As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2024
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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Axos Financial, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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| | | | | | | | |
Delaware | | 33-0867444 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
9205 West Russell Road Suite 400
Las Vegas, Nevada 89148
(858) 649-2218
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
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Gregory Garrabrants
President and Chief Executive Officer
Axos Financial, Inc.
9205 West Russell Road Suite 400
Las Vegas, Nevada 89148
(858) 649-2218
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
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Copies to:
Brent R. Trame
Thompson Coburn LLP
One US Bank Plaza
Saint Louis, Missouri 63101
Telephone: (314) 552-6000
Facsimile: (314) 552-7000
_________________________________
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. x
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filed, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. o
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AXOS FINANCIAL, INC.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Units
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PROSPECTUS
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PROSPECTUS
AXOS FINANCIAL, INC.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Units
____________________________
From time to time, we may offer and sell our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights and units (collectively referred as “securities”) in amounts, at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The aggregate amount of the securities offered by us under this prospectus will not exceed $500,000,000. In addition, the selling stockholders named in this prospectus may offer, from time to time and in one or more offerings, up to $50,000,000 of our common stock.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered in one or more offerings. Each time we or the selling stockholders offer securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that will contain more specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also add, update or change in the prospectus supplement any of the information contained in this prospectus.
You should read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, as well as any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and/or the applicable prospectus supplement, before you make your investment decision.
Investing in our securities involves risks. Before making any decision to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties referenced under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus beginning on page 6 of this prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as under any similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference herein.
The securities may be sold by us or the selling stockholders through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers or through agents designated from time to time. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. If any underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters and any applicable discounts or commissions and over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is quoted on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “AX.”
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None of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve Board”) or any state securities commission or any other federal or state bank regulatory agency has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The securities offered by this prospectus are not savings accounts, deposits or other obligations of any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency.
The date of this prospectus is February 29, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS
You should rely only on the information set forth or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any supplement. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to provide you with information different from that which is set forth or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities it describes, and only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or prospectus supplement or any sale of a security.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration statement, we or the selling stockholders may sell:
•common stock;
• preferred stock;
• debt securities;
• warrants to purchase common stock;
• subscription rights; and
• units
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights and units that we may offer and sell under this prospectus. Each time we sell such instruments, we will provide a prospectus supplement (and, if applicable, a pricing supplement) that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement (and any pricing supplement) may also add, update or change information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus (including the information incorporated by reference herein) and any prospectus supplement (or pricing supplement), you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement (or pricing supplement). You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
The registration statement that contains this prospectus (including the exhibits to the registration statement) has additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. The registration statement can be read at the SEC web site or at the SEC offices mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Unless otherwise stated, the words “Axos,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Axos Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries, except that such terms refer to Axos Financial, Inc. only and not to its subsidiaries in the sections entitled “Description of Capital Stock,” “Description of Debt Securities,” “Description of Warrants,” “Description of Subscription Rights,” and “Description of Units.”
Unless otherwise indicated, currency amounts in this prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement are stated in U.S. dollars.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Accordingly, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC and filed a registration statement on Form S‑3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which forms part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information, you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits.
The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and information statements and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC. You may obtain documents that we file with the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, to the foregoing, we maintain a website at www.axosfinancial.com. Our website content is made available for informational purposes only. It should neither be relied upon for investment purposes nor is it incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We make available on our website copies of our Annual Reports on Form 10‑K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q, Current Reports on Form 8‑K and any amendments to such document as soon as practicable after we electronically file such material with or furnish such documents to the SEC.
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with the SEC into this prospectus, which means we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus from the date on which we file that document. Any reports filed by us with the SEC (i) on or after the date of filing of the registration statement and (ii) on or after the date of this prospectus and before the termination of the offering of the securities by means of this prospectus will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the following documents:
• Our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on August 29, 2023;
• Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on October 26, 2023 and January 30, 2024, respectively;
•Our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on September 25, 2023, and our Definitive Additional Materials on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on October 31, 2023;
• Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 13, 2023 (with respect to Item 5.07), November 29, 2023 (with respect to Item 5.02), December 5, 2023 (with respect to Item 8.01), December 7, 2023 (with respect to Item 8.01), February 12, 2024 (with respect to Item 8.01);
• The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and
• Any documents we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and before the termination of the offering of the securities offered hereby.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless specifically stated to the contrary, information that we furnish (and that is not deemed “filed” with the SEC) under Items 2.02 and 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K, including the related exhibits under Item 9.01, is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
Upon request, we will provide, without charge, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, a copy of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus. You may request a copy of these filings, and any exhibits we have specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in this prospectus, at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
Axos Financial, Inc.
9205 West Russell Road, Suite 400, Las Vegas, Nevada 89148
Attn: Investor Relations
Telephone: (858) 649-2218.
You may also access these documents, free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on our website at www.axosfinancial.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed from, our website as part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. We have incorporated exhibits into this registration statement. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you.
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus or those documents.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this prospectus that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”), notwithstanding that such statements are not specifically identified as such. In addition, certain statements may be contained in our future filings with the SEC, in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by us or with our approval that are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenues, expenses, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items; (ii) statements of our plans, goals, objectives and expectations of our management or board of directors, including those relating to products or services; (iii) statements of future economic performance; (iv) statements of assumptions underlying such statements and (v) other statements that are not statements of historical facts. Words such as “believes,” “expects,” “feels,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “potential,” “outlook,” “seeks,” “should,” “could,” “will,” “may” and variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements also include the assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing statements.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are difficult to predict and beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following, as well as those discussed elsewhere in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference herein:
• changes in the interest rate environment may reduce interest margins;
• the timing and occurrence or non-occurrence of events may be subject to circumstances beyond our control;
• general economic conditions, either nationally or locally in some or all areas in which we conduct business, or conditions in the securities markets or banking industry, may be less favorable than what we currently anticipate;
• changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines may cause our financial condition to be perceived differently;
• changes in deposit flows, loan demand or real estate values may adversely affect the business of our subsidiary, Axos Bank, through which substantially all of our operations are carried out;
• increases in competitive pressure among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions;
• changes in corporate and/or individual income tax laws may adversely affect our business or financial condition;
• legislation or regulatory changes may adversely affect our business;
• technological changes may be more difficult or expensive than what we anticipate;
• success or consummation of new business initiatives may be more difficult or expensive than what we anticipate;
• litigation or other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future, may delay the occurrence or non-occurrence of events longer than what we anticipate; and
• the additional risks referred to in the section entitled “Risk Factors.”
You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
DESCRIPTION OF AXOS FINANCIAL, INC.
General
Axos Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) is a diversified financial services company with approximately $21.6 billion in assets and approximately $34.4 billion of assets under custody and/or administration at Axos Clearing LLC (“Axos Clearing”). Axos Bank (the “Bank”) provides consumer and commercial banking products through its digital online and mobile banking platforms, low-cost distribution channels and affinity partners. Our Bank offers deposit and lending products to customers nationwide including consumer and business checking, savings and time deposit accounts and financing for single family and multifamily residential mortgages, commercial real estate mortgages and loans, fund and lender finance loans, asset-based loans, auto loans and other consumer loans. Our Bank generates non-interest income from consumer and business products, including fees from loans originated for sale, deposit account service fees, prepayment fees, as well as technology and payment transaction processing fees. We offer securities products and services to independent registered investment advisors (“RIAs”) and introducing broker dealers (“IBDs”) through Axos Clearing and Axos Advisor Services (“AAS”) and direct-to-consumer securities trading and digital investment management products through Axos Invest, Inc. (“Axos Invest”). AAS and Axos Clearing generate interest and fee income by providing comprehensive securities custody services to RIAs and clearing, stock lending, and margin lending services to IBDs respectively. Axos Invest generates fee income from self-directed securities trading and margin lending and fee income from digital wealth management services to consumers. Axos Invest LLC is an introducing broker-dealer which supports direct trading.
At December 31, 2023, we had total assets of $21.6 billion, including loans of $18.3 billion and investment securities totaling $240 million, and total liabilities of $19.5 billion, including total deposits of $18.2 billion and borrowings totaling $431 million. Because we do not incur the significantly higher fixed operating costs inherent in a branch-based distribution system, the Bank is able to grow deposits by providing a better value to our customers and by expanding our low-cost distribution channels.
Our business strategy is to grow our loan originations and our deposits to achieve increased economies of scale and reduce the cost of products and services to our customers by leveraging our distribution channels and technology. We have designed our online banking platform and our workflow processes to handle traditional banking functions with elimination of paperwork and human intervention. Our Bank’s charter allows us to conduct banking operations in all fifty states, as well as Puerto Rico, and our online presence allows for increased flexibility to target a large number of loan and deposit customers based on demographics, geography and service needs. Our low-cost distribution channels provide opportunities to increase our core deposits and increase our loan originations by attracting new customers and developing new and innovative products and services. Our securities clearing and custody and digital investment management platforms provide a comprehensive set of technology, clearing, cash management and lending services targeted at independent registered investment advisors and introducing broker-dealers, principals and clients of advisory firms and individuals not affiliated with an investment advisor. We are integrating our custody and wealth management platforms with our banking platform to create an easy-to-use platform for customers’ banking and investing needs. Additionally, our securities clearing and custody businesses generate additional low-cost deposits, which serve as a source of funding for our Bank.
Corporate Information
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “AX” and is a component of the Russell 2000® Index, the KBW Nasdaq Financial Technology Index, the S&P SmallCap 600® Index, the KBW Nasdaq Financial Technology Index, and the Travillian Tech-Forward Bank Index. Axos Financial, Inc., or the Company, is a Delaware corporation and supervised and regulated as a savings and loan holding company by the Federal Reserve. Axos Bank is a federal savings bank regulated by the OCC and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) as its deposit insurer. Axos Clearing is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). Axos Invest is a Registered Investment Advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, that is registered with the SEC. Axos Invest LLC is an introducing broker-dealer that is registered with the SEC and FINRA.
Our principal executive offices are located at 9205 West Russell Road, Suite 400, Las Vegas, Nevada 89148, and our telephone number is (858) 649-2218. We maintain an Internet website at www.axosfinancial.com. Information contained in or accessible through our website does not constitute part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.
Additional information about us and our subsidiaries can be obtained from the documents incorporated by reference herein. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves various risks that may adversely affect their value. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the specific risks discussed or incorporated by reference in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all the other information contained in the prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. You should also consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Such discussion may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem insignificant or remote also may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, perhaps materially. See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless indicated otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities by us for general corporate purposes. Pending such use, we may temporarily invest the proceeds or use them to reduce short-term indebtedness.
Additional information on the use of proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We will not receive any proceeds from the resale of shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
General
We are authorized to issue up to 150,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of February 22, 2024, there were 69,833,863 shares of common stock issued and 56,898,015 shares of common stock outstanding. Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “AX.”
Common Stock
Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any of the outstanding shares of our preferred stock, and subject to compliance with limitations imposed by law, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably those dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds. Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Under our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, our stockholders will not have cumulative voting rights. Because of this, the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they should so choose. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preferences granted to the holders of any outstanding shares of our preferred stock which we may designate in the future. All outstanding shares of our common stock are, and any shares of our common stock to be issued in the offering will be, fully paid and nonassessable.
Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
Preferred Stock
Our board of directors is authorized to designate and issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series. Subject to the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and limitations prescribed by law and the rules of the NYSE, if applicable, our board of directors has the discretion to adopt resolutions to issue shares, establish the number of shares, change the number of shares constituting any series, and provide or change the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions on shares of our preferred stock, including dividend rights, terms of redemption, conversion rights and liquidation preferences, in each case without any action or vote by our stockholders.
If we offer to sell preferred stock, we will file with the SEC the certificate of designation setting forth the terms of the preferred stock and the prospectus supplement relating to that offering will include a description of the specific terms of the preferred stock, including:
•the series, the number of shares offered and the liquidation value of the preferred stock;
•the price at which the preferred stock will be issued;
•the dividend rate, the dates on which the dividends will be payable and other terms relating to the payment of dividends on the preferred stock;
•the liquidation preference of the preferred stock;
•the voting rights of the preferred stock;
•whether the preferred stock is redeemable or subject to a sinking fund, and the terms of any such redemption or sinking fund;
•whether the preferred stock is convertible or exchangeable for any other securities, and the terms of any such conversion; and
•any additional rights, preferences, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the preferred stock.
It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock upon the rights of holders of our common stock until our board of directors determines the specific terms of the preferred stock. However, these effects might include:
•restricting dividends on our common stock;
•diluting the voting power of our common stock;
•impairing the liquidation rights of our common stock; and
•delaying or preventing a change in control of our company.
The transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for shares of each series of preferred stock will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to such series.
Certain Anti-takeover Effects
General. Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) could make it more difficult to consummate an acquisition of control of us by means of a tender offer, a proxy fight, open market purchases or otherwise in a transaction not approved by our board of directors, regardless of whether our stockholders support the transaction. The summary of the provisions set forth below does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and the DGCL.
Business Combinations. Section 203 of the DGCL restricts a wide range of transactions (“business combinations”) between a corporation and an interested stockholder. An “interested stockholder” is, generally, any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock. Business combinations are broadly defined to include (i) mergers or consolidations with, (ii) sales or other dispositions of more than 10% of the corporation’s assets to, (iii) certain transactions resulting in the issuance or transfer of any stock of the corporation or any subsidiary to, (iv) certain transactions resulting in an increase in the proportionate share of stock of the corporation or any subsidiary owned by, or (v) receipt of the benefit (other than proportionately as a stockholder) of any loans, advances or other financial benefits by, an interested stockholder. Section 203 provides that an interested stockholder may not engage in a business combination with the corporation for a period of three years from the time of becoming an interested stockholder unless (a) our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested stockholder prior to the time that person became an interested stockholder; (b) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested stockholder, that person owned at least 85% of the corporation’s voting stock (excluding, for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and shares owned by certain employee stock plans); or (c) the business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.
Classified Board of Directors. Our certificate of incorporation provides that our Board be divided into three classes of directors, as nearly equal in number as possible, with each class serving a staggered three-year term. The classification system of electing directors may tend to discourage a third-party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us since the classification of our board of directors generally increases the difficulty of replacing a majority of directors.
Advance Notice Provisions. Stockholders seeking to nominate candidates to be elected as directors at an annual meeting or to bring business before an annual meeting must comply with an advance written procedure specified in our bylaws. Only
persons who are nominated by or at the direction of our board, or by a stockholder who has given timely written notice to our Secretary before the meeting to elect directors as specified in our bylaws, will be eligible for election as directors.
At any stockholders’ meeting the business to be conducted is limited to business brought before the meeting by or at the direction of our board of directors, or a stockholder who has given timely written notice to our Secretary in compliance with the advance written procedure specified in our bylaws.
Special Stockholder Meetings. Under our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws, only our Chairman of the Board, President, or Secretary (upon receipt of a written request of a majority of the directors then in office), may call special meetings of stockholders. Stockholders do not have the authority to call special meetings of stockholders.
No Stockholder Written Consents. Our certificate of incorporation denies the power of stockholders to act by consent without a meeting.
Additional Authorized Shares of Capital Stock. The additional shares of authorized common stock and preferred stock available for issuance under our certificate of incorporation could be issued at such times, under such circumstances and with such terms and conditions as to impede a change in control.
Supermajority Voting Provisions. Our certificate of incorporation provides that certain sections of our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws may not be amended or repealed by our stockholders without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of all shares of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Our certificate of incorporation also provides that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of all shares of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, may remove such director or directors only for cause and in the manner provided in our certificate of incorporation.
Limitation of Liability; Indemnification
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that we will indemnify all of our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Our bylaws also authorize us to indemnify our employees and other agents, at our option, to the extent authorized by our board of directors and permitted by Delaware law. We have entered into agreements to indemnify our directors and executive officers, in addition to indemnification provided for in our charter documents. These agreements, among other things, provide for the indemnification of our directors and executive officers for expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by any person in any action or proceeding, including any action by or in the right of our company, arising out of that person’s services as a director or officer of our company or any other company or enterprise to which that person provides services at our request to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. We believe that these provisions and agreements will assist us in attracting and retaining qualified persons to serve as directors and officers.
Delaware law permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director or officer of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except for liability for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or for any transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal benefit. Our certificate of incorporation provides for the elimination of personal liability of a director or officer for breach of fiduciary duty to the extent permitted by Delaware law.
The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors and officers for breach of their fiduciary duty. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and our stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent that we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers as required by these indemnification provisions.
We maintain insurance on behalf of our officers and directors, insuring them against liabilities that they may incur in such capacities or arising out of this status.
Exclusive Forum Provision
In accordance with an exclusive forum provisions set forth in our bylaws:
•unless the corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery (the “Chancery Court”) of the State of Delaware (or, in the event that the Chancery Court does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware or other state courts of the State of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the corporation; (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or stockholder of the corporation to the corporation or to the corporation’s stockholders; (c) any action arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws (as each may be amended from time to time); (d) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws; or (e) any action asserting a claim against the corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine; in each case, subject to said court having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein; and
•unless the corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act.
Restrictions on Ownership
The ability of a third party to acquire us is limited under applicable U.S. banking laws and regulations. Our company is a unitary savings and loan holding company within the meaning of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (“HOLA”), and is treated as a “financial holding company” under Federal Reserve rules. Accordingly, our company is registered as a savings and loan holding company with the Federal Reserve and is subject to the Federal Reserve’s regulations, examinations, supervision and reporting requirements. Federal banking laws require that appropriate regulatory approvals must be obtained before an individual or company may take actions to “control” a bank or savings association. The definition of control found in the HOLA is similar to that found in the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (“BHCA”) for bank holding companies. Both statutes apply a similar three-prong test for determining when a company controls a bank or savings association. Specifically, a company has control over either a bank or savings association if the company:
•directly or indirectly or acting in concert with one or more persons, owns, controls, or has the power to vote 25% or more of the voting securities of the bank or savings association;
•controls in any manner the election of a majority of the directors (or any individual who performs similar functions in respect of any company, including a trustee under a trust) of the board of the bank or savings association; or
•directly or indirectly exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of the bank or savings association.
On January 30, 2020, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System issued a final rule that revised the rules for determining when a company has control over another company under both the BHCA and the HOLA, particularly with respect to the third prong of the above control test.
In addition, Regulation LL, which was issued in 2011 by the Federal Reserve, includes a specific definition for when a person shall be deemed to have “control,” which is similar to the statutory definition, with certain additional provisions. Moreover, Regulation LL implements the regulations governing the determination of when a company or natural person acquires control of a savings association or savings and loan holding company.
Furthermore, the Federal Reserve may not approve any acquisition that would result in a multiple savings and loan holding company controlling savings institutions in more than one state, subject to two exceptions; (i) the approval of emergency interstate acquisitions by savings and loan holding companies and (ii) the acquisition of a savings institution in another state if the laws of the state of the target savings institution specifically permit such acquisition. The states vary in the extent to which they permit interstate savings and loan holding company acquisitions.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue debt securities under an indenture between us and a U.S. banking institution, as the indenture trustee. Each indenture will be subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), and we may supplement the indenture from time to time after we execute them.
This prospectus summarizes the material provisions of the indenture and the debt securities that we may issue under an indenture. This summary may not describe all of the provisions of the indenture or of any of the debt securities that might be important to you. For additional information, you should carefully read the forms of indenture that are incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of those debt securities in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the supplement whether the general terms in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of a particular issue of debt securities, you should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable supplement.
Terms
The prospectus supplement will describe the debt securities and the price or prices at which we will offer the debt securities. The description will include:
•the title and form of the debt securities;
•any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities or the series of which they are a part;
•the person to whom any interest on a debt security of the series will be paid;
•the date or dates on which we must repay the principal;
•the rate or rates at which the debt securities will bear interest;
•the date or dates from which interest will accrue, and the dates on which we must pay interest;
•the place or places where we must pay the principal and any premium or interest on the debt securities;
•the terms and conditions on which we may redeem any debt security, if at all;
•any obligation to redeem or purchase any debt securities, and the terms and conditions on which we must do so;
•the denominations in which we may issue the debt securities;
•the manner in which we will determine the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on the debt securities;
•the currency in which we will pay the principal of and any premium or interest on the debt securities;
•the principal amount of the debt securities that we will pay upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity;
•the amount that will be deemed to be the principal amount for any purpose, including the principal amount that will be due and payable upon any maturity or that will be deemed to be outstanding as of any date;
•if applicable, that the debt securities are defeasible and the terms of such defeasance;
•if applicable, the terms of any right to convert debt securities into, or exchange debt securities for, shares of our debt securities, common stock, or other securities or property;
•whether we will issue the debt securities in the form of one or more global securities and, if so, the respective depositaries for the global securities and the terms of the global securities;
•the subordination provisions that will apply to any subordinated debt securities;
•any addition to or change in the events of default applicable to the debt securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal amount of any of the debt securities due and payable;
•any addition to or change in the covenants in the indentures; and
•any other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the applicable indentures.
We may sell the debt securities at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. We will describe U.S. federal income tax considerations, if any, applicable to debt securities sold at an original issue discount in the prospectus supplement. An “original issue discount security” is any debt security sold for less than its face value, and which provides that the holder cannot receive the full face value if maturity is accelerated. The prospectus supplement relating to any original issue discount securities will describe the particular provisions relating to acceleration of the maturity upon the occurrence of an event of default. In addition, we will describe U.S. federal income tax or other considerations applicable to any debt securities that are denominated in a currency or unit other than U.S. dollars in the prospectus supplement.
Conversion and Exchange Rights
The prospectus supplement will describe, if applicable, the terms on which you may convert debt securities into or exchange them for debt securities, common stock, or other securities or property. The conversion or exchange may be mandatory or may be at your option. The prospectus supplement will describe how the amount of debt securities, number of shares of common stock, or other securities or property to be received upon conversion or exchange would be calculated.
Senior Debt Securities
Payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on senior debt securities will rank with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt securities.
Subordinated Debt Securities
Payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on subordinated debt securities will be junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our unsubordinated debt. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any subordinated debt securities the subordination terms of such securities as well as the aggregate amount of outstanding debt, as of the most recent practicable date, that by its terms would be senior to the subordinated debt securities. We will also set forth in such prospectus supplement limitations, if any, on issuance of additional senior debt.
Subordinated Debt Securities Intended to Qualify as Tier 2 Capital
Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, it is currently intended that the subordinated debt securities will qualify as Tier 2 Capital under the guidelines established (or to be established) by the Federal Reserve for savings and loan holding companies. We expect that the guidelines will set forth specific criteria for subordinated debt to qualify as Tier 2 Capital, including requirements that the subordinated debt must:
•be unsecured;
•have a minimum original maturity of five years;
•be subordinated in right of payment;
•not contain provisions permitting the holders of the debt to accelerate payment of principal prior to maturity except in the event of bankruptcy of the issuer; and
•not contain provisions that would adversely affect liquidity or unduly restrict management’s flexibility to operate the organization, particularly in times of financial difficulty, such as limitations on additional secured or senior borrowings, sales or dispositions of assets or changes in control.
Form, Exchange, and Transfer
We will issue debt securities only in fully registered form, without coupons, and only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof, unless the prospectus supplement provides otherwise. The holder of a debt security may elect, subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities, to exchange them for other debt securities of the same series of any authorized denomination and of similar terms and aggregate principal amount.
Holders of debt securities may present them for exchange as provided above or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer duly executed, at the office of the transfer agent we designate for that purpose. We will not impose a service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities, but we may require a payment sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with the transfer or exchange. We will name the transfer agent in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, but we must maintain a transfer agent in each place where we will make payment on debt securities.
If we redeem the debt securities, we will not be required to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt security during a specified period prior to mailing a notice of redemption. We are not required to register the transfer of or exchange of any debt security selected for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of the debt security being redeemed.
Global Securities
The debt securities may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more global securities that will have an aggregate principal amount equal to that of all debt securities of that series. Each global security will be registered in the name of a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement. We will deposit the global security with the depositary or a custodian, and the global security will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer.
No global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered, and no transfer of a global security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any person other than the depositary or any nominee or successor of the depositary unless:
•the depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary; or
•the depositary is no longer in good standing under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulation.
The depositary will determine how all securities issued in exchange for a global security will be registered.
As long as the depositary or its nominee is the registered holder of a global security, we will consider the depositary or the nominee to be the sole owner and holder of the global security and the underlying debt securities. Except as stated above, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have the global security or any debt security registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of certificated debt securities and will not be considered to be the owners or holders of the global security or underlying debt securities. We will make all payments of principal, premium and interest on a global security to the depositary or its nominee. The laws of some jurisdictions require that some purchasers of securities take physical
delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may prevent you from transferring your beneficial interests in a global security.
Only institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee and persons that hold beneficial interests through the depositary or its nominee may own beneficial interests in a global security. The depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of its participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary or any such participant.
The policies and procedures of the depositary may govern payments, transfers, exchanges and others matters relating to beneficial interests in a global security. We and the trustee will assume no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the depositary’s or any participant’s records relating to, or for payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a global security.
Payment and Paying Agents
We will pay principal and any premium or interest on a debt security to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest.
We will pay principal and any premium or interest on the debt securities at the office of our designated paying agent. Unless the prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, the corporate trust office of the trustee will be the paying agent for the debt securities.
Any other paying agents we designate for the debt securities of a particular series will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional paying agents, rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts, but we must maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities.
The paying agent will return to us all money we pay to it for the payment of the principal, premium or interest on any debt security that remains unclaimed for a specified period. Thereafter, the holder may look only to us for payment, as an unsecured general creditor.
Consolidation, Merger, and Sale of Assets
Under the terms of the indentures, so long as any securities remain outstanding, we may not consolidate or enter into a share exchange with or merge into any other person, in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or sell, convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, unless:
•the successor assumes our obligations under the debt securities and the indentures; and
•we meet the other conditions described in the indentures.
Events of Default
Each of the following will constitute an event of default under each indenture:
•failure to pay the principal of or any premium on any debt security when due;
•failure to pay any interest on any debt security when due, for more than a specified number of days past the due date;
•failure to deposit any sinking fund payment when due;
•failure to perform any covenant or agreement in the indenture that continues for a specified number of days after written notice has been given by the trustee or the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series;
•events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and
•any other event of default specified in the prospectus supplement.
Additional or different events of default applicable to a series of debt securities may be described in a prospectus supplement. An event of default of one series of debt securities is not necessarily an event of default for any other series of debt securities.
If an event of default occurs and continues, both the trustee and holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series may declare the principal amount of the debt securities of that series to be immediately due and payable. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all events of default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal, have been cured or waived.
Except for its duties in case of an event of default, the trustee will not be obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless the holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity. If they provide this indemnification and subject to conditions specified in the applicable indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of any series may 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 debt securities of that series.
No holder of a debt security of any series may institute any proceeding with respect to the indentures, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy, unless:
•the holder has previously given the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;
•the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series have made a written request upon the trustee, and have offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee, to institute the proceeding;
•the trustee has failed to institute the proceeding for a specified period of time after its receipt of the notification; and
•the trustee has not received a direction inconsistent with the request within a specified number of days from the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series.
Modification and Waiver
We and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters, including:
•to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture; and
•to change anything that does not materially adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series.
In addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of a series of notes may be changed by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, we and the trustee may only make the following changes with the consent of the holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:
•extending the fixed maturity of the series of notes;
•reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or any premium payable upon the redemption, of any debt securities; or
•reducing the percentage of debt securities the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive any past default under the indenture with respect to debt securities of that series, except a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest on any debt security of that series or in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be amended without each holder’s consent.
Except in limited circumstances, we may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding debt securities of any series entitled to give or take any direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under the indentures. In limited circumstances, the trustee may set a record date. To be effective, the action must be taken by holders of the requisite principal amount of such debt securities within a specified period following the record date.
Defeasance
To the extent stated in the prospectus supplement, we may elect to apply the provisions in the indentures relating to defeasance and discharge of indebtedness, or to defeasance of restrictive covenants, to the debt securities of any series. The indentures provide that, upon satisfaction of the requirements described below, we may terminate all of our obligations under the debt securities of any series and the applicable indenture, known as legal defeasance, other than our obligation:
•to maintain a registrar and paying agents and hold monies for payment in trust;
•to register the transfer or exchange of the notes; and
•to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes.
In addition, we may terminate our obligation to comply with any restrictive covenants under the debt securities of any series or the applicable indenture, known as covenant defeasance.
We may exercise our legal defeasance option even if we have previously exercised our covenant defeasance option. If we exercise either defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be accelerated because of the occurrence of events of default.
To exercise either defeasance option as to debt securities of any series, we must irrevocably deposit in trust with the trustee money and/or obligations backed by the full faith and credit of the United States that will provide money in an amount sufficient in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and each installment of interest on the debt securities. We may only establish this trust if, among other things:
•no event of default shall have occurred or be continuing;
•in the case of legal defeasance, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or there has been a change in law, which in the opinion of our counsel, provides that holders of the debt securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;
•in the case of covenant defeasance, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same
manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred; and
•we satisfy other customary conditions precedent described in the applicable indenture.
Notices
We will mail notices to holders of debt securities as indicated in the prospectus supplement.
Title
We may treat the person in whose name a debt security is registered as the absolute owner, whether or not such debt security may be overdue, for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes.
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Regarding the Trustee
The trustee will have all the duties and responsibilities of an indenture trustee specified in the Trust Indenture Act. The trustee is not required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in performing its duties or exercising its rights and powers if it reasonably believes that it is not reasonably assured of repayment or adequate indemnity.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock. Warrants may be issued separately or together with common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be attached to or separate from such common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust corporation, as warrant agent, all as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of offered warrants. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of warrants or beneficial owners of warrants. Copies of the forms of warrant agreements, including the forms of warrant certificates representing the warrants, will be filed as exhibits to a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
This section describes the general terms and provisions of the warrants offered hereby. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any issuance of warrants. You should read the particular terms of any warrants we offer in any prospectus supplement, together with the more detailed form of warrant agreement and the form of warrant certificate. The prospectus supplement also will state whether any of the terms summarized below do not apply to the warrants being offered.
General
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the warrants, including the following where applicable:
• the title of the warrants;
• the offering price of the warrants, if any;
• the aggregate number of warrants;
• the designation and terms of the common stock that is purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;
• the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security;
• the date after which the warrants and any securities issued with the warrants will be separately transferable;
• the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant and the purchase price;
• the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants begins and expires;
• the minimum or maximum number of warrants that may be exercised at any one time;
• the currency, currencies or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;
• a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations;
• any antidilution provisions of the warrants;
• any redemption or call provisions applicable to the warrants; and
• any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.
Warrant certificates may be exchanged for new warrant certificates of different denominations, may be presented for registration of transfer, and may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of any warrants to purchase common stock, holders of such warrants will not have any rights of holders of the common stock purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive payments of dividends, if any, on the common stock purchasable upon such exercise or to exercise any applicable right to vote.
Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase such number of shares of common stock at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or calculable from, the prospectus supplement relating to the offered warrants. After the close of business on the expiration date of the warrants (or such later date to which such expiration date may be extended by us), unexercised warrants will become void.
Warrants may be exercised by delivering to the warrant agent payment as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement of the amount required to purchase the common stock purchasable upon such exercise together with certain information set forth on the reverse side of the warrant certificate. Warrants will be deemed to have been exercised upon receipt of payment of the exercise price, subject to the receipt, within five business days, of the warrant certificate evidencing such warrants. Upon receipt of such payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the common stock purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining number of warrants.
Amendments and Supplements to Warrant Agreements
We and the relevant warrant agent may, with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in number of the outstanding unexercised warrants affected, modify or amend the warrant agreement and the terms of the warrants. However, the warrant agreements may be amended or supplemented without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holders of each warrant affected:
• reduce the amount receivable upon exercise, cancellation or expiration;
• shorten the period of time during which the warrants may be exercised;
• otherwise materially and adversely affect the exercise rights of the beneficial owners of the warrants; or
• reduce the percentage of outstanding warrants whose holders must consent to modification or amendment of the applicable warrant agreement or the terms of the warrants.
Antidilution and Other Adjustments
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the exercise price of, and the number of shares of common stock covered by a warrant, are subject to adjustment in certain events, including:
• the issuance of common stock as a dividend or distribution on our common stock;
• subdivisions and combinations of our common stock;
• the issuance to all holders of common stock of capital stock rights entitling them to subscribe for or purchase common stock within 45 days after the date fixed for the determination of the stockholders entitled to receive such capital stock rights, at less than the current market price; and
• the distribution to all holders of common stock of evidences of our indebtedness or assets (excluding certain cash dividends and distributions described below) or rights or warrants (excluding those referred to above).
We may, in lieu of making any adjustment in the exercise price of, and the number of shares of common stock covered by, a warrant, make proper provision so that each holder of such warrant who exercises such warrant (or any portion thereof):
• before the record date for such distribution of separate certificates, shall be entitled to receive upon such exercise shares of common stock issued with capital stock rights; and
• after such record date and prior to the expiration, redemption or termination of such capital stock rights, shall be entitled to receive upon such exercise, in addition to the shares of common stock issuable upon such exercise, the same number of such capital stock rights as would a holder of the number of shares of common stock that such warrants so exercised would have entitled the holder thereof to acquire in accordance with the terms and provisions applicable to the capital stock rights if such warrant was exercised immediately prior to the record date for such distribution.
Common stock owned by or held for our account or for the account of any of our majority owned subsidiaries will not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any adjustment.
No adjustment in the exercise price of, and the number of shares of common stock covered by, a warrant will be made for regular quarterly or other periodic or recurring cash dividends or distributions of cash dividends or distributions to the extent paid from retained earnings. Except as stated above, the exercise price of, and the number of shares of common stock covered by, a warrant will not be adjusted for the issuance of common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock, or securities carrying the right to purchase any of the foregoing.
In the case of a reclassification or change of our common stock, a consolidation or merger involving us or sale or conveyance to another corporation of our property and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, in each case as a result of which holders of our common stock shall be entitled to receive stock, securities, other property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for such common stock, the holders of the warrants then outstanding will be entitled thereafter to convert such warrants into the kind and number of shares of stock and amount of other securities or property which they would have received upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance had such warrants been exercised immediately prior to such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance.
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
The following summary describes the general terms and provisions of the subscription rights to purchase our common stock or other securities that we may offer to our shareholders. Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. Unless we are prohibited from doing so by the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC (including the General Instructions to
Form S-3) based on the aggregate market value of our outstanding common equity held by non-affiliates, in connection with any subscription rights offering to our shareholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such subscription rights offering. Each series of subscription rights will be issued under a separate subscription rights agent agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as subscription rights agent, that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. The subscription rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the subscription rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of subscription rights certificates or beneficial owners of subscription rights.
The prospectus supplement relating to any subscription rights we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering, including, among others:
•the securities for which the subscription rights are exercisable;
•the exercise price for such subscription rights;
•the number of such subscription rights issued to each shareholder;
•the number of shares of common stock or amount of any other securities purchasable upon exercise of such subscription rights;
•the extent, if any, to which such subscription rights are transferable;
•a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights;
•the date on which the right to exercise such subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which such rights shall expire (subject to any extension);
•the extent to which such subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities;
•if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or other purchase arrangement that we may enter into in connection with the subscription rights offering; and
•any other terms of such subscription rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exercise of such subscription rights.
Each subscription right will entitle the holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash the number of shares of our common stock or other securities at an exercise price set forth in, or determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Subscription rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the subscription rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights will become void and of no further force or effect.
Holders may exercise subscription rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, issue the shares of common stock or other security purchasable upon exercise of the subscription rights. Unless we are prohibited from doing so by the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC (including the General Instructions to Form S-3) based on the aggregate market value of our outstanding common equity held by non-affiliates, if less than all of the subscription rights issued in any subscription rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The description in the applicable prospectus supplement and other offering material of any subscription rights we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable subscription rights certificate,
the form of which will be filed with the SEC if we offer subscription rights. We urge you to read the form of subscription rights certificate, prospectus supplement and other offering material in their entirety.
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other classes of securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The units may be issued under unit agreements to be entered into between us and a unit agent, as detailed in the prospectus supplement relating to the units being offered. The prospectus supplement will describe:
•the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be held or transferred separately;
•a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units;
•a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units;
•a discussion of material federal income tax considerations, if applicable; and
•whether the units if issued as a separate security will be issued in fully registered or global form.
The descriptions of the units in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material provisions of the applicable agreements. These descriptions do not restate those agreements in their entirety and may not contain all the information that you may find useful. We urge you to read the applicable agreements because they, and not the summaries, define your rights as holders of the units. For more information, please review the forms of the relevant agreements, which will be filed with the SEC and will be available as described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
Information about selling stockholders, if any, including their identities and the common stock to be registered on their behalf, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment or in filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Such selling stockholders may include existing stockholders, our executive officers and our directors.
All of the common stock currently held by the selling stockholders is issued and outstanding as of the date (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such common stock) of the filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Such shares were acquired (i) in our initial formation transaction which occurred in 2000, (ii) several private placements of common stock in 2001 and 2002, (iii) in our initial public offering in 2005, (iv) conversions of Series A, B, or C preferred stock, (v) pursuant to restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards and exercise of stock options issued under our 2004 Stock Incentive Plan and Amended and Restated 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, and (vi) in purchases of our common stock on the open market. Selling stockholders may not sell any of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus until we have identified such selling stockholders in a subsequent prospectus supplement. However, the selling stockholders may sell or transfer all or a portion of their common stock pursuant to any available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We or the selling stockholders may offer and sell the securities in any one or more of the following ways:
•to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers;
•directly to one or more other purchasers;
•upon the exercise of rights distributed or issued to our security holders;
•through a block trade in which the broker or dealer engaged to handle the block trade will attempt to sell the securities as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
•through agents on a best-efforts basis; or
•otherwise through a combination of any of the above methods of sale.
We may sell the securities being offered by this prospectus by any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an “at the market” offering as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, including without limitation sales made directly on the NYSE, on any other existing trading market for our securities or to or through a market maker.
In addition, we or the selling stockholders may enter into option, share lending or other types of transactions that require us or such selling stockholders, as applicable, to deliver shares of common stock to an underwriter, broker or dealer, who will then resell or transfer the shares of common stock under this prospectus. We or the selling stockholders may also enter into hedging transactions with respect to our securities or the securities of such selling stockholders, as applicable. For example, we or the selling stockholders may:
•enter into transactions involving short sales of the shares of common stock by underwriters, brokers or dealers;
•sell shares of common stock short and deliver the shares to close out short positions;
•enter into option or other types of transactions that require us or the selling stockholders, as applicable, to deliver shares of common stock to an underwriter, broker or dealer, who will then resell or transfer the shares of common stock under this prospectus; or
•loan or pledge the shares of common stock to an underwriter, broker or dealer, who may sell the loaned shares or, in the event of default, sell the pledged shares.
Any selling stockholder will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale of shares of common stock covered by this prospectus.
We or the selling stockholders may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or such selling stockholders, as applicable, or borrowed from us, such selling stockholders or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us or selling stockholders in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we or the selling stockholders may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or the securities of such selling stockholders, as applicable, or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.
Shares of common stock may also be exchanged for satisfaction of the selling stockholders’ obligations or other liabilities to their creditors. Such transactions may or may not involve brokers or dealers.
Each time we or the selling stockholders sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will name any underwriter, dealer or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities. The prospectus supplement will also set forth the terms of the offering, including:
•the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we and/or such selling stockholders, as applicable, will receive from the sale of the securities;
•any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;
•any public offering or purchase price and any discounts or commissions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers;
•any commissions allowed or paid to agents;
•any other offering expenses;
•any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed;
•the method of distribution of the securities;
•the terms of any agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into with the underwriters, brokers or dealers; and
•any other information we think is important.
If underwriters or dealers are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters or dealers for their own account. The securities may be sold from time to time by us or the selling stockholders in one or more transactions:
•at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;
•at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
•at prices related to such prevailing market prices;
•at varying prices determined at the time of sale; or
•at negotiated prices.
Such sales may be effected:
•in transactions on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;
•in transactions in the over-the-counter market;
•in block transactions in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction, or in crosses, in which the same broker acts as an agent on both sides of the trade;
•through the writing of options; or
•through other types of transactions.
The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more of such firms. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of underwriters or dealers to purchase the securities offered will be subject to certain conditions precedent and the underwriters or
dealers will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if any are purchased. Any public offering price and any discount or concession allowed or reallowed or paid by underwriters or dealers to other dealers may be changed from time to time.
The selling stockholders might not sell any shares of common stock under this prospectus. In addition, any shares of common stock covered by this prospectus that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
The securities may be sold directly by us or the selling stockholders or through agents designated by us or such selling stockholders, as applicable, from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us or such selling stockholders, as applicable, to such agent will be set forth in, the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
Offers to purchase the securities offered by this prospectus may be solicited, and sales of the securities may be made by us or by selling stockholders directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities. The terms of any offer made in this manner will be included in the prospectus supplement relating to the offer.
If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, underwriters, dealers or agents will be authorized to solicit offers by certain institutional investors to purchase securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery at a future date. Institutional investors with which these contracts may be made include, among others:
•commercial and savings banks;
•insurance companies;
•pension funds;
•investment companies; and
•educational and charitable institutions.
In all cases, these purchasers must be approved by us or the selling stockholders, as applicable. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of any purchaser under any of these contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that (a) the purchase of the securities must not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction to which that purchaser is subject, and (b) if the securities are also being sold to underwriters, we or the selling stockholders, as applicable, must have sold to these underwriters the securities not subject to delayed delivery. Underwriters and other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of these contracts.
Some of the underwriters, dealers or agents used by us or the selling stockholders in any offering of securities under this prospectus may be customers of, engage in transactions with, and perform services for us and/or such selling stockholders, as applicable, or affiliates of ours and/or theirs, as applicable, in the ordinary course of business. Underwriters, dealers, agents and other persons may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us and/or the selling stockholders to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to be reimbursed by us and/or such selling stockholders for certain expenses.
Subject to any restrictions relating to debt securities in bearer form, any securities initially sold outside the United States may be resold in the United States through underwriters, dealers or otherwise.
Any underwriters to which offered securities are sold by us or the selling stockholders for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but those underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time.
The anticipated date of delivery of the securities offered by this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the offering.
In compliance with the guidelines of FINRA, the aggregate maximum discount, commission, agency fees or other items constituting underwriting compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed 8% of the offering proceeds from any offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.
No FINRA member may participate in any offering of securities made under this prospectus if such member has a conflict of interest under FINRA Rule 5121, including if 5% or more of the net proceeds, not including underwriting compensation, of any offering of securities made under this prospectus will be received by a FINRA member participating in the offering or affiliates or associated persons of such FINRA members, unless a qualified independent underwriter has participated in the offering or the offering otherwise complies with FINRA Rule 5121.
To comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the securities may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.
VALIDITY OF SECURITIES
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered by us pursuant to this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Thompson Coburn LLP, Saint Louis, Missouri. If the validity of the securities will be passed upon by counsel for any underwriters, dealers or agents, such counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2023 and 2022 and for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2023 and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2023 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of BDO USA, P.A. (n/k/a BDO USA, P.C.) an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
PART II.
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table shows the costs and expenses payable in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered. All fees and expenses other than the SEC registration fee listed below are estimated and will be paid by Axos Financial, Inc.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
SEC registration fee | $ | 48,450 | |
Legal fees and expenses | * |
Accounting fees and expenses | * |
Stock exchange and listing fees | * |
Printing and transfer fees | * |
Miscellaneous | * |
Total | $ | 48,450 | |
| | | | | |
* | These fees and expenses depend on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that we will indemnify all of our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Our bylaws also authorize us to indemnify our employees and other agents, at our option, to the extent authorized by the board of directors and permitted by Delaware law. We have entered into agreements to indemnify our directors and executive officers, in addition to indemnification provided for in our charter documents. These agreements, among other things, provide for the indemnification of our directors and executive officers for expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by any person in any action or proceeding, including any action by or in the right of our company, arising out of that person’s services as a director or officer of our company or any other company or enterprise to which that person provides services at our request to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. We believe that these provisions and agreements will assist us in attracting and retaining qualified persons to serve as directors and officers.
Delaware law permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director or officer of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except for liability for any breach of the director’s or officer’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or for any transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal benefit. Our certificate of incorporation provides for the elimination of personal liability of a director or officer for breach of fiduciary duty to the extent permitted by Delaware law.
The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors and officers for breach of their fiduciary duty. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and our stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent that we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers as required by these indemnification provisions.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of our company in accordance with the provisions contained in our charter documents, Delaware law or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. If a claim for indemnification against these liabilities, other than the payment by
us of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of our company in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding, is asserted by a director, officer or controlling person, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and we will follow the court’s determination.
We also maintain insurance on behalf of our officers and directors, insuring them against liabilities that they may incur in such capacities or arising out of this status.
Item 16. Exhibits.
| | | | | | | | |
Exhibit | | Description |
| | |
*1.1 | | Form of underwriting agreement (or other similar agreement) |
4.1 | | Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on July 6, 1999, and amendments thereto filed on August 19, 1999, February 25, 2003 and January 25, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1, 3.2, 3.5, and 3.6, respectively, to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-121329) filed on January 26, 2005) |
4.2 | | |
4.3 | | |
4.4 | | |
4.5 | | |
4.6 | | |
4.7 | | |
4.8 | | |
4.9 | | |
*4.10 | | Form of Certificate of Designations for Preferred Stock |
4.11 | | |
*4.12 | | Form of Note for Senior Debt Securities |
4.13 | | |
*4.14 | | Form of Note for Subordinated Debt Securities |
*4.15 | | Form of Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate |
*4.16 | | Form of Subscription Rights Agreement |
*4.17 | | Form of Unit Agreement |
5.1 | | |
*8.1 | | Opinion and consent of counsel as to the federal income tax consequences of the Securities |
23.1 | | |
23.2 | | |
24.1 | | Power of attorney for directors and officers of Axos Financial, Inc. (included in the signature page to this registration statement) |
**25.1 | | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee to act as Trustee under the Indenture for Senior Debt Securities. |
**25.2 | | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee to act as Trustee under the Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities. |
107 | | |
* To be filed, if applicable, by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement, including a Current Report on Form 8-K.
**To be filed pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as applicable.
Item 17. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S‑3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time will be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of an undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by an undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(6) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of our annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement will be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time will be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(7) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against liabilities (other than the payment by each registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by the director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of the issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Axos Financial, Inc. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S‑3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Diego, State of California, on the 29th day of February 2024.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | AXOS FINANCIAL, INC. |
| | |
| | By: | /s/ Gregory Garrabrants | |
| | Name: | Gregory Garrabrants |
| | Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gregory Garrabrants and Derrick K. Walsh, and each of them acting individually, as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power to act alone, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign this Registration Statement on Form S‑3 and any and all amendments hereof (including post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with the exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection herewith, including any related registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing required and necessary to be done in and about the foregoing as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
/s/ Gregory Garrabrants | | President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), Director | | February 29, 2024 |
Gregory Garrabrants | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Derrick K. Walsh | | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | | February 29, 2024 |
Derrick K. Walsh | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Paul Grinberg | | Chairman of the Board of Directors | | February 29, 2024 |
Paul Grinberg | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Nicholas A. Mosich | | Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors | | February 29, 2024 |
Nicholas A. Mosich | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ James S. Argalas | | Director | | February 29, 2024 |
James Argalas | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Tamara Bohlig | | Director | | February 29, 2024 |
Tamara Bohlig | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Stefani Carter | | Director | | February 29, 2024 |
Stefani Carter | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ James J. Court | | Director | | February 29, 2024 |
James J. Court | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Uzair Dada | | Director | | February 29, 2024 |
Uzair Dada | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Edward J. Ratinoff | | Director | | February 29, 2024 |
Edward J. Ratinoff | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Roque A. Santi | | Director | | February 29, 2024 |
Roque A. Santi | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Sara Wardell-Smith | | Director | | February 29, 2024 |
Sara Wardell-Smith | | | | |
INDENTURE
BY AND BETWEEN
AXOS FINANCIAL, INC.
AND
_________________________________,
AS TRUSTEE
DATED AS OF __________, 20__
DEBT SECURITIES
(Issuable in Series)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
AXOS FINANCIAL, INC.
This Cross Reference Sheet shows the location in the Indenture of the provisions inserted pursuant to Sections 3.10 through 3.18, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939:
| | | | | | | | |
Section 310 | (a) (1) | 6.9 |
| (a) (2) | 6.9 |
| (a) (3) | 6.9 |
| (a) (4) | Not Applicable |
| (a) (5) | 6.9 |
| (b) | 6.8, 6.10 |
| (c) | Not Applicable |
Section 311 | (a) | 6.13 |
| (b) | 6.13 |
| (c) | Not Applicable |
Section 312 | (a) | 7.1, 7.2 |
| (b) | 7.2 |
| (c) | 7.2 |
Section 313 | (a) | 7.3 |
| (b) | 7.3 |
| (c) | 7.3 |
| (d) | 7.3 |
Section 314 | (a) (1) | 7.4 |
| (a) (2) | 7.4 |
| (a) (3) | 7.4 |
| (a) (4) | 1.1, 10.4 |
| (b) | Not Applicable |
| (c) | 1.3 |
| (c) (2) | 1.3 |
| (c) (3) | Not Applicable |
| (d) | Not Applicable |
| (e) | 1.3 |
Section 315 | (a) | 6.1 |
| (b) | 6.2 |
| (c) | 6.1 |
| (d) | 6.1 |
| (e) | 5.14 |
Section 316 | (a) | 1.1 |
| (a) (1) (A) | 5.2, 5.12 |
| (a) (1) (B) | 5.13 |
| (a) (2) | Not Applicable |
| | | | | | | | |
| (b) | 5.8 |
| (c) | 1.5 |
Section 317 | (a) (1) | 5.3 |
| (a) (2) | 5.4 |
| (b) | 10.3 |
Section 318 | (a) | 1.8 |
NOTE: This Cross Reference Sheet is not part of the Indenture. |
INDENTURE
INDENTURE, dated as of , 20 , by and between AXOS FINANCIAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), having its principal office at 9205 West Russell Road, Suite 400, Las Vegas, Nevada 89148, and , as trustee (the “Trustee”).
RECITALS
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series as herein provided.
This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder that are required to be part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, shall be governed by such provisions.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, each party agrees for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities, or of series thereof, issued under this Indenture, as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.1Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles in the United States of America as are generally accepted as of the time when and for the period as to which such accounting principles are to be applied;
(3) “or” is not exclusive;
(4) any reference to an “Article” or a “Section” refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this Indenture;
(5) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and
(6) certain terms, used principally in Article 6, are defined in Section 1.2.
“Act,” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.5.
“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts that are required by the express terms of a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein or pursuant thereto, to be paid by the Company with respect to certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on certain Holders and that are owing to such Holders.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For 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, which may include the Company, authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.14 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.
“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper of general circulation in the New York, New York area, printed in the English language and customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays. Whenever successive weekly publications in an Authorized Newspaper are required hereunder they may be made (unless otherwise expressly provided herein) on the same or different days of the week and in the same or in different Authorized Newspapers.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
“Board” or “Board of Trustees” means either the board of trustees of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.
“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 Trustees and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment, or the city in which the Corporate Trust Office is located, are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, 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.
“Common Shares” includes any shares of beneficial interest of any class of the Company which has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company and which is not subject to redemption by the Company.
“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, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President or a Vice President, and by its principal financial officer, its Controller, an Assistant Controller, its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the corporate trust office of the Trustee at Global Corporate Trust Services, ________________________, or such other office, designated by the Trustee by written notice to the Company, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business concerning the transactions contemplated by this Indenture shall be administered.
“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.3.
“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
“Default” means, with respect to the Securities of any series, any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.
“Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.2.
“Depositary” means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, another clearing agency, or any successor, registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1.
“Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
“Euro” or “Euros” means the currency adopted by those nations participating in the third stage of the economic and monetary union provisions of the Treaty on European Union, signed at Maastricht on February 7, 1992.
“European Economic Area” means the member nations of the European Economic Area pursuant to the Oporto Agreement on the European Economic Area dated May 2, 1992, as amended.
“European Union” means the member nations of the European Union established by the Treaty of European Union, signed at Maastricht on February 2, 1992, which amended the Treaty of Rome establishing the European Community.
“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 from time to time.
“Exchange Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 3.2.
“Expiration Date” has the meaning specified in Section 1.5.
“Foreign Government Obligation” means with respect to Securities of any series which are not denominated in the currency of the United States of America (x) any security which is (i) a direct obligation of the government which issued or caused to be issued the currency in which such security is denominated and for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or, with respect to Securities of any series which are denominated in euros, a direct obligation of any member nation of the European Union for the payment of which obligation the full faith and credit of the respective nation is pledged so long as such nation has a credit rating at least equal to that of the highest rated member nation of the European Economic Area, or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of a government specified in clause (i) above the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the such government, which, in either case (i) or (ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any Foreign Government Obligation which is specified in clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any Foreign Government Obligation which is so specified and held, 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 depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Foreign Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt.
“Global Security” means a Security that evidences all or part of the Securities of any series and bears the legend set forth in Section 2.4 (or such legend as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities).
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.
“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and 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, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.1; provided, however, that if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this Indenture due to the appointment of one or more separate Trustees for any one or more separate series of Securities, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to such series of Securities for which any such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more
indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 3.1, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee, but to which such person, as such Trustee, was not a party; provided, further that in the event that this Indenture is supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto which are only applicable to certain series of Securities, the term “Indenture” for a particular series of Securities shall exclude provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities.
“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.
“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 5.6.
“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, repurchase at the option of the Holder, call for redemption or otherwise.
“Mortgage” means and includes any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest, conditional sale or other title retention agreement or other similar encumbrance.
“Notice of Default” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 5.1(4).
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice President, the principal financial officer, the Treasurer, the Controller, an Assistant Treasurer, an Assistant Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. The officer signing an Officer’s Certificate given pursuant to Section 10.4 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of legal counsel, who may be, without limitation, (a) an employee of the Company, or (b) outside counsel designated by the Company, rendered, if applicable, in accordance with Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that 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
(1) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(2) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;
(3) Securities 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 unless otherwise provided with respect to any Securities of any series pursuant to Section 3.1, in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given,
made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder as of any date, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof which would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date pursuant to Section 5.2, (B) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Security is not determinable, the principal amount of such Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as specified or determined as contemplated by Section 3.1, (C) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more non-U.S. dollar currencies or currency units which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner provided as contemplated by Section 3.1, of the principal amount of such Security (or, in the case of a Security described in clause (A) or (B) above, of the amount determined as provided in such clause), and (D) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Subsidiary 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, waiver or other action, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of 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 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 Subsidiary of the Company or of such other obligor.
“Paying Agent” means any Person, which may include the Company, authorized by the Company to pay the principal of or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any one or more series of Securities on behalf of the Company.
“Periodic Offering” means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time the specific terms of which Securities, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest or formula for determining the rate or rates of interest thereon, if any, the Maturity thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company upon the issuance of such Securities.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.
“Place of Payment,” when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 and 10.2.
“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.
“Preferred Shares” as applied to the shares of beneficial interest of the Company means shares of beneficial interest of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of the Company, over Common Shares of the Company.
“Record Date” means any Regular Record Date or Special Record Date.
“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to the terms of such Security and 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 the terms of such Security and this Indenture.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means any date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.1, or, if not so specified, the first day of the calendar month of the month of such Interest Payment Date if such Interest Payment Date is the fifteenth day of the calendar month, or the fifteenth day of the calendar month preceding such Interest Payment Date if such Interest Payment Date is the first day of a calendar month, whether or not such day shall be a Business Day.
“Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 5.6.
“Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, an officer of the Trustee in the Corporate Trust Office assigned and duly authorized by the Trustee to administer the transactions contemplated by this Indenture.
“Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Company authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Security Custodian” means, with respect to Securities of a series issued in global form, the Trustee for Securities of such series, acting in its capacity as custodian with respect to the Securities of such series, or any successor entity thereto.
“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.
“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.7.
“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 any Person of which the Company at the time owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the shares of outstanding stock or other equity interests having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees, as the case may be, of such Person (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes or other equity interests of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so 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.
“United States” means the United States of America (including the states thereof and the District of Columbia) and its “possessions”, which include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Somoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.
“United States Alien” means any Person who, for United States federal income tax purposes, is a foreign corporation, a nonresident alien individual, a nonresident alien or foreign fiduciary of an estate or trust, or a foreign partnership.
“U.S. Government Obligation” means (x) any security which is (i) a direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or (ii) an obligation 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 (i) or (ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation which is specified in clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so specified and held, 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 depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt.
“Vice President,” when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president.”
“Yield to Maturity” means, when used with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security, the yield to maturity, if any, set forth on the face thereof.
Section 1.2Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“indenture securities” means the Securities.
“indenture security holder” means a Holder.
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.
“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company or any other obligor on the Securities.
All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by a Trust Indenture Act reference to another statue or defined by Commission rule under the Trust Indenture Act and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them therein.
Section 1.3Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust Indenture Act. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of an Officer’s Certificate, if to be given by an officer of the Company, or an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in this Indenture.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 10.4) shall include,
(1) a statement that each Person signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such Person, such Person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 1.4Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company or of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by an accountant or firm of accountants employed or retained by the Company unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinions or representations as to such accounting matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 1.5Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by 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 all 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.
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 or her 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 that the Trustee deems sufficient.
The ownership, date of holding, principal amount and serial numbers of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.
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. Any consent or waiver of the Holder of any Security shall be irrevocable for a period of six months after the date of execution thereof, but otherwise any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or other Act as to his Security or portion of his Security; provided, however, that such revocation shall be effective only if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the Act becomes effective.
The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, vote, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, provided that the Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be
effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be canceled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 1.7.
The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to join in the giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of acceleration referred to in Section 5.2, (iii) any request to institute proceedings referred to in Section 5.7(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in Section 5.12, in each case with respect to Securities of such series. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be canceled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 1.7.
With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which sets such record dates may designate any day as the “Expiration Date” and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 1.7, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section 1.5, the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.
Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.
Section 1.6Notices, etc., to Trustee and 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 (or by facsimile transmissions, provided that oral confirmation of receipt shall have been received) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, or
(2)the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and furnished by certified mail, return receipt requested, personally delivered or furnished via overnight courier to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.
Section 1.7Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or delivered by
hand or overnight courier to each Holder affected by such event, at its address as it appears in the Security Register (or while any Securities are represented by one or more Global Securities, such notice shall be delivered to the Depositary for communication to entitled account Holders), not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice. Neither the failure to mail or deliver by hand or overnight courier any notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed or delivered by hand or overnight courier, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give notice to Holders of Securities by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder. In any case in which notice to Holders of Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder of a Security, shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Securities.
Section 1.8Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act or another provision hereof required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this 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 Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.
Section 1.9Effect 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 1.10Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether or not so expressed. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
Section 1.11Separability 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 1.12Benefits 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, any Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent or Security Registrar and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 1.13Governing Law.
THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.
Section 1.14Legal Holidays.
Unless otherwise provided with respect to any Security or Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, sinking fund payment date, or Stated Maturity or Maturity or other payment date of any Security or the last date on which a Holder has the right to convert a Security at a particular conversion price shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other
provision of this Indenture or of the Securities (other than a provision of any Security which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section)) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) or, if applicable to a particular series of Securities, conversion 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, at the Stated Maturity or on such last day for conversion, as the case may be.
Section 1.15Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or in any Security, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had, directly or indirectly, against any incorporator, subscriber to the shares of beneficial interest (or capital stock or membership interests (as applicable)), shareholder, stockholder, member, employee, agent, manager, officer, trustee or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or the Trustee or of any predecessor or successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or the Trustee or any predecessor or successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, any incorporator, subscriber to the shares of beneficial interest (or capital stock or membership interests (as applicable)), shareholder, stockholder, member, employee, agent, manager, officer, trustee or director, as such, of the Company or the Trustee or of any predecessor or successor corporation, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, subscriber to the shares of beneficial interest (or capital stock or membership interests (as applicable)), shareholder, stockholder, member, employee, agent, manager, officer, trustee or director, as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture, any supplemental indenture hereto, any certificate or other writing delivered in connection herewith, or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of such Securities. By accepting a Security, each Holder agrees to the provisions of this Section 1.15 and waives and releases all such liability. Such waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities.
Section 1.16Indenture May be Executed in Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be an original, but such counterparts will together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
ARTICLE 2
SECURITY FORMS
Section 2.1Forms Generally.
The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article, or in such other form as shall be established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions and set forth in such Board Resolutions, or, to the extent established pursuant to, rather than set forth in, such Board Resolutions, an Officer’s Certificate detailing such establishment, 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 any applicable law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, or any rules of any securities exchange or Depositary therefor or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, or, to the extent established pursuant to, rather than set forth in, such Board Resolutions, an Officer’s Certificate detailing such establishment, 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. Any such Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or record of such action shall have attached thereto a
true and correct copy of the form of Security referred to therein approved by or pursuant to such Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate.
The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
Section 2.2Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
Unless otherwise provided in one or more Board Resolutions, Officer’s Certificate, or indentures supplemental hereto, 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.
[Trustee], as Trustee
By:
Authorized Officer
Section 2.3Global Securities.
If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 3.1 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 3.3 and the Company Order delivered to the Trustee thereunder, authenticate and deliver such Global Security or Securities, which (i) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, (ii) may provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges, (iii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, (iv) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and (v) shall bear a legend in accordance with the requirements of the Depositary.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section or of Section 3.5, except as contemplated by the provisions of this Section 2.3 below, unless the terms of a Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for individual Securities, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 3.5, only to a nominee of the Depositary for such Global Security, or to the Depositary, or to a successor Depositary for such Global Security selected or approved by the Company, or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.
If at any time the Depositary for a Global Security notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as the Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time the Depositary for the Securities for such series shall no longer be eligible or in good standing under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security. If a successor Depositary for such Global Security is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Securities of such series in the form of definitive certificates in exchange for such Global Security, will authenticate and deliver Securities of such series in the form of definitive certificates of like tenor and terms in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security in exchange for such Global Security. Such Securities will be issued to and registered in the name of such Person or Persons as are specified by the Depositary.
The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Securities of any series issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities. In any such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request for the authentication and delivery of Securities in the form of definitive certificates in exchange in whole or in part for such Global Security, will authenticate and deliver without service charge to each Person specified by the Depositary Securities in the form of definitive certificates of like tenor and terms in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security representing such series, or the aggregate principal amount of such Global Securities representing such series, in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.
If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to Securities issued or issuable in the form of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Securities in the form of definitive certificates of like tenor and terms on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and such Depositary. Thereupon the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, (A) to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Security or Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms and any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security and (B) to such Depositary a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in an authorized denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Securities delivered to Holders thereof.
In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities in the form of definitive certificates in authorized denominations. Upon the exchange of the entire principal amount of a Global Security for Securities in the form of definitive certificates, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Except as provided in the immediately preceding subparagraph, Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, acting pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. Provided that the Company and the Trustee have so agreed, the Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Persons in whose names the Securities are so to be registered.
Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the principal amount thereof, or any increase or decrease in such principal amount, or changes in the rights of Holders of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified in or pursuant to any applicable letter of representations or other arrangement entered into with, or procedures of, the Depositary with respect to such Global Security or in the Company Order delivered or to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.3 or Section 3.4 with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3 and, if applicable, Section 3.4, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any such Global Security in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified in or pursuant to any applicable letter of representations or other arrangement entered into with, or procedures of, the Depositary with respect to such Global Security or in any applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 3.3 or Section 3.4 is so delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to such Global Security contained therein shall be in writing but need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officer’s Certificate and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.
The Depositary or, if there be one, its nominee, shall be the Holder of a Global Security for all purposes under this Indenture; and beneficial owners with respect to such Global Security shall hold their interests pursuant to applicable procedures of such Depositary. The Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Security Registrar shall be entitled to deal with such Depositary for all purposes of this Indenture relating to such Global Security (including the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Global Security and the giving of instructions or directions by or to the beneficial owners of such Global Security as the sole Holder of such Global Security and shall have no obligations to the beneficial owners thereof (including any direct or indirect participants in such Depositary). None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security in or pursuant to any applicable letter of representations or other arrangement entered into with, or procedures of, the Depositary with respect to such Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Section 2.4Form of Legend for Global Securities.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for the Securities evidenced thereby, every Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.
Section 2.5Form of Face of Security.
[Insert any legend required by the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.]
AXOS FINANCIAL, INC.
No.
Axos Financial, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of Delaware (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to , or registered assigns, the principal sum of Dollars on [if the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert -, and to pay interest thereon from or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on and in each year, commencing , at the rate of per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment [if applicable, insert -, and at the rate of % per annum on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue installment of interest]. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (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 or
(whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (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 Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture].
[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert - The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated Maturity and in such case the overdue principal of this Security shall bear interest at the rate of % per annum which shall accrue from the date of such default in payment to the date payment of such principal has been made or duly provided for. Interest on any overdue principal shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on any overdue principal that is not so paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of % per annum which shall accrue from the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of such interest has been made or duly provided for, and such interest shall also be payable on demand.]
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable, insert - any such] interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in , in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts [if applicable, insert -; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register].
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit 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:
AXOS FINANCIAL, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
Attest:
Section 2.6Form of Reverse of Security.
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of , 20 (herein called the “Indenture”), between the Company and , as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [if applicable, insert -, limited in aggregate principal amount to $ ].
[If applicable, insert - Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security is entitled, at his option, at any time on or before the close of business on , or in case this Security or a portion hereof is called for redemption, then in respect of this Security or such portion hereof until and including, but (unless the Company defaults in making the payment due upon redemption) not after, the close of business on the 10th calendar day before the Redemption Date, to convert this Security (or any portion of the principal amount hereof which is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof), at the principal amount hereof, or of such portion, into fully paid and non-assessable shares (calculated as to each conversion to the nearest 1/100 of a share) of Common Stock of the Company at a conversion price per share of Common Stock equal to $ per each share of Common Stock (or at the current adjusted conversion price if an adjustment has been made as provided in the Indenture) by surrender of this Security, duly endorsed or assigned to the Company or in blank, to the Company at its office or agency in , accompanied by written notice to the Company that the Holder hereof elects to convert this Security, or if less than the entire principal amount hereof is to be converted, the portion hereof to be converted, and, in case such surrender shall be made during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date next preceding any Interest Payment Date to the opening of business on such Interest Payment Date (unless this Security or the portion thereof being converted has been called for redemption on a Redemption Date within such period), also accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company of an amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of this Security then being converted. Subject to the aforesaid requirement for payment and, in the case of a conversion after the Regular Record Date next preceding any Interest Payment Date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, to the right of the Holder of this Security (or any Predecessor Security) of record at such Regular Record Date to receive an installment of interest (with certain exceptions provided in the Indenture), no payment or adjustment is to be made on conversion for interest accrued hereon or for dividends on the Common Stock issued on conversion. No fractions of shares or scrip representing fractions of shares will be issued on conversion, but instead of any fractional interest the Company shall pay a cash adjustment as provided in the Indenture. The conversion price is subject to adjustment as provided in the Indenture. In addition, the Indenture provides that in case of certain consolidations or mergers to which the Company is a party or the transfer of substantially all of the assets of the Company, the Indenture shall be amended, without the consent of any Holders of Securities, so that this Security, if then outstanding, will be convertible thereafter, during the period this Security shall be convertible as specified above, only into the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon the consolidation, merger or transfer by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which this Security might have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or transfer (assuming such holder of Common Stock failed to exercise any rights of election and received per share the kind and amount received per share by a plurality of non-electing shares).]
[If applicable, insert - The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than 30 days’ notice by mail, (or while any Securities are represented by one or more Global Notes, such notice shall be delivered to the Depositary for communication to entitled account Holders) [if applicable, insert - (1) on in any year commencing with the year and ending with the year 20 through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2)] at any time [if applicable, insert - on or after , 20 ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount): If redeemed [if applicable, insert - on or before , %, and if redeemed] during the 12-month period beginning of the years indicated,
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Year | Redemption Price | Year | Redemption Price |
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption [if applicable, insert - (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert - The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than 30 days’ notice by mail (or while any Securities are represented by one or more Global Notes, such notice shall be delivered to the Depositary for communication to entitled account Holders), (1) on in any year commencing with the year and ending with the year through operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for redemption through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at any time [if applicable, insert - on or after ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise than through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month period beginning of the years indicated,
| | | | | | | | |
Year | Redemption Price For Redemption Through Operation of the Sinking Fund | Redemption Price For Redemption Otherwise Than Through Operation of the Sinking Fund |
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert - The sinking fund for this series provides for the redemption on in each year beginning with the year and ending with the year of [if applicable, insert - not less than $ (“mandatory sinking fund”) and not more than] $ aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series. Securities of this series acquired or redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [if applicable, insert mandatory] sinking fund payments [if applicable, insert and Securities surrendered for conversion] may be credited against subsequent [if applicable, insert - mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to be made [if applicable, insert - in the inverse order in which they become due].
[If the Security is subject to redemption of any kind, insert - In the event of redemption or conversion of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed or unconverted portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]
[If applicable, insert - The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of [(1) the entire indebtedness of this Security or (2)] certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security, insert - If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert - If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to-insert formula for determining the amount. Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest all of the Company’s obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.]
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 a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the
Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security 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 Security.
As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.
No other reference herein to the Indenture and no other provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed or to convert this Security as provided in the Indenture.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registerable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security 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 his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company or the Security Registrar may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this 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 this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
ARTICLE 3
THE SECURITIES
Section 3.1Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 3.3, set forth, or determined in the manner 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 Securities of any other series);
(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 2.3, 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 and premium, if any, on any Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination and/or extension of such date or dates; and the amount or amounts of such payments of principal and premium, if any, or the method of determination thereof;
(5)the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), at which any Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and, if other that as set forth in Section 1.1, the Regular Record Date for any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date (or the method for determining the dates and rates);
(6)whether any of such Securities will be subject to certain optional interest rate reset provisions;
(7)the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of the series shall be payable, where the Securities of such 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 such series and this Indenture may be served, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;
(8)(a) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies (including currency units) and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, (b) if other than as provided in Section 11.3, the manner in which the particular Securities of such series (if less than all Securities of such series are to be redeemed) are to be selected for redemption and (c) if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced;
(9)the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay any Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation and any provisions for the remarketing of such Securities;
(10)if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(11)if other than the Trustee, the identity of the Securities Registrar and/or the Paying Agent;
(12)if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on or other payments, if any, on any Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on the price of one or more commodities, derivatives or securities; one or more securities, derivatives or commodities exchange indices or other indices; a currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) other than that in which the Securities of the series are denominated or designated to be payable; or any other variable or the relationship between any variables or combination of variables), the index, formula or other method by which such amounts shall be determined;
(13)if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies or currency units (including composite currencies) in which the principal of or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Securities of the series shall be payable and the manner of determining the
equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of America for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 1.1;
(14)if the principal of or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Securities of the series is to be payable, at the election of the Company or the Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on such Securities as to which such election is made shall be payable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount shall be determined);
(15)if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2;
(16)if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined);
(17)if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, shall be defeasible pursuant to Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 or both such Sections, or any other defeasance provisions applicable to any Securities of the series, and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to defease such Securities shall be evidenced;
(18)the terms, if any, upon which Securities of the series may be convertible into or exchanged for other Securities, Common Shares, Preferred Shares, other debt securities, warrants to purchase any of the foregoing, or other securities of any kind of the Company or any other obligor or any other property, and the terms and conditions upon which the conversion or exchange shall be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period, and any other additional provisions;
(19)if applicable, that any Securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the respective Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in Section 2.4;
(20)any deletions, modifications of or additions to the definitions set forth in Section 1.1, the Events of Default which apply to any Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 5.2;
(21)any addition to, deletion of or change in the covenants set forth in Article 10 which applies to Securities of the series;
(22)any Authenticating Agents, Paying Agents, Security Registrars or such other agents necessary in connection with the issuance of the Securities of such series, including, without limitation, exchange rate agents and calculation agents;
(23)if applicable, the terms of any Mortgage that will be provided for a series of Securities, including any provisions regarding the circumstances under which collateral may be released or substituted;
(24)if applicable, the terms of any guaranties for the Securities, including the terms of any subordination of such guaranties, and any circumstances under which there may be additional obligors on the Securities;
(25)provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of Securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;
(26)whether Securities of the series shall be issuable in registered form or bearer form (registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons), or both, and any restrictions
applicable to the offering, sale or delivery of bearer securities and the terms upon which bearer Securities of a series may be exchanged for registered Securities of the same series and vice versa;
(27)the forms of the Securities of the series;
(28)any terms which may be related to warrants, options or other rights to purchase and sell securities issued by the Company in connection with, or for the purchase of, Securities of such series, including whether and under what circumstances the Securities of any series may be used toward the exercise price of any such warrants, options or other rights;
(29)if the Securities of the series will be governed by, and the extent to which such Securities will be governed by, any law other than the laws of the state of New York; and
(30)any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 9.1(5)).
All Securities of any one series need not be identical but may vary as may be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 3.3) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officer’s Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series.
Section 3.2Denominations.
Except as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, the Securities of each series shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons. The Securities of such series shall be issuable only in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1. In the absence of any such specified denomination with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, any Securities of a series denominated in a currency other than Dollars shall be issuable in denominations that are the equivalent, as determined by the Company by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such currency (“Exchange Rate”), as such rate is reported or otherwise made available by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, on the applicable issue date for such Securities, of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
Section 3.3Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its principal financial officer, its President or one of its Vice Presidents, and attested by its Treasurer, its Secretary or one of its Assistant Treasurers or Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual, facsimile or electronic. Securities bearing the manual, facsimile or other electronic signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided, however, that in the case of Securities offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Securities from time to time in accordance with such other procedures (including, without limitation, the receipt by the Trustee of oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agents, promptly confirmed in writing) acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified by or pursuant to a Company Order delivered to the Trustee prior to the time of the first authentication of Securities of such series. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions or any other method 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, a copy of such Board Resolution, the Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of the series and an Opinion of Counsel, with such Opinion of Counsel stating,
(1)if the form or terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution or any other method permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1, that such form or terms have been, or in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering will be, established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture, subject in the case of Securities offered in a Periodic Offering, to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel; and
(2)that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions, exceptions and qualifications specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as such enforcement is subject to the effect of (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization or other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
Such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to the enforceability of Section 6.7 or as to whether a court in the United States would render a money judgment in a currency other than that of the United States. 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 such preceding paragraph at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.
Notwithstanding that such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate such Securities if, in the written opinion of counsel to the Trustee (which counsel may be an employee of the Trustee), such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of trustees or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors, trustees or vice presidents shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any Securities then outstanding.
With respect to Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee may rely, as to the authorization by the Company of any of such Securities, the form and terms thereof and the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof, upon the Opinion of Counsel and the other documents delivered pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 3.1 and this Section, as applicable, in connection with the first authentication of Securities of such series.
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 or an Authenticating Agent 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. 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, 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.
The Company in issuing Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and if so, the Trustee may use the CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number printed in the notice or on the Securities, that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption or exchange shall not be affected by any defect or omission of such CUSIP numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in CUSIP numbers known to an Officer of the Company. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any defect in the CUSIP number that appears on any Security, check, advice of payment or redemption notice, and any such document may contain a statement to the effect that CUSIP numbers have been assigned by an independent service for convenience of reference and that neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be liable for any inaccuracy in such numbers.
Section 3.4Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities. All or any portion of the temporary Securities of a series may be Global Securities.
If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. Except in the case of temporary Securities that are Global Securities, each of which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions thereof, after the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor one or more definitive Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. 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 and tenor, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1.
Section 3.5Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or in any office or agency to be maintained by the Company in accordance with Section 9.2 in a Place of Payment or in such other place or medium as may be specified pursuant to Section 3.1 a register for each series of Securities (each register maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes 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 of such series and of transfers of Securities of such series. Unless otherwise contemplated by Section 3.1, the Trustee is hereby appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities, and for the purpose of maintaining the Security Register in respect thereof, as herein provided.
Except as set forth in Section 2.3 or as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.1, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of a series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute and deliver a Company Order requesting the Trustee to authenticate and deliver, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1, at the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (other than Global Securities) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency, and upon payment, if the Company shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided.
Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
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.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company, Security Registrar or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Security Registrar or the Trustee, as the case may be, duly executed, by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1, no service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, 9.6 or 11.7 not involving any transfer.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1, if the Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor) are to be redeemed in whole or in part, the Company shall not be required (A) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of that series (or of that series and specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the sending of a notice of redemption of any such Securities selected for redemption under Section 11.3 and ending at the close of business on the day of such delivery, or (B) 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.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1, the Company shall not be required to register the transfer or exchange of Securities between a Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.
Section 3.6Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and deliver a Company Order requesting the Trustee to authenticate and deliver, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. 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 or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon the Company’s request 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.
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 3.6, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new 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.
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 3.7Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Except as 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 at the office or agency maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 9.2; provided, however, that at the option of the Company, interest on any series of Registered Securities that bear interest may be paid (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it shall appear on the Security Register of such series (unless, with respect to a Global Security, the rules of the Depositary require payment of such amount by wire transfer) or (ii) by wire transfer to an account maintained by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register of such series.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1, any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:
(1)The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest (and interest thereon, if any) 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 (and interest thereon, if any) 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 (and interest thereon, if any) as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than
10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to each Holder of Securities of such series in the manner set forth in Section 1.7, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. The Trustee may, in its discretion, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause a similar notice to be published at least once in an Authorized Newspaper, but such publication shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment of such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest (and interest thereon, if any) and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).
(2)The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest (and interest thereon, if any) on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.7, 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 3.8Persons 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 any premium and (subject to Section 3.7) any interest and any Additional Amounts or other payments on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security shall be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Global Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company or the Trustee, or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any Depositary (or its nominee), as a Holder, with respect to such Global Security or impair, as between such Depositary and owners of beneficial interests in such Global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such Depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such Global Security.
Section 3.9Cancellation.
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. The Security Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, 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, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture or as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1. On request of the Company at the time of surrender, the Trustee shall deliver to the Company canceled Securities held by the Trustee. In the absence of such request, all canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with the Trustee’s customary procedures.
Section 3.10Computation 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.
ARTICLE 4
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 4.1Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to Securities of or within any series (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such Securities and replacement of such Securities which may have been lost, stolen or mutilated as herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities, when
(1)either
(A)all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6 and (ii) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Trustee or 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 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 by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company, in the case of clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose money in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest and any Additional Amounts to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(2)the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series;
(3)the Company has complied with any other conditions specified pursuant to Section 3.1 to be applicable to the Outstanding Securities of such series; and
(4)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 as to such Securities have been complied with.
If any Outstanding Securities of such series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory sinking fund requirement, the trust agreement evidencing the trust referred to in subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section 4.1 shall provide therefore and the Company shall make such arrangements as are satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.7, the obligations of the Trustee 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 4.2Application 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 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and interest or Additional Amounts for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee.
Section 4.3Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with respect to Securities of any series in accordance with Section 4.1 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series and the Securities of such series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 4.1 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 4.1; provided, however, that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 5
REMEDIES
Section 5.1Events 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 occasioned by the subordination provisions applicable to any Securities or 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), unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture, Officer’s Certificate establishing such series, or form of Security for such series:
(1)default in the payment of any interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to the expiration of such period of 30 days); or
(2)default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of that series at its Maturity; or
(3)default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or
(4)default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section 5.1 specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
(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 60 consecutive days; or
(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 it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or 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 in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate establishing that series.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.1, if the principal of, premium (if any) or any interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security is payable in a currency or currencies (including a composite currency) other than Dollars and such currency or currencies are not available to the Company for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company (a “Conversion Event”), the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making such payment in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar equivalent of the amount payable in such other currency, as determined by the Company by reference to the Exchange Rate, as such Exchange Rate is certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the date of such payment, or, if such rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.1, any payment made under such circumstances in Dollars where the required payment is in a currency other than Dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.
Promptly after the occurrence of a Conversion Event with respect to the Securities of any series, the Company shall give written notice thereof to the Trustee; and the Trustee, promptly after receipt of such notice, shall give notice thereof in the manner provided in Section 1.7 to the Holders of such series. Promptly after the making of any payment in Dollars as a result of a Conversion Event with respect to the Securities of any series, the Company shall give notice in the manner provided in Section 1.7 to the Holders of such series, setting forth the applicable Exchange Rate and describing the calculation of such payments.
Section 5.2Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
Unless the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate establishing such series provides otherwise, if an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(5) or 5.1(6)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) and premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect thereto, to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) and premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect thereto, shall become immediately due and payable. Unless the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate establishing such series provides otherwise, if an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(5) or 5.1(6) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) and premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect thereto, shall automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article 5 provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if
(1)the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(A)all overdue interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, all Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be),
(B)the principal of or premium (if any) on any Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be) which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, the Securities’ Yield to Maturity),
(C)to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest and any Additional Amounts at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, the Securities’ Yield to Maturity), and
(D)all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder, the compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances due to Trustee under Section 6.7, and all other amounts due under Section 6.7;
(2)all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be), other than the nonpayment of the principal of Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be) which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13; and
(3)the rescission would not conflict with any final judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.3Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if
(1)default is made in the payment of any interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of any series when such interest or Additional Amounts shall become due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or
(2)default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest on, and Additional Amounts with respect to, and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue interest or Additional Amounts, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities (or in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, the Securities’ Yield to Maturity), and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7.
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 deemed 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.
In addition, if any other Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, 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 5.4Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor
upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal (or lesser amount in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) 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 of, premium (if any), interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Securities) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
(1)to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (or lesser amount in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) (and premium, if any) and interest and any Additional Amounts owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
(2)to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7.
No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.
Section 5.5Trustee 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 may be instituted by the Trustee in its own name as trustee of an express trust.
Section 5.6Application of Money Collected.
Subject to the subordination provisions applicable to any series of Securities, any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied and paid in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities, 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 in connection with such series of Securities in respect of which money or other property is collected;
SECOND: Subject to the terms of any subordination entered into as contemplated by Section 3.1, to the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium, if any, and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, 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 any premium, if any, interest on and Additional Amounts, respectively; and
THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Company or any other Person or Persons entitled thereto.
To the fullest extent allowed under applicable law, if for the purpose of obtaining judgment against the Company in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the Business Day in The City of New York next preceding that on which final judgment is given. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be liable for any shortfall nor shall any of them benefit from any windfall in payments to Holders of Securities under this Section 5.6 caused by a change in exchange rates between the time the amount of a judgment against it is calculated as above and the time the Trustee converts the Judgment Currency into the Required Currency to make payments under this Section 5.6 to
Holders of Securities, but payment of such judgment shall discharge all amounts owed by the Company on the claim or claims underlying such judgment.
Section 5.7Limitation on Suits.
Subject to Section 5.8, 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)an Event of Default with respect to such series of Securities shall have occurred and be continuing and such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of such continuing Event of Default;
(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 and, if requested, provided to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4)the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(5)no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be).
No one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, 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 5.8Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the right of any Holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 3.7) interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Security on the Stated Maturity or Stated 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 after the respective due dates, shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 5.9Restoration 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 5.10Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.7 or with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of 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 5.11Delay 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 5 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 5.12Control by Holders.
With respect to Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such 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, relating to or arising under an Event of Default described in clause (1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) of Section 5.1, and with respect to all Securities the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, relating to or arising under an Event of Default described in clause (5) or (6) of Section 5.1, provided that in each such case.
(1)the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or would conflict with this Indenture or if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer, determine that the proceedings so directed would involve it in personal liability or be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders not taking part in such direction, and
(2)the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction or this Indenture.
Section 5.13Waiver of Past Defaults.
Subject to Section 5.8 and Section 9.2, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate 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 or Event of Default described in clause (1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) of Section 5.1 hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, and the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities may on behalf of the Holders of all Securities waive any Event of Default described in clause (5) or (6) of Section 5.1 hereunder and its consequences, except a default
(1)in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security as and when the same shall become due and payable by the terms thereof, otherwise than by acceleration (unless such default has been cured as provided herein), or
(2)in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 9 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.14Undertaking for Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that 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, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that 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 interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).
ARTICLE 6
THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(1)If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise 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 individual would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(2)Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(A)The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.
(B)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 Officer’s Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in the case of any such Officer’s Certificates or Opinions of Counsel which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such Officer’s Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(3)The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(A)This paragraph does not limit the effect of clause (2) of this Section 6.1.
(B)The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
(C)The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities of any series in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such 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.
(4)Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to clauses (1), (2) and (3) of this Section 6.1.
(5)The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of Holder or Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holder or Holders shall have offered and, if requested, provided to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonable in the sole discretion of the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(6)No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.
(7)The Paying Agent, the Security Registrar and any Authenticating Agent shall be entitled to the protections, immunities and standard of care as are set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (3) of this Section 6.1 with respect to the Trustee.
Section 6.2Notice of Defaults.
If a default occurs hereunder and is continuing with respect to Securities of any series and it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall give the Holders of Securities of such series notice of such default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that except in the case of a
default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Securities of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Board of Trustees, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the holders of Securities of such series.
Section 6.3Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1:
(1)the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, whether in its original or facsimile form, any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(2)the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney, at the sole reasonable cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;
(3)any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (unless other evidence is specifically required herein), and any resolution of the Board of Trustees shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(4)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), in the absence of bad faith on its part, is entitled to and may rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;
(5)the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(6)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.
(7)Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Indenture, the Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Company’s covenants in this Indenture and the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series for which it is acting as Trustee unless either (1) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company or any other obligor on such Securities or by any Holder of such Securities;
(8)the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
(9)the Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, provided that the Trustee reasonably believes that the last such certificate received from the Company or currently on file is no longer accurate; and
(10)in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, it being understood that the Trustee shall use
reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 6.4Not 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 neither the Trustee nor any Security Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor any Security Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.
Section 6.5May Hold Securities and Act as Trustee under Other Indentures.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of 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.
Subject to the limitations imposed by the Trust Indenture Act, nothing in this Indenture shall prohibit the Trustee from becoming and acting as trustee under other indentures under which other securities, or certificates of interest of participation in other securities, of the Company are outstanding in the same manner as if it were not Trustee hereunder.
Section 6.6Money Held in Trust.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 10.3 and 13.5, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied, as provided herein, be held in trust uninvested for the purposes for which they were received. 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 in writing with the Company. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid by the Company from time to time upon a Company Order. In the event that the Paying Agent receives cash funds in advance of any due date hereunder, 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 6.7Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such reasonable compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee may agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred by it in connection with the performance of its duties under this Indenture, except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
The Company shall indemnify the Trustee for, and hold it harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense (including attorneys’ fees and expenses, and including taxes other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee), including without limitation the costs and expenses of defending itself against any third-party claim (whether asserted by any Holder or any other Person (other than the Company to the extent of any claim brought by it against the Trustee that establishes a breach by the Trustee in the observance or performance of its duties under this Indenture in accordance with a final, non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction)), incurred by it without negligence or willful misconduct arising out of or in connection with its acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers hereunder. With respect to any such claim other than a claim brought by the Company, (i) the Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity, (ii) the Company may at its option defend the claim, in which event the Trustee shall cooperate (at the expense of the Company) in the defense and the Trustee may have one separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel and (iii) the Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee.
To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 6.7, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, particular Securities of that series.
The obligations of the Company under this Section 6.7 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and any resignation or removal of the Trustee.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(5) or (6) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
The provisions of this Section 6.7 and any lien arising hereunder shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee or the discharge of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the termination of this Indenture.
Section 6.8Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such conflicting interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner and with the effect provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to Securities of more than one series or any other indenture.
Section 6.9Eligibility; Disqualification.
There shall at all times be one (and only one) Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of each series (which need not be the same Trustee for all series) . A Trustee may be Trustee hereunder for Securities of one or more series. Each Trustee shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has (or if the Trustee is a member of a bank holding company system, its bank holding company has) a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state (or the District of Columbia) authority. If any such Person or bank holding company publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.9 and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of such Person or bank holding company 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 with respect to the Securities of any series 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 6.
The Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Sections 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 6.10Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11.
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 petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
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. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.11 shall not have been delivered to the removed Trustee within 30 days after the receipt of such notice of removal, the removed Trustee may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
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, or
(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, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 5.14, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
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 such successor Trustee or Trustees 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, the retiring Trustee may petition, or any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may petition, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
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 to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 1.7. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 6.11Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
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.
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.
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 the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.
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 6.
Section 6.12Merger, 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 or acquiring all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee (including the administration of the trust created by this Indenture), shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to, or by succession to or acquisition of all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of, such successor 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 6.13Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities) as provided in the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).
Section 6.14Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. 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, except as other specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, shall at all times be a bank or trust company or 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 (or if the Authenticating Agent is a member of a bank holding company system, its bank holding company has) a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State (or the District of Columbia) 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.
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 or acquiring 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.
An Authenticating Agent for any series of Securities may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee for such series and to the Company. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment in the manner provided in Section 1.7 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.
The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 6.14, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.7.
If an appointment 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 alternative 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.
[TRUSTEE], as Trustee
By:
As Authenticating Agent
By:
Authorized Officer
Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 6.14 to the contrary, if at any time any Authenticating Agent appointed hereunder with respect to any series of Securities shall not also be acting as the Security Registrar hereunder with respect to any series of Securities, then, in addition to all other duties of an Authenticating Agent hereunder, such Authenticating Agent shall also be obligated: (i) to furnish to the Security Registrar promptly all information necessary to enable the Security Registrar to maintain at all times an accurate and current Security Register; and (ii) prior to authenticating any Security denominated in a foreign currency, to ascertain from the Company the units of such foreign currency that are required to be determined by the Company pursuant to Section 3.2.
ARTICLE 7
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
Section 7.1Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee
(1)not later than 15 days after the Regular Record Date for each respective series of Securities, or if there is no Regular Record Date for such series of Securities, semi-annually on January 1 and July 1, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of each series as of such date, as the case may be, and
(2)at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided that no such list need be furnished by the Company to the Trustee so long as the Trustee is acting as Security Registrar.
Section 7.2Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
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.
The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.
Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 7.3Reports by Trustee.
The Trustee shall transmit to Holders and any other required Persons such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.
As promptly as practicable after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and in any event prior to June 30 in each year, and for so long as any Securities remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder a brief report dated as of December 31 of the prior year if and to the extent required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Trustee shall also comply with Section 313(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Trustee will also transmit by mail all reports as required by Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
Section 7.4Reports by Company.
The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to Holders and any other required Persons within 30 days after the filing with the Trustee, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act; provided that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 30 days after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission; provided, however, that any such information, documents or reports electronically filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be deemed filed with, and delivered to, the Trustee and transmitted to the Holders at the same time as filed with the Commission. The Trustee shall have no responsibility to determine if such filing has occurred. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).
ARTICLE 8
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
Section 8.1Company May Consolidate, etc., Only on Certain Terms.
The Company may not merge or consolidate with or into any other Person, in a transaction in which it is not the surviving Person, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, unless (i) the surviving or transferee Person is organized and existing under the laws of the United States or a State thereof or the District of Columbia and such Person expressly assumes by supplemental indenture all the obligations of the Company under the Securities and under this Indenture, (ii) immediately thereafter, giving effect to such merger or consolidation, or such sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, no default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (iii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such merger, consolidation, sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition complies with this Article 8 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Section 8.2Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale, 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 9
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.1Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto for any of the following purposes:
(1)to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants and obligations of the Company herein and in the Securities in compliance with Article 8; or
(2)to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of any one or more series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee or otherwise secure any series of the Securities, including provisions regarding the circumstances under which collateral may be released or substituted, to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or to comply with any requirement of the Commission or otherwise in connection with the qualification of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or
(3)to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of any one or more series of Securities (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); or
(4)to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in global form or uncertificated form; or
(5)to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities, provided that any such addition, change or elimination (A) shall neither (i) apply to any Outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision, or (ii) modify the rights of any Holder of any Outstanding Security with respect to such provision, or (B) shall become effective when there is no Security then Outstanding; or
(6)to add or provide for a guaranty or guarantees of the Securities or additional obligors on the Securities; or
(7)to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1; or
(8)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; or
(9)to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, to cure any ambiguity or omission, to correct any mistake, or to conform to any prospectus pursuant to which Securities of any series were offered; or
(10)to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided such action shall not adversely affect the rights of any Holder of Securities of any series;
(11)to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder;
(12)to supplement any of the provisions of the Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Articles 4 and 13, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company; or
(13)to make such other provisions in regards to matters or questions arising under the Indenture or any supplemental indenture hereto as the Board of Directors may deem necessary or desirable, and which does not in each case adversely affect the interest of the Holders of Securities of any series as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company; or
(14)to comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 9.2Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (acting as one class), by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby,
(1)change the Stated Maturity of the principal of or any installment of principal of, or the date fixed for payment of interest on or any sinking fund payment with respect to, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon, any Additional Amounts with respect thereto or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change any obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts (except as contemplated by Section 8.1 and permitted by clause (1) of Section 9.1), or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Security which would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2, or change any Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which any Security or any premium or interest thereon or Additional Amounts with respect thereto 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), or modify the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the subordination of a Security in a manner adverse to the holder thereof, or
(2)reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (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, Section 5.13 or Section 10.8, except to increase any such percentage or to provide with respect to any particular series the right to condition the effectiveness of any supplemental indenture as to that series on the consent of the Holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series (which provision may be made pursuant to Section 3.1 without the consent of any Holder) 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 9.2 and Section 10.8, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 6.11 and 9.1(8).
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.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
Section 9.3Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.3) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, immunities or liabilities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.4Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article 9, 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; provided that if such supplemental indenture makes any of the changes described in clauses (1) through (3) of the first proviso to Section 9.2, such supplemental indenture shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of such Security or any part thereof.
Section 9.5Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article 9 shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 9.6Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article 9 may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
ARTICLE 10
COVENANTS
Section10.1Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture.
Section10.2Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for 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 any 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. Unless otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture or pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof, the Place of Payment for any series of Securities shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the 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.
Section10.3Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust.
If the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective Affiliates shall at any time act as Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, such Paying Agent will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, 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 any premium and interest, or any Additional Amounts, so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or Additional Amounts with respect to, any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 10.3, that such Paying Agent will (1) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent and (2) during the continuance of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment in respect of the Securities of that series, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Securities of that series. The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or with respect to one or more series of Securities, or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for a period ending on the earlier of the date that is ten Business Days prior to the date such money would escheat to the State or two years after such principal, premium or interest or Additional Amount has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in The Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and in such other Authorized Newspapers as the Trustee shall deem appropriate, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified herein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat, or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Company.
Section10.4Statement by Officers as to Default.
At any time at which there are Outstanding Securities of any series issued under this Indenture, 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 complying with Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act and stating that a review of the activities of the Company during such year and of performance under this Indenture has been made under the supervision of the signers thereof and stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof, based upon such review, the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge. One of the officers signing the Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 10.05 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company.
Section10.5Existence.
Subject to Article 8, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence.
Section10.6All Securities to be Equally and Ratably Secured.
Unless specified otherwise by the Company pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to any series, the Company will not itself secure Securities of any one or more series with any Mortgage, without effectively providing that the Securities of every other series shall be secured equally and ratably by such Mortgage.
Section10.7Maintenance of Properties.
The Company will cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of its business to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as, and to the extent, in the judgment of the Company may be necessary or appropriate in connection with its business; provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.
Section10.8Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.
The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or upon the income, profits or property of the Company, and (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property 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, charge or claim (i) whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or (ii) if the failure to pay or discharge would not have a material adverse effect on the assets, business, operations, properties or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Section10.9Waiver of Certain Covenants.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of such series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in any covenant provided pursuant to Sections 3.1(22), 9.1(2), 8.1, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7 or 10.8 for the benefit of the Holders of such series if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
Section10.10Additional Amounts.
If the Securities of a series expressly provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series Additional Amounts as expressly provided therein. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of, or premium (if any) or interest on any Security of any series or the net proceeds received from the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Section 10.10 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section 10.10 and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.
If the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal and any premium is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal and any premium or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officer’s Certificate, the Company shall furnish the Trustee and the Company’s principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officer’s Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal of and any
premium or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series who are United States Aliens without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officer’s Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities and the Company will pay to such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by this Section 10.10. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officer’s Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section 10.10.
ARTICLE 11
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section11.1Applicability of Article.
Securities of any series that are redeemable in whole or in part before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities) in accordance with this Article 11.
Section11.2Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series (including any such redemption affecting only a single Security), the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (i) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (ii) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.
Section11.3Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.
If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed or unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, on a pro-rata basis, or in the Trustee’s discretion, by lot, or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate, provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security.
If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar in writing of the Securities selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in case of any Securities selected for partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.
Section11.4Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed (or while any Securities are represented by one or more Global Notes, such notice shall be delivered to the Depositary for communication to entitled account Holders) not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at its address appearing in the Security Register.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(1)the Redemption Date,
(2)the Redemption Price (including accrued interest, if any, to be paid),
(3)if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any such Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the principal amount of the particular Security to be redeemed,
(4)in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, 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 place or places where each such Security is to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price,
(7)if applicable, the conversion price, the date on which the right to convert the principal of the Securities or the portions thereof to be redeemed will terminate, and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion,
(8)that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,
(9)the specific provision of this Indenture pursuant to which such Securities are to be redeemed, and
(10)the CUSIP number or numbers and/or common codes of the Security being redeemed. Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company, provided that the Company shall have prepared and provided to the Trustee the form of such notice, or, if acceptable to the Trustee, provided sufficient information to enable the Trustee to prepare such notice, in each case on a timely basis.
Section11.5Deposit of Redemption Price.
On or prior to 10:00 a.m., Eastern time on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, 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.
If any Security called for redemption is converted, any money deposited with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent or so segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such Security shall (subject to any right of any Holder of such Security to receive interest thereon) be paid to the Company on Company Request, or if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust.
Section11.6Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, 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 (and any Additional Amounts) to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will 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.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, the Securities’ Yield to Maturity.
Section11.7Securities 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 its attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and Stated Maturity 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.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, the Company and any Affiliate of the Company may at any time purchase or otherwise acquire Securities in the open market or by private agreement. Such acquisition shall not operate as or be deemed for any purpose to be a redemption of the indebtedness represented by such Securities. Any Securities purchased or acquired by the Company may be delivered to the Trustee and, upon such delivery, the indebtedness represented thereby shall be deemed to be satisfied. Section 3.9 shall apply to all Securities so delivered.
ARTICLE 12
SINKING FUNDS
Section12.1Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article 12 shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of any series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of any Securities is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” Unless otherwise provided for by the terms of any Securities, 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 as provided for by the terms of such Securities.
Section12.2Satisfaction 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 any Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as and to the extent provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided that the Securities to be so credited have not been previously so credited. The Securities to be so credited shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price, as specified in the Securities so to be redeemed, for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
Section12.3Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not fewer than 45 days prior (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) to each sinking fund payment date for any Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for such Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, 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 pursuant to Section 12.2 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not fewer than 30 days prior to 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 13
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section13.1Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, designated pursuant to Section 3.1 as being defeasible pursuant to such Section 13.2 or 13.3, in accordance with any applicable requirements provided pursuant to Section 3.1 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 13. Any such election shall be evidenced by one or more Board Resolutions, Officer’s Certificates, indentures supplemental hereto, or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities.
Section13.2Section 13.2 Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), subject to the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
(1)the rights of Holders of such Securities 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 any premium and interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Securities when payments are due,
(2)the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 10.2 and 10.3,
(3)the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, and
(4)this Article 13.
Subject to compliance with this Article 13, the Company may exercise its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 13.3 applied to such Securities.
Section13.3Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section 13.3 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be,
(1)the Company shall be released from their obligations under Sections 8.1, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7 or 10.8 and any covenants provided pursuant to Sections 3.1(22) or 9.1(2) for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and
(2)the occurrence of any event specified in Section 5.1(4) (with respect to any of Sections 8.1, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7 or 10.8 and any such covenants provided pursuant to Sections 3.1(22) or 9.1(2)) and the occurrence of any other Event of Default specified pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 9.1(3) shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to such Securities or any series of Securities as provided in this Section 13.3 on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Covenant Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such specified Section or such other covenant (to the extent so specified in the case of Section 5.1(4) and the occurrence of any Event of Default specified pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 9.1(3)), whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other
covenant or by reason of any reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.
Section13.4Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be:
(1)The Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the requirements contemplated by Section 6.9 and agrees to comply with the provisions of this Article 13 applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders of such Securities,
(A)in the case of Securities of a series denominated in currency of the United States of America,
(i)cash in currency of the United States of America in an amount, or
(ii)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 one day before the due date of any payment, an amount in cash, or
(iii)a combination thereof, or
(B)in the case of Securities of a series denominated in currency other than that of the United States of America,
(i)cash in the currency in which such series of Securities is denominated in an amount, or
(ii)Foreign Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, an amount in cash, or
(iii)a combination thereof,
in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities on the respective Stated Maturities, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities.
(2)For Securities denominated in United States dollars, in the event of an election to have Section 13.2 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that
(A)the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or
(B)since the date of this instrument, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case clause (A) or (B) to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit, Defeasance and discharge were not to occur.
(3)For Securities denominated in United States dollars, in the event of an election to have Section 13.3 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected with
respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur.
(4)The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that neither such Securities nor any other Securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit.
(5)No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to such Securities or any other Securities shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit or, with regard to any such event specified in Sections 5.1(5) and (6), at any time on or prior to the 90th day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until after such 90th day).
(6)Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act (assuming all Securities are in default within the meaning of such Act).
(7)Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.
(8)Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act unless such trust shall be registered under such Act or exempt from registration thereunder.
(9)The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
Section13.5Deposited Money, U.S. Government Obligations and Foreign Government Obligations to be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money, U.S. Government Obligations and Foreign Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this Section 13.5 and Section 13.6, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to collectively as the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 13.4 in respect of any Securities 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 such Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. 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 or Foreign 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 Outstanding Securities. Anything in this Article 13 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money, U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 13.4 with respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities.
Section13.6Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article 13 with respect to any Securities by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or released pursuant to Section 13.2 or 13.3 shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 13 with respect to such Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section 13.5 with respect to such Securities in accordance with this Article 13; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security following such reinstatement of its
obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust.
[signature page follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
AXOS FINANCIAL, INC.
By: ________________________________
Name: ________________________________
Title: ________________________________
__________________________________, as Trustee
By: ________________________________
Name: ________________________________
Title: ________________________________
INDENTURE
BY AND BETWEEN
AXOS FINANCIAL, INC.
AND
_________________________________,
AS TRUSTEE
DATED AS OF __________, 20__
SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
(Issuable in Series)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
AXOS FINANCIAL, INC.
This Cross Reference Sheet shows the location in the Indenture of the provisions inserted pursuant to Sections 3.10 through 3.18, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939:
| | | | | | | | |
Section 310 | (a) (1) | 6.9 |
| (a) (2) | 6.9 |
| (a) (3) | 6.9 |
| (a) (4) | Not Applicable |
| (a) (5) | 6.9 |
| (b) | 6.8, 6.10 |
| (c) | Not Applicable |
Section 311 | (a) | 6.13 |
| (b) | 6.13 |
| (c) | Not Applicable |
Section 312 | (a) | 7.1, 7.2 |
| (b) | 7.2 |
| (c) | 7.2 |
Section 313 | (a) | 7.3 |
| (b) | 7.3 |
| (c) | 7.3 |
| (d) | 7.3 |
Section 314 | (a) (1) | 7.4 |
| (a) (2) | 7.4 |
| (a) (3) | 7.4 |
| (a) (4) | 1.1, 10.4 |
| (b) | Not Applicable |
| (c) | 1.3 |
| (c) (2) | 1.3 |
| (c) (3) | Not Applicable |
| (d) | Not Applicable |
| (e) | 1.3 |
Section 315 | (a) | 6.1 |
| (b) | 6.2 |
| (c) | 6.1 |
| (d) | 6.1 |
| (e) | 5.14 |
Section 316 | (a) | 1.1 |
| (a) (1) (A) | 5.2, 5.12 |
| (a) (1) (B) | 5.13 |
| (a) (2) | Not Applicable |
| | | | | | | | |
| (b) | 5.8 |
| (c) | 1.5 |
Section 317 | (a) (1) | 5.3 |
| (a) (2) | 5.4 |
| (b) | 10.3 |
Section 318 | (a) | 1.8 |
NOTE: This Cross Reference Sheet is not part of the Indenture. |
INDENTURE
INDENTURE, dated as of , 20 , by and between AXOS FINANCIAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), having its principal office at 9205 West Russell Road, Suite 400, Las Vegas, Nevada 89148, and , as trustee (the “Trustee”).
RECITALS
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its subordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series as herein provided.
This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder that are required to be part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, shall be governed by such provisions.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, each party agrees for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities, or of series thereof, issued under this Indenture, as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.1Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles in the United States of America as are generally accepted as of the time when and for the period as to which such accounting principles are to be applied;
(3) “or” is not exclusive;
(4) any reference to an “Article” or a “Section” refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this Indenture;
(5) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and
(6) certain terms, used principally in Article 6, are defined in Section 1.2.
“Act,” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.5.
“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts that are required by the express terms of a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein or pursuant thereto, to be paid by the Company with respect to certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on certain Holders and that are owing to such Holders.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For 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, which may include the Company, authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.14 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.
“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper of general circulation in the New York, New York area, printed in the English language and customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays. Whenever successive weekly publications in an Authorized Newspaper are required hereunder they may be made (unless otherwise expressly provided herein) on the same or different days of the week and in the same or in different Authorized Newspapers.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
“Board” or “Board of Trustees” means either the board of trustees of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.
“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 Trustees and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment, or the city in which the Corporate Trust Office is located, are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, 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.
“Common Shares” includes any shares of beneficial interest of any class of the Company which has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company and which is not subject to redemption by the Company.
“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, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President or a Vice President, and by its principal financial officer, its Controller, an Assistant Controller, its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the corporate trust office of the Trustee at Global Corporate Trust Services, ________________________, or such other office, designated by the Trustee by written notice to the Company, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business concerning the transactions contemplated by this Indenture shall be administered.
“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.3.
“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
“Default” means, with respect to the Securities of any series, any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.
“Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.2.
“Depositary” means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, another clearing agency, or any successor, registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1.
“Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
“Euro” or “Euros” means the currency adopted by those nations participating in the third stage of the economic and monetary union provisions of the Treaty on European Union, signed at Maastricht on February 7, 1992.
“European Economic Area” means the member nations of the European Economic Area pursuant to the Oporto Agreement on the European Economic Area dated May 2, 1992, as amended.
“European Union” means the member nations of the European Union established by the Treaty of European Union, signed at Maastricht on February 2, 1992, which amended the Treaty of Rome establishing the European Community.
“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 from time to time.
“Exchange Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 3.2.
“Expiration Date” has the meaning specified in Section 1.5.
“Foreign Government Obligation” means with respect to Securities of any series which are not denominated in the currency of the United States of America (x) any security which is (i) a direct obligation of the government which issued or caused to be issued the currency in which such security is denominated and for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or, with respect to Securities of any series which are denominated in euros, a direct obligation of any member nation of the European Union for the payment of which obligation the full faith and credit of the respective nation is pledged so long as such nation has a credit rating at least equal to that of the highest rated member nation of the European Economic Area, or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of a government specified in clause (i) above the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the such government, which, in either case (i) or (ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any Foreign Government Obligation which is specified in clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any Foreign Government Obligation which is so specified and held, 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 depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Foreign Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt.
“Global Security” means a Security that evidences all or part of the Securities of any series and bears the legend set forth in Section 2.4 (or such legend as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities).
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.
“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and 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, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.1; provided, however, that if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this Indenture due to the appointment of one or more separate Trustees for any one or more separate series of Securities, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to such series of Securities for which any such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more
indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 3.1, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee, but to which such person, as such Trustee, was not a party; provided, further that in the event that this Indenture is supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto which are only applicable to certain series of Securities, the term “Indenture” for a particular series of Securities shall exclude provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities.
“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.
“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 5.6.
“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, repurchase at the option of the Holder, call for redemption or otherwise.
“Mortgage” means and includes any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest, conditional sale or other title retention agreement or other similar encumbrance.
“Notice of Default” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 5.1(4).
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice President, the principal financial officer, the Treasurer, the Controller, an Assistant Treasurer, an Assistant Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. The officer signing an Officer’s Certificate given pursuant to Section 10.4 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of legal counsel, who may be, without limitation, (a) an employee of the Company, or (b) outside counsel designated by the Company, rendered, if applicable, in accordance with Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that 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
(1) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(2) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;
(3) Securities 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 unless otherwise provided with respect to any Securities of any series pursuant to Section 3.1, in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given,
made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder as of any date, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof which would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date pursuant to Section 5.2, (B) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Security is not determinable, the principal amount of such Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as specified or determined as contemplated by Section 3.1, (C) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more non-U.S. dollar currencies or currency units which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner provided as contemplated by Section 3.1, of the principal amount of such Security (or, in the case of a Security described in clause (A) or (B) above, of the amount determined as provided in such clause), and (D) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Subsidiary 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, waiver or other action, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of 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 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 Subsidiary of the Company or of such other obligor.
“Paying Agent” means any Person, which may include the Company, authorized by the Company to pay the principal of or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any one or more series of Securities on behalf of the Company.
“Periodic Offering” means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time the specific terms of which Securities, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest or formula for determining the rate or rates of interest thereon, if any, the Maturity thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company upon the issuance of such Securities.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.
“Place of Payment,” when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 and 10.2.
“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.
“Preferred Shares” as applied to the shares of beneficial interest of the Company means shares of beneficial interest of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of the Company, over Common Shares of the Company.
“Record Date” means any Regular Record Date or Special Record Date.
“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to the terms of such Security and 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 the terms of such Security and this Indenture.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means any date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.1, or, if not so specified, the first day of the calendar month of the month of such Interest Payment Date if such Interest Payment Date is the fifteenth day of the calendar month, or the fifteenth day of the calendar month preceding such Interest Payment Date if such Interest Payment Date is the first day of a calendar month, whether or not such day shall be a Business Day.
“Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 5.6.
“Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, an officer of the Trustee in the Corporate Trust Office assigned and duly authorized by the Trustee to administer the transactions contemplated by this Indenture.
“Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Company authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Security Custodian” means, with respect to Securities of a series issued in global form, the Trustee for Securities of such series, acting in its capacity as custodian with respect to the Securities of such series, or any successor entity thereto.
“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.
“Senior Debt” of the Company, means with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 3.1, the indebtedness specified in such Securities or in the supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Securities are issued. Different series of Securities may be subordinated to different Senior Debt, and one series of Securities may be subordinated to another series of Securities, all as and to the extent provided in the relevant documentation for each issue of Securities.
“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.7.
“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 any Person of which the Company at the time owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the shares of outstanding stock or other equity interests having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees, as the case may be, of such Person (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes or other equity interests of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so 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.
“United States” means the United States of America (including the states thereof and the District of Columbia) and its “possessions”, which include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Somoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.
“United States Alien” means any Person who, for United States federal income tax purposes, is a foreign corporation, a nonresident alien individual, a nonresident alien or foreign fiduciary of an estate or trust, or a foreign partnership.
“U.S. Government Obligation” means (x) any security which is (i) a direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or (ii) an obligation 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 (i) or (ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect
to any U.S. Government Obligation which is specified in clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so specified and held, 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 depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt.
“Vice President,” when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president.”
“Yield to Maturity” means, when used with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security, the yield to maturity, if any, set forth on the face thereof.
Section 1.2Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“indenture securities” means the Securities.
“indenture security holder” means a Holder.
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.
“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company or any other obligor on the Securities.
All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by a Trust Indenture Act reference to another statue or defined by Commission rule under the Trust Indenture Act and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them therein.
Section 1.3Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust Indenture Act. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of an Officer’s Certificate, if to be given by an officer of the Company, or an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in this Indenture.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 10.4) shall include,
(1) a statement that each Person signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such Person, such Person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 1.4Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company or of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by an accountant or firm of accountants employed or retained by the Company unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinions or representations as to such accounting matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 1.5Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by 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 all 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.
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 or her 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 that the Trustee deems sufficient.
The ownership, date of holding, principal amount and serial numbers of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.
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. Any consent or waiver of the Holder of any Security shall be irrevocable for a period of six months after the date of execution thereof, but otherwise any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or other Act as to his Security or portion of his Security; provided, however, that such revocation shall be effective only if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the Act becomes effective.
The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, vote, notice,
consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, provided that the Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be canceled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 1.7.
The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to join in the giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of acceleration referred to in Section 5.2, (iii) any request to institute proceedings referred to in Section 5.7(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in Section 5.12, in each case with respect to Securities of such series. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be canceled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 1.7.
With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which sets such record dates may designate any day as the “Expiration Date” and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 1.7, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section 1.5, the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.
Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.
Section 1.6Notices, etc., to Trustee and 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 (or by facsimile transmissions, provided that oral confirmation of receipt shall have been received) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, or
(2)the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and furnished by certified mail, return receipt requested, personally delivered or furnished via overnight courier to the Company addressed to it at the address of
its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.
Section 1.7Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or delivered by hand or overnight courier to each Holder affected by such event, at its address as it appears in the Security Register (or while any Securities are represented by one or more Global Securities, such notice shall be delivered to the Depositary for communication to entitled account Holders), not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice. Neither the failure to mail or deliver by hand or overnight courier any notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed or delivered by hand or overnight courier, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give notice to Holders of Securities by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder. In any case in which notice to Holders of Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder of a Security, shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Securities.
Section 1.8Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act or another provision hereof required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this 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 Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.
Section 1.9Effect 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 1.10Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether or not so expressed. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
Section 1.11Separability 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 1.12Benefits 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, any Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent or Security Registrar, and the Holders and any holders of Senior Debt, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 1.13Governing Law.
THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO
APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.
Section 1.14Legal Holidays.
Unless otherwise provided with respect to any Security or Securities pursuant to Section 3.1, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, sinking fund payment date, or Stated Maturity or Maturity or other payment date of any Security or the last date on which a Holder has the right to convert a Security at a particular conversion price shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities (other than a provision of any Security which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section)) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) or, if applicable to a particular series of Securities, conversion 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, at the Stated Maturity or on such last day for conversion, as the case may be.
Section 1.15Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or in any Security, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had, directly or indirectly, against any incorporator, subscriber to the shares of beneficial interest (or capital stock or membership interests (as applicable)), shareholder, stockholder, member, employee, agent, manager, officer, trustee or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or the Trustee or of any predecessor or successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or the Trustee or any predecessor or successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, any incorporator, subscriber to the shares of beneficial interest (or capital stock or membership interests (as applicable)), shareholder, stockholder, member, employee, agent, manager, officer, trustee or director, as such, of the Company or the Trustee or of any predecessor or successor corporation, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, subscriber to the shares of beneficial interest (or capital stock or membership interests (as applicable)), shareholder, stockholder, member, employee, agent, manager, officer, trustee or director, as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture, any supplemental indenture hereto, any certificate or other writing delivered in connection herewith, or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of such Securities. By accepting a Security, each Holder agrees to the provisions of this Section 1.15 and waives and releases all such liability. Such waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities.
Section 1.16Indenture May be Executed in Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be an original, but such counterparts will together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
ARTICLE 2
SECURITY FORMS
Section 2.1Forms Generally.
The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article, or in such other form as shall be established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions and set forth in such Board Resolutions, or, to the extent established pursuant to, rather than set forth in, such Board Resolutions, an Officer’s Certificate detailing such establishment, 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 any applicable law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, or any rules of any securities exchange or Depositary therefor or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, or, to the extent established pursuant to, rather than set forth in, such Board Resolutions, an Officer’s Certificate detailing such establishment, 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. Any such Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or record of such action shall have attached thereto a true and correct copy of the form of Security referred to therein approved by or pursuant to such Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate.
The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
Section 2.2Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
Unless otherwise provided in one or more Board Resolutions, Officer’s Certificate, or indentures supplemental hereto, 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.
[Trustee], as Trustee
By:
Authorized Officer
Section 2.3Global Securities.
If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 3.1 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 3.3 and the Company Order delivered to the Trustee thereunder, authenticate and deliver such Global Security or Securities, which (i) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, (ii) may provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges, (iii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, (iv) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and (v) shall bear a legend in accordance with the requirements of the Depositary.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section or of Section 3.5, except as contemplated by the provisions of this Section 2.3 below, unless the terms of a Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for individual Securities, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 3.5, only to a nominee of the Depositary for such Global Security, or to the Depositary, or to a successor Depositary for such Global Security selected or approved by the Company, or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.
If at any time the Depositary for a Global Security notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as the Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time the Depositary for the Securities for such series shall no longer be eligible or in good standing under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, the
Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security. If a successor Depositary for such Global Security is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Securities of such series in the form of definitive certificates in exchange for such Global Security, will authenticate and deliver Securities of such series in the form of definitive certificates of like tenor and terms in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security in exchange for such Global Security. Such Securities will be issued to and registered in the name of such Person or Persons as are specified by the Depositary.
The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Securities of any series issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities. In any such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request for the authentication and delivery of Securities in the form of definitive certificates in exchange in whole or in part for such Global Security, will authenticate and deliver without service charge to each Person specified by the Depositary Securities in the form of definitive certificates of like tenor and terms in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security representing such series, or the aggregate principal amount of such Global Securities representing such series, in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.
If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to Securities issued or issuable in the form of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Securities in the form of definitive certificates of like tenor and terms on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and such Depositary. Thereupon the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, (A) to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Security or Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms and any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security and (B) to such Depositary a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in an authorized denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Securities delivered to Holders thereof.
In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities in the form of definitive certificates in authorized denominations. Upon the exchange of the entire principal amount of a Global Security for Securities in the form of definitive certificates, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Except as provided in the immediately preceding subparagraph, Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, acting pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. Provided that the Company and the Trustee have so agreed, the Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Persons in whose names the Securities are so to be registered.
Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the principal amount thereof, or any increase or decrease in such principal amount, or changes in the rights of Holders of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified in or pursuant to any applicable letter of representations or other arrangement entered into with, or procedures of, the Depositary with respect to such Global Security or in the Company Order delivered or to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.3 or Section 3.4 with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3 and, if applicable, Section 3.4, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any such Global Security in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified in or pursuant to any applicable letter of representations or other arrangement entered into with, or procedures of, the Depositary with respect to such Global Security or in any applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 3.3 or Section 3.4 is so delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to such Global Security contained therein shall be in writing but need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officer’s Certificate and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.
The Depositary or, if there be one, its nominee, shall be the Holder of a Global Security for all purposes under this Indenture; and beneficial owners with respect to such Global Security shall hold their interests pursuant to applicable procedures of such Depositary. The Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Security Registrar shall be entitled to deal with such Depositary for all purposes of this Indenture relating to such Global Security (including the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Global Security and the giving of instructions or directions by or to the beneficial owners of such Global Security as the sole Holder of such Global Security and shall have no obligations to the beneficial owners thereof (including any direct or indirect participants in such Depositary). None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security in or pursuant to any applicable letter of
representations or other arrangement entered into with, or procedures of, the Depositary with respect to such Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Section 2.4Form of Legend for Global Securities.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for the Securities evidenced thereby, every Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.
Section 2.5Form of Face of Security.
[Insert any legend required by the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.]
AXOS FINANCIAL, INC.
No.
Axos Financial, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of Delaware (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to , or registered assigns, the principal sum of Dollars on [if the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert -, and to pay interest thereon from or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on and in each year, commencing , at the rate of per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment [if applicable, insert -, and at the rate of % per annum on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue installment of interest]. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (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 or
(whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (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 Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture].
[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert - The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated Maturity and in such case the overdue principal of this Security shall bear interest at the rate of % per annum which shall accrue from the date of such default in payment to the date payment of such principal has been made or duly provided for. Interest on any overdue principal shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on any overdue principal that is not so paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of % per annum which shall accrue from the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of such interest has been made or duly provided for, and such interest shall also be payable on demand.]
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable, insert - any such] interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in , in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts [if applicable, insert -; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register].
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit 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:
AXOS FINANCIAL, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
Attest:
Section 2.6Form of Reverse of Security.
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of , 20 (herein called the “Indenture”), between the Company and , as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee, the holders of Senior Debt and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [if applicable, insert -, limited in aggregate principal amount to $ ].
[If applicable, insert - Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security is entitled, at his option, at any time on or before the close of business on , or in case this Security or a portion hereof is called for redemption, then in respect of this Security or such portion hereof until and including, but (unless the Company defaults in making the payment due upon redemption) not after, the close of business on the 10th calendar day before the Redemption Date, to convert this Security (or any portion of the principal amount hereof which is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof), at the principal amount hereof, or of such portion, into fully paid and non-assessable shares (calculated as to each conversion to the nearest 1/100 of a share) of Common Stock of the Company at a conversion price per share of Common Stock equal to $ per each share of Common Stock (or at the current adjusted conversion price if an adjustment has been made as provided in the Indenture) by surrender of this Security, duly endorsed or assigned to the Company or in blank, to the Company at its office or agency in , accompanied by written notice to the Company that the Holder hereof elects to convert this Security, or if less than the entire principal amount hereof is to be converted, the portion hereof to be converted, and, in case such surrender shall be made during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date next preceding any Interest Payment Date to the opening of business on such Interest Payment Date (unless this Security or the portion thereof being converted has been called for redemption on a Redemption Date within such period), also accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company of an amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of this Security then being converted. Subject to the aforesaid requirement for payment and, in the case of a conversion after the Regular Record Date next preceding any Interest Payment Date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, to the right of the Holder of this Security (or any Predecessor Security) of record at such Regular Record Date to receive an installment of interest (with certain exceptions provided in the Indenture), no payment or adjustment is to be made on conversion for interest accrued hereon or for dividends on the Common Stock issued on conversion. No fractions of shares or scrip representing fractions of shares will be issued on conversion, but instead of any fractional interest the Company shall pay a cash adjustment as provided in the Indenture. The conversion price is subject to adjustment as provided in the Indenture. In addition, the Indenture provides that in case of certain consolidations or mergers to which the Company is a party or the transfer of substantially all of the assets of the Company, the Indenture shall be amended, without the consent of any Holders of Securities, so that this Security, if then outstanding, will be convertible thereafter, during the period this Security shall be convertible as specified above, only into the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon the consolidation, merger or transfer by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which this Security might have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or transfer
(assuming such holder of Common Stock failed to exercise any rights of election and received per share the kind and amount received per share by a plurality of non-electing shares).]
[If applicable, insert - The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than 30 days’ notice by mail, (or while any Securities are represented by one or more Global Notes, such notice shall be delivered to the Depositary for communication to entitled account Holders) [if applicable, insert - (1) on in any year commencing with the year and ending with the year 20 through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2)] at any time [if applicable, insert - on or after , 20 ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount): If redeemed [if applicable, insert - on or before , %, and if redeemed] during the 12-month period beginning of the years indicated,
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Year | Redemption Price | Year | Redemption Price |
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption [if applicable, insert - (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert - The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than 30 days’ notice by mail (or while any Securities are represented by one or more Global Notes, such notice shall be delivered to the Depositary for communication to entitled account Holders), (1) on in any year commencing with the year and ending with the year through operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for redemption through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at any time [if applicable, insert - on or after ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise than through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month period beginning of the years indicated,
| | | | | | | | |
Year | Redemption Price For Redemption Through Operation of the Sinking Fund | Redemption Price For Redemption Otherwise Than Through Operation of the Sinking Fund |
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert - The sinking fund for this series provides for the redemption on in each year beginning with the year and ending with the year of [if applicable, insert - not less than $ (“mandatory sinking fund”) and not more than] $ aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series. Securities of this series acquired or redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [if applicable, insert mandatory] sinking fund payments [if applicable, insert and Securities surrendered for conversion] may be credited against subsequent [if applicable, insert - mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to be made [if applicable, insert - in the inverse order in which they become due].
[If the Security is subject to redemption of any kind, insert - In the event of redemption or conversion of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed or unconverted portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]
The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent provided in the Indenture, subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt, and this Security is issued subject to the provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each Holder of this Security, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to
and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
[If applicable, insert - The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of [(1) the entire indebtedness of this Security or (2)] certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security, insert - If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert - If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to-insert formula for determining the amount. Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest all of the Company’s obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.]
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 a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security 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 Security.
As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.
Subject to the rights of holders of Senior Debt, as set forth in the Indenture, no other reference herein to the Indenture and no other provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed or to convert this Security as provided in the Indenture.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registerable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security 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 his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company or the Security Registrar may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this 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 this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
ARTICLE 3
THE SECURITIES
Section 3.1Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 3.3, set forth, or determined in the manner 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 Securities of any other series);
(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 2.3, 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 and premium, if any, on any Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination and/or extension of such date or dates; and the amount or amounts of such payments of principal and premium, if any, or the method of determination thereof;
(5)the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), at which any Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and, if other that as set forth in Section 1.1, the Regular Record Date for any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date (or the method for determining the dates and rates);
(6)whether any of such Securities will be subject to certain optional interest rate reset provisions;
(7)the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of the series shall be payable, where the Securities of such 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 such series and this Indenture may be served, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;
(8)(a) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies (including currency units) and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, (b) if other than as provided in Section 11.3, the manner in which the particular Securities of such series (if less than all Securities of such series are to be redeemed)
are to be selected for redemption and (c) if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced;
(9)the Senior Debt to which the Securities of such series are subordinated, and the terms of such subordination;
(10)the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay any Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation and any provisions for the remarketing of such Securities;
(11)if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(12)if other than the Trustee, the identity of the Securities Registrar and/or the Paying Agent;
(13)if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on or other payments, if any, on any Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on the price of one or more commodities, derivatives or securities; one or more securities, derivatives or commodities exchange indices or other indices; a currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) other than that in which the Securities of the series are denominated or designated to be payable; or any other variable or the relationship between any variables or combination of variables), the index, formula or other method by which such amounts shall be determined;
(14)if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies or currency units (including composite currencies) in which the principal of or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Securities of the series shall be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of America for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 1.1;
(15)if the principal of or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Securities of the series is to be payable, at the election of the Company or the Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on such Securities as to which such election is made shall be payable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount shall be determined);
(16)if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2;
(17)if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined);
(18)if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, shall be defeasible pursuant to Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 or both such Sections, or any other defeasance provisions applicable to any Securities of the series, and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to defease such Securities shall be evidenced;
(19)the terms, if any, upon which Securities of the series may be convertible into or exchanged for other Securities, Common Shares, Preferred Shares, other debt securities, warrants to purchase any of the foregoing, or other securities of any kind of the Company or any other obligor or any other property, and the terms and conditions upon which the conversion or exchange shall be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period, and any other additional provisions;
(20)if applicable, that any Securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the respective Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in Section 2.4;
(21)any deletions, modifications of or additions to the definitions set forth in Section 1.1, the Events of Default which apply to any Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 5.2;
(22)any addition to, deletion of or change in the covenants set forth in Article 10 which applies to Securities of the series;
(23)any Authenticating Agents, Paying Agents, Security Registrars or such other agents necessary in connection with the issuance of the Securities of such series, including, without limitation, exchange rate agents and calculation agents;
(24)if applicable, the terms of any Mortgage that will be provided for a series of Securities, including any provisions regarding the circumstances under which collateral may be released or substituted;
(25)if applicable, the terms of any guaranties for the Securities, including the terms of any subordination of such guaranties, and any circumstances under which there may be additional obligors on the Securities;
(26)provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of Securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;
(27)whether Securities of the series shall be issuable in registered form or bearer form (registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons), or both, and any restrictions applicable to the offering, sale or delivery of bearer securities and the terms upon which bearer Securities of a series may be exchanged for registered Securities of the same series and vice versa;
(28)the forms of the Securities of the series;
(29)any terms which may be related to warrants, options or other rights to purchase and sell securities issued by the Company in connection with, or for the purchase of, Securities of such series, including whether and under what circumstances the Securities of any series may be used toward the exercise price of any such warrants, options or other rights;
(30)if the Securities of the series will be governed by, and the extent to which such Securities will be governed by, any law other than the laws of the state of New York; and
(31)any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 9.1(5)).
All Securities of any one series need not be identical but may vary as may be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 3.3) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officer’s Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series.
Section 3.2Denominations.
Except as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, the Securities of each series shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons. The Securities of such series shall be issuable only in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1. In the absence of any such specified denomination with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, any Securities of a series denominated in a currency other than Dollars shall be issuable in denominations that are the equivalent, as determined by the Company by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such currency (“Exchange Rate”), as such rate is reported or otherwise made available by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, on the applicable issue date for such Securities, of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
Section 3.3Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its principal financial officer, its President or one of its Vice Presidents, and attested by its Treasurer, its Secretary or one of its Assistant Treasurers or Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual, facsimile or electronic. Securities bearing the manual, facsimile or other electronic signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided, however, that in the case of Securities offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Securities from time to time in accordance with such other procedures (including, without limitation, the receipt by the Trustee of oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agents, promptly confirmed in writing) acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified by or pursuant to a Company Order delivered to the Trustee prior to the time of the first authentication of Securities of such series. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions or any other method 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, a copy of such Board Resolution, the Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of the series and an Opinion of Counsel, with such Opinion of Counsel stating,
(1)if the form or terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution or any other method permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1, that such form or terms have been, or in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering will be, established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture, subject in the case of Securities offered in a Periodic Offering, to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel; and
(2)that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions, exceptions and qualifications specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as such enforcement is subject to the effect of (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization or other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
Such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to the enforceability of Section 6.7 or as to whether a court in the United States would render a money judgment in a currency other than that of the United States. 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 such preceding paragraph at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.
Notwithstanding that such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate such Securities if, in the written opinion of counsel to the Trustee (which counsel may be an employee of the Trustee), such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of trustees or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors, trustees or vice presidents shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any Securities then outstanding.
With respect to Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee may rely, as to the authorization by the Company of any of such Securities, the form and terms thereof and the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof, upon the Opinion of Counsel and the other documents delivered pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 3.1 and this Section, as applicable, in connection with the first authentication of Securities of such series.
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 or an Authenticating Agent 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. 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, 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.
The Company in issuing Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and if so, the Trustee may use the CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number printed in the notice or on the Securities, that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption or exchange shall not be affected by any defect or omission of such CUSIP numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in CUSIP numbers known to an Officer of the Company. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any defect in the CUSIP number that appears on any Security, check, advice of payment or redemption notice, and any such document may contain a statement to the effect that CUSIP numbers have been assigned by an independent service for convenience of reference and that neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be liable for any inaccuracy in such numbers.
Section 3.4Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities. All or any portion of the temporary Securities of a series may be Global Securities.
If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. Except in the case of temporary Securities that are Global Securities, each of which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions thereof, after the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor one or more definitive Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. 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 and tenor, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1.
Section 3.5Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or in any office or agency to be maintained by the Company in accordance with Section 9.2 in a Place of Payment or in such other place or medium as may be specified pursuant to Section 3.1 a register for each series of Securities (each register maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes 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 of such series and of transfers of Securities of such series. Unless otherwise contemplated by Section 3.1, the Trustee is hereby appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities, and for the purpose of maintaining the Security Register in respect thereof, as herein provided.
Except as set forth in Section 2.3 or as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.1, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of a series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute and deliver a Company Order requesting the Trustee to authenticate and deliver, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1, at the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (other than Global Securities) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency, and upon payment, if the Company shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided.
Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
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.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company, Security Registrar or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Security Registrar or the Trustee, as the case may be, duly executed, by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1, no service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, 9.6 or 11.7 not involving any transfer.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1, if the Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor) are to be redeemed in whole or in part, the Company shall not be required (A) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of that series (or of that series and specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the sending of a notice of redemption of any such Securities selected for redemption under Section 11.3 and ending at the close of business on the day of such delivery, or (B) 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.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1, the Company shall not be required to register the transfer or exchange of Securities between a Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.
Section 3.6Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and deliver a Company Order requesting the Trustee to authenticate and deliver, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. 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 or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon the Company’s request 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.
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 3.6, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new 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.
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 3.7Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Except as 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 at the office or agency maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 9.2; provided, however, that at the option of the Company, interest on any series of Registered Securities that bear interest may be paid (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it shall appear on the Security Register of such series (unless, with respect to a Global Security, the rules of the Depositary require payment of such amount by wire transfer) or (ii) by wire transfer to an account maintained by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register of such series.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1, any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:
(1)The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest (and interest thereon, if any) 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 (and interest thereon, if any) 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 (and interest thereon, if any) as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to each Holder of Securities of such series in the manner set forth in Section 1.7, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. The Trustee may, in its discretion, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause a similar notice to be published at least once in an Authorized Newspaper, but such publication shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment of such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest (and interest thereon, if any) and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).
(2)The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest (and interest thereon, if any) on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.7, 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 3.8Persons 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 any premium and (subject to Section 3.7) any interest and any Additional Amounts or other payments on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security shall be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to
or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Global Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company or the Trustee, or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any Depositary (or its nominee), as a Holder, with respect to such Global Security or impair, as between such Depositary and owners of beneficial interests in such Global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such Depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such Global Security.
Section 3.9Cancellation.
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. The Security Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, 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, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture or as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1. On request of the Company at the time of surrender, the Trustee shall deliver to the Company canceled Securities held by the Trustee. In the absence of such request, all canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with the Trustee’s customary procedures.
Section 3.10Computation 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.
ARTICLE 4
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 4.1Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to Securities of or within any series (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such Securities and replacement of such Securities which may have been lost, stolen or mutilated as herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities, when
(1)either
(A)all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6 and (ii) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Trustee or 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 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 by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company, in the case of clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose money in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and any
premium and interest and any Additional Amounts to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(2)the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series;
(3)the Company has complied with any other conditions specified pursuant to Section 3.1 to be applicable to the Outstanding Securities of such series; and
(4)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 as to such Securities have been complied with.
If any Outstanding Securities of such series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory sinking fund requirement, the trust agreement evidencing the trust referred to in subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section 4.1 shall provide therefore and the Company shall make such arrangements as are satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.7, the obligations of the Trustee 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 4.2Application 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 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and interest or Additional Amounts for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee.
Section 4.3Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with respect to Securities of any series in accordance with Section 4.1 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series and the Securities of such series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 4.1 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 4.1; provided, however, that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 5
REMEDIES
Section 5.1Events 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 occasioned by the subordination provisions applicable to any Securities or 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), unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture, Officer’s Certificate establishing such series, or form of Security for such series:
(1)default in the payment of any interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days
(unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to the expiration of such period of 30 days); or
(2)default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of that series at its Maturity; or
(3)default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or
(4)default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section 5.1 specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
(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 60 consecutive days; or
(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 it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or 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 in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate establishing that series.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.1, if the principal of, premium (if any) or any interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security is payable in a currency or currencies (including a composite currency) other than Dollars and such currency or currencies are not available to the Company for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company (a “Conversion Event”), the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making such payment in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar equivalent of the amount payable in such other currency, as determined by the Company by reference to the Exchange Rate, as such Exchange Rate is certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the date of such payment, or, if such rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.1, any payment made under such circumstances in Dollars where the required payment is in a currency other than Dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.
Promptly after the occurrence of a Conversion Event with respect to the Securities of any series, the Company shall give written notice thereof to the Trustee; and the Trustee, promptly after receipt of such notice, shall give notice thereof in the manner provided in Section 1.7 to the Holders of such series. Promptly after the making of any payment in Dollars as a result of a Conversion Event with respect to the Securities of any series, the Company shall give notice in the manner provided in Section 1.7 to the Holders of such series, setting forth the applicable Exchange Rate and describing the calculation of such payments.
Section 5.2Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
Unless the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate establishing such series provides otherwise, if an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(5) or 5.1(6)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) and premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect thereto, to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) and premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect thereto, shall become immediately due and payable. Unless the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate establishing such series provides otherwise, if an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(5) or 5.1(6) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) and premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect thereto, shall automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article 5 provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if
(1)the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(A)all overdue interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, all Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be),
(B)the principal of or premium (if any) on any Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be) which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, the Securities’ Yield to Maturity),
(C)to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest and any Additional Amounts at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, the Securities’ Yield to Maturity), and
(D)all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder, the compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances due to Trustee under Section 6.7, and all other amounts due under Section 6.7;
(2)all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be), other than the nonpayment of the principal of Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be) which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13; and
(3)the rescission would not conflict with any final judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.3Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if
(1)default is made in the payment of any interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of any series when such interest or Additional Amounts shall become due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or
(2)default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest on, and Additional Amounts with respect to, and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue interest or Additional Amounts, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities (or in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, the Securities’ Yield to Maturity), and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7.
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 deemed 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.
In addition, if any other Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, 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 5.4Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal (or lesser amount in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) 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 of, premium (if any), interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Securities) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
(1)to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (or lesser amount in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) (and premium, if any) and interest and any Additional Amounts owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
(2)to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7.
No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.
Section 5.5Trustee 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 may be instituted by the Trustee in its own name as trustee of an express trust.
Section 5.6Application of Money Collected.
Subject to the subordination provisions applicable to any series of Securities, any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied and paid in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities, 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 in connection with such series of Securities in respect of which money or other property is collected;
SECOND: Subject to the terms of any subordination entered into as contemplated by Section 3.1, to the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium, if any, and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, 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 any premium, if any, interest on and Additional Amounts, respectively; and
THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Company or any other Person or Persons entitled thereto.
To the fullest extent allowed under applicable law, if for the purpose of obtaining judgment against the Company in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the Business Day in The City of New York next preceding that on which final judgment is given. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be liable for any shortfall nor shall any of them benefit from any windfall in payments to Holders of Securities under this Section 5.6 caused by a change in exchange rates between the time the amount of a judgment against it is calculated as above and the time the Trustee converts the Judgment Currency into the Required Currency to make payments under this Section 5.6 to Holders of Securities, but payment of such judgment shall discharge all amounts owed by the Company on the claim or claims underlying such judgment.
Section 5.7Limitation on Suits.
Subject to Section 5.8, 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)an Event of Default with respect to such series of Securities shall have occurred and be continuing and such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of such continuing Event of Default;
(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 and, if requested, provided to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4)the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(5)no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be).
No one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, 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 5.8Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the right of any Holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 3.7) interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Security on the Stated Maturity or Stated 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 after the respective due dates, shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 5.9Restoration 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 5.10Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.7 or with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of 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 5.11Delay 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 5 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 5.12Control by Holders.
With respect to Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such 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, relating to or arising under an Event of Default described in clause (1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) of Section 5.1, and with respect to all Securities the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, relating to or arising under an Event of Default described in clause (5) or (6) of Section 5.1, provided that in each such case.
(1)the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or would conflict with this Indenture or if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer, determine that the proceedings so directed would involve it in personal liability or be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders not taking part in such direction, and
(2)the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction or this Indenture.
Section 5.13Waiver of Past Defaults.
Subject to Section 5.8 and Section 9.2, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate 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 or Event of Default described in clause (1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) of Section 5.1 hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, and the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities may on behalf of the Holders of all Securities waive any Event of Default described in clause (5) or (6) of Section 5.1 hereunder and its consequences, except a default
(1)in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security as and when the same shall become due and payable by the terms thereof, otherwise than by acceleration (unless such default has been cured as provided herein), or
(2)in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 9 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.14Undertaking for Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that 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, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that 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 interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).
ARTICLE 6
THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(1)If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise 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 individual would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(2)Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(A)The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.
(B)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 Officer’s Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in the case of any such Officer’s Certificates or Opinions of Counsel which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such Officer’s Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(3)The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(A)This paragraph does not limit the effect of clause (2) of this Section 6.1.
(B)The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
(C)The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities of any series in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such 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.
(4)Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to clauses (1), (2) and (3) of this Section 6.1.
(5)The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of Holder or Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holder or Holders shall have offered and, if requested, provided to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonable in the sole discretion of the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(6)No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.
(7)The Paying Agent, the Security Registrar and any Authenticating Agent shall be entitled to the protections, immunities and standard of care as are set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (3) of this Section 6.1 with respect to the Trustee.
Section 6.2Notice of Defaults.
If a default occurs hereunder and is continuing with respect to Securities of any series and it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall give the Holders of Securities of such series notice of such default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Securities of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Board of Trustees, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the holders of Securities of such series.
Section 6.3Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1:
(1)the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, whether in its original or facsimile form, any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(2)the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney, at the sole reasonable cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;
(3)any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (unless other evidence is specifically required herein), and any resolution of the Board of Trustees shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(4)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), in the absence of bad faith on its part, is entitled to and may rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;
(5)the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(6)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.
(7)Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Indenture, the Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Company’s covenants in this Indenture and the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series for which it is acting as Trustee unless either (1) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company or any other obligor on such Securities or by any Holder of such Securities;
(8)the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
(9)the Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, provided that the Trustee reasonably believes that the last such certificate received from the Company or currently on file is no longer accurate; and
(10)in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 6.4Not 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 neither the Trustee nor any Security Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor any Security Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.
Section 6.5May Hold Securities and Act as Trustee under Other Indentures.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of 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.
Subject to the limitations imposed by the Trust Indenture Act, nothing in this Indenture shall prohibit the Trustee from becoming and acting as trustee under other indentures under which other securities, or certificates of interest of participation in other securities, of the Company are outstanding in the same manner as if it were not Trustee hereunder.
Section 6.6Money Held in Trust.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 10.3 and 13.5, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied, as provided herein, be held in trust uninvested for the purposes for which they were received. 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 in writing with the Company. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid by the Company from time to time upon a Company Order. In the event that the Paying Agent receives cash funds in advance of any due date hereunder, 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 6.7Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such reasonable compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee may agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred by it in connection with the performance of its duties under this Indenture, except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
The Company shall indemnify the Trustee for, and hold it harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense (including attorneys’ fees and expenses, and including taxes other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee), including without limitation the costs and expenses of defending itself against any third-party claim (whether asserted by any Holder or any other Person (other than the Company to the extent of any claim brought by it against the Trustee that establishes a breach by the Trustee in the observance or performance of its duties under this Indenture in accordance with a final, non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction)), incurred by it without negligence or willful misconduct arising out of or in connection with its acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers hereunder. With respect to any such claim other than a claim brought by the Company, (i) the Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity, (ii) the Company may at its option defend the claim, in which event the Trustee shall cooperate (at the expense of the Company) in the defense and the Trustee may have one separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel and (iii) the Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee.
To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 6.7, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, particular Securities of that series.
The obligations of the Company under this Section 6.7 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and any resignation or removal of the Trustee.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(5) or (6) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
The provisions of this Section 6.7 and any lien arising hereunder shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee or the discharge of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the termination of this Indenture.
Section 6.8Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such conflicting interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner and with the effect provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to Securities of more than one series or any other indenture.
Section 6.9Eligibility; Disqualification.
There shall at all times be one (and only one) Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of each series (which need not be the same Trustee for all series) . A Trustee may be Trustee hereunder for Securities of one or more series. Each Trustee shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has (or if the Trustee is a member of a bank holding company system, its bank holding company has) a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state (or the District of Columbia) authority. If any such Person or bank holding company publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.9 and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of such Person or bank holding company 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 with respect to the Securities of any series 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 6.
The Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Sections 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 6.10Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11.
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 petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
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. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.11 shall not have been delivered to the removed Trustee within 30 days after the receipt of such notice of removal, the removed Trustee may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
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, or
(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, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 5.14, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
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 such successor Trustee or Trustees 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, the retiring Trustee may petition, or any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may petition, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
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 to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 1.7. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 6.11Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
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.
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.
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 the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.
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 6.
Section 6.12Merger, 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 or acquiring all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee (including the administration of the trust created by this Indenture), shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to, or by succession to or acquisition of all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of, such successor 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 6.13Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities) as provided in the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).
Section 6.14Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. 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, except as other specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, shall at all times be a bank or trust company or 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 (or if the Authenticating Agent is a member of a bank holding company system, its bank holding company has) a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State (or the District of Columbia) 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.
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 or acquiring 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.
An Authenticating Agent for any series of Securities may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee for such series and to the Company. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment in the manner provided in Section 1.7 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.
The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 6.14, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.7.
If an appointment 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 alternative 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.
[TRUSTEE], as Trustee
By:
As Authenticating Agent
By:
Authorized Officer
Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 6.14 to the contrary, if at any time any Authenticating Agent appointed hereunder with respect to any series of Securities shall not also be acting as the Security Registrar hereunder with respect to any series of Securities, then, in addition to all other duties of an Authenticating Agent
hereunder, such Authenticating Agent shall also be obligated: (i) to furnish to the Security Registrar promptly all information necessary to enable the Security Registrar to maintain at all times an accurate and current Security Register; and (ii) prior to authenticating any Security denominated in a foreign currency, to ascertain from the Company the units of such foreign currency that are required to be determined by the Company pursuant to Section 3.2.
ARTICLE 7
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
Section 7.1Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee
(1)not later than 15 days after the Regular Record Date for each respective series of Securities, or if there is no Regular Record Date for such series of Securities, semi-annually on January 1 and July 1, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of each series as of such date, as the case may be, and
(2)at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided that no such list need be furnished by the Company to the Trustee so long as the Trustee is acting as Security Registrar.
Section 7.2Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
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.
The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.
Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 7.3Reports by Trustee.
The Trustee shall transmit to Holders and any other required Persons such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.
As promptly as practicable after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and in any event prior to June 30 in each year, and for so long as any Securities remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder a brief report dated as of December 31 of the prior year if and to the extent required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Trustee shall also comply with Section 313(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Trustee will also transmit by mail all reports as required by Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
Section 7.4Reports by Company.
The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to Holders and any other required Persons within 30 days after the filing with the Trustee, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act; provided that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 30 days after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission; provided, however, that any such information, documents or reports electronically filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be deemed filed with, and delivered to, the Trustee and transmitted to the Holders at the same time as filed with the Commission. The Trustee shall have no responsibility to determine if such filing has occurred. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).
ARTICLE 8
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
Section 8.1Company May Consolidate, etc., Only on Certain Terms.
The Company may not merge or consolidate with or into any other Person, in a transaction in which it is not the surviving Person, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, unless (i) the surviving or transferee Person is organized and existing under the laws of the United States or a State thereof or the District of Columbia and such Person expressly assumes by supplemental indenture all the obligations of the Company under the Securities and under this Indenture, (ii) immediately thereafter, giving effect to such merger or consolidation, or such sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, no default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (iii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such merger, consolidation, sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition complies with this Article 8 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Section 8.2Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale, 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 9
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.1Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto for any of the following purposes:
(1)to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants and obligations of the Company herein and in the Securities in compliance with Article 8; or
(2)to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of any one or more series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee or otherwise secure any series of the Securities, including provisions regarding the circumstances under which collateral may be released or substituted, to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or to comply with any requirement of the Commission or otherwise in connection with the qualification of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or
(3)to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of any one or more series of Securities (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); or
(4)to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in global form or uncertificated form; or
(5)to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities, provided that any such addition, change or elimination (A) shall neither (i) apply to any Outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision, or (ii) modify the rights of any Holder of any Outstanding Security with respect to such provision, or (B) shall become effective when there is no Security then Outstanding; or
(6)to add or provide for a guaranty or guarantees of the Securities or additional obligors on the Securities; or
(7)to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1; or
(8)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; or
(9)to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, to cure any ambiguity or omission, to correct any mistake, or to conform to any prospectus pursuant to which Securities of any series were offered; or
(10)to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided such action shall not adversely affect the rights of any Holder of Securities of any series;
(11)to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder;
(12)to supplement any of the provisions of the Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Articles 4 and 13, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company; or
(13)to make such other provisions in regards to matters or questions arising under the Indenture or any supplemental indenture hereto as the Board of Directors may deem necessary or desirable, and which does not in each case adversely affect the interest of the Holders of Securities of any series as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company; or
(14)to comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 9.2Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (acting as one class), by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby,
(1)change the Stated Maturity of the principal of or any installment of principal of, or the date fixed for payment of interest on or any sinking fund payment with respect to, any Security, or reduce the
principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon, any Additional Amounts with respect thereto or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change any obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts (except as contemplated by Section 8.1 and permitted by clause (1) of Section 9.1), or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Security which would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2, or change any Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which any Security or any premium or interest thereon or Additional Amounts with respect thereto 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), or modify the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the subordination of a Security in a manner adverse to the holder thereof, or
(2)reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (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, Section 5.13 or Section 10.8, except to increase any such percentage or to provide with respect to any particular series the right to condition the effectiveness of any supplemental indenture as to that series on the consent of the Holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series (which provision may be made pursuant to Section 3.1 without the consent of any Holder) 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 9.2 and Section 10.8, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 6.11 and 9.1(8).
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.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
Section 9.3Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.3) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, immunities or liabilities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.4Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article 9, 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; provided that if such supplemental indenture makes any of the changes described in clauses (1) through (3) of the first proviso to Section 9.2, such supplemental indenture shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of such Security or any part thereof.
Section 9.5Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article 9 shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 9.6Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article 9 may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee
as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
ARTICLE 10
COVENANTS
Section10.1Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture.
Section10.2Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for 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 any 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. Unless otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture or pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof, the Place of Payment for any series of Securities shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the 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.
Section10.3Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust.
If the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective Affiliates shall at any time act as Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, such Paying Agent will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, 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 any premium and interest, or any Additional Amounts, so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or Additional Amounts with respect to, any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 10.3, that such Paying Agent will (1) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent and (2) during the continuance of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment in respect of the Securities of that series, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Securities of that series. The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or with respect to one or more series of Securities, or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for a period ending on the earlier of the date that is ten Business Days prior to the date such money would escheat to the State or two years after such principal, premium or interest or Additional Amount has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in The Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and in such other Authorized Newspapers as the Trustee shall deem appropriate, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified herein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat, or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Company.
Section10.4Statement by Officers as to Default.
At any time at which there are Outstanding Securities of any series issued under this Indenture, 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 complying with Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act and stating that a review of the activities of the Company during such year and of performance under this Indenture has been made under the supervision of the signers thereof and stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof, based upon such review, the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge. One of the officers signing the Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 10.05 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company.
Section10.5Existence.
Subject to Article 8, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence.
Section10.6All Securities to be Equally and Ratably Secured.
Unless specified otherwise by the Company pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to any series, the Company will not itself secure Securities of any one or more series with any Mortgage, without effectively providing that the Securities of every other series shall be secured equally and ratably by such Mortgage.
Section10.7Maintenance of Properties.
The Company will cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of its business to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as, and to the extent, in the judgment of the Company may be necessary or appropriate in connection with its business; provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.
Section10.8Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.
The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or upon the income, profits or property of the Company, and (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property 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, charge or claim (i) whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or (ii) if the failure to pay or discharge would not have a material adverse effect on the assets, business, operations, properties or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Section10.9Waiver of Certain Covenants.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of such series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in any covenant provided pursuant to Sections 3.1(22), 9.1(2), 8.1, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7 or 10.8 for the benefit of the Holders of such series if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
Section10.10Additional Amounts.
If the Securities of a series expressly provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series Additional Amounts as expressly provided therein. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of, or premium (if any) or interest on any Security of any series or the net proceeds received from the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Section 10.10 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section 10.10 and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.
If the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal and any premium is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal and any premium or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officer’s Certificate, the Company shall furnish the Trustee and the Company’s principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officer’s Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series who are United States Aliens without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officer’s Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities and the Company will pay to such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by this Section 10.10. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officer’s Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section 10.10.
ARTICLE 11
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section11.1Applicability of Article.
Securities of any series that are redeemable in whole or in part before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities) in accordance with this Article 11.
Section11.2Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series (including any such redemption affecting only a single Security), the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (i) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (ii) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.
Section11.3Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.
If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed or unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, on a pro-rata basis, or in the Trustee’s discretion, by lot, or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate, provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security.
If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar in writing of the Securities selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in case of any Securities selected for partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.
Section11.4Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed (or while any Securities are represented by one or more Global Notes, such notice shall be delivered to the Depositary for communication to entitled account Holders) not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at its address appearing in the Security Register.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(1)the Redemption Date,
(2)the Redemption Price (including accrued interest, if any, to be paid),
(3)if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any such Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the principal amount of the particular Security to be redeemed,
(4)in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, 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 place or places where each such Security is to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price,
(7)if applicable, the conversion price, the date on which the right to convert the principal of the Securities or the portions thereof to be redeemed will terminate, and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion,
(8)that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,
(9)the specific provision of this Indenture pursuant to which such Securities are to be redeemed, and
(10)the CUSIP number or numbers and/or common codes of the Security being redeemed. Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company, provided that the Company shall have prepared and provided to the Trustee the form of such notice, or, if acceptable to the Trustee, provided sufficient information to enable the Trustee to prepare such notice, in each case on a timely basis.
Section11.5Deposit of Redemption Price.
On or prior to 10:00 a.m., Eastern time on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, 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.
If any Security called for redemption is converted, any money deposited with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent or so segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such Security shall (subject to any right of any Holder of such Security to receive interest thereon) be paid to the Company on Company Request, or if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust.
Section11.6Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, 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 (and any Additional Amounts) to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will 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.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, the Securities’ Yield to Maturity.
Section11.7Securities 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 its attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and Stated Maturity 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.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, the Company and any Affiliate of the Company may at any time purchase or otherwise acquire Securities in the open market or by private agreement. Such acquisition shall not operate as or be deemed for any purpose to be a redemption of the indebtedness represented by such Securities. Any Securities purchased or acquired by the Company may be delivered to the Trustee and, upon such delivery, the indebtedness represented thereby shall be deemed to be satisfied. Section 3.9 shall apply to all Securities so delivered.
ARTICLE 12
SINKING FUNDS
Section12.1Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article 12 shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of any series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of any Securities is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” Unless otherwise provided for by the terms of any Securities, 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 as provided for by the terms of such Securities.
Section12.2Satisfaction 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 any Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as and to the extent provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided that the Securities to be so credited have not been previously so credited. The Securities to be so credited shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price, as specified in the Securities so to be redeemed, for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
Section12.3Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not fewer than 45 days prior (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) to each sinking fund payment date for any Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for such Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, 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 pursuant to Section 12.2 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not fewer than 30 days prior to 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 13
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section13.1Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, designated pursuant to Section 3.1 as being defeasible pursuant to such Section 13.2 or 13.3, in accordance with any applicable requirements provided pursuant to Section 3.1 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 13. Any such election shall be evidenced by one or more Board Resolutions, Officer’s Certificates, indentures supplemental hereto, or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities.
Section13.2Section 13.2 Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), subject to the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
(1)the rights of Holders of such Securities 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 any premium and interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Securities when payments are due,
(2)the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 10.2 and 10.3,
(3)the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, and
(4)this Article 13.
Subject to compliance with this Article 13, the Company may exercise its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 13.3 applied to such Securities.
Section13.3Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section 13.3 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be,
(1)the Company shall be released from their obligations under Sections 8.1, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7 or 10.8 and any covenants provided pursuant to Sections 3.1(22) or 9.1(2) for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and
(2)the occurrence of any event specified in Section 5.1(4) (with respect to any of Sections 8.1, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7 or 10.8 and any such covenants provided pursuant to Sections 3.1(22) or 9.1(2)) and the occurrence of any other Event of Default specified pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 9.1(3) shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to such Securities or any series of Securities as provided in this Section 13.3 on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Covenant Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such specified Section or such other covenant (to the extent so specified in the case of Section 5.1(4) and the occurrence of any Event of Default specified pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 9.1(3)), whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of any reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.
Section13.4Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be:
(1)The Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the requirements contemplated by Section 6.9 and agrees to comply with the provisions of this Article 13 applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders of such Securities,
(A)in the case of Securities of a series denominated in currency of the United States of America,
(i)cash in currency of the United States of America in an amount, or
(ii)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 one day before the due date of any payment, an amount in cash, or
(iii)a combination thereof, or
(B)in the case of Securities of a series denominated in currency other than that of the United States of America,
(i)cash in the currency in which such series of Securities is denominated in an amount, or
(ii)Foreign Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, an amount in cash, or
(iii)a combination thereof,
in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities on the respective Stated Maturities, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities.
(2)For Securities denominated in United States dollars, in the event of an election to have Section 13.2 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that
(A)the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or
(B)since the date of this instrument, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case clause (A) or (B) to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit, Defeasance and discharge were not to occur.
(3)For Securities denominated in United States dollars, in the event of an election to have Section 13.3 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur.
(4)The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that neither such Securities nor any other Securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit.
(5)No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to such Securities or any other Securities shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit or, with regard to any such event specified in Sections 5.1(5) and (6), at any time on or prior to the 90th day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until after such 90th day).
(6)Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act (assuming all Securities are in default within the meaning of such Act).
(7)Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.
(8)Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act unless such trust shall be registered under such Act or exempt from registration thereunder.
(9)The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
Section13.5Deposited Money, U.S. Government Obligations and Foreign Government Obligations to be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money, U.S. Government Obligations and Foreign Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this Section 13.5 and Section 13.6, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred
to collectively as the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 13.4 in respect of any Securities 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 such Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. 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 or Foreign 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 Outstanding Securities. Anything in this Article 13 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money, U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 13.4 with respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities.
Section13.6Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article 13 with respect to any Securities by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or released pursuant to Section 13.2 or 13.3 shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 13 with respect to such Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section 13.5 with respect to such Securities in accordance with this Article 13; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust.
ARTICLE 14
SUBORDINATION
Section14.1Securities Subordinated to Senior Debt.
The Company and each Holder of a Security, by his acceptance thereof, agree that (a) the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to each and all the Securities and (b) any other payment in respect of the Securities, including on account of the acquisition or redemption of Securities by the Company, is subordinated, to the extent and in the manner provided in such Security or in the supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Security is issued, to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt specified in such Security or in such supplemental indenture.
Such subordination provisions shall constitute a continuing offer to all Persons who, in reliance upon such provisions, become holders of, or continue to hold, any of such Senior Debt, and such provisions are made for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Debt and any one or more of them may enforce such provisions.
The Trustee’s rights to compensation and indemnification as set forth in Section 6.7 herein shall not be subject to the subordination provisions of this Indenture.
Section14.2Right of Trustee to Hold Senior Debt.
The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all of the rights set forth in this Article 14 in respect of any Senior Debt at any time held by it to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Debt, and nothing in this Indenture shall be construed to deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.
Section14.3Subordination Not to Prevent Events of Default.
The failure to make a payment on account of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on the Securities by reason of any subordination provision for the benefit of holders of Senior Debt shall not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default under Section 5.1 or in any way prevent the Holders of the Securities from exercising any right hereunder other than the right to receive payment on the Securities.
Section14.4No Fiduciary Duty of Trustee to Holders of Senior Debt.
The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Debt, and shall not be liable to any such holders (other than for its willful misconduct or negligence) if it shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to the Holders of the Securities or the Company or any other Person, cash, property or securities to which any holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled by virtue of this Article 14 or otherwise. Nothing in this Section 14.4 shall affect the obligation of any other such Person to hold such payment for the benefit of, and to pay such payment over to, the holders of Senior Debt or their representative.
Section14.5Article Applicable to Paying Agent.
In case at any time any Payment Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term “ Trustee “ as used in this Article 14 shall in such case (unless the context shall otherwise require) be construed as extending to and including such Payment Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article 14 in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that this Section 14.5 shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if it or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.
[signature page follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
AXOS FINANCIAL, INC.
By: ________________________________
Name: ________________________________
Title: ________________________________
__________________________________, as Trustee
By: ________________________________
Name: ________________________________
Title: ________________________________
February 29, 2024
Axos Financial, Inc.
9205 West Russell Road, Suite 400
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3 for Axos Financial, Inc. for the Proposed Issuance and Sale of the Securities (as defined below)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have served as counsel to Axos Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Registration Statement relates to the proposed issuance and sale, from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act as set forth in the Registration Statement, the prospectus contained therein (the “Base Prospectus”) and one or more supplements to the Base Prospectus (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”) and any free-writing prospectus(es) of the following securities of the Company (collectively, the “Securities”):
•shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), including shares of Common Stock which may be offered by selling stockholders identified in any Prospectus Supplement;
•shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, in one or more series or classes (the “Preferred Stock”);
•one or more series of senior debt securities and/or subordinated debt securities (collectively, the “Debt Securities”), which may be issued pursuant to an indenture to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Debt Securities thereunder, but which will not be guaranteed by any subsidiaries of the Company or any other person, by and between a trustee to be selected by the Company (the “Trustee”) and the Company, in the form filed as Exhibit 4.11 to the Registration Statement (the “Senior Debt Indenture”) and as Exhibit 4.13 to the Registration Statement (the “Subordinated Debt Indenture” and together with the Senior Debt Indenture, the “Indentures”);
•warrants to purchase Common Stock (the “Warrants”), which may be issued under warrant agreements (each, a “Warrant Agreement”), to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of the applicable Warrants thereunder, by and between the Company and a warrant agent to be selected by the Company (the “Warrant Agent”);
•subscription rights to purchase Common Stock or other securities (the “Subscription Rights”), which may be issued under subscription agreements (each, a “Subscription Agreement”), to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of the applicable Subscription Rights thereunder, by and between the Company and the other parties thereto (the “Subscription Parties”); and
•units consisting of one or more classes of securities described in the Base Prospectus (the “Units”), which may be issued under unit agreements (each, a “Unit Agreement”), to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of the applicable Units thereunder, by and between the Company and the other parties thereto (the “Unit Parties”).
We have examined such corporate records of the Company, such laws and such other information as we have deemed relevant, including the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and all amendments thereto (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), Amended and Restated By-laws (the “By-Laws”) and statements we have received from officers and representatives of the Company. As to certain factual matters, we have relied upon certificates of officers of the Company. Except to the extent expressly set forth herein, we have not undertaken any independent investigation to determine the existence or absence of such facts and no inference as to our knowledge of the existence or absence of such facts should be drawn from our representation of the Company.
In delivering this opinion, we have assumed:
(i)the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures on original documents;
(ii)the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals;
(iii)the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies;
(iv)the accuracy, completeness and authenticity of certificates of public officials;
(v)the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents where authorization, execution and delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness of such documents;
(vi)that the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendment thereto have all become effective under the Securities Act, and such effectiveness shall not have been terminated or rescinded, under the Securities Act, and the Base Prospectus, any and all Prospectus Supplement(s) required by applicable laws and any and all free-writing prospectus(es) related to the offer and sale of the Securities have been delivered and filed as required by such laws;
(vii)that the issuance and sale of the Securities do not violate any applicable law, are in conformity with the Company’s then operative Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, do not result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any applicable requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company or its properties or assets;
(viii)a Prospectus Supplement will have been prepared and filed with the SEC describing the Securities offered thereby;
(ix)a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Securities offered will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, as applicable;
(x)if the holders of the Debt Securities are granted rights to inspect corporate books and records and to vote in the election of directors or any matters on which stockholders of the Company may vote, such rights will be set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or the Certificate of Incorporation grants to the Company’s Board of Directors the power to confer such voting or inspection rights and the Company’s Board of Directors will have conferred such rights;
(xi)that, at the time of each issuance and sale of Securities, the Company will continue to be validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization with the requisite corporate power and authority to issue and sell such Securities;
(xii)with respect to our opinion as to the Common Stock or other Securities convertible into, exercisable for, or including Common Stock, we have been advised by the Company and for purposes of this opinion we have assumed that, at the time of issuance and sale, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock will be authorized and available for issuance and that the consideration for the issuance and sale of the Common Stock (or for Preferred Stock or Debt Securities convertible into Common Stock, or for Warrants or Subscription Rights exercisable for Common Stock or Units consisting of or including Common Stock) will be in an amount that is not less than the par value of the Common Stock;
(xiii)with respect to our opinion as to the Preferred Stock or other Securities convertible into, exercisable for, or including Preferred Stock, we have assumed that, (a) at the time of issuance and sale, a sufficient number of shares of Preferred Stock are authorized, designated and available for issuance and that the consideration for the issuance and sale of the Preferred Stock (or for Debt Securities convertible into Preferred Stock, or for Subscription Rights exercisable for Preferred Stock or for Units consisting of or including Preferred Stock) will be in an amount that is not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock, and (b) the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation privileges of each series of Preferred Stock will be set forth in a certificate of designation to be approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, or in an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, to be approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and stockholders, and that one or both of these documents will be filed either as an exhibit to an amendment to the Registration Statement to be filed after the date of this opinion or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed after the Registration Statement has become effective;
(xiv)with respect to the Debt Securities offered under the Registration Statement and the related Indenture, we have assumed that the choice of New York law to govern the Indentures and any supplemental indentures thereto and the Debt Securities is a valid and legal provision, that the choice of currency in which any offered Debt Securities are denominated does not contravene any exchange control or other laws of the nation issuing such currency, that the interest rate of any offered Debt Securities does not violate any applicable usury laws, that such Debt Securities will be executed in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto) and that the Trustee under the Indenture shall have been qualified pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 at the time the Debt Securities are offered, issued, or sold (or such later time as may be permitted pursuant to the rules, regulations, interpretations or positions of the SEC);
(xv)the trustee under a supplemental indenture will be validly existing and will have the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under such supplemental indenture and will be duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, and that a Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee on a Form T-1 will be filed with the SEC, in each case, at or prior to the time Debt Securities are issued;
(xvi)with respect to Securities being issued upon conversion of any convertible Preferred Stock, the applicable convertible Preferred Stock will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable;
(xvii)with respect to any Securities being issued upon conversion of any convertible Debt Securities or upon exercise of any Warrants or Subscription Rights or relating to any Units, the applicable convertible Debt Securities or Warrants, Subscription Rights or Units will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights, and subject to general equity principles and to limitations on availability of equitable relief, including specific performance;
(xviii)with respect to the Warrants offered under the Registration Statement, that (a) such Warrants will be issued pursuant to a Warrant Agreement, (b) the Warrant Agreement will be filed either as an exhibit to an amendment to the Registration Statement to be filed after the date of this opinion or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed after the Registration Statement has become effective, and (c) the particular terms of any series of Warrants will be set forth in a supplement to the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement; and
(xix)with respect to the Units offered under the Registration Statement, that (a) such Units will be issued pursuant to a Unit Agreement, (b) the Unit Agreement will be filed either as an exhibit to an amendment to the Registration Statement to be filed after the date of this opinion or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed after the Registration Statement has become effective, and (c) the particular terms of any series of Units will be set forth in a supplement to the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement.
On the basis of the foregoing and in reliance thereon, and subject to the qualifications herein stated, we are of the opinion that:
1.With respect to the Common Stock offered under the Registration Statement, provided that (i) the issuance of the Common Stock has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company; and (ii) if issued in certificated form, the shares of Common Stock have been duly authenticated, executed, countersigned, and registered in the Company’s stock ledger, or if issued in uncertificated form, the shares of Common Stock have been duly registered on the books of the transfer agent/registrar of the Company, and, in each case, delivered to the purchasers thereof against the requisite payment therefor, which the Company has received, the Common Stock, when issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s) and any related free-writing prospectus(es) and in accordance with any applicable duly authorized, executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, or upon conversion of any convertible Preferred Stock or convertible Debt Securities in accordance with their terms, or upon exercise of any Subscription Rights or Warrants in accordance with their terms, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
2.With respect to the Preferred Stock offered under the Registration Statement, provided that (i) the terms and issuance of the Preferred Stock have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company; (ii) appropriate certificates of amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation relating to the terms and issuance of Preferred Stock have been duly approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and the Company’s stockholders and been filed with and accepted by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; and (iii) if issued in certificated form, the shares of Preferred Stock have been duly authenticated, executed, countersigned, registered in
the Company’s stock ledger, or if issued in uncertificated form, the shares of Preferred Stock have been duly registered on the books of the transfer agent/registrar of the Company, and, in each case, delivered to the purchasers thereof against the requisite payment therefor, which the Company has received, then the Preferred Stock, when issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s) and any related free-writing prospectus(es) and in accordance with any applicable duly authorized, executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, or upon conversion of any convertible Debt Securities in accordance with their terms, or upon exercise of any Subscription Rights in accordance with their terms, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
3.With respect to any series of the Debt Securities issued under an Indenture and offered under the Registration Statement, provided that (i) such Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and the Trustee by all necessary corporate action; (ii) such Indenture, in substantially the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee; (iii) the terms of the Debt Securities and of their issuance and sale have been duly authorized by the Company by all necessary corporate action; (iv) the terms of the Debt Securities and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable Indenture so as to not violate any applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or other governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Company; and (v) the Debt Securities have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee pursuant to the applicable Indenture and delivered against the requisite payment therefor, which the Company has received, then the Debt Securities, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable Indenture and as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s), and a duly authorized, executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms under the laws of the State of New York.
4.With respect to the Warrants issued under a Warrant Agreement and offered under the Registration Statement, provided that (i) the Warrant Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company and the Warrant Agent by all necessary corporate action; (ii) the Warrant Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Warrant Agent as described in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s); (iii) the issuance and terms of the Warrants have been duly authorized by the Company by all necessary corporate action; and (iv) the Warrants have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and authenticated by the Warrant Agent pursuant to the Warrant Agreement and delivered against the requisite payment therefor, which the Company has received, and assuming that the Warrants are then issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement(s), then the Warrants, when issued and sold in accordance with the Warrant Agreement and a duly authorized, executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, or upon exercise of any Subscription Rights in accordance with their terms, will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
5.With respect to the Subscription Rights issued under a Subscription Agreement and offered under the Registration Statement, provided that (i) the Subscription Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company and the Subscription Parties by all necessary corporation action; (ii) the Subscription Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Subscription Parties as described in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s); (iii) the issuance and terms of the Subscription Rights have been duly authorized by the Company by all necessary corporate action; and (iv) the Subscription Rights have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and authenticated by the Subscription Parties pursuant to the Subscription Agreement and delivered against the requisite payment therefor, which the Company has received, and assuming that the Subscription Rights are then issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement(s), then the Subscription Rights, when issued and sold in accordance
with the Subscription Agreement and a duly authorized, executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
6.With respect to the Units issued under a Unit Agreement and offered under the Registration Statement, provided that (i) the Unit Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company and the Unit Parties by all necessary corporate action; (ii) the Unit Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Unit Parties as described in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s); (iii) the issuance and terms of the Units have been duly authorized by the Company by all necessary corporate action; and (iv) the Units have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and authenticated by the Unit Parties pursuant to the Unit Agreement and delivered against the requisite payment therefor, which the Company has received, and assuming that the Units are then issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement(s), then the Units, when issued and sold in accordance with the Unit Agreement and a duly authorized, executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
Our opinions set forth above are limited to the Federal laws of the United States of America and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and as to the Debt Securities constituting valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, solely with respect to the laws of the State of New York. This opinion is based upon currently existing statutes, rules, regulations and judicial decisions, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change in any of these sources of law or subsequent legal or factual developments which might affect any matters or opinions set forth herein. No opinion is expressed herein with respect to the qualification of the Securities under the securities or blue sky laws of any state or any foreign jurisdiction. We express no opinion as to any provision of the Debt Securities that: (a) relates to the subject matter jurisdiction of any federal court of the United States of America or any federal appellate court to adjudicate any controversy related to the Debt Securities or (b) contains a waiver of an inconvenient forum. We express no opinion as to whether the laws of any jurisdiction are applicable to the subject matter hereof. We are not rendering any opinion as to compliance with any federal or state law, rule or regulation relating to securities, or to the sale or issuance thereof. We express no opinions concerning (i) the validity or enforceability of any provisions contained in indentures that purport to waive or not give effect to rights to notices, defenses, subrogation or other rights or benefits that cannot be effectively waived under applicable law; or (ii) the validity or enforceability of any provisions contained in Warrant Agreements or Unit Agreements that purport to waive or not give effect to rights to notices, defenses, subrogation or other rights or benefits that cannot be effectively waived under applicable law.
Each opinion set forth above with respect to enforceability is subject to the following general qualifications:
(i)the effect of applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, marshaling, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws and rules of law affecting the enforcement generally of creditors’ or secured parties’ rights and remedies;
(ii)rights to indemnification and contribution may be limited by applicable law or equitable principles, and exculpatory provisions and waivers of the benefits of statutory provisions may be limited on public policy grounds;
(iii)general principles of equity, including without limitation concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief and limitation of rights of acceleration, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law; and
(iv)we express no opinion with respect to the enforceability of:
(a)consents to, or restrictions upon, judicial relief or, except to the extent that such waivers or consents are made enforceable by New York General Obligations Law Section 5-1402 (applied by a New York State court), jurisdiction or venue;
(b)advance waivers of claims, defenses, rights granted by law, or notice, opportunity for hearing, evidentiary requirements, statutes of limitation, trial by jury or at law, or other procedural rights;
(c)waivers of broadly or vaguely stated rights; and
(d)provisions for liquidated damages, default interest, late charges, monetary penalties, make-whole premiums or other economic remedies to the extent such provisions are deemed to constitute a penalty or a forfeiture.
We are delivering this opinion pursuant to the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name wherever it appears in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and an applicable Prospectus Supplement(s). In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are “experts” within the meaning of such term as used in the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC issued thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement, including this opinion as an exhibit or otherwise. In rendering this opinion, we are opining only as to the specific legal issues expressly set forth therein, and no opinion shall be inferred as to any other matter or matters. This opinion may only be used, quoted or relied upon for the purpose of complying with the Securities Act in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement and may not be furnished to, quoted to or relied upon by any other person or entity for any purpose, without our prior written consent.
Very truly yours,
/s/
Thompson Coburn LLP
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Axos Financial, Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement of our reports dated August 29, 2023, relating to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, of Axos Financial, Inc. (the Company) appearing in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023.
We also consent to the reference to us under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus.
/s/ BDO USA, P.C.
San Diego, California
February 29, 2024
EXHIBIT 107
Calculation of Filing Fee Tables
Form S-3
(Form Type)
Axos Financial, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Table 1: Newly Registered
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Security Type | Security Class Title | Fee Calculation Rule | Amount Registered (1) | Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit (2)(3) | Maximum Aggregate Offering Price | Fee Rate | Amount of Registration Fee |
| Primary Offering | | | | | | |
Equity | Common stock, par value $0.01 per share | 457(o) | - | - | - | - | |
Equity | Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share | 457(o) | - | - | - | - | |
Debt | Debt Securities | | | | | | |
Other | Warrants | 457(o) | - | - | - | - | |
Other | Subscription Rights | 457(o) | - | - | - | - | |
Other | Units | 457(o) | - | - | - | - | |
Total Primary offering | | | | | $500,000,000 | $0.0001476 | $73,800 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Secondary Offering | | | | | | |
Equity | Common stock, par value $0.01 per share | 457(o) | - | - | $50,000,000 | $0.0001476 | $7,380 |
Total Offering Amounts | | $550,000,000 (4) | | $81,180 |
Total Fees Previously Paid | | | | - |
Total Fee Offsets | | | | $32,730 |
Net Fee Due | | | | $48,450 |
(1)Securities registered hereunder may be sold separately, together or with other securities registered hereunder.
(2)Not required to be included pursuant to Rule 457(o). The proposed maximum initial offering price per share will be determined, from time to time, by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder.
(3)We are registering an indeterminate aggregate amount of securities of each identified class of securities up to a proposed aggregate offering price of $500,000,000, which may be offered from time to time in unspecified numbers and at indeterminate prices, and as may be issued upon conversion, redemption, repurchase, exchange or exercise of any securities registered hereunder, including under any applicable anti-dilution provisions. In addition, we are registering an indeterminate aggregate amount of common stock up to a proposed aggregate offering price of $50,000,000 which may be offered pursuant to this registration statement by selling stockholders.
(4)Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee. No separate consideration will be received for shares of common stock that are issued upon conversion of preferred stock or upon exercise of common stock warrants registered hereunder.
Table 2: Fee Offset Claims and Sources
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Registrant or Filer Name | Form or Filing Type | File Number | Initial Filing Date | Filing Date | Fee Offset Claimed | Security Type Associated with Fee Offset Claimed | Unsold Securities Associated with Fee Offset Claimed | Unsold Aggregate Offering Amount Associated with Fee Offset Claimed | Fee Paid with Fee Offset Source |
Rule 457(p) |
Fee Offset Claims | Axos Financial, Inc. | S-3 | 333-253797 | March 2, 2021 | March 2, 2021 | $32,730 (1) | (1) | (1) | $300,000,000 (1) | $32,730 |
(1)The Company previously registered the offer and sale of up to $450,000,000 of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights and units, pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-253797, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2021. Pursuant to Rule 457(p), the amount of the registration fee of $81,180 is offset by $32,730, which is the amount of the filing fee paid in connection with an aggregate of $300,000,000 in unsold securities registered pursuant to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-253797), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2021 (stating an aggregate initial maximum offering price for all registered securities of $450,000,000.
Table 3: Combined Prospectuses
N/A
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