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.
(i) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary with respect to 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.
(j) The Trustee shall have no responsibility, obligation or duty to:
(1) any beneficial owner of a Global Security, any member or participant in the Depositary or any other Person with respect to (A) the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Securities, (B) the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or purchase) or the payment of any amount or delivery of any Securities (or other security or property) under or with respect to such Securities, or (C) the selection of the particular Securities or portions thereof to be redeemed or refunded in the event of a partial redemption or refunding of the Securities; or
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(2) 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 the Depositary, its agent members or beneficial owners 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 with respect to transfers between Holders, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof. Neither the Trustee nor any of its agents shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.
(3) All notices and communications to be given by any beneficial owner of a Security and all payments to be made to any beneficial owner of a Security in respect of the Securities shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered owner or owners of the Securities (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Security). The rights of the beneficial owners of any Global Security shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and beneficial owners.
Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
(a) If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount, and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
(b) If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security and/or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount, and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
(c) In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
(d) Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 3.6, the Company or the Trustee 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 reasonable fees and expenses of the Trustee and its counsel) connected therewith.
(e) Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section 3.6 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
(f) The provisions of this Section 3.6 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 3.7. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
(a) Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, 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.
(b) 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 entitled to such interest 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:
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(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 (as defined below) 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 (the “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 sent to each Holder of Securities of such series in accordance with Section 1.6, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so sent, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the 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.
(c) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.7, each Security delivered under this Indenture, upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners.
Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such 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 3.7) interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including any Depositary that is the Holder of a Global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and the Depositary that is the Holder of a Global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Security through such Depositary’s standing instructions and customary practice.
Section 3.9. 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 canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section 3.9, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. Subject to the record retention requirements of the Act and the Trustee’s procedures, all canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of as directed by a Company Order.
Section 3.10. Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for 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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ARTICLE
IV
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
(a) This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to Securities of any series (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated Securities of such series herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, on the demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such series, when
(1) either
(A) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6 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 10.3) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B) all such Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
(i) have become due and payable, or
(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, and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities of such series 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 of such series which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; and
(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
(b) At any time when no Securities of any series are outstanding, this Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute instruments of satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
(c) Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.7, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under Section 6.14 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section 4.1, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 4.2 and the last paragraph of Section 10.3 shall survive.
Section 4.2. Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1, all money and U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 13.2 or Section 13.3, 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 Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, 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 as contemplated by Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3.
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ARTICLE
V
REMEDIES
Section 5.1. Events of Default.
“Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(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 30 days;
(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series;
(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, to the extent applicable, when and as due by the terms of any Security of that series;
(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section 5.1 specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than the series in respect of which the Event of Default is being determined), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been sent 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 of that series, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;
(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 federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable federal or state law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official 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 90 consecutive days;
(6) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or state law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by the Company of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by the Company in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or
(7) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1 hereof, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of an Event of Default hereunder (except for those described in paragraphs (1) through (3) above, if the Trustee is then the Paying Agent) unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge thereof or shall have received written notice thereof and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.
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Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
(a) If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 5.1) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and 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 any of the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof), together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, 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. If an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 5.1 with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal amount (or, if any of the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of any Security of that series.
(b) 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 provided in this Article V, 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 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 principal (and premium, if any) and overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and
(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and
(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.
(c) No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
(d) Upon receipt by the Trustee of any declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, with respect to Securities of a series all or part of which is represented by a Global Security, the Trustee shall establish a record date for determining Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series entitled to join in such declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, which record date shall be at the close of business on the day the Trustee receives such declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be. The Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to join in such declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, that unless such declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the day which is 90 days after such record date, such declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy of a Holder, from giving, after expiration of such 90-day period, a new declaration of acceleration, or rescission or annulment thereof, as the case may be, that is identical to a declaration of acceleration, or rescission or annulment thereof, which has been canceled pursuant to the preceding sentence, in which event a new record date shall be established pursuant to the provision of this Section 5.2.
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Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
(a) 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; or
(3) default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security; 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 the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
(b) If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, 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.
(c) If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
(a) In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities 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 (and premium, if any) or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
(i) 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
(ii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same.
(b) 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 under Section 6.7.
(c) Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize, consent to, 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.
(d) The Trustee shall be entitled to participate as a member of any official committee of creditors in the matters it deems advisable.
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Section 5.5. 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 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 5.6. Application of Money Collected.
Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article V 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 or property 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 under Section 6.7;
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 5.7. 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 and/or security satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity and/or security 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 any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders (it being 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 of such Holders.
Section 5.8. 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 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.
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Section 5.9. 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 Section 3.6, 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 an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article V 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.
(a) The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that,
(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, nor subject the Trustee to a risk of personal liability in respect of which the Trustee has not received indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses, liabilities and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action, and
(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.
(b) Prior to taking any such action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification and/or security satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all fees, losses, liabilities and expenses (including attorney’s fees and expenses) caused by or that might be caused by taking or not taking such action.
(c) Upon receipt by the Trustee of any such direction with respect to Securities of a series all or part of which is represented by a Global Security, the Trustee may establish a record date for determining Holders of outstanding Securities of such series entitled to join in such direction, which record date shall be at the close of business on the day the Trustee receives such direction. The Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to join in such direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, that unless such majority in principal amount shall have been obtained prior to the day which is 90 days after such record date, such direction shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy of a Holder, from giving, after expiration of such 90-day period, a new direction identical to a direction which has been canceled pursuant to the provisions to the preceding sentence, in which event a new record date shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.12.
Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.
(a) The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default:
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(1) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series which have become due otherwise than by a declaration of acceleration under Section 5.2 and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article IX cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
(b) Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.14. Undertaking for Costs.
Each party to this Indenture agrees, and each Holder of any Security by such Holder’s 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, 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 Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).
Section 5.15. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE
VI
THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default,
(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy or mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(b) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.
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(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly 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 6.1;
(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was grossly 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, determined as provided in Section 5.12, of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the 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 financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity and/or security against such risk or liability is not 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 6.1.
Section 6.2. Notice of Defaults.
Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall send to all Holders of Securities of such series notice of such default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided , however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest 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 and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series. For the purpose of this Section 6.2, 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 6.3. Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1:
(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, or as otherwise expressly provided herein, 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 Officer’s Certificate;
(d) before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
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(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 (including, without limitation, instituting, conducting or defending any litigation), unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security and/or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;
(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(h) the 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 (including Security Registrar and Paying Agent), and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;
(i) the Trustee is not required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers under this Indenture;
(j) 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;
(k) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;
(l) the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; and acts of civil or military authorities and governmental action;
(m) the Trustee shall have no responsibility for any information in any offering document or other disclosure material distributed with respect to any series of Securities, and the Trustee shall have no responsibility for compliance with any state or federal securities laws in connection with the Securities, other than the filing of any documents required to be filed by an indenture trustee pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act or otherwise required in the Indenture; and
(n) the permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as duties.
Section 6.4. 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 or any Authenticating Agent assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for filing any financing or continuation statement in any public office at any time or otherwise to perfect or maintain the perfection of any security interest or lien granted to it hereunder or to record this Indenture.
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Section 6.5. May Hold Securities.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company or of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 6.8 and 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.
Section 6.6. 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 6.7. Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees:
(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and for its services hereunder as Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar and in all other capacities in which it is serving hereunder as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing (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 the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its gross negligence or willful misconduct; and
(3) to indemnify the Trustee, any predecessor Trustee and their respective agents, directors, employees and officers for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, damage, claim, liability or out-of-pocket expense (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel and taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured or determined by the income of the Trustee, any predecessor Trustee or their respective agents, directors, employees and officers)) incurred without gross negligence or willful misconduct on its or their part (as determined by a competent court of appropriate jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment), arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and out-of-pocket expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of the Trustee’s powers or duties hereunder.
The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnification pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall be entitled to participate in, and to the extent that it shall wish, to assume the defense of such claim, with counsel satisfactory to the Trustee (and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense thereof), and after notice from the Company to the Trustee of the Company’s election so to assume the defense thereof, the Company shall not be liable to the Trustee under this Indenture for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Trustee in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that the Trustee may only employ separate counsel at the expense of the Company if in the judgment of the Trustee (i) the Company has not retained counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, (ii) a conflict of interest or a potential conflict of interest exists by reason of common representation or (iii) there are legal defenses available to the Trustee that are different from or are in addition to those available to the Company or if all parties commonly represented do not agree as to the action (or inaction) of counsel. Any settlement which affects the Trustee may not be entered into without the consent of the Trustee, unless the Trustee is given a full and unconditional release from liability with the respect to the claims covered thereby and such settlement does not include a statement or admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of the Trustee. After the Company has assumed the defense of any indemnified party hereunder, no such indemnified party may settle or compromise any suit or action without the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).
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As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section 6.7, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on particular Securities. If the Trustee incurs out-of-pocket expenses or renders services after the occurrence of an Event of Default, the expenses and the compensation for the services will be intended to constitute expenses of administration under Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any applicable federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The provisions of this Section 6.7 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the termination of this Indenture.
Section 6.8. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.
The Trustee shall comply with the terms of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 6.9. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible to act as such pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act and which shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.9, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.9, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article VI.
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 VI 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.
(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.
(d) If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 6.8 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 6.9 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder; or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (i) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all 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 its own behalf and on behalf of 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.
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(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the 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 Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders 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 its own behalf and on behalf of 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.
(f) 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 sending written notice of such event to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 1.6. 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.
(g) Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 6.10, the Company’s obligations under Section 6.7 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring 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 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) and (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 VI.
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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, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article VI, 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.
The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent indicated therein.
Section 6.14. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
(a) At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Trustee may, and upon request of the Company, shall, appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities, which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.6. Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.14, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.14, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section 6.14.
(b) Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section 6.14, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
(c) An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and the Company, and the Trustee shall terminate any such agency promptly upon request by the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.14, the Trustee may and, upon request of the Company, shall appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall send written notice in the manner provided in Section 1.6 of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section 6.14.
(d) The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 6.14.
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(e) If an appointment of an Authenticating Agent with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section 6.14, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
U.S. Bank National Association, | ||
As Trustee | ||
By | ||
As Authenticating Agent | ||
By | ||
Authorized Signatory |
ARTICLE
VII
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
Section 7.1. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
If the Trustee is not the Security Registrar, the Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(a) semi-annually (at intervals of not more than six months), not later than 15 days after each Regular Record Date (or, if there is no Regular Record Date relating to a series, semi-annually on dates set forth in the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture with respect to such series), a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such date, 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.
Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.1 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(b) Holders of any series may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Holders of that series or any other series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that series or any other series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and any other Person shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee.
(a) Within 60 days after May 15 of each year, commencing the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall, to the extent that any of the events described in Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act occurred within the previous twelve months, but not otherwise, send to each Holder a brief report dated as of such date that complies with Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Trustee also shall comply with Sections 313(a), 313(b), 313(c) and 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(b) A copy of each report at the time of transmission to Holders shall be sent to the Company and filed with the Commission and each securities exchange, if any, on which the Securities of that series are listed.
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(c) The Company shall notify the Trustee if the Securities of any series become listed on any securities exchange or of any delisting thereof and the Trustee shall comply with Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 7.4. Reports by Company.
(a) The Company shall:
(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; 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, and to the extent required by, 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 Exchange Act, in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;
(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and
(3) transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.
(b) In each case that the Company electronically delivers materials to the Trustee or files documents pursuant to the Commission’s “EDGAR” system (or any successor electronic filing system), such delivery or filing shall be deemed to be “filed” with the Trustee for purposes of this Section 7.4, provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever to determine if such filing has occurred.
(c) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this Section 7.4 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 an Officer’s Certificate).
ARTICLE
VIII
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
Section 8.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
(a) The Company shall not merge or consolidate with or into any other Person (other than a merger of a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company into the Company) or sell, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property ( provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, a pledge of assets pursuant to any secured debt instrument of the Company or its Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be any such sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or disposition) in one transaction or series of related transactions unless:
(1) the Company shall be the surviving Person (the “Surviving Person”) or the Surviving Person (if other than the Company) formed by such merger or consolidation or to which such sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or disposition is made shall be a corporation or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
(b) the Surviving Person (if other than the Company) expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such Surviving Person, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, all the Notes Outstanding, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company;
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(c) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of related transactions, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(d) in the case of a merger where the Surviving Person is other than the Company, the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction and the supplemental indenture, if any, in respect thereto comply with this Section 8.1 and that all conditions precedent in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Section 8.2. Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation by the Company with or merger by the Company into any other corporation or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
ARTICLE
IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.1. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the written consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee (at the direction of the Company) at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto to undertake clarifications and certain other changes that would not adversely affect Holders in any material respect, including changes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company herein and in the Securities;
(2) to add to the covenants of the Company such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the Holders of all or any series of Securities;
(3) to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions pursuant to Section 9.1(2) an Event of Default;
(4) to modify, eliminate or add to any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as necessary to effect the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, and to add to this Indenture such other provisions as may be expressly permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, excluding however, the provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act;
(5) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein or in any supplemental indenture;
(6) to secure the Securities;
(7) 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);
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(8) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1, including any subordination provisions; or
(9) to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect.
Section 9.2. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.
(a) With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series so affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee (at the direction of the Company) may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Securities of such series or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture.
Without the written consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Securities affected thereby, a supplemental indenture under this Section 9.2 shall not (with respect to any Outstanding Security held by a non-consenting Holder):
(1) change the Stated Maturity of, the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon, or change any Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date);
(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture; or
(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section 9.2 or Section 5.13, except to increase the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required under any such Section or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 6.11(b) and 9.1(7).
(b) A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of 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.
(c) It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
(d) The Company may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders of Securities entitled to consent pursuant to this Section 9.2. Such record date shall be the later of (i) thirty days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or (ii) the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 7.1. Any vote or action pursuant to this Section 9.2 can only be taken by Persons who are Holders on such record date and, unless otherwise specified, such vote or action must take place on or prior to the 180th day after such record date. The Company may change the record date at its option, and the Company will provide written notice to the Trustee and to each Holder of any such change of record date.
Section 9.3. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article IX or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and complies with the provisions hereof (including Section 9.5 hereof). The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, or immunities or liabilities under this Indenture or otherwise.
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Section 9.4. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article IX, 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 9.5. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article IX shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
Section 9.6. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article IX 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 such Securities may be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
ARTICLE
X
COVENANTS
Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
(a) 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 of that series and this Indenture.
(b) An installment of principal or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is due if the Trustee or Paying Agent holds on that date money designated for and sufficient to pay such installment and is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
(a) 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 payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency 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.
(b) 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.
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Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.
(a) 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 failure so to act.
(b) Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, 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.
(c) The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee or the Company 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 10.3, that such Paying Agent will:
(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest 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.
(d) 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.
(e) 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.
(f) In the event that the Paying Agent receives funds in advance of any due date, the Paying Agent shall be entitled to invest such funds in the U.S. Bank Money Market Deposit Account or any substantially similar successor account, any earnings on which shall be for the account of the Company.
Section 10.4. 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.
Section 10.5. [Reserved] .
Section 10.6. Statement by Officer 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, an Officer’s Certificate signed by the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signer thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions applicable to the Company and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which he or she may have knowledge. If any default or Event of Default under Section 5.1 has occurred and is continuing, within 10 Business Days after its becoming aware of such occurrence the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying such event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
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ARTICLE
XI
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 11.1. 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 3.1 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article XI.
Section 11.2. 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 like tenor of any series, the Company shall, at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company, notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. Any such notice may be cancelled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being sent to any Holder and shall thereby be void and of no effect. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.
Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.
(a) If less than all the Securities of like tenor of any series are to be redeemed, the particular securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee not more than 45 days prior to the redemption date, from the Outstanding Securities of like tenor of such series not previously called for redemption, by lot or, in the Trustee’s discretion, on a pro-rata basis, subject to the redemption procedures of the applicable depositary, and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of such Securities of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for such Securities.
(b) 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.
(c) For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any 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 11.4. Notice of Redemption.
(a) Notice of redemption shall be sent not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, in accordance with Section 1.6; provided, that such notice of redemption may be furnished, in the Company’s discretion, more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series or a defeasance of the Securities pursuant to Articles IV or XIII hereof.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date;
(2) the Redemption Price (or the method of calculating or determining the Redemption Price);
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(3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of like tenor 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) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder of such Security will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed;
(5) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date;
(6) the CUSIP number and/or similar numbers of such Securities, if any (or any other numbers used by a Depositary to identify such Securities);
(7) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price; and
(8) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case.
(b) Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request made at least five days prior to the date the notice of redemption is to be given (unless a shorter time period shall be acceptable to the Trustee), by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.
Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price.
No later than 11:00 a.m. New York time on the Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, the Company shall segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money 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; provided, however, that to the extent any such money is received by the Trustee or a Paying Agent from the Company after 11:00 a.m. New York time, on the due date, such money will be deemed deposited within one Business Day of receipt thereof.
Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
(a) 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 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 or prior to 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 3.7.
(b) If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.
Section 11.7. 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 such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, 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.
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ARTICLE
XIIARTICLE XII
SINKING FUNDS
Section 12.1. Applicability of Article.
(a) The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of such series.
(b) The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of 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 12.2. 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 12.2. 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 a 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 12.3. 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 will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.2 and will also deliver to the Trustee any such Securities. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 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 11.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 11.6 and 11.7.
ARTICLE
XIII
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 13.1. Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Unless pursuant to Section 3.1 provision is made for either or both of (a) defeasance of the Securities of a series under Section 13.2 to not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series or (b) covenant defeasance of the Securities of a series under Section 13.3 to not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series, then the provisions of such Sections 13.2 and 13.3, together with the other provisions of this Article XIII, shall be applicable to the Securities of such series, and the Company may at its option by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to the Securities of such series, elect to have either Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 be applied to the Outstanding Securities of such series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article XIII.
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Section 13.2. Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company’s exercise of the option set forth in Section 13.1 applicable to this Section 13.2, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Outstanding Securities of such series and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense and request of the Company, shall execute instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 13.4 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Securities when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 10.2 and 10.3, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties, and immunities of the Trustee under Sections 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.9, 4.2, 6.7 and Section 10.3(e), and otherwise the duty of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued on registration of transfer or exchange and (D) this Article XIII. Subject to compliance with this Article XIII, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 13.2 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 13.3 with respect to the Securities of such series.
Section 13.3. Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company’s exercise of the option set forth in Section 13.1 applicable to this Section 13.3, the Company shall be released from its obligations under Sections 7.4 and 10.4 and clause (2) of the first paragraph of Section 8.1 and any other covenants to be applicable to the Securities of a series as specified pursuant to Section 3.1 unless specified otherwise pursuant to such Section (and the failure to comply with any such provisions shall not constitute a default or Event of Default under Section 5.1), and the occurrence of any event described in Section 5.1(4) and (7) and any other Events of Default to be applicable to the Securities of a series as specified pursuant to Section 3.1 unless specified otherwise pursuant to such Section shall not constitute a default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”). For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section with respect to it, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in any such Section to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.
Section 13.4. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to application of either Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 to the Outstanding Securities of such series:
(a) the Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.9 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article XIII applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, for the benefit of the holders of such Securities, (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, investment bank or appraisal firm, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of (and premium, if any) on and each installment of principal of (premium, if any) and interest on the Outstanding Securities of such series on the Stated Maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be (the Company being required to specify whether the Outstanding Securities of such series are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date), of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to the Outstanding 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. For this purpose, “U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are (x) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (y) 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 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 (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such 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 U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt;
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(b) no Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a default resulting from borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and the grant of any lien securing such borrowing);
(c) no defaults or Events of Default related to bankruptcy, insolvency or organization occurs during the 90 days following the deposit;
(d) such defeasance or covenant defeasance must not result in the trust arising from the deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), unless such trust will be registered under the Investment Company Act or exempt from registration thereunder;
(e) such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound (other than a default resulting from borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and the grant of any lien securing such borrowing);
(f) such defeasance or covenant defeasance must not cause the trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act;
(g) such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not cause any Securities of such series then listed on any registered national securities exchange under the Exchange Act to be delisted;
(h) in the case of an election under Section 13.2, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (x) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (y) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred;
(i) in the case of an election under Section 13.3, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred;
(j) such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 3.1; and
(k) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to either the defeasance under Section 13.2 or the covenant defeasance under Section 13.3, as the case may be, have been complied with.
Section 13.5. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
(a) Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively, for purposes of this Section 13.5, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 13.4 in respect of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own paying agent), to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
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(b) The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 13.4 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series.
(c) Anything in this Article XIII to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 13.4 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, investment bank or appraisal firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent defeasance or covenant defeasance.
(d) In the event that the Trustee is unable to apply the funds held in trust to the payment of obligations under the Securities by reason of a court order or governmental injunction or prohibition, then those of the Company’s obligations discharged under the defeasance or covenant defeasance will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit of funds had occurred, until such time as the Trustee is permitted to apply all funds held in trust under the procedure described above to the payment of obligations under the Securities. However, if the Company makes any payment of principal or interest the Holders, the Company will have the right to receive such payments from the trust in the place of the Holders.
* * * *
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. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile, PDF or other electronic transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture and signature pages for all purposes.
[The remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ Phillip J. Ahn | ||
Name: | Phillip J. Ahn | ||
Title: |
Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating
Officer |
[Signature Page to Base Indenture]
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U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee | |||
By: | /s/ Paula Oswald | ||
Name: | Paula Oswald | ||
Title: | Vice President |
[Signature Page to Base Indenture]
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Exhibit 4.2
B. Riley Financial, Inc.
and
U.S. Bank National Association,
as Trustee
FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
Dated as of November 2, 2016
to the Indenture dated as of November 2, 2016
7.50% Senior Notes due 2021
Table of Contents
Page | ||
ARTICLE 1 APPLICATION OF FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE | 1 | |
Section 1.01. | Application of First Supplemental Indenture. | 1 |
ARTICLE 2 DEFINITIONS | 2 | |
Section 2.01. | Certain Terms Defined in the Indenture. | 2 |
Section 2.02. | Definitions. | 2 |
ARTICLE 3 FORM AND TERMS OF THE NOTES | 2 | |
Section 3.01. | Form and Dating. | 2 |
Section 3.02. | Terms of the Notes. | 3 |
Section 3.03. | Optional Redemption. | 4 |
ARTICLE 4 CERTAIN COVENANTS | 4 | |
Section 4.01. | Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets. | 4 |
Section 4.02. | Reporting. | 5 |
Section 4.03. | Payment of Taxes. | 5 |
ARTICLE 5 EVENTS OF DEFAULT | 5 | |
Section 5.01. | Events of Default. | 5 |
ARTICLE 6 MISCELLANEOUS | 6 | |
Section 6.01. | Trust Indenture Act Controls. | 6 |
Section 6.02. | New York Law to Govern. | 6 |
Section 6.03. | Counterparts. | 7 |
Section 6.04. | Severability. | 7 |
Section 6.05. | Ratification. | 7 |
Section 6.06. | Effectiveness. | 7 |
Section 6.07. | Trustee Makes No Representation. | 7 |
EXHIBIT A Form of 7.50% Senior Note due 2021 | A-1 |
FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “First Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of November 2, 2016, between B. Riley Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
WHEREAS , the Company and the Trustee executed and delivered an Indenture, dated as of November 2, 2016 (the “Base Indenture,” and together with this First Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”), to provide for the issuance by the Company from time to time of Securities to be issued in one or more series as provided in the Indenture;
WHEREAS , Section 9.1 of the Base Indenture provides, among other things, that the Company and the Trustee may enter into indentures supplemental to the Base Indenture, without the consent of any Holders of Securities, to establish the form of any Security, as permitted by Section 2.1 of the Base Indenture, and to provide for the issuance of the Notes (as defined below), as permitted by Section 3.1 of the Base Indenture, and to set forth the terms thereof;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to execute this First Supplemental Indenture, pursuant to Section 2.1 of the Base Indenture, to establish the form and, pursuant to Section 3.1 of the Base Indenture, to provide for the issuance, of a series of its senior notes designated as its 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Notes”), in an initial aggregate principal amount of $28,750,000. The Notes are a series of securities as referred to in Section 3.1 of the Base Indenture.
WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver this First Supplemental Indenture;
WHEREAS, all things necessary have been done by the Company to make this First Supplemental Indenture, when executed and delivered by the Company, a valid supplement to the Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary have been done by the Company to make the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, the valid obligations of the Company;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises stated herein and the purchase of the Notes by the Holders thereof, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Notes as follows:
ARTICLE
1
APPLICATION OF FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
Section 1.01. Application of First Supplemental Indenture .
Notwithstanding any other provision of this First Supplemental Indenture, all provisions of this First Supplemental Indenture are expressly and solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, and any such provisions shall not be deemed to apply to any other securities issued under the Base Indenture and shall not be deemed to amend, modify or supplement the Base Indenture for any purpose other than with respect to the Notes. Unless otherwise expressly specified, references in this First Supplemental Indenture to specific Article numbers or Section numbers refer to Articles and Sections contained in this First Supplemental Indenture as they amend or supplement the Base Indenture, and not the Base Indenture or any other document. All Initial Notes and Additional Notes, if any, shall be treated as a single class for all purposes of this Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.
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ARTICLE
2
DEFINITIONS
Section 2.01. Certain Terms Defined in the Indenture .
For purposes of this First Supplemental Indenture, all capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Base Indenture, as amended hereby.
Section 2.02. Definitions . (a) For the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 2.02:
“Additional Notes” has the meaning specified in Section 3.02(b) of this First Supplemental Indenture.
“Depositary” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(c) of this First Supplemental Indenture.
“Global Notes” means the Notes in the form of Global Securities issued to the Depositary or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A.
“Initial Notes” has the meaning specified in Section 3.02(b) of this First Supplemental Indenture.
“Notes” has the meaning specified in the recitals of this First Supplemental Indenture.
“person” has the meaning given thereto in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.
ARTICLE
3
FORM AND TERMS OF THE NOTES
Section 3.01. Form and Dating .
a) The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto. The Notes shall be executed on behalf of the Company by an Officer of the Company. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes and any beneficial interest in the Notes shall be in minimum denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof.
b) The terms and notations contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of the Indenture, and the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.
c) Global Notes. The Notes shall be issued initially in the form of fully registered Global Securities, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York (the “Depositary”) and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the Depositary’s nominee, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee.
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d) Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 3.01(d) shall apply only to the Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary. The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 3.01(d), authenticate and deliver the Global Notes that shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary and shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instructions.
e) Paying Agent. The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Notes and the office of the Trustee at U.S. Bank National Association, 633 West Fifth Street, 24th Floor Los Angeles, California 90071, is hereby designated as the Place of Payment where the Notes may be presented for payment.
Section 3.02. Terms of the Notes . The following terms relating to the Notes are hereby established:
a) Title . The Notes shall constitute a series of Securities having the title “7.50% Senior Notes due 2021”.
b) Principal Amount . The aggregate principal amount of the Notes that may be initially authenticated and delivered under the Indenture (the “Initial Notes”) shall be $28,750,000 (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of, transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 9.6 or 11.7 of the Base Indenture). The Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of Notes, issue additional Notes (in any such case “Additional Notes”) having the same ranking and the same interest rate, Maturity and other terms as the Initial Notes. Any Additional Notes and the Initial Notes shall constitute a single series under the Indenture and all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes unless the context otherwise requires.
c) Maturity Date . The entire outstanding principal amount of the Notes shall be payable on October 31, 2021.
d) Interest Rate . The rate at which the Notes shall bear interest shall be 7.50% per annum; the date from which interest shall accrue on the Notes shall be November 2, 2016, or the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or provided for; the Interest Payment Dates for the Notes shall be January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31 of each year, beginning January 31, 2017; the interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date, will be paid, in immediately available funds, to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or predecessor Notes) are registered (which shall initially be the Depositary) at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the January 15, April 15, July 15 or October 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, preceding such Interest Payment Date. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. For so long as the Notes are represented in global form by one or more Global Securities, all payments of principal (and premium, if any) and interest shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security representing such Notes. In the event that definitive Notes shall have been issued, all payments of principal (and premium, if any) and interest shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts of the registered Holders thereof; provided, that the Company may elect to make such payments at the office of the Paying Agent in The City of Los Angeles; and provided further, that the Company may at its option pay interest by check to the registered address of each Holder of a definitive Note.
e) Currency . The currency of denomination of the Notes is United States Dollars. Payment of principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes shall be made in United States Dollars.
f) Sinking Fund . The Notes are not subject to any sinking fund.
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g) Additional Interest . At the Company’s election, the sole remedy with respect to an Event of Default due to a failure to comply with reporting requirements under the Trust Indenture Act or under Section 4.02 below, for the first 180 calendar days after the occurrence of such Event of Default, consists exclusively of the right to receive additional interest on the Notes at an annual rate equal to (1) 0.25% for the first 90 calendar days after such default and (2) 0.50% for calendar days 91 through 180 after such default. On the 181st day after such Event of Default, if such violation is not cured or waived, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes may declare the principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes to be due and payable immediately. If the Company chooses to pay such additional interest, the Company must notify the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes by certificate of the Company’s election at any time on or before the close of business on the first business day following the Event of Default.
Section 3.03. Optional Redemption .
a) The provisions of Article 11 of the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the provisions of this First Supplemental Indenture, shall apply to the Notes.
b) The Notes shall be redeemable as a whole or in part at any time and from time to time on or after October 31, 2018 at the Company’s option, upon notice not fewer than 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount plus any unpaid interest payable thereon accrued to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption.
c) If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the particular Notes to be redeemed will be selected not more than 45 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption, by lot, or in the Trustee’s discretion, on a pro-rata basis, provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Notes will be in an authorized denomination (which will not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Notes. The Trustee will promptly notify us in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Notes selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
d) Unless the Company defaults on the payment of the redemption price, on and after the date of redemption, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes called for redemption.
ARTICLE
4
CERTAIN COVENANTS
The following covenants shall be applicable to the Company for so long as any of the Notes are Outstanding. Nothing in this Article will, however, affect the Company’s rights or obligations under any other provision of the Base Indenture or this First Supplemental Indenture.
Section 4.01. Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets .
The Company shall not merge or consolidate with or into any other Person (other than a merger of a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company into the Company) or sell, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property (provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, a pledge of assets pursuant to any secured debt instrument of the Company or its Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be any such sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or disposition) in one transaction or series of related transactions unless:
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a) the Company shall be the surviving Person (the “Surviving Person”) or the Surviving Person (if other than the Company) formed by such merger or consolidation or to which such sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or disposition is made shall be a corporation or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
b) the Surviving Person (if other than the Company) expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such Surviving Person, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, all the Notes Outstanding, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company;
c) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of related transactions, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
d) in the case of a merger where the Surviving Person is other than the Company, the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction and the supplemental indenture, if any, in respect thereto comply with this Section 4.01 and that all conditions precedent in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Section 4.02. Reporting .
If, at any time, the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act to file any periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company agrees to furnish to Holders and Trustee, for the period of time during which the Notes are outstanding, its audited annual consolidated financial statements, within 90 days of its fiscal year end, and unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, within 45 days of its fiscal quarter end (other than our fourth fiscal quarter). All such financial statements will be prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, as applicable.
Section 4.03. Payment of Taxes.
The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or upon the income, profits or property of the Company, except where the failure to do so would not be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment or charge whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
ARTICLE 5
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Section 5.01. Events of Default .
Solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, Section 5.1 of the Base Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“Section 5.1 Events of Default
“Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to the Notes means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Note when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;
(2) default in the payment of the principal of any Note when due and payable;
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(3) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant of the Company in this Indenture with respect to the Notes, and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been sent 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 Notes, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;
(4) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable federal or state law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official 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 90 consecutive days; or
(5) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or state law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by the Company of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by the Company in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1 hereof, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of an Event of Default hereunder (except for those described in paragraphs (1) and (2) above if the Trustee is then the Paying Agent) unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge thereof or shall have received written notice thereof and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.
ARTICLE
6
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 6.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls .
If any provision of this First Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this First Supplemental Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act, the required provision shall control. If any provision of this First Supplemental Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this First Supplemental Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.
Section 6.02. New York Law to Govern .
This First Supplemental Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
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Section 6.03. Counterparts .
This First Supplemental Indenture 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. The exchange of copies of this First Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile, PDF or other electronic transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original First Supplemental Indenture and signature pages for all purposes.
Section 6.04. Severability . If any provision of this First Supplemental Indenture or the Notes shall be held to be illegal or unenforceable under applicable law, then the remaining provisions hereof shall be construed as though such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision were not contained therein.
Section 6.05. Ratification .
The Base Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this First Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed. The Indenture shall be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument. All provisions included in this First Supplemental Indenture supersede any conflicting provisions included in the Base Indenture unless not permitted by law. The Trustee accepts the trusts created by the Indenture, and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions of the Indenture.
Section 6.06. Effectiveness .
The provisions of this First Supplemental Indenture shall become effective as of the date hereof.
Section 6.07. Trustee Makes No Representation .
The recitals contained herein are made by the Company and not by the Trustee, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness thereof. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this First Supplemental Indenture. All rights, protections, privileges, indemnities and benefits granted or afforded to the Trustee under the Indenture shall be deemed incorporated herein by this reference and shall be deemed applicable to all actions taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act under this First Supplemental Indenture.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Phillip J. Ahn | |
Name: Phillip J. Ahn | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer |
[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]
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U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee | ||
By: | /s/ Paula Oswald | |
Name: Paula Oswald | ||
Title: Vice President |
[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]
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EXHIBIT A
THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE) OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND, UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE 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, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY (AS DEFINED BELOW) OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.
7.50% Senior Note due 2021
No. [●] | Principal Amount |
CUSIP No. 05580M 207 | $28,750,000 |
B. Riley Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the “Company”, which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture referred to below), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of Twenty Eight Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand U.S. Dollars (U.S. $28,750,000) on October 31, 2021 and to pay interest thereon from November 2, 2016 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, quarterly on January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31 in each year (each an “Interest Payment Date”), beginning January 31, 2017 at the rate of 7.50% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or duly made available for payment. The interest so payable and punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date shall, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the January 15, April 15, July 15 or October 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder hereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and may be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of the Notes not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.
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Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and the interest on this Note shall be made at the designated office of the Trustee (as defined below) at U.S. Bank National Association, 633 West Fifth Street, 24th Floor Los Angeles, California 90071, in such currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, for so long as the Notes are represented in global form by one or more Global Securities, all payments of principal (and premium, if any) and interest shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security representing such Notes. In the event that definitive Notes shall have been issued, all payments of principal (and premium, if any) and interest shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts of the registered Holders thereof; provided, that the Company may at its option pay interest by check to the registered address of each Holder of a definitive Note.
This Note is one of the duly authorized series of Securities of the Company, designated as the Company’s “7.50% Senior Notes due 2021”, initially limited to an aggregate principal amount of $28,750,000 all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture (the “Base Indenture”), dated as of November 2, 2016, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (hereinafter referred to as the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of November 2, 2016 (the “First Supplemental Indenture”, and together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”). Reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a description of the respective rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of the Notes.
The Company may redeem the Notes as a whole or in part, at any time and from time to time on or after October 31, 2018 at the Company’s option, upon notice sent not fewer than 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount plus any unpaid interest payable thereon accrued to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption.
If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Notes to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption, by lot, or in the Trustee’s discretion, on a pro-rata basis, provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Notes will be in an authorized denomination (which will not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Notes. The Trustee will promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Notes selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
The Notes are not subject to any sinking fund.
If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Notes may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
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The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series affected thereby. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the right of the Holder of this Note, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and interest on this Note at the times herein and in the Indenture prescribed and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment unless the Holder of this Note shall have consented to the impairment of such right.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations set forth therein, the transfer of this Note may be registered in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Note are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes of this series and of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, shall be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Notes are issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof. Subject to certain limitations therein set forth in the Indenture and in this Note, the Notes are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of this series in different authorized denominations, as requested by the Holders surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or for exchange of this Note, but the Company or the Trustee 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 a Note, other than in certain cases provided in the Indenture.
Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
The Indenture contains provisions whereby (i) the Company may be discharged from its obligations with respect to the Notes (subject to certain exceptions) or (ii) the Company may be released from its obligations under specified covenants and agreements in the Indenture, in each case if the Company irrevocably deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on all Notes of this series, and satisfies certain other conditions, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.
This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
All terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
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Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by or on behalf of the Trustee under the Indenture by the manual signature of one of its authorized signatories, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
Dated: [●]
B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Global Note]
A- 4 |
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated: [●]
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | ||
By: | ||
Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Global Note]
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ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this instrument, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations.
TEN COM - as tenants | UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - . . .Custodian | |
in common | (Cust) (Minor) | |
TEN ENT - as tenants by | Under Uniform Gifts to | |
the entireties | Minor Act | |
JT TEN - as joint tenants | ||
with right of | ||
survivorship and | ||
not as tenants in | ||
common | (State) |
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto
(Please insert Assignee’s legal name)
(Please insert Social Security or other identifying number of Assignee)
(Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of Assignee)
the within Note of B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC. and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint attorney to transfer the said Note on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated:
Your Signature: | ||
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the | ||
face of this Note) |
[NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.]
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Exhibit 5.1
12531
High Bluff Drive
Telephone: 858.720.5100 Facsimile: 858.720.5125 www.mofo.com
|
morrison foerster llp
beijing,
berlin, brussels,
|
November 2, 2016
B. Riley Financial, Inc.
21255 Burbank Blvd., Suite 400
Woodland Hills, California 91367
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to B. Riley Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the issuance and sale by the Company of $25,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “ Firm Notes ”), and in connection with the Underwriters’ (as defined below) exercise of the over-allotment option and purchase of an additional $3,750,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “ Additional Notes ” and together with the Firm Notes, the “ Notes ”), pursuant to the terms of an Underwriting Agreement, dated October 27, 2016 (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”), by and among the Company, Wunderlich Securities, Inc. and Compass Point Research & Trading LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters named in Schedule A thereto (the “ Underwriters ”). The Notes are to be issued pursuant to the terms and conditions of, and in the form set forth in, an Indenture entered into by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), dated as of November 2, 2016 (the “ Base Indenture ”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture relating to the Notes, dated as of November 2, 2016 (the “ Supplemental Indenture ” and together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”). This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-203534), initially filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) on April 20, 2015, as amended by Amendment No. 1 filed by the Company with the Commission on May 22, 2015, and declared effective by the Commission on July 2, 2015 (the “ Initial Registration Statement ”), and the registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-214234, the “ 462(b) Registration Statement ”), filed by the Company with the Commission on October 25, 2016 in connection with the registration pursuant to the Act of up to an aggregate of $1,749,310 of the Company’s senior and subordinated debt securities (the 462(b) Registration Statement together with the Initial Registration Statement, the “ Registration Statements ”) in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “ Act ”), relating to the issuance and sale of the Notes.
November 2, 2016
Page Two
In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals, copies or forms of: (i) the Registration Statements; (ii) the prospectus, dated July 2, 2015 (the “ Base Prospectus ”), which forms a part of the Initial Registration Statement; (iii) the preliminary prospectus supplement, dated October 26, 2016, relating to the Notes (together with the Base Prospectus, the “ Preliminary Prospectus ”); (iv) the prospectus supplement, dated October 27, 2016, in the form filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act (the Base Prospectus, together with Preliminary Prospectus and the documents incorporated and deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, herein collectively referred to as the “ Prospectus ”); and (v) the Indenture (such documents the “ Documents ”). In addition, we have examined such records, documents, certificates of public officials and of the Company, made such inquiries of officers of the Company, and considered such questions of law as we have deemed necessary for the purpose of rendering the opinions set forth herein.
In connection with this opinion, we have assumed: (i) the authenticity of original documents and the genuineness of all signatures; (ii) the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies; (iii) the truth, accuracy and completeness of the information, representations and warranties contained in the instruments, documents, certificates and records we have reviewed; (iv) that all Notes will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statements and the Prospectus; (v) that each party thereto (other than the Company) has the corporate or other power and authority to execute, deliver and perform such Documents; (vi) that each party thereto (other than the Company) has duly authorized, executed and delivered such Documents; (vii) that each Document is the legal, valid and binding obligation of such party (other than the Company) enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms; (viii) that the Indenture constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Trustee and has been duly authenticated by the Trustee and will be duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; and (ix) the legal capacity of all natural persons. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein that were not independently established or verified, we have relied upon oral or written statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company, including a certificate from officers of the Company with respect to certain factual matters.
The opinions hereinafter expressed are subject to the following further qualifications and exceptions:
(1) | We express no opinion as to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, including, without limitation, laws relating to fraudulent transfers or conveyances, preferences and equitable subordination. |
(2) | We express no opinion as to limitations imposed by general principles of equity upon the availability of equitable remedies or the enforcement of provisions of the Documents; and the effect of judicial decisions which have held that certain provisions are unenforceable where their enforcement would violate the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, or would be commercially unreasonable, or where a default under the Documents is not material. |
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(3) | We express no opinion as to the effect of judicial decisions permitting the introduction of extrinsic evidence to supplement the terms or aid in the interpretation of the Documents. |
(4) | We express no opinion as to the effect on the opinions expressed herein of (i) the compliance or non-compliance of any party to the Documents with any law, regulation or order applicable to it, or (ii) the legal or regulatory status or the nature of the business of any such party. |
(5) | We express no opinion as to the enforceability of provisions of the Documents providing for indemnification or contribution, to the extent such indemnification or contribution is against public policy. |
(6) | We express no opinion as to the enforceability of provisions of the Documents imposing or which are construed as effectively imposing a penalty. |
(7) | We express no opinion as to the enforceability of any provision of the Documents which purports to establish evidentiary standards or to make determinations conclusive or powers absolute. |
(8) | We express no opinion as to the enforceability of the waiver of stay or extension laws contained in Section 5.15 of the Base Indenture. |
(9) | We express no opinion as to the enforceability of any choice of law provisions contained in the Documents or the enforceability of any provisions which purport to establish a particular court as the forum for adjudication of any controversy relating to the Documents or which purport to cause any party to waive or alter any right to a trial by jury or which waive objection to jurisdiction. |
Further, we express no opinion as to the effect on the opinions expressed herein of (i) the compliance or non-compliance of any party to the Indenture and the Notes with any law, regulation or order applicable to it, (ii) the legal or regulatory status or the nature of the business of any such party, (iii) provisions of the Indenture under which the Company submits to the jurisdiction of one or more New York courts or federal courts located in the State of New York are subject to the application of the doctrine of forum non conveniens or a similar statutory principle or as to the subject matter jurisdiction of the federal courts located in the State of New York to adjudicate any dispute under the Indenture, (iv) provisions of the Indenture which purport to prohibit or restrict a transfer of rights under the Indenture or (v) provisions of the Indenture providing for rights of setoff.
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Our opinion is based upon current statutes, rules, regulations, cases and official interpretive opinions, and it covers certain items that are not directly or definitively addressed by such authorities.
Based upon and subject to the limitations and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
The Notes, when issued, executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor in the manner contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement and the terms of the Registration Statements, will be legally issued and binding obligations of the Company pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
We express no opinion as to matters governed by any laws other than the substantive laws of the State of New York and the federal laws of the United States (without reference to choice of law rules), which are in effect on the date hereof.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as exhibit 5.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by the Company with the Commission on or about November 2, 2016, which will be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statements and any amendments thereto and to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are acting within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Morrison & Foerster LLP
Exhibit 99.1
Source: B. Riley Financial, Inc.
B. Riley Financial Announces Pricing of
Senior Notes Offering
LOS ANGELES— OCTOBER 28, 2016 — B. Riley Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: RILY) (the “ Company ”) today announced that on October 27, 2016 it priced an underwritten registered public offering of $25 million aggregate principal amount of 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Notes”) at 100% of the principal amount. The Company has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $3.75 million aggregate principal amount of Notes in connection with the offering solely to cover overallotments. Wunderlich Securities, Inc. and Compass Point Research & Trading LLC are acting as book-running managers for the offering. The offering is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close on Wednesday, November 2, 2016.
The Company intends to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes.
The Notes will be offered under the Company's shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The offering of these Notes will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This announcement shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes, nor shall there be any sale of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would not be permitted.
About B. Riley Financial, Inc.
B. Riley Financial, Inc. provides collaborative financial services and solutions through several subsidiaries and with the acquisition of United Online, Inc. (“UOL”) on July 1, 2016, provides consumer services and products over the internet. B. Riley & Co. LLC, a leading investment bank which provides corporate finance, research, and sales & trading to corporate, institutional and high net worth individual clients;. Great American Group, LLC, a leading provider of advisory and valuation services, and asset disposition and auction solutions to a wide range of retail, wholesale and industrial clients, as well as lenders, capital providers, private equity investors and professional service firms. B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, an SEC registered Investment Advisor, which includes B. Riley Asset Management, a provider of investment products to institutional and high net worth investors, and B. Riley Wealth Management (formerly MK Capital Advisors), a multi-family office practice and wealth management firm focused on the needs of ultra-high net worth individuals and families; and Great American Capital Partners, a provider of senior secured loans and second lien secured loan facilities to middle market public and private U.S. companies. UOL provides internet access services and devices under the NetZero and Juno brands primarily in the United States.
B. Riley Financial is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in major financial markets throughout the United States and Europe. For more information on B. Riley Financial, visit www.brileyfin.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding our expectations, hopes or intentions regarding the future. These forward looking statements can often be identified by their use of words such as “will”, “predict”, “continue”, “forecast”, “expect”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “outlook”, “could”, “target”, “project”, “intend”, “plan”, “seek”, “estimate”, “should”, “may” and “assume”, as well as variations of such words and similar expressions referring to the future, and may include (without limitation) statements regarding the terms and conditions and timing of the senior notes offering. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in each such statement. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include (without limitation) the possibility that the notes offering will not be consummated at the expected time, on the expected terms, or at all; and the Company’s financial performance. Additional factors are discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, and in the Company’s other current and periodic reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements in this document are made based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
Exhibit 99.2
Source: B. Riley Financial, Inc.
B. Riley Financial Announces Closing of
Senior Notes Offering
LOS ANGELES—NOVEMBER 2, 2016 — B. Riley Financial, Inc . (NASDAQ: RILY) (t he “ Company ”) announced today that it has closed an underwritten registered public offering of $28.75 million aggregate principal amount of 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Notes”), which amount included $3.75 million aggregate principal amount of Notes issued pursuant to the full exercise by the underwriters of their overallotment option. Wunderlich Securities, Inc. and Compass Point Research & Trading LLC acted as book-running managers for the offering.
The offering resulted in net proceeds of approximately $27.7 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, but before expenses. The Company intends to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes.
The Notes were offered under the Company's shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The offering of these Notes was made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This announcement shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes, nor shall there be any sale of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would not be permitted.
About B. Riley Financial, Inc.
B. Riley Financial, Inc. provides collaborative financial services and solutions through several subsidiaries and with the acquisition of United Online, Inc. (“UOL”) on July 1, 2016, provides consumer services and products over the internet. B. Riley & Co. LLC, a leading investment bank which provides corporate finance, research, and sales & trading to corporate, institutional and high net worth individual clients;. Great American Group, LLC, a leading provider of advisory and valuation services, and asset disposition and auction solutions to a wide range of retail, wholesale and industrial clients, as well as lenders, capital providers, private equity investors and professional service firms. B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, an SEC registered Investment Advisor, which includes B. Riley Asset Management, a provider of investment products to institutional and high net worth investors, and B. Riley Wealth Management (formerly MK Capital Advisors), a multi-family office practice and wealth management firm focused on the needs of ultra-high net worth individuals and families; and Great American Capital Partners, a provider of senior secured loans and second lien secured loan facilities to middle market public and private U.S. companies. UOL provides internet access services and devices under the NetZero and Juno brands primarily in the United States.
B. Riley Financial is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in major financial markets throughout the United States and Europe. For more information on B. Riley Financial, visit www.brileyfin.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding our expectations, hopes or intentions regarding the future. These forward looking statements can often be identified by their use of words such as “will”, “predict”, “continue”, “forecast”, “expect”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “outlook”, “could”, “target”, “project”, “intend”, “plan”, “seek”, “estimate”, “should”, “may” and “assume”, as well as variations of such words and similar expressions referring to the future, and may include (without limitation) statements regarding the use of proceeds of the senior notes offering. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in each such statement. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include (without limitation) the Company’s plans regarding future uses of cash and the Company’s financial performance. Additional factors are discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, and in the Company’s other current and periodic reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements in this document are made based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.