***************************************************************************
* *
* INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. *
* THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT *
* CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY *
* NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH *
* SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO *
* REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH *
* STATE. *
* *
***************************************************************************
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JULY 5, 1996
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS DATED JULY 3, 1996
2,800,000 PREFERRED SECURITIES
ENTERGY LOUISIANA CAPITAL I
% CUMULATIVE QUARTERLY INCOME PREFERRED SECURITIES, SERIES A (QUIPS(SM))*
(LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE $25 PER PREFERRED SECURITY)
FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED, AS SET FORTH HEREIN, BY
ENTERGY LOUISIANA, INC.
------------------------
The % Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred Securities, Series A (the
"Series A Preferred Securities"), offered hereby represent undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of Entergy Louisiana Capital I, a trust created under
the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Series A Issuer"). Entergy Louisiana,
Inc. (formerly Louisiana Power & Light Company), a Louisiana corporation (the
"Company"), will be the owner of the beneficial interests represented by common
securities of the Series A Issuer (the "Series A Common Securities"). The Bank
of New York is the Property Trustee of the Series A Issuer. The Series A Issuer
exists for the sole purpose of issuing the Series A Preferred Securities and the
Series A Common Securities and investing the proceeds thereof in % Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures, Series A, due July , 2045 (the
"Series A Debentures") to be issued by the Company. The Series A Preferred
Securities will have a preference under certain circumstances with respect to
cash distributions and amounts payable on liquidation, redemption or otherwise
over the Series A Common Securities. See "Description of Preferred
Securities--Subordination of Common Securities" in the accompanying Prospectus.
(Continued on next page)
------------------------
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE S-4 HEREOF FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION
RELEVANT TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITIES.
------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS TO WHICH IT
RELATES. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
------------------------
PROCEEDS TO
INITIAL PUBLIC UNDERWRITING THE SERIES A
OFFERING PRICE COMMISSION(1) ISSUER(2)(3)
-------------- ------------- ------------
Per Series A Preferred Security............................ $ (2) $
Total...................................................... $ (2) $
- ---------------
(1) The Series A Issuer and the Company have agreed to indemnify the several
Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See "Underwriting".
(2) In view of the fact that the proceeds of the sale of the Series A Preferred
Securities will be used to purchase the Series A Debentures, the
Underwriting Agreement provides that the Company will pay to the
Underwriters, as compensation ("Underwriters' Compensation") for their
arranging the investment therein of such proceeds, $ per Series A
Preferred Security; provided, that such compensation will be $ per
Series A Preferred Security sold to certain institutions. Accordingly, the
maximum aggregate amount of Underwriters' Compensation will be $ ,
but the actual amount of Underwriters' Compensation will be less than such
amount to the extent that Series A Preferred Securities are sold to such
institutions. See "Underwriting".
(3) Expenses of the offering, which are payable by the Company, are estimated to
be $275,000.
------------------------
The Series A Preferred Securities offered hereby are offered severally by
the Underwriters, as specified herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them
and subject to their right to reject any order in whole or in part. It is
expected that the Series A Preferred Securities will be ready for delivery in
book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company in
New York, New York on or about July , 1996, against payment therefor in
immediately available funds.
- ---------------
*QUIPS is a servicemark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
A.G. EDWARDS & SONS, INC.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
------------------------
The date of this Prospectus Supplement is July , 1996.
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE SERIES A
PREFERRED SECURITIES AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE
OPEN MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE OR
OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
------------------------
(Continued from previous page)
Holders of the Series A Preferred Securities will be entitled to receive
preferential cumulative cash distributions accruing from the date of original
issuance and payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and
December 31 of each year, commencing September 30, 1996, at the annual rate of
% of the liquidation preference of $25 per Series A Preferred Security
("Distributions"). The Company has the right to defer the payment of interest on
the Series A Debentures at any time or from time to time for one or more periods
(each, an "Extension Period"), provided that such Extension Period, together
with all previous and further extensions thereof prior to its termination, does
not exceed 20 consecutive quarters and does not extend beyond the maturity of
the Series A Debentures. Upon the termination of any such Extension Period and
the payment of all amounts then due, the Company may elect to begin a new
Extension Period subject to the requirements set forth herein. If interest
payments on the Series A Debentures are so deferred, Distributions on the Series
A Preferred Securities will also be deferred and the Company will not be
permitted, subject to certain exceptions set forth herein, to declare or pay any
cash distributions with respect to the Company's capital stock or debt
securities that rank pari passu with or junior to the Series A Debentures or
make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing. During an Extension
Period, interest on the Series A Debentures will continue to accrue (and the
Series A Preferred Securities will accumulate additional Distributions thereon
at the rate of % per annum, compounded quarterly), and holders of Series A
Preferred Securities will be required to accrue interest income for United
States Federal income tax purposes prior to receipt of cash related to such
interest income. See "Certain Terms of the Series A Debentures -- Option to
Extend Interest Payment Period" and "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Potential Extension of Interest Payment Period and Original
Issue Discount".
The Company has, through the Series A Guarantee, the Series A Trust
Agreement, the Series A Debentures, the Corresponding Indenture and the Series A
Expense Agreement (each as defined herein), taken together, fully, irrevocably
and unconditionally guaranteed all of the Series A Issuer's obligations under
the Series A Preferred Securities. The Series A Guarantee of the Company
guarantees the payment of Distributions and payments on liquidation of the
Series A Issuer or redemption of the Series A Preferred Securities as set forth
below, in each case out of funds held by the Series A Issuer, to the extent
described herein (the "Series A Guarantee"). See "Description of Guarantees" in
the accompanying Prospectus. If the Company does not make interest payments on
the Series A Debentures held by the Series A Issuer, the Series A Issuer will
have insufficient funds to pay Distributions on the Series A Preferred
Securities. The Series A Guarantee does not cover payment of Distributions when
the Series A Issuer does not have sufficient funds to pay such Distributions.
The obligations of the Company under the Series A Guarantee are subordinate and
junior in right of payment to all Senior Debt (as defined in "Description of
Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Subordination" in the accompanying Prospectus)
of the Company.
The Series A Preferred Securities are subject to mandatory redemption, in
whole or in part, upon repayment of the Series A Debentures at maturity or their
earlier redemption in an amount equal to the amount of related Series A
Debentures maturing or being redeemed at a redemption price equal to the
aggregate liquidation preference of such Series A Preferred Securities plus
accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of redemption. The
Series A Debentures are redeemable prior to maturity at the option of the
Company (i) on or after July , 2001, in whole at any time or in part from time
to time, at a redemption price equal to the accrued and unpaid interest on the
Series A Debentures so redeemed to the date fixed for redemption plus 100% of
the principal amount thereof, or (ii) at any
S-2
time, in whole (but not in part), upon the occurrence and continuation of a
Special Event (as defined herein), at a redemption price equal to the accrued
and unpaid interest on the Series A Debentures so redeemed to the date fixed for
redemption plus 100% of the principal amount thereof. See "Description of Junior
Subordinated Debentures -- Redemption" and "Description of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures -- Optional Redemption" in the accompanying Prospectus.
At any time, the Company will have the right to terminate the Series A
Issuer and cause the Series A Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the
Series A Preferred Securities and the Series A Common Securities in liquidation
of the Series A Issuer. See "Certain Terms of the Series A Preferred
Securities -- Distribution of Series A Debentures".
The Series A Debentures are subordinate and junior in right of payment to
all Senior Debt of the Company. As of March 31, 1996, the Company had
approximately $1.6 billion of Senior Debt outstanding. The terms of the Series A
Debentures place no limitation on the amount of Senior Debt that may be incurred
by the Company. See "Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- Subordination" in the accompanying Prospectus.
In the event of the liquidation of the Series A Issuer, after satisfaction
of liabilities to creditors of the Series A Issuer, if any, as provided by
applicable law, the holders of the Series A Preferred Securities will be
entitled to receive a liquidation preference of $25 per Series A Preferred
Security plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of
payment, which may be in the form of a distribution of such amount in Series A
Debentures, subject to certain exceptions. See "Description of Preferred
Securities -- Liquidation Distribution Upon Termination" in the accompanying
Prospectus.
The Series A Preferred Securities have been approved for listing, subject
to notice of issuance, on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") under the
symbol " ". If the Series A Debentures are distributed to the holders of
Series A Preferred Securities upon the liquidation of the Series A Issuer, the
Company will use its best efforts to list the Series A Debentures on the NYSE or
such other stock exchanges or other organizations, if any, on which the Series A
Preferred Securities are then listed.
The Series A Preferred Securities will be represented by one or more global
certificates registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or
its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Series A Preferred Securities will be
shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records
maintained by participants in DTC. Except as described in the accompanying
Prospectus, Series A Preferred Securities in certificated form will not be
issued in exchange for the global certificates. See "Description of Preferred
Securities -- Book-Entry Issuance" in the accompanying Prospectus.
S-3
The following information supplements, and to the extent is inconsistent
with, replaces, the information contained in the accompanying Prospectus, and
should be read in conjunction therewith. As used herein, (i) the "Corresponding
Indenture" means the Indenture for Unsecured Subordinated Debt Securities
relating to Trust Securities, as the same may be amended and supplemented from
time to time, between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Corresponding
Debenture Trustee, pursuant to which the Series A Debentures will be issued, and
(ii) the "Series A Trust Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Trust
Agreement, among the Company, as Depositor, The Bank of New York, as Property
Trustee, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, and the
Administrative Trustees named therein (collectively, with the Property Trustee
and the Delaware Trustee, the "Issuer Trustees"). Each of the other capitalized
terms used in this Prospectus Supplement and not otherwise defined in this
Prospectus Supplement has the meaning set forth in the Corresponding Indenture,
the Series A Trust Agreement or the accompanying Prospectus.
RISK FACTORS
Prospective purchasers of the Series A Preferred Securities should
carefully review the information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus
Supplement and in the accompanying Prospectus and should particularly consider
the following matters.
OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE SERIES A GUARANTEE AND THE SERIES A DEBENTURES ARE
UNSECURED AND SUBORDINATE TO SENIOR DEBT
The obligations of the Company under the Series A Guarantee issued by the
Company for the benefit of the holders of Series A Preferred Securities are
unsecured and rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Debt
of the Company. The obligations of the Company under the Series A Debentures are
subordinate and junior in right of payment to all such Senior Debt. At March 31,
1996, Senior Debt of the Company aggregated approximately $1.6 billion. None of
the Corresponding Indenture, the Series A Guarantee or the Series A Trust
Agreement place any limitation on the amount of secured or unsecured debt,
including Senior Debt, that may be incurred by the Company. See "Description of
Guarantees -- Status of the Guarantees" and "Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- Subordination" in the accompanying Prospectus.
The ability of the Series A Issuer to pay amounts due on the Series A
Preferred Securities is solely dependent upon the Company making payments on the
Series A Debentures as and when required.
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD; TAX CONSEQUENCES; POTENTIAL MARKET
VOLATILITY DURING EXTENSION PERIOD
The Company has the right under the Corresponding Indenture to defer the
payment of interest on the Series A Debentures at any time or from time to time
for one or more Extension Periods, each of which, together with all previous and
further extensions of such Extension Period prior to its termination, may not
exceed 20 consecutive quarters and may not extend beyond the maturity of the
Series A Debentures. As a consequence of any such election, quarterly
Distributions on the Series A Preferred Securities would be deferred (but would
continue to accumulate additional Distributions thereon at the rate of %
per annum, compounded quarterly) by the Series A Issuer during any such
Extension Period. In the event that the Company exercises this right, during any
such Extension Period, the Company may not (i) declare or pay any dividends or
distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment
with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock or (ii) make any payment of
principal, interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any
debt securities (including other Junior Subordinated Debentures) that rank pari
passu with or junior in interest to the Series A Debentures or make any
guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing (other than (a) dividends or
distributions in common stock of the Company and (b) payments under any
Guarantee). Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all
amounts then due, the Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period, subject
to the above requirements. Consequently,
S-4
there could be multiple Extension Periods of varying lengths throughout the term
of the Series A Debentures. See "Certain Terms of the Series A Preferred
Securities -- Distributions" and "Certain Terms of the Series A
Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest Payment Period".
Should an Extension Period occur, a holder of Series A Preferred Securities
will continue to accrue interest income in respect of its pro rata share of the
Series A Debentures held by the Series A Issuer for United States Federal income
tax purposes. As a result, a holder of Series A Preferred Securities will
include such interest in gross income for United States Federal income tax
purposes in advance of the receipt of cash, and will not receive the cash
related to such income from the Series A Issuer if the holder disposes of the
Series A Preferred Securities prior to the record date for the payment of
Distributions. See "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Potential Extension of Interest Payment Period and Original
Issue Discount" and "-- Sale, Exchange and Redemption of the Series A Preferred
Securities".
In the event the Company elects to exercise its right to defer payments of
interest on the Series A Debentures, the market price of the Series A Preferred
Securities is likely to be affected. A holder that disposes of its Series A
Preferred Securities during an Extension Period, therefore, might not receive
the same return on its investment as a holder that continues to hold its Series
A Preferred Securities. In addition, as a result of the existence of the
Company's right to defer interest payments, the market price of the Series A
Preferred Securities (which represent preferred undivided beneficial interests
in the Series A Debentures) may be more volatile than the market prices of other
securities on which original issue discount accrues that are not subject to such
deferrals.
SPECIAL EVENT REDEMPTION; ADVERSE EFFECT OF POSSIBLE TAX LAW CHANGES
Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event, as described in
"Description of Preferred Securities -- Redemption -- Special Event Redemption
or Distribution of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures" in the
accompanying Prospectus, the Company has the right to redeem the Series A
Debentures in whole (but not in part) and thereby cause a mandatory redemption
of the Series A Preferred Securities and Series A Common Securities at a
redemption price equal to the accrued and unpaid interest on the Series A
Debentures so redeemed to the date fixed for redemption plus 100% of the
principal amount thereof, within 90 days following the occurrence of such
Special Event.
On March 19, 1996, the Revenue Reconciliation Bill of 1996 (the "Bill"),
the revenue portion of President Clinton's budget proposal, was released. The
Bill would, among other things, generally deny interest deductions for interest
on an instrument issued by a corporation that has a maximum weighted average
maturity of more than 40 years. The Bill would also generally treat as equity an
instrument, issued by a corporation, that has a maximum term of more than 20
years and that is not shown as indebtedness on the separate balance sheet of the
issuer or, where the instrument is issued to a related party (other than a
corporation), where the holder or some other related party issues a related
instrument that is not shown as indebtedness on the issuer's consolidated
balance sheet. The above-described provisions were proposed to be effective
generally for instruments issued on or after December 7, 1995. If either
provision were to apply to the Series A Debentures, the Company would be unable
to deduct interest on the Series A Debentures. However, on March 29, 1996, the
Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees issued a
joint statement to the effect that it was their intention that the effective
date of the President's legislative proposals, if adopted, would be no earlier
than the date of appropriate Congressional action. There can be no assurance,
however, that current or future legislative proposals or final legislation will
not affect the ability of the Company to deduct interest on the Series A
Debentures. If legislation were enacted limiting, in whole or in part, the
deductibility by the Company of interest on the Series A Debentures for United
States Federal income tax purposes, such enactment could give rise to a Tax
Event or a Debenture Tax Event. A Tax Event would permit the Company to cause a
redemption of the Series A Preferred Securities, as described more fully under
"Description of Preferred Securities -- Redemption -- Special Event Redemption
or Distribution of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures" in the
accompanying Prospectus. A Debenture Tax Event would permit the Company to
redeem the Series A Debentures, as described more fully under
S-5
"Description of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Optional
Redemption" and "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Redemption" in
the accompanying Prospectus.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SERIES A DEBENTURES
At any time, the Company has the right to terminate the Series A Issuer
and, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors, if any, of the Series A
Issuer as provided by applicable law, cause Series A Debentures to be
distributed to the holders of the Series A Preferred Securities in liquidation
of the Series A Issuer.
There can be no assurance as to the market prices for Series A Preferred
Securities or Series A Debentures that may be distributed in exchange for Series
A Preferred Securities if a liquidation of the Series A Issuer were to occur.
Accordingly, the Series A Preferred Securities that an investor may purchase,
whether pursuant to the offer made hereby or in the secondary market, or the
Series A Debentures that a holder of Series A Preferred Securities may receive
on liquidation of the Series A Issuer, may trade at a discount to the price that
the investor paid to purchase the Series A Preferred Securities offered hereby.
Because holders of Series A Preferred Securities may receive Series A Debentures
if the Company exercises its right to terminate the Series A Issuer, prospective
purchasers of Series A Preferred Securities are also making an investment
decision with regard to the Series A Debentures and should carefully review all
the information regarding the Series A Debentures contained herein. See
"Description of Preferred Securities -- Redemption -- Special Event Redemption
or Distribution of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures" and
"Description of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures -- General" in the
accompanying Prospectus.
RIGHTS UNDER THE SERIES A GUARANTEE; LIMITATION AS TO FUNDS AVAILABLE TO THE
SERIES A ISSUER
The Series A Guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act. The Bank of New York will act as Guarantee Trustee for the
purposes of compliance with the Trust Indenture Act and will hold the Series A
Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the Series A Preferred Securities.
The Bank of New York will also act as Corresponding Debenture Trustee for the
Series A Debentures and as Property Trustee under the Series A Trust Agreement.
The Bank of New York (Delaware) will act as Delaware Trustee under the Series A
Trust Agreement. The Series A Guarantee guarantees to the holders of the Series
A Preferred Securities the following payments, to the extent not paid by the
Series A Issuer: (i) any accumulated and unpaid Distributions required to be
paid on the Series A Preferred Securities, to the extent that the Series A
Issuer has funds on hand available therefor, (ii) the redemption price with
respect to any Series A Preferred Securities called for redemption to the extent
that the Series A Issuer has funds on hand available therefor, and (iii) upon a
voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up or liquidation of the Series A
Issuer (unless the Series A Debentures are distributed to holders of the Series
A Preferred Securities), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation
preference amount and all accumulated and unpaid Distributions to the date of
payment and (b) the amount of assets of the Series A Issuer remaining available
for distribution to holders of the Series A Preferred Securities. The holders of
not less than a majority in aggregate liquidation preference amount of the
Series A Preferred Securities have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee
Trustee in respect of the Series A Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any
trust power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under the Series A Guarantee.
Any holder of the Series A Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Company to enforce its rights under the Series A Guarantee
without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Series A Issuer, the
Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity. If the Company were to default
on its obligation to pay amounts payable under the Series A Debentures, the
Series A Issuer would lack funds for the payment of Distributions or amounts
payable on redemption of the Series A Preferred Securities or otherwise, and, in
such event, holders of the Series A Preferred Securities would not be able to
rely upon the Series A Guarantee for payment of such amounts. If the Property
Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Series A Debentures or the Series
A Trust Agreement, a holder of Series A Preferred Securities may institute a
legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce the Property Trustee's
rights
S-6
under the Series A Debentures or the Series A Trust Agreement, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, without first instituting any legal proceeding against
the Property Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a holder of Series A Preferred Securities may directly institute a
proceeding for enforcement of payment to such holder of principal of or interest
on the Series A Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate
liquidation preference amount of the Series A Preferred Securities of such
holder on or after the due dates specified in the Series A Debentures. See
"Description of Preferred Securities", "Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures" and "Description of Guarantees" in the accompanying Prospectus. The
Series A Trust Agreement provides that each holder of Series A Preferred
Securities, by acceptance thereof, agrees to the provisions of the Series A
Guarantee and the Corresponding Indenture.
LIMITED VOTING RIGHTS
Holders of Series A Preferred Securities will generally have limited voting
rights relating only to the modification of the Series A Preferred Securities
and the dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Series A Issuer. Holders
of Series A Preferred Securities will not be entitled to vote to appoint, remove
or replace the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, which voting rights are
vested exclusively in the holder of the Series A Common Securities except upon
the occurrence of certain events. The Administrative Trustees and the Company
may amend the Series A Trust Agreement to ensure that the Series A Issuer will
be classified for United States Federal income tax purposes as a "grantor trust"
without the consent of holders, unless such action adversely affects in any
material respect the interests of holders. See "Description of Preferred
Securities -- Voting Rights; Amendment of Trust Agreement" and "-- Removal of
Issuer Trustees" in the accompanying Prospectus.
TRADING PRICE OF SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITIES MAY NOT REFLECT VALUE OF ACCRUED
BUT UNPAID INTEREST
The Series A Preferred Securities have been approved for listing, subject
to notice of issuance, on the NYSE. The Series A Preferred Securities may trade
at a price that does not fully reflect the value of accrued but unpaid interest
with respect to the underlying Series A Debentures. A holder of Series A
Preferred Securities who disposes of its Series A Preferred Securities will be
required to include in income (as ordinary income) accrued but unpaid interest
on the Series A Debentures through the date of disposition for United States
Federal income tax purposes and to add such amount to its adjusted tax basis in
its Series A Preferred Securities disposed of. Such holder will recognize a
capital loss to the extent that the selling price (which may not fully reflect
the value of accrued but unpaid interest) is less than its adjusted tax basis
(which will include accrued but unpaid interest). Subject to certain limited
exceptions, capital losses cannot be applied to offset ordinary income for
United States Federal income tax purposes. See "Certain United States Federal
Income Tax Considerations -- Sale, Exchange and Redemption of the Series A
Preferred Securities".
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On April 15, 1996, the Company filed its performance based formula rate
plan (the "FRP") for the 1995 test year with the Louisiana Public Service
Commission (the "LPSC"). On June 19, 1996, the LPSC approved a $12 million
annual reduction in the Company's base rates effective July 1, 1996. This rate
reduction was based upon the 1995 test year under the Company's FRP and the
expiration of the Waterford 3 phase-in-plan, partially offset by the recovery of
property taxes on Waterford 3. Other issues under the FRP remain unresolved and
such issues could result in an additional annual rate reduction retroactive to
July 1, 1996, that is not expected to exceed $10 million. Under the FRP, the
LPSC is required to issue an order on the unresolved issues no later than August
31, 1996. Additionally, the LPSC has indicated that it will initiate a review of
the Company's allowed return on equity. No procedural schedule has been
established for this review.
S-7
ENTERGY LOUISIANA CAPITAL I
Entergy Louisiana Capital I is a statutory business trust created under
Delaware law pursuant to (i) a trust agreement executed by the Company, as
depositor of the Series A Issuer, the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and
an Administrative Trustee who is an officer of the Company and (ii) the filing
of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State. Such trust
agreement will be amended and restated in its entirety substantially in the form
of the Series A Trust Agreement filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus Supplement is a part. The Series A Trust
Agreement will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The
Series A Issuer's business and affairs will be conducted by five Issuer
Trustees: The Bank of New York, as Property Trustee, The Bank of New York
(Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, and three individual Administrative Trustees
who are employees or officers of or affiliated with the Company. The Series A
Issuer exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing and selling the Series A
Preferred Securities and Series A Common Securities, (ii) using the proceeds
from the sale of such securities to acquire Series A Debentures issued by the
Company and (iii) engaging in only those other activities necessary or
incidental thereto. Accordingly, the Series A Debentures will be the sole assets
of the Series A Issuer, and payments under the Series A Debentures will be the
sole revenue of the Series A Issuer. All of the Series A Common Securities will
be owned by the Company. The Series A Common Securities will rank pari passu,
and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the Series A Preferred
Securities, except that upon the occurrence and continuance of an event of
default under the Series A Trust Agreement resulting from a Debenture Event of
Default, the rights of the Company as holder of the Series A Common Securities
to payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption
or otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the Series A
Preferred Securities. See "Description of Preferred Securities -- Subordination
of Common Securities" in the accompanying Prospectus. The Company will acquire
Series A Common Securities having an aggregate liquidation amount equal to 3% of
the total capital of the Series A Issuer. The Series A Issuer has a term of
approximately 54 years, but may terminate earlier as provided in the Series A
Trust Agreement. The principal executive office of the Series A Issuer is 639
Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113, Attention: Treasurer, and its telephone
number is (504) 576-4308. See "The Issuers" in the accompanying Prospectus.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Series A Issuer will use all of the proceeds received from the sale of
the Series A Preferred Securities to purchase the Series A Debentures from the
Company. The Company expects to use approximately $67.5 million of the net
proceeds from the sale of such Series A Debentures to redeem or otherwise
retire, or to provide the funds necessary to meet future mandatory and/or
optional cash sinking fund obligations with respect to, the following series of
preferred stock: $50 million in aggregate par value of the Company's 9.68%
Preferred Stock, $10 million in aggregate par value of the Company's 8.56%
Preferred Stock, and $7.5 million in aggregate par value of the Company's 12.64%
Preferred Stock. The Company will use the remainder of the net proceeds, if any,
for general corporate purposes.
S-8
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The selected financial information of the Company set forth below has been
derived from and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and
other financial information contained in the Incorporated Documents.
FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31,
MARCH 31, --------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating Revenues..... $1,739,180 $1,674,875 $1,710,415 $1,731,541 $1,553,745 $1,528,934
Operating Income....... 335,590 332,269 343,120 321,612 318,280 332,496
Interest Expense
(net)................ 133,364 134,885 133,977 135,209 140,628 167,291
Net Income............. 206,005 201,537 213,839 188,808 182,989 166,572
Ratio of Earnings to
Fixed Charges........ 3.26 3.18 2.91 3.06 2.79 2.40
CAPITALIZATION
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The following table sets forth the consolidated capitalization of the
Company as of March 31, 1996. The following data is qualified in its entirety by
the financial statements of the Company and other information contained
elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus or
incorporated herein or therein by reference.
AS OF MARCH 31, 1996
-------------------------------------------------
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED(1)
---------------------- ----------------------
AMOUNT PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT
---------- ------- ---------- -------
Common Stock and Paid-in Capital............... $1,084,020 38.9% $1,084,020 38.9%
Retained Earnings.............................. 57,564 2.1 57,564 2.1
---------- ------- ---------- -------
Total Common Shareholder's Equity.... 1,141,584 41.0 1,141,584 41.0
Preferred Stock (without sinking fund)......... 160,500 5.8 93,000 3.3
Preferred Stock (with sinking fund)............ 92,509 3.3 92,509 3.3
Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable
Preferred Securities of Subsidiary
Trust(2)..................................... -- -- 70,000 2.5
First Mortgage Bonds(3)........................ 614,907 22.1 614,907 22.1
Other Long-Term Debt(3)........................ 774,376 27.8 774,376 27.8
---------- ------ ---------- ------
Total Capitalization................. $2,783,876 100.0% $2,786,376 100.0%
========== ====== ========== ======
- ---------------
(1) Adjusted to give effect to the consummation of the offering of 2,800,000
Series A Preferred Securities and the application of the estimated net
proceeds therefrom to redeem shares of preferred stock. See "Use of
Proceeds".
(2) As described herein, all of the assets of the Series A Issuer will be
approximately $72 million of the Series A Debentures issued by the Company
to the Series A Issuer. The Series A Debentures will bear interest at the
annual rate of % of the principal amount thereof and will mature on
July , 2045. The Company owns all of the Series A Common Securities of
the Series A Issuer.
(3) Excludes current maturities of First Mortgage Bonds and Other Long-Term
Debt that totaled $111 million and $257,900, respectively.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
For financial reporting purposes, the Series A Issuer will be treated as a
subsidiary of the Company and, accordingly, the accounts of the Series A Issuer
will be included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The
Series A Preferred Securities will be presented as a separate line item in the
consolidated balance sheet of the Company entitled "Company Obligated
Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities of Subsidiary Trust Holding Solely
Company Junior Subordinated Deferrable Debentures" and appropriate disclosures
about the Series A Preferred Securities, the Series A Guarantee and the Series A
Debentures will be included in the notes to the consolidated financial
statements. For financial reporting purposes, the Company will record
Distributions payable on the Series A Preferred Securities as an expense.
S-9
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITIES
GENERAL
The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the Series A
Preferred Securities supplements, and, to the extent inconsistent with,
replaces, the description of the terms and provisions of the Preferred
Securities set forth in the accompanying Prospectus under the heading
"Description of Preferred Securities", to which description reference is hereby
made. This summary of certain terms and provisions of the Series A Preferred
Securities does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in
its entirety by reference to, the Series A Trust Agreement. The form of the
Series A Trust Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus Supplement and accompanying Prospectus are a
part.
DISTRIBUTIONS
The Series A Preferred Securities represent undivided beneficial interests
in the assets of the Series A Issuer and Distributions on each Series A
Preferred Security will be payable at the annual rate of % of the stated
liquidation preference amount of $25, payable quarterly in arrears on March 31,
June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year. Distributions that are in
arrears for more than one quarter will accumulate additional Distributions
thereon at the rate per annum of % thereof, compounded quarterly
("Additional Amounts"). The term "Distributions" as used herein shall include
any such Additional Amounts. Distributions will accumulate from July , 1996,
the date of original issuance. The first Distribution payment date for the
Series A Preferred Securities will be September 30, 1996, and such Distribution
will be cumulative from the date of original issuance. The amount of
Distributions payable for any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months. See "Description of Preferred
Securities -- Distributions" in the accompanying Prospectus.
So long as no Debenture Event of Default under the Corresponding Indenture
has occurred and is continuing, the Company has the right under the
Corresponding Indenture to defer the payment of interest on the Series A
Debentures at any time and from time to time, for one or more Extension Periods,
each of which, together with all previous and further extensions of such
Extension Period prior to its termination, may not exceed 20 consecutive
quarters and may not extend beyond the maturity of the Series A Debentures. As a
consequence of any such election, quarterly Distributions on the Series A
Preferred Securities would be deferred (but would continue to accumulate
additional Distributions thereon at the rate of % per annum, compounded
quarterly) by the Series A Issuer during any such Extension Period. In the event
that the Company exercises this right, during any such Extension Period, the
Company may not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem,
purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the
Company's capital stock or (ii) make any payment of principal, interest or
premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities
(including other Junior Subordinated Debentures) that rank pari passu with or
junior in interest to the Series A Debentures or make any guarantee payments
with respect to the foregoing (other than (a) dividends or distributions in
common stock of the Company and (b) payments under any Guarantee). Upon the
termination of any such Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then
due, the Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period, subject to the above
requirements. See "Certain Terms of the Series A Debentures -- Option to Extend
Interest Payment Period" and "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Potential Extension of Interest Payment Period and Original
Issue Discount".
The Company has no current intention of exercising its right to defer
payments of interest by extending the interest payment period on the Series A
Debentures.
REDEMPTION
Upon the repayment or redemption, in whole or in part, of the Series A
Debentures, whether at maturity or upon earlier redemption as provided in the
Corresponding Indenture, the proceeds from such
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repayment or redemption shall be applied by the Property Trustee to redeem a
Like Amount of the Series A Preferred Securities, upon not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days notice, at a Redemption Price equal to the aggregate liquidation
preference of such Series A Preferred Securities plus accumulated and unpaid
Distributions thereon to the Redemption Date. See "Description of Preferred
Securities -- Redemption" in the accompanying Prospectus and "Certain Terms of
the Series A Debentures -- Redemption".
The Company will have the right to redeem the Series A Debentures (i) on or
after July , 2001, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at a
redemption price equal to the accrued and unpaid interest on the Series A
Debentures so redeemed to the date fixed for redemption plus 100% of the
principal amount thereof, or (ii) at any time, in whole (but not in part), upon
the occurrence of a Special Event, at a redemption price equal to the accrued
and unpaid interest on the Series A Debentures so redeemed to the date fixed for
redemption plus 100% of the principal amount thereof. See "Description of Junior
Subordinated Debentures -- Redemption" and "Description of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures -- Optional Redemption" in the accompanying Prospectus.
DISTRIBUTION OF SERIES A DEBENTURES
At any time, the Company will have the right to terminate the Series A
Issuer and, after satisfaction of the liabilities of creditors of the Series A
Issuer as provided by applicable law, cause the Series A Debentures to be
distributed to the holders of the Series A Preferred Securities and the Series A
Common Securities in liquidation of the Series A Issuer. See "Certain Terms of
the Series A Debentures -- Distribution of Series A Debentures". Under current
United States Federal income tax law, provided the Series A Issuer is treated as
a "grantor trust" at the time of such distribution, such distribution would not
be a taxable event to holders of the Series A Preferred Securities. See "Certain
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Receipt of Series A
Debentures or Cash Upon Liquidation of the Series A Issuer".
LIQUIDATION VALUE
The amount payable on the Series A Preferred Securities in the event of any
liquidation of the Series A Issuer is $25 per Series A Preferred Security plus
accumulated and unpaid Distributions, unless, subject to certain exceptions, in
connection with such liquidation, the Series A Debentures are distributed to the
holders of the Series A Preferred Securities. See "Description of Preferred
Securities -- Liquidation Distribution upon Termination" in the accompanying
Prospectus.
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE SERIES A DEBENTURES
GENERAL
The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the Series A
Debentures supplements, and to the extent inconsistent with, replaces, the
description of the terms and provisions of the Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures set forth in the accompanying Prospectus under the headings
"Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures" and "Description of
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures", to which description reference is
hereby made. The summary of certain terms and provisions of the Series A
Debentures set forth below does not purport to be complete and is subject to,
and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Corresponding Indenture. The
Corresponding Indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus Supplement and accompanying Prospectus are a
part.
Concurrently with the issuance of the Series A Preferred Securities, the
Series A Issuer will invest the proceeds thereof and the consideration paid by
the Company for the Series A Common Securities in the Series A Debentures issued
by the Company. The Series A Debentures will bear interest at the annual rate of
% of the principal amount thereof, payable quarterly in arrears on March
31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year (each, an "Interest
Payment Date"), commencing
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September 30, 1996, to the person in whose name each Series A Debenture is
registered, subject to certain exceptions, as of the close of business on the
Business Day (as defined in the Corresponding Indenture) next preceding such
Interest Payment Date.
Each Series A Debenture will be held in the name of the Property Trustee in
trust for the benefit of the holders of the Series A Preferred Securities. The
amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any date on which
interest is payable on the Series A Debentures is not a Business Day, then
payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding
day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in
respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next
succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made
on the date such payment was originally payable. Interest that is in arrears for
more than one quarter will bear additional interest on the amount thereof (to
the extent permitted by law) at the rate per annum of % thereof, compounded
quarterly. The term "interest" as used herein shall include quarterly interest
payments, interest on quarterly interest payments in arrears and Additional
Interest, as applicable.
The Series A Debentures will be issued as a series of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures under the Corresponding Indenture. The Series A
Debentures will mature on July , 2045. The Series A Debentures will be
unsecured and will rank junior and be subordinate in right of payment to all
Senior Debt of the Company. The Corresponding Indenture does not limit the
incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the Company,
whether under the Corresponding Indenture, any other indenture that the Company
may enter into in the future or otherwise. See "Description of Junior
Subordinated Debentures -- Subordination" in the accompanying Prospectus.
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
So long as no Debenture Event of Default under the Corresponding Indenture
has occurred and is continuing, the Company has the right under the
Corresponding Indenture at any time during the term of the Series A Debentures
to defer the payment of interest at any time or from time to time for one or
more Extension Periods, each of which, together with all previous and further
extensions of such Extension Periods prior to its termination, may not exceed 20
consecutive quarters and may not extend beyond the maturity of the Series A
Debentures. At the end of such Extension Period, the Company must pay all
interest then accrued and unpaid (together with interest thereon at the annual
rate of % to the extent permitted by applicable law). During an Extension
Period, interest will continue to accrue and holders of Series A Debentures will
be required to accrue interest income for United States Federal income tax
purposes. See "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Potential Extension of Interest Payment Period and Original
Issue Discount".
In the event that the Company exercises this right, during any such
Extension Period, the Company may not (i) declare or pay any dividends or
distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment
with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock or (ii) make any payment of
principal, interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any
debt securities (including other Junior Subordinated Debentures) that rank pari
passu with or junior in interest to the Series A Debentures or make any
guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing (other than (a) dividends or
distributions in common stock of the Company and (b) payments under any
Guarantee). Upon the termination of any such Extension Period and the payment of
all amounts then due, the Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period,
subject to the above requirements. No interest shall be due and payable during
an Extension Period, except at the end thereof. The Company must give the
Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Corresponding Debenture
Trustee notice of its election of such Extension Period at least one Business
Day prior to the earlier of (i) the date the Distributions on the Series A
Preferred Securities are payable and (ii) the date the Administrative Trustees
are required to give notice to the NYSE or other applicable self-regulatory
organization or to holders of such Series A Preferred Securities of the record
date or the date such Distributions are payable, but in any event not less than
one Business Day prior to such record date. An Administrative Trustee shall give
notice of the
S-12
Company's election to begin such Extension Period to the holders of the Series A
Preferred Securities within five business days of the receipt of notice thereof.
See "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest
Payment Period" in the accompanying Prospectus.
REDEMPTION
The Series A Debentures are redeemable prior to maturity at the option of
the Company (i) on or after July , 2001, in whole at any time or in part from
time to time, at a redemption price equal to the accrued and unpaid interest on
the Series A Debentures so redeemed to the date fixed for redemption plus 100%
of the principal amount thereof, or (ii) at any time, in whole (but not in
part), upon the occurrence of a Special Event, at a redemption price equal to
the accrued and unpaid interest on the Series A Debentures so redeemed to the
date fixed for redemption plus 100% of the principal amount thereof. See
"Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Redemption" and "Description
of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Optional Redemption" in the
accompanying Prospectus.
DISTRIBUTION OF SERIES A DEBENTURES
At any time, the Company has the right to terminate the Series A Issuer,
and, in such event, Series A Debentures will be distributed to the holders of
the Series A Preferred Securities in liquidation of the Series A Issuer after
satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Series A Issuer as provided by
applicable law. If distributed to holders of Series A Preferred Securities in
liquidation, the Series A Debentures will initially be issued in the form of one
or more global securities and DTC, or any successor depositary for the Series A
Preferred Securities, will act as depositary for the Series A Debentures. It is
anticipated that the depositary arrangements for the Series A Debentures would
be substantially identical to those in effect for the Series A Preferred
Securities. If the Series A Debentures are distributed to the holders of Series
A Preferred Securities upon the liquidation of the Series A Issuer, the Company
will use its best efforts to list the Series A Debentures on the NYSE or such
other stock exchanges or other organizations, if any, on which the Series A
Preferred Securities are then listed. There can be no assurance as to the market
price of any Series A Debentures that may be distributed to the holders of
Series A Preferred Securities. For a description of DTC and the terms of the
depositary arrangements relating to payments, transfers, voting rights,
redemption and other notices and other matters, see "Description of Preferred
Securities -- Book-Entry Issuance" in the accompanying Prospectus.
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following summary describes certain United States Federal income tax
consequences relevant to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Series A
Preferred Securities as of the date hereof and represents the opinion of Reid &
Priest LLP, counsel to the Company, insofar as it relates to matters of law or
legal conclusions. Except where noted, it deals only with Series A Preferred
Securities held as capital assets and does not deal with special situations,
such as those of dealers in securities or currencies, financial institutions,
life insurance companies, persons holding Series A Preferred Securities as part
of a hedging or conversion transaction or a straddle, United States Holders (as
defined herein) whose "functional currency" is not the United States dollar, or
persons who are not United States Holders. In addition, this discussion does not
address the tax consequences to persons who purchase Series A Preferred
Securities other than pursuant to their initial issuance and distribution.
Furthermore, the discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and regulations, rulings and judicial
decisions thereunder as of the date hereof, and such authorities may be
repealed, revoked or modified at any time so as to result in United States
Federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. These
authorities are subject to various interpretations and it is therefore possible
that the United States Federal income tax treatment of the Series A Preferred
Securities may differ from the treatment described below.
S-13
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITIES, INCLUDING PERSONS
WHO ARE NOT UNITED STATES HOLDERS AND PERSONS WHO PURCHASE SERIES A PREFERRED
SECURITIES IN THE SECONDARY MARKET, ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH THEIR TAX
ADVISORS AS TO THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITIES IN LIGHT OF
THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, AS WELL AS THE EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR
OTHER TAX LAWS.
UNITED STATES HOLDERS
As used herein, a "United States Holder" means a Series A Preferred
Security holder that is a citizen or a resident of the United States, a
corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the
laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, or an estate or
trust the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation
regardless of its source.
CLASSIFICATION OF ENTERGY LOUISIANA CAPITAL I
Reid & Priest LLP, counsel to the Company and the Series A Issuer, is of
the opinion that, under current law and assuming full compliance with the terms
of the Corresponding Indenture and the instruments establishing the Series A
Issuer (and certain other documents), the Series A Issuer will be classified as
a "grantor trust" for United States Federal income tax purposes and will not be
classified as an association taxable as a corporation. Each United States Holder
will be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Series A
Debentures. Accordingly, each United States Holder will be required to include
in its gross income interest (in the form of original issue discount ("OID"))
accrued with respect to its allocable share of Series A Debentures as described
below. No amount included in income with respect to the Series A Preferred
Securities will be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Investors
should be aware that the opinion of Reid & Priest LLP is not binding on the
Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") or the courts.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE SERIES A DEBENTURES
Based on the advice of its counsel, the Company believes and intends to
take the position that the Series A Debentures will constitute indebtedness for
United States Federal income tax purposes. No assurance can be given that such
position will not be challenged by the IRS, or, if challenged, that such
challenge will not be successful. By purchasing and accepting Series A Preferred
Securities, each holder thereof covenants to treat the Series A Debentures as
indebtedness and the Series A Preferred Securities as evidence of an indirect
beneficial ownership in the Series A Debentures. The remainder of this
discussion assumes that the Series A Debentures will be classified as
indebtedness of the Company for United States Federal income tax purposes.
POSSIBLE TAX LAW CHANGES
On March 19, 1996, the Revenue Reconciliation Bill of 1996 (the "Bill"),
the revenue portion of President Clinton's budget proposal, was released. The
Bill would, among other things, generally deny interest deductions for interest
on an instrument issued by a corporation that has a maximum weighted average
maturity of more than 40 years. The Bill would also generally treat as equity an
instrument, issued by a corporation, that has a maximum term of more than 20
years and that is not shown as indebtedness on the separate balance sheet of the
issuer or, where the instrument is issued to a related party (other than a
corporation), where the holder or some other related party issues a related
instrument that is not shown as indebtedness on the issuer's consolidated
balance sheet. The above-described provisions were proposed to be effective
generally for instruments issued on or after December 7, 1995. If either
provision were to apply to the Series A Debentures, the Company would be unable
to deduct interest on the Series A Debentures. However, on March 29, 1996, the
Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees issued a
joint statement to the effect that it was their intention that the effective
date of the President's legislative proposals, if adopted, will be no earlier
than the date
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of appropriate Congressional action. There can be no assurance, however, that
current or future legislative proposals or final legislation will not affect the
ability of the Company to deduct interest on the Series A Debentures. If
legislation were enacted limiting, in whole or in part, the deductibility by the
Company of interest on the Series A Debentures for United States Federal income
tax purposes, such enactment could give rise to a Tax Event or a Debenture Tax
Event. A Tax Event would permit the Company to cause a redemption of the Series
A Preferred Securities as described more fully under "Description of Preferred
Securities -- Redemption -- Special Event Redemption or Distribution of
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures" in the accompanying Prospectus. A
Debenture Tax Event would permit the Company to redeem the Series A Debentures,
as described more fully under "Description of Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- Optional Redemption" and "Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- Redemption" in the accompanying Prospectus.
POTENTIAL EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD AND ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
Under the terms of the Series A Debentures, the Company has the option to
defer payments of interest for up to 20 consecutive quarterly interest payment
periods and to pay as a lump sum at the end of such period all of the interest
that has accrued during such period. During any such Extension Period,
Distributions on the Series A Preferred Securities will also be deferred.
Because of this option to extend the interest payment periods, the Series A
Debentures will be treated as having been issued with OID for United States
Federal income tax purposes. As a result, United States Holders will be required
to accrue interest income (in the form of OID) on an economic accrual basis even
if they use the cash method of accounting. In the event of an Extension Period,
a United States Holder will be required to continue to include OID in income
notwithstanding that the Series A Issuer will not make any Distribution on the
Series A Preferred Securities during such Extension Period. As a result, any
United States Holder who disposes of Series A Preferred Securities prior to the
record date for the payment of Distributions following such Extension Period
will include interest in gross income but will not receive any Distributions
related thereto from the Series A Issuer. The tax basis of a Series A Preferred
Security will be increased by the amount of any OID that is included in income,
and will be decreased when and if Distributions are subsequently received from
the Series A Issuer by such holders.
RECEIPT OF SERIES A DEBENTURES OR CASH UPON LIQUIDATION OF THE SERIES A ISSUER
At any time the Company has the right to cause Series A Debentures to be
distributed to holders of Series A Preferred Securities in exchange for the
Series A Preferred Securities and in liquidation of the Series A Issuer. Under
current law, for United States Federal income tax purposes, if the Series A
Issuer is treated as a "grantor trust" at the time of distribution, such
distribution would be treated as a non-taxable event to each United States
Holder, and each United States Holder would receive an aggregate tax basis in
the Series A Debentures equal to such holder's aggregate tax basis in its Series
A Preferred Securities. A United States Holder's holding period for the Series A
Debentures received in liquidation of the Series A Issuer would include the
period during which such holder held the Series A Preferred Securities.
Under certain circumstances, as described under the caption "Description of
Preferred Securities -- Redemption" in the accompanying Prospectus, the Series A
Debentures may be redeemed for cash and the proceeds of such redemption
distributed to holders of Series A Preferred Securities in redemption of the
Series A Preferred Securities. Under current law, such a redemption would, for
United States Federal income tax purposes, constitute a taxable disposition of
the Series A Preferred Securities, and a United States Holder would recognize
gain or loss as if such holder had sold such redeemed Series A Preferred
Securities. See "-- Sale, Exchange and Redemption of the Series A Preferred
Securities" below.
SALE, EXCHANGE AND REDEMPTION OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITIES
Upon the sale, exchange or redemption of Series A Preferred Securities, a
United States Holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between
the amount realized upon the sale, exchange or redemption and such holder's
adjusted tax basis in the Series A Preferred Securities. A United States
Holder's adjusted tax basis will, in general, be the issue price of the Series A
Preferred Securities,
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increased by the OID previously included in income by the United States Holder
and reduced by any Distributions on the Series A Preferred Securities. Such gain
or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss
if at the time of sale, exchange or redemption, the Series A Preferred
Securities have been held for more than one year. Under current law, net capital
gains of individuals are, under certain circumstances, taxed at lower rates than
items of ordinary income. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to
limitations.
INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Subject to the qualification discussed below, income on the Series A
Preferred Securities will be reported to holders on Form 1099, which should be
mailed to such holders by January 31 following each calendar year.
The Series A Issuer will be obligated to report annually to Cede & Co., as
holder of record of the Series A Preferred Securities, the OID related to the
Series A Debentures that accrued during the year. The Series A Issuer currently
intends to report such information on Form 1099 prior to January 31 following
each calendar year. The Underwriters have indicated to the Series A Issuer that,
to the extent that they hold Series A Preferred Securities as nominees for
beneficial holders, they currently expect to report the OID that accrued during
the calendar year on such Series A Preferred Securities to such beneficial
holders on Form 1099 by January 31 following each calendar year. Under current
law, holders of Series A Preferred Securities who hold as nominees for
beneficial holders will not have any obligation to report information regarding
the beneficial holders to the Series A Issuer. The Series A Issuer, moreover,
will not have any obligation to report to beneficial holders who are not also
record holders. Thus, beneficial holders of Series A Preferred Securities who
hold their Series A Preferred Securities through the Underwriters will receive
Forms 1099 reflecting the income on their Series A Preferred Securities from
such Underwriters rather than from the Series A Issuer.
Payments made in respect of, and proceeds from the sale of, Series A
Preferred Securities (or Series A Debentures distributed to holders of Series A
Preferred Securities) may be subject to "backup" withholding tax of 31% unless
the holder complies with certain identification requirements or if such holder
has previously failed to report in full dividend and interest income. Any
withheld amounts will be allowed as a refund or a credit against the holder's
United States Federal income tax liability, provided the required information is
provided to the IRS.
These information reporting and backup withholding tax rules are subject to
temporary Treasury Regulations. Accordingly, the application of such rules to
the Series A Preferred Securities could be changed.
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UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Company and the Series A Issuer have agreed that the Series A Issuer will sell
to each of the Underwriters named below, and each of such Underwriters, for whom
Goldman, Sachs & Co., Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. and
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated are acting as
representatives, has severally agreed to purchase from the Series A Issuer, the
respective number of Series A Preferred Securities set forth opposite its name
below:
NUMBER OF SERIES A
UNDERWRITER PREFERRED SECURITIES
------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------
Goldman, Sachs & Co...............................................
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc..........................................
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc..........................................
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated..........................................
---------------
Total................................................... 2,800,000
================
Under the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Underwriters are committed to take and pay for all such Series A Preferred
Securities offered hereby, if any are taken, provided, that under certain
circumstances involving a default of one or more Underwriters, less than all of
the Series A Preferred Securities may be purchased. Default by one Underwriter
would not relieve any non-defaulting Underwriter from its several obligation,
and in the event of such a default, the non-defaulting Underwriters may be
required by the Company to purchase the Series A Preferred Securities that they
have severally agreed to purchase and, in addition, to purchase the Series A
Preferred Securities that the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters shall have
failed to purchase up to an amount equal to one-ninth of the Series A Preferred
Securities that such non-defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters have otherwise
agreed to purchase.
The Underwriters propose to offer the Series A Preferred Securities in part
directly to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus Supplement and in part to certain securities
dealers at such price less a concession of $ per Series A Preferred
Security. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession
not to exceed $ per Series A Preferred Security to certain brokers and
dealers. After the Series A Preferred Securities are released for sale to the
public, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be
varied by the representatives.
In view of the fact that the proceeds from the sale of the Series A
Preferred Securities will be used to purchase the Series A Debentures issued by
the Company, the Underwriting Agreement provides that the Company will pay as
Underwriters' Compensation for the Underwriters arranging the investment therein
of such proceeds an amount of $ per Series A Preferred Security ($
per Series A Preferred Security sold to certain institutions) for the accounts
of the several Underwriters.
The Company and the Series A Issuer have agreed that, during the period
beginning from the date of the Underwriting Agreement and continuing to and
including the earlier of (i) the termination of trading restrictions on the
Series A Preferred Securities, as determined by the Underwriters, and (ii) 30
days
S-17
after the closing date, they will not offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise
dispose of any Series A Preferred Securities, any other beneficial interests in
the assets of the Series A Issuer, or any preferred securities or any other
securities of the Series A Issuer or the Company that are substantially similar
to the Series A Preferred Securities, including any guarantee of such
securities, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for or that
represent the right to receive securities, preferred securities or any such
substantially similar securities of either the Series A Issuer or the Company,
without the prior written consent of the representatives, except for the Series
A Preferred Securities, the Series A Common Securities and the Series A
Guarantee.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Series A
Preferred Securities. The Series A Preferred Securities will be listed on the
NYSE under the symbol " ". In order to meet one of the requirements for
listing the Series A Preferred Securities on the NYSE, the Underwriters will
undertake to sell lots of 100 or more Series A Preferred Securities to a minimum
of 400 beneficial holders. Trading of the Series A Preferred Securities on the
NYSE is expected to commence within a thirty-day period after the initial
delivery of the Series A Preferred Securities. The representatives of the
Underwriters have advised the Company that they intend to make a market in the
Series A Preferred Securities prior to commencement of trading on the NYSE, but
are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without
notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for
the Series A Preferred Securities.
The Company and the Series A Issuer have agreed to indemnify the several
Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribute to payments that the
Underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.
Certain of the Underwriters or their affiliates have provided from time to
time, and expect to provide in the future, investment or commercial banking
services to the Company and its affiliates, for which such Underwriters or their
affiliates have received or will receive customary fees and commissions.
EXPERTS
The Company's balance sheets as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and the
statements of income, retained earnings, and cash flows and the related
financial statement schedule for each of the two years ended December 31, 1995,
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus accompanying this Prospectus
Supplement, have been incorporated by reference therein in reliance on the
reports of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, given on the
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The statements of income, retained earnings, and cash flows and the related
financial statement schedule for the year ended December 31, 1993, incorporated
in the Prospectus accompanying this Prospectus Supplement by reference to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, have
been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their
reports dated February 11, 1994, also incorporated by reference therein and have
been so included in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
S-18
LEGAL OPINIONS
Certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the Series A
Preferred Securities, the enforceability of the Series A Trust Agreement and the
creation of the Series A Issuer are being passed upon by Richards, Layton &
Finger, P.A., special Delaware counsel to the Company and the Series A Issuer.
The validity of the Series A Guarantee and the Series A Debentures will be
passed upon for the Company by Denise C. Redmann, Senior Counsel -- Corporate
and Securities of Entergy Services, Inc. and by Reid & Priest LLP, New York
counsel to the Company. Matters pertaining to New York law will be passed upon
by Reid & Priest LLP, New York counsel to the Company, and matters pertaining to
Louisiana law will be passed upon by Denise C. Redmann, Senior
Attorney -- Corporate and Securities of Entergy Services, Inc., Louisiana
counsel to the Company. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the
Underwriters by Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts, New York, New York. Certain
matters relating to United States Federal income tax considerations are being
passed upon by Reid & Priest LLP, special counsel to the Company and the Series
A Issuer.
S-19
P R O S P E C T U S
$150,000,000
ENTERGY LOUISIANA CAPITAL I
ENTERGY LOUISIANA CAPITAL II
ENTERGY LOUISIANA CAPITAL III
ENTERGY LOUISIANA, INC. Preferred Securities fully and
Junior Subordinated Deferrable unconditionally guaranteed, as
Interest Debentures set forth herein, by
ENTERGY LOUISIANA, INC.
Entergy Louisiana, Inc. (formerly Louisiana Power & Light Company), a
Louisiana corporation (the "Company"), may from time to time offer in one or
more series or issuances its junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures
(the "Junior Subordinated Debentures") to be issued under the Indenture for
Unsecured Subordinated Debt Securities, which will be qualified under and
subject to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture
Act"). The Junior Subordinated Debentures will be unsecured and subordinate and
junior in right of payment to Senior Debt (as defined in "Description of Junior
Subordinated Debentures -- Subordination") of the Company. If provided in an
accompanying Prospectus Supplement, the Company will have the right to defer
payments of interest on any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures by
extending the interest payment period thereon at any time or from time to time
for such number of consecutive interest payment periods (which shall not extend
beyond the maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures) with respect to each
deferral period as may be specified in such Prospectus Supplement (each, an
"Extension Period"). See "Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest Payment Period" and "-- Certain
Covenants of the Company".
Entergy Louisiana Capital I, Entergy Louisiana Capital II and Entergy
Louisiana Capital III, each a statutory business trust created under the laws of
the State of Delaware (each, an "Issuer", and collectively, the "Issuers"), may
severally offer, from time to time, its respective preferred securities (the
"Preferred Securities") representing preferred undivided beneficial interests in
the assets of each Issuer. The Company will be the owner of the common
securities (the "Common Securities") representing common undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of each Issuer. The payment of periodic cash
distributions ("Distributions") with respect to the Preferred Securities of each
Issuer and payments on liquidation or redemption with respect to such Preferred
Securities, in each case out of funds held by such Issuer, are each irrevocably
guaranteed by the Company to the extent described herein (each, a "Guarantee",
and collectively, the "Guarantees"). See "Description of Guarantees". The
obligations of the Company under each Guarantee will be subordinate and junior
in right of payment to all Senior Debt of the Company. Concurrently with the
issuance by an Issuer of its Preferred Securities, such Issuer will invest the
proceeds thereof and any contributions made in respect of the Common Securities
in a corresponding series of the Company's Junior Subordinated Debentures (the
"Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures") to be issued under the Indenture
for Unsecured Subordinated Debt Securities relating to Trust Securities dated as
of July 1, 1996 (the "Corresponding Indenture"), which will be qualified under
and subject to the Trust Indenture Act, with terms corresponding to the terms of
that Issuer's Preferred Securities. The Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be the sole assets of each Issuer, and payments under the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures and the related Expense Agreement
(as defined herein) will be the only revenue of each Issuer. Upon the occurrence
of certain events as described herein and in an accompanying Prospectus
Supplement, the Company may redeem the Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures or, at any time, the Company may terminate each Issuer and, after
satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of each Issuer, if any, as provided by
applicable law, cause the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures to be
distributed to the holders of Preferred Securities in liquidation of their
interest in such Issuer. See "Description of Preferred Securities -- Liquidation
Distribution Upon Termination".
Holders of the Preferred Securities will be entitled to receive
preferential cumulative Distributions accruing from the date of original
issuance and payable periodically as specified in an accompanying Prospectus
Supplement. If provided in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement, the Company
will have the right to defer payments of interest on any series of Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures by extending the interest payment period thereon
at any time or from time to time for one or more Extension Periods (which shall
not extend beyond the maturity of the Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures). If interest payments are so deferred, Distributions on the
corresponding series of Preferred Securities will also be deferred and the
Company will not be permitted, subject to certain exceptions set forth herein,
to declare or pay any cash distributions with respect to the Company's capital
stock or debt securities that rank pari passu with or junior to the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures or make any guarantee payments with
respect to the foregoing. During an Extension Period, interest on the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures will continue to accrue (and the
Preferred Securities will accumulate additional Distributions thereon) at the
rate per annum set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. See "Description
of Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest Payment Period"
and "-- Certain Covenants of the Company".
(Continued on next page)
------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF
THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
------------------------
The date of this Prospectus is July 3, 1996.
(Continued from previous page)
The Junior Subordinated Debentures and Preferred Securities may be offered
in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of offering
provided, however, that the aggregate initial public offering price of all
Junior Subordinated Debentures (other than Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures) and Preferred Securities issued pursuant to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part shall not exceed $150,000,000.
Certain specific terms of the Junior Subordinated Debentures or Preferred
Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered will be
described in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement, including without limitation
and where applicable and to the extent not set forth herein, (a) in the case of
Junior Subordinated Debentures, the specific designation, aggregate principal
amount, denominations, maturity, interest payment dates, interest rate (which
may be fixed or variable) or method of calculating interest, applicable
Extension Period or interest deferral terms, if any, place or places where
principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, will be payable, any terms of
redemption, any sinking fund provisions, terms for any conversion or exchange
into other securities, initial offering or purchase price, methods of
distribution and any other special terms, and (b) in the case of Preferred
Securities, the identity of the Issuer, specific title, aggregate amount, stated
liquidation preference, number of securities, Distribution rate, applicable
Extension Period or Distribution deferral terms, if any, place or places where
Distributions will be payable, any terms of redemption, initial offering or
purchase price, methods of distribution and any other special terms.
As more fully described herein, the Company will, through each Guarantee,
each Trust Agreement, each series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures, the Corresponding Indenture and each Expense Agreement, taken
together, fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee all of each Issuer's
obligations under each series of Preferred Securities.
An accompanying Prospectus Supplement also will contain information, as
applicable, about certain United States Federal income tax considerations
relating to the Junior Subordinated Debentures or Preferred Securities.
The Junior Subordinated Debentures and Preferred Securities may be sold to
or through underwriters, through dealers, remarketing firms or agents involved
in the sale of Junior Subordinated Debentures or Preferred Securities in respect
of which this Prospectus is being delivered and any applicable fee, commission
or discount arrangements with them will be set forth in an accompanying
Prospectus Supplement. Such Prospectus Supplement will state whether the Junior
Subordinated Debentures or Preferred Securities will be listed on any national
securities exchange. If the Junior Subordinated Debentures or Preferred
Securities are not listed on any national securities exchange, there can be no
assurance that there will be a liquid secondary market for the Junior
Subordinated Debentures or Preferred Securities.
This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Junior Subordinated
Debentures or Preferred Securities unless accompanied by a Prospectus
Supplement.
2
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities of the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the regional offices of the
Commission located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, Suite 1300, New York,
New York 10048 and Suite 1400, Citicorp Center, 14th Floor, 500 West Madison
Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can also be obtained at
prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the Commission at
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549. In addition,
such reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Company can
be inspected at the offices of The New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad
Street, New York, New York 10005 (the "NYSE").
The Company and the Issuers have filed with the Commission a Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), with respect to the securities offered hereby. This
Prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the Registration
Statement and the exhibits thereto, certain portions of which have been omitted
as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further
information with respect to the Company, the Issuers and the securities offered
hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits and the
financial statements, notes and schedules filed as a part thereof or
incorporated by reference therein, which may be inspected at the public
reference facilities of the Commission, at the addresses set forth above.
Statements made in this Prospectus concerning the contents of any documents
referred to herein are not necessarily complete, and in each instance are
qualified in all respects by reference to the copy of such document filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement.
No separate financial statements of any Issuer have been included herein.
The Company and the Issuers do not consider that such financial statements would
be material to holders of the Preferred Securities because each Issuer is a
newly formed special purpose entity, has no operating history or independent
operations and is not engaged in and does not propose to engage in any activity
other than its holding, as trust assets, the Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures of the Company and its issuance of the Preferred and Common
Securities. The Issuers intend not to file separate reports under the Exchange
Act but must apply for and be granted relief by the Commission to avoid the
requirement to file such reports. See "The Issuers", "Description of Preferred
Securities", "Description of Guarantees" and "Description of Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures".
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are
incorporated into this Prospectus by reference:
1. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995.
2. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 1996.
In addition, each document or report filed by the Company pursuant to
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof and
prior to the termination of the offering described herein shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part of this
Prospectus from the date of filing of such document (such documents, and the
documents enumerated above, being herein referred to as "Incorporated
Documents"). Any statement contained herein, or in a document all or a portion
of which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, shall
be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of the Registration
Statement and this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or
in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
3
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of the Registration Statement or this
Prospectus.
The Company will provide without charge to any person to whom this
Prospectus is delivered, on the written or oral request of such person, a copy
of any or all of the foregoing documents incorporated by reference herein (other
than exhibits not specifically incorporated by reference into the texts of such
documents). Requests for such documents should be directed to: Christopher T.
Screen, P.O. Box 61000, New Orleans, Louisiana 70161, telephone: (504) 576-4212.
4
THE COMPANY
Entergy Louisiana, Inc. (formerly Louisiana Power & Light Company) was
incorporated under the laws of the State of Louisiana on October 15, 1974 and is
the successor by merger to a predecessor Louisiana Power & Light Company, which
was incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida in 1927. The merger
became effective on February 28, 1975. The Company's principal executive offices
are located at 639 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70113. Its telephone
number is 504-529-5262.
The Company is an electric public utility company with substantially all of
its operations in the State of Louisiana. All of the outstanding common stock of
the Company is owned by Entergy Corporation ("Entergy"), a Delaware corporation.
Entergy is a registered public utility holding company under the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended. The Company, Entergy Arkansas, Inc.,
Entergy Gulf States, Inc., Entergy Mississippi, Inc. and Entergy New Orleans,
Inc. are operating electric utility subsidiaries of Entergy. Entergy also owns,
among other things, all of the common stock of System Energy Resources, Inc., a
generating company, Entergy Operations, Inc., a nuclear management services
company, CitiPower Ltd., a retail electric distribution company serving
Melbourne, Australia and surrounding suburbs, Entergy Power, Inc., a wholesale
power company and Entergy Enterprises, Inc., a non-utility company.
The Company, Entergy Arkansas, Inc., Entergy Mississippi, Inc. and Entergy
New Orleans, Inc. own all of the capital stock of System Fuels, Inc., a special
purpose company which implements and/or maintains certain programs for the
procurement, delivery and storage of fuel supplies for certain Entergy
subsidiaries, including the Company.
The foregoing information relating to the Company does not purport to be
comprehensive and should be read together with the financial statements and
other information contained in the Incorporated Documents.
THE ISSUERS
Each Issuer is a statutory business trust created under Delaware law
pursuant to (i) a trust agreement executed by the Company, as depositor of each
Issuer, the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (each as defined herein)
and an Administrative Trustee (as defined herein) of each Issuer and (ii) the
filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State. Each
trust agreement will be amended and restated in its entirety (each, as so
amended and restated, a "Trust Agreement" and collectively, the "Trust
Agreements") substantially in the forms filed as exhibits to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. Each Trust Agreement will be
qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. Each Issuer exists for
the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing and selling its Preferred Securities and
Common Securities, (ii) using the proceeds from the sale of such Preferred
Securities and Common Securities to acquire the related series of Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures and (iii) engaging in only those other activities
necessary or incidental thereto. Accordingly, the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be the sole assets of each Issuer, and payments
under the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Corresponding
Expense Agreement will be the sole source of revenue of each Issuer.
All of the Common Securities will be owned by the Company. The Common
Securities of an Issuer will rank pari passu, and payments will be made thereon
pro rata, with the Preferred Securities of such Issuer, except that upon the
occurrence and continuance of an event of default under a Trust Agreement
resulting from a Debenture Event of Default, the rights of the Company as holder
of the Common Securities to payment in respect of Distributions and payments
upon liquidation, redemption or otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of
the holders of the Preferred Securities of such Issuer. See "Description of
Preferred Securities -- Subordination of Common Securities". The Company will
acquire Common Securities in an aggregate liquidation amount equal to not less
than 3% of the total capital of each Issuer.
5
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, each
Issuer has a term of approximately 54 years, but may terminate earlier as
provided in the applicable Trust Agreement. Each Issuer's business and affairs
are conducted by its trustees, each appointed by the Company as holder of the
Common Securities: The Bank of New York, as the Property Trustee (the "Property
Trustee"), The Bank of New York (Delaware), as the Delaware Trustee (the
"Delaware Trustee"), and three individual trustees (the "Administrative
Trustees") who are employees or officers of or affiliated with the Company
(collectively, the "Issuer Trustees"). The Bank of New York, as Property
Trustee, will act as sole indenture trustee under each Trust Agreement for
purposes of compliance with the Trust Indenture Act. The Bank of New York will
also act as Guarantee Trustee under the Guarantees, and Corresponding Debenture
Trustee under the Corresponding Indenture (each as defined herein). See
"Description of Guarantees" and "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures".
The holder of the Common Securities, or the holders of a majority in liquidation
preference of the Preferred Securities if a Debenture Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, will be entitled to appoint, remove or replace the
Property Trustee and/or the Delaware Trustee. In no event will the holders of
the Preferred Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace
the Administrative Trustees; such voting rights are vested exclusively in the
holder of the Common Securities. The duties and obligations of each Issuer
Trustee are governed by the applicable Trust Agreement. The Company will pay all
fees and expenses related to each Issuer and the offering of the Preferred
Securities and will pay, directly or indirectly, all ongoing costs, expenses and
liabilities of each Issuer. The principal executive office of each Issuer is 639
Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70113, Attention: Treasurer, and its
telephone number is (504) 576-4308.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Company intends to use the proceeds from the sale of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures (including Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures issued to the
Issuers in connection with the investment by the Issuers of all of the proceeds
from the sale of Preferred Securities) for general corporate purposes, including
working capital, capital expenditures, refinancing of debt, including
outstanding commercial paper and other short term bank indebtedness, the
redemption of outstanding series of preferred stock, the satisfaction of other
obligations or for such other purposes as may be specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, all of the proceeds from the sale of Preferred Securities
will be invested by the Issuers in Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures
to be issued by the Company. A more detailed description of the use of proceeds
of any specific offering shall be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
pertaining to such offering.
DESCRIPTION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
The Junior Subordinated Debentures are to be issued in one or more series
under the Indenture for Unsecured Subordinated Debt Securities, dated as of July
1, 1996 (the "Indenture") between the Company and The Bank of New York, as
debenture trustee (the "Debenture Trustee"). The Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures are to be issued in one or more series of Junior
Subordinated Debentures under the Corresponding Indenture between the Company
and The Bank of New York, as corresponding debenture trustee (the "Corresponding
Debenture Trustee"). This summary of certain terms and provisions of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture does not purport to be complete and is
subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Indenture, the
form of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus forms a part, and to the Trust Indenture Act. Except as otherwise
provided herein, this summary of certain terms and provisions of Junior
Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture is also applicable to the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Corresponding Indenture.
For additional terms and provisions applicable only to the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures, see "Description of Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures". Whenever particular defined terms of the Indenture (as supplemented
or
6
amended from time to time) are referred to herein or in a Prospectus Supplement,
such defined terms are incorporated herein or therein by reference.
GENERAL
Each series of Junior Subordinated Debentures will rank pari passu with all
other series of Junior Subordinated Debentures, will be unsecured and
subordinate and junior in right of payment to the extent and in the manner set
forth in the Indenture to all Senior Debt of the Company. See
"-- Subordination". Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, the Indenture does not limit the incurrence or issuance of other
secured or unsecured debt of the Company, whether under the Indenture, any other
indenture that the Company may enter into in the future or otherwise. See
"Subordination" and the Prospectus Supplement relating to any offering of
Preferred Securities or Junior Subordinated Debentures.
The Junior Subordinated Debentures will be issuable in one or more series
pursuant to an indenture supplemental to the Indenture or a resolution of the
Board of Directors or an Officer's Certificate.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus Supplements will
describe the following terms of the Junior Subordinated Debentures: (1) the
title of the Junior Subordinated Debentures; (2) any limit upon the aggregate
principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures; (3) the date or dates on
which the principal of the Junior Subordinated Debentures is payable or the
method of determination thereof; (4) the rate or rates, if any, or the method by
which such rate or rates shall be determined, at which the Junior Subordinated
Debentures shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such
interest will accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest
shall be payable, the right, if any, of the Company to defer or extend an
Interest Payment Date, and the Regular Record Date for any interest payable on
any Interest Payment Date and the person or persons to whom interest on such
Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be payable on any Interest Payment Date, if
other than the persons in whose names such Junior Subordinated Debentures are
registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such
interest; (5) the place or places where, subject to the terms of the Indenture
as described below under "Payment and Paying Agents", the principal of and
premium, if any, and interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be
payable and where, subject to the terms of the Indenture as described below
under "Denominations, Registration and Transfer", the Junior Subordinated
Debentures may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange and the
place or places where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of
the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture may be served; the Security
Registrar and Paying Agents for such Junior Subordinated Debentures and, if such
is the case, that the principal of such Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be
payable without presentation or surrender thereof; (6) any period or periods
within, or date or dates on, which, the price or prices at which and the terms
and conditions upon which Junior Subordinated Debentures may be redeemed, in
whole or in part, at the option of the Company; (7) the obligation or
obligations, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures pursuant to any sinking fund or other analogous
mandatory redemption provisions 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 the Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be redeemed or
purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and applicable
exceptions to the requirements of a notice of redemption in the case of
mandatory redemption or redemption at the option of the holder; (8) the
denominations in which any Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be issuable if
other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof (in the
case of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, the denominations in which
any Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be issuable if other than
denominations of $25 and any integral multiple thereof); (9) if other than in
U.S. Dollars, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in
which the principal of and premium, if any and interest, if any, on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures shall be payable; (10) if the principal of or premium,
if any, or interest on any of the Junior Subordinated Debentures is to be
payable, at the election of the Company or the holder thereof, in a coin or
currency other than in which such Junior Subordinated Debentures are stated to
be payable, the period or periods within which and the terms and
7
conditions upon which, such election is to be made; (11) if the principal of or
premium or interest on such Junior Subordinated Debentures are to be payable, or
are to be payable at the election of the Company or a holder thereof, in
securities or other property, the type and amount of such securities or other
property, or the methods by which such amount shall be determined, and the
period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, any
such election is to be made; (12) if the amount payable in respect of principal
of or premium, if any, or interest on any of such Junior Subordinated Debentures
may be determined with reference to an index or other fact ascertainable outside
the Indenture, the manner in which such amounts are determined; (13) if other
than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Junior
Subordinated Debentures that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration
of the Maturity thereof; (14) any additions to the Events of Default or
covenants of the Company with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures;
(15) the terms, if any, pursuant to which the Junior Subordinated Debentures may
be converted into or exchanged for shares of capital stock or other securities
of the Company or any other Person; (16) the obligations or instruments, if any,
which shall be considered to be Government Obligations in respect of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures denominated in a currency other than Dollars or in a
composite currency, and any additional or alternative provisions for the
reinstatement of the Company's indebtedness in respect of such Junior
Subordinated Debentures after such satisfaction and discharge thereof; (17) if
the Junior Subordinated Debentures are to be issued in global form, any
limitations on the rights of the holder or holders of such Junior Subordinated
Debentures to transfer or exchange the same or to obtain the registration of
transfer thereof, any limitations of the rights of the holder or holders thereof
to obtain certificates therefor in definitive form in lieu of a temporary Global
Security and any and all other matters incidental to such Junior Subordinated
Debentures; (18) if such Junior Subordinated Debentures are to be issuable as
bearer securities; (19) any limitations on the rights of the holders of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures to transfer or exchange such Junior Subordinated
Debentures or to obtain the registration of transfer thereof, and if a service
charge will be made for the registration of transfer or exchange of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, the amount or terms thereof; (20) any exceptions to the
provisions governing payments due on legal holidays or any variations in the
definition of Business Day with respect of such Junior Subordinated Debentures;
(21) in the case of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, the
designation of the Issuer to which Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures
are to be issued; and (22) any other terms of the Junior Subordinated Debentures
not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture.
Junior Subordinated Debentures may be sold at a substantial discount below
their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which
at the time of issuance is below market rates. Certain United States Federal
income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any such Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
If the purchase price of any of the Junior Subordinated Debentures is
payable in one or more foreign currencies or currency units or if any Junior
Subordinated Debentures are denominated in one or more foreign currencies or
currency units or if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on
any Junior Subordinated Debentures is payable in one or more foreign currencies
or currency units, the restrictions, elections, certain United States Federal
income tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to
such issue of Junior Subordinated Debentures and such foreign currency or
currency units will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
If any index is used to determine the amount of payments of principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures,
special United States Federal income tax, accounting and other considerations
applicable thereto will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
DENOMINATIONS, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be issuable only in registered form without
coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof ($25 in the
case of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures). Junior
8
Subordinated Debentures of any series will be exchangeable for other Junior
Subordinated Debentures of the same series, of any authorized denominations, and
of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Subject to the terms of the Indenture and the limitations applicable to
Global Junior Subordinated Debentures, Junior Subordinated Debentures may be
presented for exchange as provided above, and may be presented for registration
of transfer (with the form of transfer endorsed thereon, or a satisfactory
written instrument of transfer, duly executed), at the office of the appropriate
Securities Registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by the
Company for such purpose with respect to any series of Junior Subordinated
Debentures and referred to in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, without
service charge, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. If the
applicable Prospectus Supplement refers to any transfer agents (in addition to
the Securities Registrar) initially designated by the Company with respect to
any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Company may at any time
rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change in the
location through which any such transfer agent acts, provided that the Company
maintains a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for such series. The Company
may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series
of Junior Subordinated Debentures.
In the event of any redemption, the Company shall not be required to (i)
issue, register the transfer of or exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures of
any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before
the day of selection for redemption of Junior Subordinated Debentures of that
series and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of the relevant
notice of redemption or (ii) register the transfer or exchange of any Junior
Subordinated Debentures so selected for redemption, except, in the case of any
Junior Subordinated Debentures being redeemed in part, any portion thereof not
to be redeemed.
GLOBAL JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
The Junior Subordinated Debentures of a series may be issued in whole or in
part in the form of one or more global securities ("Global Junior Subordinated
Debentures") that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary (the
"Depositary") identified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series.
Global Junior Subordinated Debentures may be issued only in fully registered
form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless and until it is exchanged
in whole or in part for the individual Junior Subordinated Debentures
represented thereby, a Global Junior Subordinated Debenture may not be
transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such Global Junior
Subordinated Debenture to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such
Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by the
Depositary or any nominee to a successor Depositary or any nominee of such
successor.
The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series
of Junior Subordinated Debentures will be described in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to such series. The Company anticipates that the following provisions
will generally apply to depositary arrangements.
Upon the issuance of a Global Junior Subordinated Debenture and the deposit
of such Global Junior Subordinated Debenture with or on behalf of the
Depositary, the Depositary for such Global Junior Subordinated Debenture or its
nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the
respective principal amounts of the individual Junior Subordinated Debentures
represented by such Global Junior Subordinated Debenture to the accounts of
persons that have accounts with such Depositary ("Participants"). Such accounts
shall be designated by the dealers, underwriters or agents with respect to such
Junior Subordinated Debentures or by the Company if such Junior Subordinated
Debentures are offered and sold directly by the Company. Ownership of beneficial
interests in a Global Junior Subordinated Debenture will be limited to
Participants or persons that may hold interests through Participants. Ownership
of beneficial interests in such Global Junior Subordinated Debenture will be
shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through,
records maintained by the applicable Depositary or its nominee (with respect to
interests of Participants) and the records of
9
Participants (with respect to interests of persons who hold through
Participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such
limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in
a Global Junior Subordinated Debenture.
So long as the Depositary for a Global Junior Subordinated Debenture, or
its nominee, is the registered owner of such Global Junior Subordinated
Debenture, such Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner or holder of the Junior Subordinated Debentures
represented by such Global Junior Subordinated Debenture for all purposes under
the Indenture governing such Junior Subordinated Debentures. Except as provided
below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Junior Subordinated Debenture
will not be entitled to have any of the individual Junior Subordinated
Debentures of the series represented by such Global Junior Subordinated
Debenture registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive
physical delivery of any such Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series in
definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under
the Indenture.
Payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on individual
Junior Subordinated Debentures represented by a Global Junior Subordinated
Debenture registered in the name of a Depositary or its nominee will be made to
the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of
the Global Junior Subordinated Debenture representing such Junior Subordinated
Debentures. None of the Company, the Debenture Trustee, any Paying Agent or the
Securities Registrar for such Junior Subordinated Debentures will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Junior
Subordinated Debenture for such Junior Subordinated Debentures or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
ownership interests.
The Company expects that the Depositary for a series of Junior Subordinated
Debentures or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or
interest in respect of a permanent Global Junior Subordinated Debenture
representing any of such Junior Subordinated Debentures, will immediately credit
Participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interest in the principal amount of such Global Junior
Subordinated Debenture for such Junior Subordinated Debentures as shown on the
records of such Depositary or its nominee. The Company also expects that
payments by Participants to owners of beneficial interests in such Global Junior
Subordinated Debenture held through such Participants will be governed by
standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with
securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in
"street name". Such payments will be the responsibility of such Participants.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if a
Depositary for a series of Junior Subordinated Debentures is at any time
unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary and a successor
depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company will
issue individual Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series in exchange for
the Global Junior Subordinated Debenture representing such series of Junior
Subordinated Debentures. In addition, the Company may at any time and in its
sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to such Junior Subordinated Debentures, determine not to
have any Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series represented by one or
more Global Junior Subordinated Debentures and, in such event, will issue
individual Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series in exchange for the
Global Junior Subordinated Debenture representing such series of Junior
Subordinated Debentures. Further, if the Company so specifies with respect to
the Junior Subordinated Debentures of a series, an owner of a beneficial
interest in a Global Junior Subordinated Debenture representing Junior
Subordinated Debentures of such series may, on terms acceptable to the Company,
the Debenture Trustee and the Depositary for such Global Junior Subordinated
Debenture, receive individual Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series in
exchange for such beneficial interest, subject to any limitations described in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Junior Subordinated Debentures. In
any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Junior
Subordinated Debenture will be entitled to physical delivery of individual
Junior Subordinated Debentures of the series represented by such Global Junior
10
Subordinated Debenture equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest and
to have such Junior Subordinated Debentures registered in its name. Individual
Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series so issued will be issued in
denominations, unless otherwise specified by the Company, of $1,000 and integral
multiples thereof ($25 in the case of Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures).
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of principal of (and premium, if any) and any interest on Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be made at the office of the Debenture Trustee in The City of
New York or at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as the Company
may designate from time to time in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of any
interest on Junior Subordinated Debentures will be made to the Person in whose
name such Junior Subordinated Debenture is registered at the close of business
on the Regular Record Date for such interest, except in the case of Defaulted
Interest. The Company may at any time designate additional Paying Agents or
rescind the designation of any Paying Agent; however the Company will at all
times be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for each
series of Junior Subordinated Debentures.
Any moneys deposited with the Debenture Trustee or any Paying Agent, or
then held by the Company in trust, for the payment of the principal of (and
premium, if any) or interest on any Junior Subordinated Debenture and remaining
unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest
has become due and payable shall, at the request of the Company, be repaid to
the Company, and the holder of such Junior Subordinated Debenture shall
thereafter look, as a general unsecured creditor, only to the Company for
payment thereof.
REDEMPTION
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Junior
Subordinated Debentures will not be subject to any sinking fund. The applicable
Prospectus Supplement will specify the period or periods within which, the price
or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Junior
Subordinated Debentures of any series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at
the option of the Company. Except as otherwise specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, the redemption price for any Junior Subordinated
Debenture so redeemed shall equal any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the
Redemption Date, plus 100% of the principal amount thereof.
Except as otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if a
Debenture Tax Event (as defined below) in respect of a series of Junior
Subordinated Debentures shall occur and be continuing, the Company may, at its
option, redeem such series of Junior Subordinated Debentures in whole (but not
in part) on any date within 90 days of the occurrence of such Debenture Tax
Event, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such
Junior Subordinated Debentures then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest
to the Redemption Date.
"Debenture Tax Event" means the receipt by the Company of an Opinion of
Counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any
amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the
laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political
subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein affecting taxation, or as a
result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is
effective or such pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of
issuance of the applicable series of Junior Subordinated Debentures under the
Indenture, there is more than an insubstantial risk that interest payable by the
Company on such series of Junior Subordinated Debentures is not, or within 90
days of the date thereof, will not be, deductible, in whole or in part, for
United States Federal income tax purposes.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the Redemption Date to each holder of Junior Subordinated
Debentures to be redeemed at his registered address. Unless the Company defaults
in payment of the Redemption Price, on and after the Redemption
11
Date interest ceases to accrue on such Junior Subordinated Debentures or
portions thereof called for redemption.
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
If provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company shall have
the right at any time or from time to time during the term of any series of
Junior Subordinated Debentures to defer the payment of interest for such number
of consecutive interest payment periods with respect to each deferred period as
may be specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (each, an "Extension
Period"), subject to the terms, conditions and covenants, if any, specified in
such Prospectus Supplement, provided that such Extension Period may not extend
beyond the maturity of such series of Junior Subordinated Debentures. Certain
United States Federal income tax consequences and special considerations
applicable to any such Junior Subordinated Debentures will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
In the event that the Company exercises this right, during any such
Extension Period the Company may not, and may not permit any subsidiary of the
Company to: (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem,
purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the
Company's capital stock or (ii) make any payment of principal, interest or
premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities that rank
pari passu with or junior in interest to the Junior Subordinated Debentures or
make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing (other than (a)
dividends or distributions in shares of capital stock of the Company and (b)
payments under any Guarantee).
MODIFICATION OF INDENTURE
Without the consent of any holder of Junior Subordinated Debentures, the
Company and the Debenture Trustee may enter into one or more supplemental
indentures for any of the following purposes: (a) to evidence the assumption by
any permitted successor to the Company of the covenants of the Company in the
Indenture and in the Junior Subordinated Debentures; or (b) to add one or more
covenants of the Company or other provisions for the benefit of the holders of
outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures or to surrender any right or power
conferred upon the Company by the Indenture; or (c) to add any additional
Debenture Events of Default with respect to outstanding Junior Subordinated
Debentures; or (d) to change or eliminate any provision of the Indenture or to
add any new provision to the Indenture, provided that if such change,
elimination or addition will adversely affect the interests of the holders of
Junior Subordinated Debentures of any series in any material respect, such
change, elimination or addition will become effective with respect to such
series only (1) when the consent of the holders of Junior Subordinated
Debentures of such series has been obtained in accordance with the Indenture, or
(2) when no Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series remain outstanding
under the Indenture; or (e) to provide collateral security for all but not part
of the Junior Subordinated Debentures; or (f) to establish the form or terms of
Junior Subordinated Debentures of any other series as permitted by the
Indenture; or (g) to provide for the authentication and delivery of bearer
securities and coupons appertaining thereto representing interest, if any,
thereon and for the procedures for the registration, exchange and replacement
thereof and for the giving of notice to, and the solicitation of the vote or
consent of, the holders thereof, and for any and all other matters incidental
thereto; or (h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment of a
successor Debenture Trustee under the Indenture with respect to the Junior
Subordinated Debentures of one or more series and to add to or change any of the
provisions of the Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or to
facilitate the administration of the trusts under the Indenture by more than one
trustee; or (i) to provide for the procedures required to permit the utilization
of a noncertificated system of registration for the Junior Subordinated
Debentures of all or any series; or (j) to change any place where (1) the
principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all or any series of
Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be payable, (2) all or any series of Junior
Subordinated Debentures may be surrendered for registration of transfer or
exchange and (3) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of Junior
Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture may be served; or (k) to cure any
ambiguity or inconsis-
12
tency or to add or change any other provisions with respect to matters and
questions arising under the Indenture, provided such changes or additions shall
not adversely affect the interests of the holders of Junior Subordinated
Debentures of any series in any material respect. The Indenture contains
provisions permitting the Company and the Debenture Trustee, with the consent of
the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of each outstanding
series of Junior Subordinated Debentures affected, to modify the Indenture in a
manner affecting the rights of the holders of such series of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures; provided, that no such modification may, without the
consent of the holder of each outstanding Junior Subordinated Debenture so
affected, (i) change the Stated Maturity of any series of Junior Subordinated
Debentures, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend
the time of payment of interest thereon (except such extension as is
contemplated thereby), (ii) reduce the percentage of principal amount of Junior
Subordinated Debentures of any series, the holders of which are required to
consent to any such modification of the Indenture, or (iii) modify certain of
the provisions of the Indenture relating to supplemental indentures, waivers of
certain covenants and waivers of past defaults with respect to the Junior
Subordinated Debentures of any series, without the consent of the holder of each
outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, provided that, in
the case of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, so long as any of the
corresponding series of Preferred Securities remain outstanding, no such
modification may be made that adversely affects the holders of such Preferred
Securities, and no termination of the Indenture may occur, and no waiver of any
Debenture Event of Default or compliance with any covenant under the Indenture
may be effective, without the prior consent of the holders of at least a
majority of the aggregate liquidation preference amount of such Preferred
Securities unless and until the principal of the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon have been
paid in full and certain other conditions are satisfied.
DEBENTURE EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The Indenture provides that any one or more of the following described
events with respect to a series of Junior Subordinated Debentures that has
occurred and is continuing constitutes a "Debenture Event of Default" with
respect to such series of Junior Subordinated Debentures:
(i) failure for 60 days to pay any interest on such series of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures, when due and payable (subject to the
deferral of any interest payments in the case of an Extension Period); or
(ii) failure to pay any principal or premium, if any, on such series
of Junior Subordinated Debentures when due and payable; or
(iii) failure to perform, or breach of, any covenant or warranty of
the Company contained in the Indenture for 60 days after written notice to
the Company from the Debenture Trustee or to the Company and the Debenture
Trustee by the holders of at least 33% in principal amount of such series
of outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures as provided in the Indenture;
or
(iv) certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the
Company; or
(v) any other Event of Default specified with respect to the Junior
Subordinated Debentures.
If a Debenture Event of Default due to the default in payment of principal
of, or interest on, any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures or due to the
default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty of the
Company applicable to the Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series but not
applicable to all series occurs and is continuing, then either the Debenture
Trustee or the holders of not less than 33% in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series may declare the
principal of all of the Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series and
interest accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately (subject to the
subordination provisions of the Indenture) and, in the case of Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures, should the Corresponding Debenture Trustee or
such holders of such Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures fail to make
such declaration, the holders of at least 33% in aggregate liquidation
preference of the
13
corresponding series of Preferred Securities shall have such right. If a
Debenture Event of Default due to the default in the performance of any other
covenants or agreements in the Indenture applicable to all outstanding Junior
Subordinated Debentures or due to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of the Company has occurred and is continuing, either the
Debenture Trustee or the holders of not less than 33% in aggregate principal
amount of all outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures (or Preferred
Securities, as described above), considered as one class, and not the holders of
the Junior Subordinated Debentures (or Preferred Securities) of any one of such
series may make such declaration of acceleration (subject to the subordination
provisions of the Indenture).
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to the
Junior Subordinated Debentures of any series has been made and before a judgment
or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, the Debenture Event or
Events of Default giving rise to such declaration of acceleration will, without
further act, be deemed to have been waived, and such declaration and its
consequences will, without further act, be deemed to have been rescinded and
annulled, if
(a) the Company has paid or deposited with the Debenture Trustee a sum
sufficient to pay
(1) all overdue interest on all Junior Subordinated Debentures of
such series;
(2) the principal of and premium, if any, on any Junior
Subordinated Debentures of such series which have become due otherwise
than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the
rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Junior Subordinated
Debentures;
(3) interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed
therefor in such Junior Subordinated Debentures, to the extent that
payment of such interest is lawful; and
(4) all amounts due to the Debenture Trustee under the Indenture;
(b) any other Debenture Event or Events of Default with respect to
Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series, other than the nonpayment of
the principal of the Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series which
has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured
or waived as provided in the Indenture.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures of all series then outstanding may waive compliance by
the Company with certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture. The holders of
a majority in outstanding principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures
of any series may, on behalf of the holders of all the Junior Subordinated
Debentures of such series, waive any past default under the Indenture with
respect to such series, except a default in the payment of principal or interest
(unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured
installments of interest and principal due otherwise than by acceleration has
been deposited with the Debenture Trustee) or a default in respect of a covenant
or provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the
consent of the holder of each outstanding Junior Subordinated Debenture of such
series affected. With respect to the Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures held by an Issuer, such Issuer may not waive compliance by the
Company with certain restrictive provisions of the Corresponding Indenture or
waive any past defaults thereunder without the consent of a majority in
aggregate liquidation preference amount of the outstanding Preferred Securities
issued by such Issuer.
The Company is required to file annually with the Debenture Trustee a
certificate as to whether or not the Company is in compliance with all the
conditions and covenants applicable to it under the Indenture.
In case a Debenture Event of Default shall occur and be continuing as to a
series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Property Trustee
will have the right to declare the principal of and the interest on such
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures and any other amounts payable under
the Corresponding Indenture, to be forthwith due and payable and to enforce its
other rights as a creditor with respect to such Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures. If the Property Trustee fails to enforce its rights
with respect to the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures or the related
Trust Agreement, a holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal
proceeding directly against the
14
Company to enforce the Property Trustee's rights with respect to the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures or such Trust Agreement, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, without first instituting any legal proceeding
against the Property Trustee or any other person. See "Description of Preferred
Securities -- Voting Rights; Amendment of Trust Agreement". Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a holder of Preferred Securities may directly institute a proceeding
for enforcement of payment to such holder of principal of or interest on the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to
the aggregate liquidation preference amount of the Preferred Securities of such
holder on or after the due dates specified in the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures. See "Description of Guarantees" and "Description of
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures".
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
The Company will covenant, as to each series of Junior Subordinated
Debentures, that it will not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions
on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to,
any of the Company's capital stock or (ii) make any payment of principal,
premium, if any, or interest on or repay or repurchase or redeem any debt
securities (including other Junior Subordinated Debentures) that rank pari passu
with or junior in interest to the Junior Subordinated Debentures or make any
guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing (other than (a) dividends or
distributions in common stock of the Company, and (b) payments under any
Guarantee) if at such time (i) there shall have occurred and be continuing a
payment default (whether before or after expiration of any period of grace) or a
Debenture Event of Default with respect to Junior Subordinated Debentures of
such series, (ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of
any obligations under the Guarantee relating to the Preferred Securities of the
Issuer to which Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series have
been issued or (iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election of an
Extension Period as provided in the Indenture with respect to Junior
Subordinated Debentures of such series and shall not have rescinded such notice,
and such Extension Period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
The Indenture provides that the Company shall not consolidate with or merge
into any other corporation or convey, transfer or lease its properties and
assets substantially as an entirety to any person, unless (i) in case the
Company consolidates with or merges into another corporation or conveys or
transfers its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person,
the successor corporation is organized under the laws of the United States or
any State or the District of Columbia, and such successor corporation expressly
assumes the Company's obligations on all Junior Subordinated Debentures issued
under the Indenture; (ii) immediately after giving effect thereto, no Debenture
Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both,
would become a Debenture Event of Default, shall have occurred and be
continuing; and (iii) certain other conditions as prescribed in the Indenture
are met.
The general provisions of the Indenture do not afford holders of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures protection in the event of a highly leveraged or other
transaction involving the Company that may adversely affect holders of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
The principal amount of any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures issued
under the Indenture will be deemed to have been paid for purposes of the
Indenture and the entire indebtedness of the Company in respect thereof will be
deemed to have been satisfied and discharged, if there shall have been
irrevocably deposited with the Debenture Trustee or any Paying Agent, in trust:
(a) money in an amount which will be sufficient, or (b) in the case of a deposit
made prior to the maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, Government
Obligations (as defined herein), which do not contain provisions permitting the
redemption or other prepayment thereof at the option of the issuer thereof, the
principal of and the interest on which when due, without any regard to
reinvestment thereof, will provide moneys
15
which, together with the money, if any, deposited with or held by the Debenture
Trustee, will be sufficient, or (c) a combination of (a) and (b) which will be
sufficient, to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest,
if any, due and to become due on the Junior Subordinated Debentures of such
series that are outstanding. For this purpose, Government Obligations include
direct obligations of, or obligations unconditionally guaranteed by, the United
States of America entitled to the benefit of the full faith and credit thereof
and certificates, depositary receipts or other instruments which evidence a
direct ownership interest in such obligations or in any specific interest or
principal payments due in respect thereof.
It is possible that for United States Federal income tax purposes any
deposit contemplated in the preceding paragraph could be treated as a taxable
exchange of the Junior Subordinated Debentures outstanding for an issue of
obligations of a trust or a direct interest in the cash and securities held in
trust. In that case, holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures outstanding
would recognize a gain or loss for United States Federal income tax purposes, as
if their share of trust obligations or the cash or securities deposited, as the
case may be, had actually been received by them in exchange for their Junior
Subordinated Debentures. In addition, such holders thereafter would be required
to include in income a share of the income, gain or loss of the trust. The
amount so required to be included in income could be different from the amount
that would be includable in the absence of such deposit. Prospective investors
are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to the specific consequences to
them of such deposit.
CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE
If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Junior
Subordinated Debentures of any series may be convertible or exchangeable into
other securities. The specific terms on which Junior Subordinated Debentures of
any series may be so converted or exchanged will be set forth in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. Such terms may include provisions for conversion or
exchange, either mandatory, at the option of the holder, or at the option of the
Company, in which case the number of shares of Preferred Securities or other
securities to be received by the holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures would
be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
SUBORDINATION
In the Indenture, the Company has covenanted and agreed that any Junior
Subordinated Debentures issued thereunder will be subordinate and junior in
right of payment to all Senior Debt to the extent provided in the Indenture.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets to creditors upon any liquidation,
dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, marshaling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency, debt
restructuring or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or
bankruptcy proceeding of the Company, the holders of Senior Debt will first be
entitled to receive payment in full of principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest, if any, on such Senior Debt before the holders of Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures.
In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any Junior Subordinated
Debentures, the holders of all Senior Debt outstanding at the time of such
acceleration will be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due
thereon (including any amounts due upon acceleration) before the holders of
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be entitled to receive any payment upon the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures.
No payments on account of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any,
in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures may be made if there shall have
occurred and be continuing a default in any payment with respect to Senior Debt,
or an event of default with respect to any Senior Debt resulting in the
acceleration of the maturity thereof remaining uncured.
The term Senior Debt is defined in the Indenture to mean all obligations
(other than non-recourse obligations and the indebtedness issued under the
Indenture) of, or guaranteed or assumed by, the
16
Company for borrowed money, including both senior and subordinated indebtedness
for borrowed money (other than the Junior Subordinated Debentures), or for the
payment of money relating to any lease which is capitalized on the consolidated
balance sheet of the Company and its subsidiaries in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time, or evidenced by
bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, and in each case,
amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such
indebtedness or obligations, whether existing as of the date of the Indenture or
subsequently incurred by the Company unless, in the case of any particular
indebtedness, obligation, renewal, extension or refunding, the instrument
creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or guarantee of the same
expressly provides that such indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding is
not superior in right of payment to or is pari passu with the Junior
Subordinated Debentures; provided that the Company's obligations under any
Guarantee shall not be deemed to be Senior Debt.
The Indenture places no limitation on the amount of additional Senior Debt
that may be incurred by the Company. The Company expects from time to time to
incur additional indebtedness constituting Senior Debt.
GOVERNING LAW
The Indenture and the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE
The Debenture Trustee shall have, and shall be subject to, all the duties
and responsibilities specified with respect to an indenture trustee under the
Trust Indenture Act. Subject to such provisions, the Debenture Trustee is under
no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Indenture at the
request of any holder of Junior Subordinated Debentures, unless offered
reasonable indemnity by such holder against the costs, expenses and liabilities
which might be incurred thereby. The Debenture Trustee is not required to expend
or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the
performance of its duties if the Debenture Trustee reasonably believes that
repayment or adequate indemnity is not reasonably assured to it.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SECURITIES
Pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement for each Issuer, the Issuer
Trustees on behalf of such Issuer will issue the Preferred Securities and the
Common Securities. The Preferred Securities of a particular issue will represent
preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the related Issuer and
the holders thereof will be entitled to a preference in certain circumstances
with respect to Distributions and amounts payable on redemption or liquidation
over the Common Securities of such Issuer, as well as other benefits as
described in the corresponding Trust Agreement. This summary of certain
provisions of each Trust Agreement does not purport to be complete and is
subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions
of each Trust Agreement, including the definitions therein of certain terms, and
the Trust Indenture Act. Wherever particular defined terms of the Trust
Agreement are referred to, such defined terms are incorporated herein by
reference. The form of the Trust Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. Each of the
Issuers is a legally separate entity and the assets of one are not available to
satisfy the obligations of any of the others.
GENERAL
The Preferred Securities of an Issuer will rank pari passu, and payments
will be made thereon pro rata, with the Common Securities of that Issuer except
as described under "-- Subordination of Common Securities". Legal title to the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures will be held by the Property
Trustee in trust for the benefit of the holders of the related Preferred
Securities and Common Securities. Each Guarantee Agreement executed by the
Company for the benefit of the holders of an Issuer's
17
Preferred Securities will be a guarantee on a subordinated basis with respect to
the related Preferred Securities but will not guarantee payment of Distributions
or amounts payable on redemption or liquidation of such Preferred Securities
when the related Issuer does not have funds on hand available to make such
payments. See "Description of Guarantees".
DISTRIBUTIONS
Each Issuer's Preferred Securities represent preferred undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of such Issuer, and the Distributions on each Preferred
Security will be payable at a rate specified in the Prospectus Supplement for
such Preferred Securities. The amount of Distributions payable for any period
will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months unless
otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Distributions that
are in arrears may bear interest on the amount thereof at the rate per annum if
and as specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement ("Additional Amounts").
The term "Distributions" as used herein includes any Additional Amounts unless
otherwise stated.
Distributions on the Preferred Securities will be cumulative, will
accumulate from the date of original issuance and will be payable on such dates
as specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In the event that any date
on which Distributions are payable on the Preferred Securities is not a Business
Day (as defined below), payment of the Distribution payable on such date will be
made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest
or other payment in respect to any such delay) except that, if such Business Day
is in the next succeeding calendar year, payment of such Distribution shall be
made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force
and effect as if made on such date (each date on which Distributions are payable
in accordance with the foregoing, a "Distribution Date"). A "Business Day" shall
mean any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday, or a day on which banking
institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law or
executive order to remain closed or a day on which the corporate trust office of
the Property Trustee or the Corresponding Debenture Trustee is closed for
business.
If provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company has the
right under the Corresponding Indenture to defer the payment of interest on any
series of the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures at any time or from
time to time for one or more Extension Periods, subject to the terms, conditions
and covenants, if any, specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
provided that such Extension Period may not extend beyond the maturity of the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures. As a consequence of any such
deferral, Distributions on the corresponding Preferred Securities would be
deferred (but would continue to accumulate additional Distributions thereon at
the rate per annum set forth in the Prospectus Supplement for such Preferred
Securities) by the Issuer of such Preferred Securities during any such Extension
Period. In the event that the Company exercises this right, during such
Extension Period the Company may not (i) declare or pay any dividends or
distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment
with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock or (ii) make any payment of
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on or repay, repurchase or redeem any
debt securities that rank pari passu with or junior in interest to the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures or make any guarantee payments with
respect to the foregoing (other than (a) dividends or distributions in common
stock of the Company and (b) payments under any Guarantee). See "Description of
Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest Payment Period" and
"-- Certain Covenants of the Company".
It is anticipated that the revenue of each Issuer available for
distribution to holders of its Preferred Securities will be limited to payments
under the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures in which the Issuer will
invest the proceeds from the issuance and sale of its Preferred Securities and
its Common Securities. See "Description of Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures". If the Company does not make interest payments on such
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Property Trustee will not have
funds available to pay Distributions on the corresponding Preferred Securities.
The payment of Distributions (if and to the extent the Issuer has funds
available for the payment of such
18
Distributions and cash sufficient to make such payments) is guaranteed by the
Company on a limited basis as set forth herein under "Description of
Guarantees".
Distributions on the Preferred Securities of each Issuer will be payable to
the holders thereof as they appear on the register of such Issuer on the
relevant record dates, which, as long as the Preferred Securities remain in
book-entry only form, will be one Business Day prior to the relevant
Distribution Date. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations and the
provisions of the applicable Trust Agreement, each such payment will be made as
described under "-- Book-Entry Issuance". In the event any Preferred Securities
are not in book-entry only form, the relevant record date for such Preferred
Securities shall be the date 15 days prior to the relevant Distribution Date, or
as may be otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
REDEMPTION
Mandatory Redemption. Upon the repayment or redemption, in whole or in
part, of any Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, whether at maturity
or upon earlier redemption as provided in the Corresponding Indenture, the
proceeds from such repayment or redemption shall be applied by the Property
Trustee to redeem a Like Amount (as defined below) of the related Preferred
Securities and Common Securities, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days
notice prior to the date fixed for repayment or redemption (the "Redemption
Date"), at a redemption price equal to the aggregate liquidation preference
amount of such Preferred Securities plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions
thereon to the Redemption Date and the related amount of the premium, if any,
paid by the Company upon the concurrent redemption of such Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures (the "Redemption Price"). See "Description of
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Optional Redemption". If less
than all of any series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures are to be
repaid or redeemed on a Redemption Date, then the proceeds from such repayment
or redemption shall be allocated to the redemption pro rata of the Preferred
Securities and the Common Securities. The amount of premium, if any, paid by the
Company upon the redemption of all or any part of any series of any
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures to be repaid or redeemed on a
Redemption Date shall be allocated to the redemption pro rata of the Preferred
Securities and the Common Securities.
The Company will have the right to redeem any series of Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures (i) in whole at any time or in part from time to
time, as described under "Description of Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- Optional Redemption", (ii) at any time, in whole (but not in
part), upon the occurrence of a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event (each
as defined below, a "Special Event") or (iii) as may be otherwise specified in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Special Event Redemption or Distribution of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures. If a Special Event in respect of a series of Preferred
Securities and Common Securities shall occur and be continuing, the Company has
the right to redeem the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures in whole
(but not in part) and thereby cause a mandatory redemption of such Preferred
Securities and Common Securities in whole (but not in part) at the Redemption
Price within 90 days following the occurrence of such Special Event. Whether or
not a Special Event has occurred, the Company has the right, at any time, to
terminate the related Issuer and, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors
of such Issuer, if any, as provided by applicable law, cause such Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the related
Preferred Securities and Common Securities in liquidation of such Issuer. If the
Company does not elect any of the options described above, the applicable series
of Preferred Securities will remain outstanding and, in the event a Tax Event
has occurred and is continuing, Additional Interest (as described under
"Description of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Certain
Covenants of the Company") will be payable on the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures.
"Tax Event" means the receipt by an Issuer of an Opinion of Counsel
experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to,
or change (including any announced prospective
19
change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any
political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein affecting taxation,
or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is
effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date
of issuance of the series of Preferred Securities by such Issuer under the
related Trust Agreement, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) such
Issuer is, or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to United
States Federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the
corresponding series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii)
interest payable by the Company on such series of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date thereof, will not
be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States Federal
income tax purposes, or (iii) such Issuer is, or will be within 90 days of the
date thereof, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or
other governmental charges.
"Investment Company Event" means the occurrence of a change in law or
regulation or a change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by
any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority (a
"Change in 1940 Act Law") to the effect that an Issuer is or will be considered
an "investment company" that is required to be registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"), which Change in
1940 Act Law becomes effective on or after the date of original issuance of the
series of Preferred Securities issued by such Issuer.
"Like Amount" means (i) with respect to a redemption of any series of
Preferred Securities, Preferred Securities and Common Securities of such series
having a Liquidation Preference Amount (as defined below) equal to that portion
of the principal amount of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures to be
contemporaneously redeemed in accordance with the Corresponding Indenture and
the proceeds of which will be used to pay the Redemption Price of such Preferred
Securities and Common Securities, and (ii) with respect to a distribution of
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures to holders of any series of
Preferred Securities in connection with a termination and liquidation of the
related Issuer, Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures having a principal
amount equal to the Liquidation Preference Amount of the Preferred Securities of
the holder to whom such Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures are
distributed. "Liquidation Preference Amount" means the stated amount of $25 per
Preferred Security and Common Security.
After the liquidation date fixed for any distribution of Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures for any series of Preferred Securities (i) such
series of Preferred Securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, (ii)
The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its nominee, as the record holder of
such series of Preferred Securities, will receive a registered global
certificate or certificates representing the Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution, (iii) the Company will use
its reasonable efforts to list the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures
on the NYSE or such other exchanges or other organizations, if any, on which the
Preferred Securities are then listed or traded and (iv) any certificates
representing such series of Preferred Securities not held by DTC or its nominee
will be deemed to represent the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures
having a principal amount equal to the stated liquidation preference of such
series of Preferred Securities, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an
amount equal to the accrued and unpaid Distributions on such series of Preferred
Securities until such certificates are presented to the Administrative Trustees
or their agent for transfer or reissuance.
There can be no assurance as to the market prices for the Preferred
Securities or the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures that may be
distributed in exchange for Preferred Securities if a termination and
liquidation of an Issuer were to occur. Accordingly, the Preferred Securities
that an investor may purchase, or the Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures that the investor may receive on termination and liquidation of an
Issuer, may trade at a discount to the price that the investor paid to purchase
the Preferred Securities offered hereby.
20
REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
Preferred Securities redeemed on each Redemption Date shall be redeemed at
the Redemption Price with the applicable proceeds from the contemporaneous
redemption of the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures. Redemptions of
the Preferred Securities shall be made and the Redemption Price shall be payable
on each Redemption Date only to the extent that the related Issuer has funds on
hand available for the payment of such Redemption Price. See also
"-- Subordination of Common Securities".
If an Issuer gives a notice of redemption in respect of its Preferred
Securities, then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Redemption Date, to
the extent funds are available, the Property Trustee will deposit irrevocably
with DTC funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price and will give
DTC irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the
holders of such Preferred Securities. See "-- Book-Entry Issuance". If such
Preferred Securities are no longer in book-entry form, the Issuer, to the extent
funds are available, will irrevocably deposit with the paying agent for such
Preferred Securities funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price and
will give such paying agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the
Redemption Price to the holders thereof upon surrender of their certificates
evidencing such Preferred Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Distributions payable on or prior to the Redemption Date for any Preferred
Securities called for redemption shall be payable to the holders of such
Preferred Securities as of the relevant record dates for the related
Distribution Dates. If notice of redemption shall have been given and funds
deposited as required, then upon the date of such deposit, all rights of the
holders of such Preferred Securities so called for redemption will cease, except
the right of the holders of such Preferred Securities to receive the Redemption
Price, but without interest on such Redemption Price, and such Preferred
Securities will cease to be outstanding. In the event that any date fixed for
redemption of Preferred Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the
Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day
which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of
any such delay), except that, if such Business Day falls in the next calendar
year, such payment will be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In
the event that payment of the Redemption Price in respect of Preferred
Securities called for redemption is improperly withheld or refused and not paid
either by the Issuer or by the Company pursuant to the related Guarantee as
described under "Description of Guarantees", Distributions on such Preferred
Securities will continue to accrue at the then applicable rate, from the
Redemption Date originally established by the Issuer for such Preferred
Securities to the date such Redemption Price is actually paid, in which case the
actual payment date will be the date fixed for redemption for purposes of
calculating the Redemption Price.
Subject to applicable law (including, without limitation, United States
Federal securities law), the Company or its subsidiaries may at any time and
from time to time purchase outstanding Preferred Securities by tender, in the
open market or by private agreement.
Payment of the Redemption Price on the Preferred Securities and any
distribution of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures to holders of
Preferred Securities shall be made to the applicable recordholders thereof as
they appear on the register for such Preferred Securities as of the relevant
record date, which shall be one Business Day prior to the relevant Redemption
Date or liquidation date, as applicable; provided, however, that in the event
that any Preferred Securities are not in book-entry only form, the relevant
record date for such Preferred Securities shall be the date 15 days prior to the
Redemption Date or liquidation date, as applicable, or as may be specified in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
If less than all of the Preferred Securities and Common Securities issued
by an Issuer are to be redeemed on a Redemption Date, then the aggregate
Liquidation Preference Amount of such Preferred Securities and Common Securities
to be redeemed shall be allocated pro rata among the Preferred Securities and
the Common Securities. The particular Preferred Securities to be redeemed shall
be selected on a pro rata basis not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption
Date by the Property Trustee from the outstanding Preferred Securities not
previously called for redemption, by such method as the
21
Property Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the
selection for redemption of portions (equal to $25 or an integral multiple of
$25 in excess thereof) of the Liquidation Preference Amount of Preferred
Securities of a denomination larger than $25. The Property Trustee shall
promptly notify the transfer agent and registrar in writing of the Preferred
Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Preferred Securities
selected for partial redemption, the Liquidation Preference Amount thereof to be
redeemed. For all purposes of each Trust Agreement, unless the context otherwise
requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Preferred Securities
shall relate, in the case of any Preferred Securities redeemed or to be redeemed
only in part, to the portion of the aggregate Liquidation Preference Amount of
Preferred Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the Redemption Date to each holder of Preferred Securities to be
redeemed at its registered address.
SUBORDINATION OF COMMON SECURITIES
Payment of Distributions (including Additional Amounts, if applicable) on,
and the Redemption Price of, each Issuer's Preferred Securities and Common
Securities, as applicable, shall be made pro rata based on the Liquidation
Preference Amount of such Preferred Securities and Common Securities; provided,
however, that if on any Distribution Date or Redemption Date, any Event of
Default (as defined below) resulting from a Debenture Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, no payment of any Distribution (including
Additional Amounts, if applicable) on, or Redemption Price of, any of the
Issuer's Common Securities, and no other payment on account of the redemption,
liquidation or other acquisition of such Common Securities, shall be made unless
payment in full in cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions (including
Additional Amounts, if applicable) on all of the Issuer's outstanding Preferred
Securities for all Distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto, or in
the case of payment of the Redemption Price the full amount of such Redemption
Price on all of the Issuer's outstanding Preferred Securities, shall have been
made or provided for, and all funds available to the Property Trustee shall
first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all Distributions (including
Additional Amounts, if applicable) on, or Redemption Price of, the Issuer's
Preferred Securities then due and payable.
In the case of any Event of Default resulting from a Debenture Event of
Default, the Company, as holder of such Issuer's Common Securities, will be
deemed to have waived any right to act with respect to any such Event of Default
under the related Trust Agreement until the effect of all such Events of Default
with respect to such Preferred Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise
eliminated. Until any such Events of Default under such Trust Agreement with
respect to such Preferred Securities have been so cured, waived or otherwise
eliminated, the Property Trustee shall act solely on behalf of the holders of
such Preferred Securities and not on behalf of the Company as holder of the
related Issuer's Common Securities, and only the holders of such Preferred
Securities will have the right to direct the Property Trustee to act on their
behalf.
LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION UPON TERMINATION
Pursuant to each Trust Agreement, each Issuer shall automatically terminate
upon expiration of its term and shall be terminated on the first to occur of:
(i) the occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation
of the Company; (ii) the distribution of the Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures to the holders of its Preferred Securities and Common Securities if
the Company, as Depositor, has given written direction to the Property Trustee
to terminate such Issuer (which direction is optional and wholly within the
discretion of the Company as Depositor of such Issuer) (see "-- Special Event
Redemption or Distribution of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures);
(iii) the redemption of all of such Issuer's Preferred Securities as described
under "-- Redemption"; and (iv) an order for the termination of such Issuer
shall have been entered by a court of competent jurisdiction.
If an early termination occurs as described in clause (i), (ii) or (iv)
above, such Issuer shall be liquidated by the Issuer Trustees as expeditiously
as the Issuer Trustees determine to be possible by distributing, after
satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of such Issuer, if any, as provided by
applicable law,
22
to the holders of such Preferred Securities and Common Securities a Like Amount
of the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, unless such distribution is
determined by the Property Trustee not to be practical, in which event such
holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of such Issuer available
for distribution to holders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of
such Issuer, if any, as provided by applicable law, an amount equal to, in the
case of holders of Preferred Securities, the aggregate of the Liquidation
Preference Amount plus accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of
payment (such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"). If such Liquidation
Distribution can be paid only in part because such Issuer has insufficient
assets available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the
amounts payable directly by such Issuer on its Preferred Securities shall be
paid on a pro rata basis. The holder(s) of such Issuer's Common Securities will
be entitled to receive distributions upon any such liquidation pro rata with the
holders of its Preferred Securities, except that if a Debenture Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing, the Preferred Securities shall have a priority
over the Common Securities.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; NOTICE
Any one of the following events constitutes an "Event of Default" under
each Trust Agreement (an "Event of Default") with respect to the Preferred
Securities issued thereunder (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and
whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law
or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or
regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(i) the occurrence of a Debenture Event of Default under the
Corresponding Indenture (see "Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures--Debenture Events of Default"); or
(ii) default by the Issuer in the payment of any Distribution when it
becomes due and payable, and continuation of such default for a period of
30 days; or
(iii) default by the Issuer in the payment of any Redemption Price of
any Preferred Security or Common Security when it becomes due and payable;
or
(iv) default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect,
of any covenant or warranty of the Issuer Trustees in such Trust Agreement
(other than a covenant or warranty a default in the performance of which or
the breach of which is dealt with in clause (ii) or (iii) above), and
continuation of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there
has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the defaulting Issuer
Trustee or Trustees by the holders of at least 10% in aggregate Liquidation
Preference Amount of the outstanding Preferred Securities of the applicable
Issuer, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it
to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" under
such Trust Agreement; or
(v) the occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy with respect to the
Issuer.
Within five Business Days after the occurrence of any Event of Default
known to the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall transmit notice of
such Event of Default to the holders of such Issuer's Preferred Securities, the
Administrative Trustees and the Company, as depositor, unless such Event of
Default shall have been cured or waived. The Company, as depositor, and the
Administrative Trustees are required to file annually with the Property Trustee
a certificate as to whether or not they are in compliance with all the
conditions and covenants applicable to them under the Trust Agreement.
If a Debenture Event of Default with respect to any Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures has occurred and is continuing, the related Preferred
Securities shall have a preference over the related Common Securities upon
termination of the applicable Issuer as described above. See "-- Liquidation
Distribution upon Termination".
23
REMOVAL OF ISSUER TRUSTEES
Unless a Debenture Event of Default with respect to any Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures shall have occurred and be continuing, any Issuer
Trustee may be removed at any time by the holder of the related Common
Securities. If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee may be removed at such time by the
holders of a majority in Liquidation Preference Amount of the outstanding
related Preferred Securities. In no event will the holders of the Preferred
Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the
Administrative Trustees, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the
Company as the holder of the Common Securities. No resignation or removal of an
Issuer Trustee and no appointment of a successor trustee shall be effective
until the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee in accordance with
the provisions of the applicable Trust Agreement.
CO-TRUSTEES AND SEPARATE PROPERTY TRUSTEE
Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at any
time or times, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of the Trust
Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part of the applicable Trust
Property may at the time be located, the Company, as the holder of the Common
Securities, and the Property Trustee shall have the power to appoint one or more
persons either to act as a co-trustee, jointly with the Property Trustee, of all
or any part of such Trust Property, or to act as separate trustee of any such
property, in either case with such powers as may be provided in the instrument
of appointment, and to vest in such person or persons in such capacity any
property, title, right or power deemed necessary or desirable, subject to the
provisions of the Trust Agreement. In case a Debenture Event of Default with
respect to any Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures has occurred and is
continuing, the Property Trustee alone shall have power to make such
appointment.
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OF ISSUER TRUSTEES
Any entity into which the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or any
Administrative Trustee that is not a natural person may be merged or converted
or with which it may be consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which such Trustee shall be a party, or any
entity succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of
such Trustee, shall be the successor of such Trustee under any Trust Agreement,
provided such entity shall be otherwise qualified and eligible.
MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, AMALGAMATIONS OR REPLACEMENTS OF THE ISSUERS
An Issuer may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be
replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other person, except as
described below. An Issuer may, at the request of the Company, with the consent
of the Administrative Trustees and without the consent of the holders of the
related Preferred Securities, merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, be
replaced by or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially
as an entirety to a trust organized as such under the laws of any State;
provided, that (i) such successor entity either (a) expressly assumes all of the
obligations of such Issuer with respect to such Preferred Securities or (b)
substitutes for such Preferred Securities other securities (the "Successor
Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank the same as such Preferred
Securities rank in priority with respect to distributions and payments upon
liquidation, redemption and otherwise, (ii) the Company expressly appoints a
trustee of such successor entity possessing substantially the same powers and
duties as the Property Trustee as the holder of the related Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures, (iii) the Successor Securities are listed or traded, or
any Successor Securities will be listed or traded upon notification of issuance,
on any national securities exchange or other organization on which such
Preferred Securities are then listed, if any, (iv) such merger, consolidation,
amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not cause such
Preferred Securities (including any Successor Securities) to be downgraded by
any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, (v) such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease
24
does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders
of such Preferred Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any
material respect, (vi) such successor entity has a purpose substantially
identical to that of such Issuer, (vii) prior to such merger, consolidation,
amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, the Company has
received an Opinion of Counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that
(a) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer
or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the
holders of such Preferred Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any
material respect, and (b) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, neither such Issuer nor such
successor entity will be required to register as an "investment company" under
the Investment Company Act and (viii) the Company or any permitted successor or
assignee owns all of the related Common Securities of such successor entity and
guarantees the obligations of such successor entity under the Successor
Securities at least to the extent provided by the related Guarantee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Issuer shall not, except with the consent of
holders of 100% in aggregate Liquidation Preference Amount of such Preferred
Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety
to any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge
with or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or
replacement would cause such Issuer or the successor entity to be classified as
other than a "grantor trust" for United States Federal income tax purposes.
VOTING RIGHTS; AMENDMENT OF TRUST AGREEMENT
Except as provided below and under "Description of Guarantees -- Amendments
and Assignment" and as otherwise required by law and each Trust Agreement, the
holders of the Preferred Securities will have no voting rights.
Each Trust Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Company and
the Administrative Trustees, without the consent of the holders of the Preferred
Securities (i) to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provisions in
such Trust Agreement which may be inconsistent with any other provision, or to
make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under
such Trust Agreement, that shall not be inconsistent with the other provisions
of such Trust Agreement, (ii) to modify, eliminate or add to any provisions of
such Trust Agreement to such extent as shall be necessary to ensure that such
Issuer will be classified for United States Federal income tax purposes as a
"grantor trust" at all times that any of its Preferred Securities and Common
Securities are outstanding or to ensure that such Issuer will not be required to
register as an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act, or (iii)
to effect the acceptance of appointment by a successor Issuer Trustee; provided,
however, that in the case of clause (ii), such action shall not adversely affect
in any material respect the interests of any holder of such Preferred Securities
or Common Securities, and, in the case of clause (i), any amendments of such
Trust Agreement shall become effective when notice thereof is given to the
holders of Preferred Securities and Common Securities. Each Trust Agreement may
be amended by the Administrative Trustees and the Company with (i) the consent
of holders representing a majority (based upon Liquidation Preference Amounts)
of the related outstanding Preferred Securities and Common Securities and (ii)
receipt by the Issuer Trustees of an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such
amendment or the exercise of any power granted to the Issuer Trustees in
accordance with such amendment will not affect such Issuer's status as a
"grantor trust" for United States Federal income tax purposes or such Issuer's
exemption from status of an "investment company" under the Investment Company
Act, provided that without the consent of each holder of such Preferred
Securities and Common Securities, such Trust Agreement may not be amended to (i)
change the amount or timing of any Distribution on such Preferred Securities and
Common Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any Distribution
required to be made in respect of such Preferred Securities and Common
Securities as of a specified date or (ii) restrict the right of holders of such
Preferred Securities and Common Securities to institute suit for the enforcement
of any such payment on or after such date as described below.
25
So long as any Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures are held by the
Property Trustee, the Issuer Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Corresponding
Debenture Trustee, or executing any trust or power conferred on the Property
Trustee with respect to such Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii)
waive any past default that is waiveable under Section 813 of the Corresponding
Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the
principal of all the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be due
and payable or (iv) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the
Corresponding Indenture or such Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures,
where such consent shall be required, without, in each case, obtaining the prior
approval of the holders of a majority in aggregate Liquidation Preference Amount
of all related outstanding Preferred Securities; provided, however, that where a
consent under the Corresponding Indenture would require the consent of each
holder of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, no such
consent shall be given by the Property Trustee without the prior consent of each
holder of the corresponding Preferred Securities. The Issuer Trustees shall not
revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Preferred
Securities except by subsequent vote of the holders of the Preferred Securities.
The Property Trustee shall notify all holders of any series of Preferred
Securities of any notice of default with respect to the related Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals
of the holders of such Preferred Securities, prior to taking any of the
foregoing actions, the Issuer Trustees shall obtain an Opinion of Counsel
experienced in such matters to the effect that the related Issuer will be
classified as a "grantor trust" and not as an association taxable as a
corporation for United States Federal income tax purposes on account of such
action.
If the Property Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures or the related Trust Agreement, a holder of
Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the
Company to enforce the Property Trustee's rights with respect to the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures or such Trust Agreement, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, without first instituting any legal proceeding
against the Property Trustee or any other person. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
a holder of Preferred Securities may directly institute a proceeding for
enforcement of payment to such holder of principal of or interest on the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to
the aggregate Liquidation Preference Amount of the Preferred Securities of such
holder on or after the due dates specified in the Junior Subordinated
Debentures. See "Description of Guarantees".
Any required approval of holders of Preferred Securities may be given at a
meeting of holders of Preferred Securities convened for such purpose or pursuant
to written consent. The Property Trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at
which holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter
upon which action by written consent of such holders is to be taken, to be given
to each holder of record of Preferred Securities in the manner set forth in each
Trust Agreement.
No vote or consent of the holders of Preferred Securities will be required
for an Issuer to redeem and cancel its Preferred Securities in accordance with
the applicable Trust Agreement.
Notwithstanding that holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to vote
or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Preferred
Securities that are owned by the Company, the Issuer Trustee or any affiliate of
the Company or any Issuer Trustees, shall, for purposes of such vote or consent,
be treated as if they were not outstanding.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENCY
Payments in respect of the Preferred Securities shall be made to DTC, which
shall credit the relevant accounts at DTC on the applicable Distribution Dates
or, if any Issuer's Preferred Securities are not held by DTC, such payments
shall be made by check mailed to the address of the holder entitled thereto as
such address shall appear on the Securities Register. Unless otherwise specified
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the paying agent (the "Paying Agent")
shall initially be the Property Trustee and any co-paying agent chosen by the
Property Trustee and acceptable to the Administrative Trustees
26
and the Company. The Paying Agent shall be permitted to resign as Paying Agent
upon 30 days' written notice to the Administrative Trustees and the Company. In
the event that the Property Trustee shall no longer be the Paying Agent, the
Administrative Trustees shall appoint a successor to act as Paying Agent (which
shall be a bank or trust company acceptable to the Property Trustee and the
Company).
BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE
DTC will act as securities depositary for all of the Preferred Securities.
The Preferred Securities will be issued only as fully-registered securities
registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC's nominee). One or more
fully-registered global certificates will be issued for the Preferred Securities
of each Issuer, representing the aggregate total number of such Issuer's
Preferred Securities, and will be deposited with DTC.
DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking
Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a
member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC
holds securities that its participants ("Participants") deposit with DTC. DTC
also facilitates the settlement among Participants of securities transactions,
such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic
computerized book-entry changes in Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating
the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants
include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations ("Direct Participants"). DTC is
owned by a number of its Direct Participants and by the NYSE, the American Stock
Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access
to the DTC system is also available to others such as securities brokers and
dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain custodial
relationships with Direct Participants, either directly or indirectly ("Indirect
Participants"). The rules applicable to DTC and its Participants are on file
with the Commission.
Purchases of Preferred Securities within the DTC system must be made by or
through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Preferred
Securities on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of
each Preferred Security ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the
Direct and Indirect Participants' records. Beneficial Owners will not receive
written confirmation from DTC of their purchases, but Beneficial Owners are
expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transactions,
as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect
Participants through which the Beneficial Owners purchased Preferred Securities.
Transfers of ownership interests in the Preferred Securities are to be
accomplished by entries made on the books of Participants acting on behalf of
Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing
their ownership interests in Preferred Securities, except in the event that use
of the book-entry system for the Preferred Securities of such Issuer is
discontinued.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all of the Preferred Securities
deposited by the Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC's
nominee, Cede & Co. The deposit of Preferred Securities with DTC and their
registration in the name of Cede & Co. effect no change in beneficial ownership.
DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Preferred
Securities; DTC's records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants
to whose accounts such Preferred Securities are credited, which may or may not
be the Beneficial Owners. The Participants will remain responsible for keeping
account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct
Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct
Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by
arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as
may be in effect from time to time.
Redemption notices shall be sent to Cede & Co. as the registered holder of
the Preferred Securities. If less than all of an Issuer's Preferred Securities
are being redeemed, DTC's current practice is to determine by lot the amount of
the interest of each Direct Participant to be redeemed.
27
Although voting with respect to the Preferred Securities is limited to the
holders of record of the Preferred Securities, in those instances in which a
vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or vote with
respect to Preferred Securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an
omnibus proxy (the "Omnibus Proxy") to the relevant Issuer as soon as possible
after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or
voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts such Preferred
Securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to
the Omnibus Proxy).
Distribution payments on the Preferred Securities will be made to DTC.
DTC's practice is to credit Direct Participants' accounts on the relevant
payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC's records
unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payments on such
payment date. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by
standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of
such Participant and not of DTC, the Property Trustee, the Issuer thereof or the
Company, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect
from time to time. Payment of Distributions to DTC is the responsibility of the
relevant Issuer, disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants is the
responsibility of DTC, and disbursements of such payments to the Beneficial
Owners is the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with
respect to any of the Preferred Securities at any time by giving reasonable
notice to the relevant Issuer and the Company. In the event that a successor
securities depositary is not obtained, definitive Preferred Security
certificates representing such Preferred Securities are required to be printed
and delivered. The Company, at its option, may decide to discontinue use of the
system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor depositary). After a
Debenture Event of Default, the holders of a majority in Liquidation Preference
Amount of Preferred Securities may determine to discontinue the system of
book-entry transfers through DTC. In any such event, definitive certificates for
such Issuer's Preferred Securities will be printed and delivered.
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that the Issuers and the Company believe to be
accurate, but the Issuers and the Company assume no responsibility for the
accuracy thereof. Neither the Issuers nor the Company has any responsibility for
the performance by DTC or its Participants of their respective obligations as
described herein or under the rules and procedures governing their respective
operations.
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Property Trustee will act as registrar and transfer agent for the Preferred
Securities.
Registration of transfers of Preferred Securities will be effected without
charge by or on behalf of each Issuer, but upon payment of any tax or other
governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or
exchange. The Issuers will not be required to register or cause to be registered
the transfer of their Preferred Securities after such Preferred Securities have
been called for redemption.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE
The Property Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of
an Event of Default, undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically
set forth in each Trust Agreement and, after such Event of Default, must
exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or
use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the
Property Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in
it by the applicable Trust Agreement at the request of any holder of Preferred
Securities unless it is offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses
and liabilities that might be incurred thereby. If no Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing and the Property Trustee is required to decide
between alternative causes of action, construe ambiguous provisions in a Trust
Agreement or is unsure of the application of any provision of the
28
applicable Trust Agreement, and the matter is not one on which holders of
Preferred Securities are entitled under such Trust Agreement to vote, then the
Property Trustee shall take such action as is directed by the Company and if not
so directed, shall take such action as it deems advisable and in the best
interests of the holders of the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities
and will have no liability except for its own bad faith, negligence or willful
misconduct.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Administrative Trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the
affairs of and to operate the Issuers in such a way that no Issuer will be
deemed to be an "investment company" required to be registered under the
Investment Company Act or classified other than as a "grantor trust" for United
States Federal income tax purposes and so that the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Company for
United States Federal income tax purposes. In this connection, the Company and
the Administrative Trustees are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent
with applicable law, the certificate of trust of each Issuer or each Trust
Agreement, that the Company and the Administrative Trustees determine in their
discretion to be necessary or desirable for such purposes, as long as such
action does not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the
related Preferred Securities.
Holders of the Preferred Securities have no preemptive or similar rights.
No Issuer may borrow money or issue debt or mortgage or pledge any of its
assets.
DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES
Each Guarantee will be executed and delivered by the Company concurrently
with the issuance by each Issuer of its Preferred Securities for the benefit of
the holders from time to time of such Preferred Securities. The Bank of New York
will act as indenture trustee (the "Guarantee Trustee") under each Guarantee for
the purposes of compliance with the Trust Indenture Act and each Guarantee will
be qualified as an Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. This summary of
certain provisions of the Guarantees does not purport to be complete and is
subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions
of each Guarantee Agreement, including the definitions therein of certain terms,
and the Trust Indenture Act. The form of each Guarantee has been filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
Reference in this summary to Preferred Securities means that Issuer's Preferred
Securities to which a Guarantee relates. The Guarantee Trustee will hold each
Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the related Issuer's Preferred
Securities.
GENERAL
The Company will irrevocably agree to pay in full on a subordinated basis,
to the extent set forth herein, the Guarantee Payments (as defined below) to the
holders of the Preferred Securities, as and when due, regardless of any defense,
right of set-off or counterclaim that the related Issuer of such Preferred
Securities may have or assert other than the defense of payment. The following
payments with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent not paid by or
on behalf of the related Issuer (the "Guarantee Payments"), will be subject to
the Guarantee: (i) any accumulated and unpaid Distributions required to be paid
on such Preferred Securities, to the extent that such Issuer has funds on hand
available therefor, (ii) the Redemption Price with respect to any Preferred
Securities called for redemption to the extent that such Issuer has funds on
hand available therefor, or (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution,
winding up or liquidation of such Issuer (unless the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures are distributed to holders of such Preferred
Securities), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the Liquidation Preference
Amount and all accumulated and unpaid Distributions on the Preferred Securities
to the date of payment and (b) the amount of assets of such Issuer remaining
available for distribution to holders of Preferred Securities. The Company's
obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the
required amounts by the Company to the
29
holders of the applicable Preferred Securities or by causing the related Issuer
to pay such amounts to such holders.
Each Guarantee will be an irrevocable guarantee on a subordinated basis of
the related Issuer's obligations under the Preferred Securities, but will apply
only to the extent that such related Issuer has funds sufficient to make such
payments, and is not a guarantee of collection.
If the Company does not make interest payments on the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures held by an Issuer, it is expected that such Issuer will
not pay Distributions on the related Preferred Securities and will not have
funds available therefor. Each Guarantee will rank subordinate and junior in
right of payment to all Senior Debt. See "-- Status of the Guarantees". Except
as otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, none of the
Guarantees will limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured
debt of the Company, whether under the Corresponding Indenture, any other
indenture that the Company may enter into in the future or otherwise.
The Company has, through the Guarantees, the Trust Agreements, the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Corresponding Indenture and
the Expense Agreements, taken together, fully, irrevocably and unconditionally
guaranteed all of the Issuers' obligations under the Preferred Securities. No
single document standing alone or operating in conjunction with fewer than all
of the other documents constitutes such guarantee. It is only the combined
operation of these documents that has the effect of providing a full,
irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the Issuers' obligations under the
Preferred Securities. See "Relationship Among the Preferred Securities, the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantees".
STATUS OF THE GUARANTEES
Each Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Company and
will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Debt.
Each Guarantee will rank pari passu with all other Guarantees issued by the
Company. Each Guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of
collection (i.e., the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding directly
against the Company to enforce its rights under the Guarantee without first
instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity). Each
Guarantee will be held for the benefit of the holders of the related Preferred
Securities. Each Guarantee will not be discharged except by payment of the
related Guarantee Payments in full to the extent not paid by the related Issuer
or upon distribution to the holders of the related Preferred Securities of the
related Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures. None of the Guarantees
places a limitation on the amount of additional Senior Debt that may be incurred
by the Company. The Company expects from time to time to incur additional
indebtedness constituting Senior Debt.
AMENDMENTS AND ASSIGNMENT
Except with respect to any changes that do not materially adversely affect
the rights of holders of the related Preferred Securities (in which case no vote
will be required), no Guarantee may be amended without the prior approval of the
holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate Liquidation Preference
Amount of such outstanding Preferred Securities. The manner of obtaining any
such approval is set forth under "Description of Preferred Securities -- Voting
Rights; Amendment of Trust Agreement". All guarantees and agreements contained
in each Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Company and shall inure to the benefit of the holders of
the related Preferred Securities then outstanding.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
An event of default under each Guarantee will occur upon the failure of the
Company to perform any of its payment or other obligations thereunder. The
holders of not less than a majority in aggregate Liquidation Preference Amount
of the related Preferred Securities have the right to direct the time,
30
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Guarantee Trustee in respect of such Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any
trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under such Guarantee.
Any holder of the related Preferred Securities may institute a legal
proceeding directly against the Company to enforce its rights under such
Guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the related
Issuer, the Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity.
The Company, as guarantor, is required to file annually with the Guarantee
Trustee a certificate as to whether or not the Company is in compliance with all
the conditions and covenants applicable to it under the Guarantees.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
The Guarantee Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of
a default by the Company in performance of any Guarantee, undertakes to perform
only such duties as are specifically set forth in each Guarantee and, after
default with respect to any Guarantee, must exercise the same degree of care and
skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own
affairs. Notwithstanding this provision, the Guarantee Trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by any Guarantee at the
request of any holder of any Preferred Securities unless it is offered
reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be
incurred thereby.
TERMINATION OF THE GUARANTEES
Each Guarantee will terminate and be of no further force and effect upon
full payment of the Redemption Price of the related Preferred Securities, upon
full payment of the amounts payable upon liquidation of the related Issuer or
upon distribution of related Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures to the
holders of the related Preferred Securities. Each Guarantee will continue to be
effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder
of the related Preferred Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under
such Preferred Securities or such Guarantee.
GOVERNING LAW
Each Guarantee will be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York.
THE EXPENSE AGREEMENTS
Pursuant to the Expense Agreements entered into by the Company under the
Trust Agreements (the "Expense Agreements"), the Company will irrevocably and
unconditionally guarantee to each person or entity to whom each Issuer becomes
indebted or liable, the full payment of any costs, expenses or liabilities of
such Issuer, other than obligations of such Issuer to pay to the holders of the
related Preferred Securities or other similar interests in such Issuer the
amounts due such holders pursuant to the terms of such Preferred Securities or
such other similar interests, as the case may be.
DESCRIPTION OF CORRESPONDING JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
The Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures are to be issued in one or
more series of Junior Subordinated Debentures under the Corresponding Indenture
with terms corresponding to the terms of the related Preferred Securities. For a
summary of certain terms and provisions of Junior Subordinated Debentures that,
except where noted, pertains in all respects to the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures, see "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures".
This summary of certain additional terms and provisions of the Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Corresponding Indenture pertains only to
the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures and does not purport to be
complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Corresponding Indenture, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a
31
part, and to the Trust Indenture Act. Whenever particular defined terms of the
Corresponding Indenture (as supplemented or amended from time to time) are
referred to herein or in a Prospectus Supplement, such defined terms are
incorporated herein or therein by reference.
GENERAL
Concurrently with the issuance of each Issuer's Preferred Securities, the
Issuer will invest the proceeds thereof and the consideration paid by the
Company for the Common Securities in a series of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures issued by the Company to the Issuer. Each series of
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures will be in the principal amount
equal to the aggregate stated Liquidation Preference Amount of the related
Preferred Securities plus the Company's concurrent investment in the Common
Securities and will rank pari passu with all other series of Junior Subordinated
Debentures. The Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures will be unsecured
and subordinate and junior in right of payment to the extent and in the manner
set forth in the Corresponding Indenture to all Senior Debt of the Company. See
"Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Subordination" and the
Prospectus Supplement relating to any offering of related Preferred Securities.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
The Company may, at its option, redeem the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures of any series, in whole at any time or in part from time
to time as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Except as
otherwise set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the redemption
price for any Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures so redeemed shall be
equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed
for redemption. See "Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- Redemption".
If a Special Event in respect of an Issuer or a Debenture Tax Event shall
occur and be continuing, the Company may, at its option, redeem the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures at any time within 90 days of the
occurrence of such Special Event or Debenture Tax Event, in whole but not in
part, subject to the provisions of the Corresponding Indenture. The redemption
price for any Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be equal to
100% of the principal amount of such Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed
for redemption.
For so long as the applicable Issuer is the holder of all the outstanding
series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, the proceeds of any such
redemption will be used by the Issuer to redeem the related Preferred Securities
in accordance with their terms. The Company may not redeem less than all of
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures unless all accrued and unpaid
interest if any, has been paid in full on all outstanding Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures for all interest periods terminating on or prior to the
Redemption Date.
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
The Company will covenant in the Corresponding Indenture as to each series
of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, that so long as any Preferred
Securities remain outstanding, if the Issuer which issued such Preferred
Securities shall be required to pay, with respect to its income derived from the
interest payments on the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures of any
series, any amounts for or on account of any taxes, duties, assessments or
governmental charges of whatever nature imposed by the United States, or any
other taxing authority, then, in any such case, the Company will pay as interest
on such series such Additional Interest as may be necessary in order that the
net amounts received and retained by such Issuer after the payment of such
taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges shall result in such Issuer's
having such funds as it would have had in the absence of the payment of such
taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges.
32
The Company will also covenant, as to each series of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures, (i) to maintain directly or indirectly 100% ownership
of the Common Securities of the Issuer to which Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures have been issued, provided that certain successors which
are permitted pursuant to the Corresponding Indenture may succeed to the
Company's ownership of the Common Securities, (ii) not to voluntarily terminate,
wind-up or liquidate any Issuer, except (a) in connection with a distribution of
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures to the holders of the Preferred
Securities in liquidation of such Issuer, or (b) in connection with certain
mergers, consolidations or amalgamations permitted by the related Trust
Agreement, (iii) to remain the sole depositor under the related Trust Agreement
of such Issuer and timely perform in all material respects all of its duties as
depositor of such Issuer, and (iv) to use its reasonable efforts, consistent
with the terms and provisions of the related Trust Agreement, to cause such
Issuer to remain a business trust and otherwise continue to be treated as a
"grantor trust" for United States Federal income tax purposes.
RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE PREFERRED SECURITIES,
THE CORRESPONDING JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE GUARANTEES
As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on
each series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, such payments will
be sufficient to cover Distributions and other payments due on the corresponding
Preferred Securities, primarily because (i) the aggregate principal amount of
each series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures will be equal to the
sum of the aggregate Liquidation Preference Amount of the corresponding
Preferred Securities and corresponding Common Securities; (ii) the interest rate
and interest and other payment dates on each series of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures will match the Distribution rate and Distribution and
other payment dates for the corresponding Preferred Securities; (iii) the
Company shall pay for all and any costs, expenses and liabilities of the related
Issuer except such Issuer's obligations to holders of its Preferred Securities
under such Preferred Securities; and (iv) each Trust Agreement further provides
that such Issuer will not engage in any activity that is not consistent with the
limited purposes of such Issuer.
Payments of Distributions and other amounts due on the Preferred Securities
(to the extent the Issuer has funds available for the payment of such
Distributions) are irrevocably guaranteed by the Company as and to the extent
set forth under "Description of Guarantees". Taken together, the Company's
obligations under each series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures,
the Corresponding Indenture, the related Trust Agreement, the related Expense
Agreement, and the related Guarantee provide a full, irrevocable and
unconditional guarantee of payments of distributions and other amounts due on
the related series of Preferred Securities. No single document standing alone or
operating in conjunction with fewer than all of the other documents constitutes
such guarantee. It is only the combined operation of these documents that has
the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the
Issuer's obligations under the Preferred Securities. If and to the extent that
the Company does not make payments on any series of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures, such Issuer will not pay Distributions or other amounts
due on its related Preferred Securities. The Guarantees do not cover payment of
Distributions when the related Issuer does not have sufficient funds to pay such
Distributions. In such event, the remedies of holders of a series of Preferred
Securities are as described above under "Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- Debenture Events of Default" and "Description of Preferred
Securities -- Voting Rights; Amendment of Trust Agreement". The obligations of
the Company under each Guarantee are subordinate and junior in right of payment
to all Senior Debt of the Company.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Corresponding Indenture,
the Company has the right to set-off any payment it is otherwise required to
make thereunder with and to the extent the Company has theretofore made, or is
concurrently on the date of such payment making, a payment under the related
Guarantee.
33
A holder of any related Preferred Security may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Company to enforce its rights under the related Guarantee
without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee, the
related Issuer or any other person or entity.
Each Issuer's Preferred Securities evidence the rights of the holders
thereof to the benefits of such Issuer, and each Issuer exists for the sole
purpose of issuing its Preferred Securities and Common Securities and investing
the proceeds thereof in Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures. A
principal difference between the rights of a holder of a Preferred Security and
the rights of a holder of a Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debenture is that
a holder of a Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debenture is entitled to receive
the principal amount of and interest accrued on Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures held, while a holder of Preferred Securities is entitled
to receive Distributions only from the related issuer (or from the Company under
the applicable Guarantee) if and to the extent the related Issuer has funds
available for the payment of such Distributions.
Upon any voluntary or involuntary termination, winding-up or liquidation of
any Issuer not involving the distribution of the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures, after satisfaction of creditors of such Issuer, if any,
as provided by applicable law, the holders of Preferred Securities will be
entitled to receive, out of assets held by such Issuer, the Liquidation
Distribution in cash. See "Description of Preferred Securities -- Liquidation
Distribution upon Termination". Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or
bankruptcy of the Company, the Property Trustee, as holder of the Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures, would be a subordinated creditor of the Company,
subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Debt, but entitled to receive
payment in full of principal and interest, before any stockholders of the
Company receive payments or distributions. Since the Company is the guarantor
under each Guarantee and has agreed to pay for all costs, expenses and
liabilities of each Issuer (other than the Issuer's obligations to the holders
of its Preferred Securities), the positions of a holder of such Preferred
Securities and a holder of such Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures
relative to other creditors and to stockholders of the Company in the event of
liquidation or bankruptcy of the Company would be substantially the same.
A default or event of default under any Senior Debt would not constitute a
default or Event of Default under the Corresponding Indenture. However, in the
event of payment defaults under, or acceleration of, Senior Debt, the
subordination provisions of the Corresponding Indenture provide that no payments
may be made in respect of the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures until
such Senior Debt has been paid in full or any payment default thereunder has
been cured or waived. Failure to make required payments on any series of
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures would constitute a Debenture Event
of Default under the Corresponding Indenture with respect to such series.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Preferred Securities may be sold
in a public offering to or through underwriters or dealers designated from time
to time. The Company and each Issuer may sell their respective Junior
Subordinated Debentures and Preferred Securities as soon as practicable after
effectiveness of the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
The names of any underwriters or dealers involved in the sale of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures and Preferred Securities in respect of which this
Prospectus is delivered, the amount or number of Junior Subordinated Debentures
and Preferred Securities to be purchased by any such underwriters and any
applicable commissions or discounts will be set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement.
Underwriters may offer and sell Junior Subordinated Debentures and
Preferred Securities at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or from
time to time at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related
to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. In connection with the
sale of Preferred Securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received
compensation from the Company and/or the applicable Issuer in the form of
underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions.
Underwriters may sell Junior Subordinated Debentures and Preferred Securities to
or
34
through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters.
Any underwriting compensation paid by the Company and/or the applicable
Issuer to underwriters in connection with the offering of Junior Subordinated
Debentures and Preferred Securities, and any discounts, concessions or
commissions allowed by such underwriters to participating dealers, will be set
forth in a Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters and dealers participating in the
distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures and Preferred Securities may be
deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them
and any profit realized by them on resale of such Junior Subordinated Debentures
and Preferred Securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and
commissions, under the Securities Act. Underwriters and dealers may be entitled,
under agreement with the Company and the applicable Issuer, to indemnification
against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act, and to reimbursement by the Company for certain
expenses.
In connection with the offering of the Preferred Securities of any Issuer,
such Issuer may grant to the underwriters an option to purchase additional
Preferred Securities to cover over-allotments, if any, at the initial public
offering price (with an additional underwriting commission), as may be set forth
in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement. If such Issuer grants any
over-allotment option, the terms of such over-allotment option will be set forth
in the Prospectus Supplement for such Preferred Securities.
Underwriters and dealers may engage in transactions with, or perform
services for, the Company and/or the applicable Issuer and/or any of their
affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
The Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Preferred Securities will be a
new issue of securities and will have no established trading market. Any
underwriters to whom Junior Subordinated Debentures and Preferred Securities are
sold for public offering and sale may make a market in such Junior Subordinated
Debentures and Preferred Securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated
to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Such
Junior Subordinated Debentures and Preferred Securities may or may not be listed
on a national securities exchange. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity
of or the existence of trading markets for any Junior Subordinated Debentures or
Preferred Securities.
35
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NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE
PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT
BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE
PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH
SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL.
NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY
SALE MADE HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY
IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE
THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THEREIN IS CORRECT
AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Risk Factors......................... S-4
Recent Developments.................. S-7
Entergy Louisiana Capital I.......... S-8
Use of Proceeds...................... S-8
Selected Financial Information....... S-9
Capitalization....................... S-9
Accounting Treatment................. S-9
Certain Terms of the Series A
Preferred Securities............... S-10
Certain Terms of the Series A
Debentures......................... S-11
Certain United States Federal Income
Tax Considerations................. S-13
Underwriting......................... S-17
Experts.............................. S-18
Legal Opinions....................... S-19
PROSPECTUS
Available Information................ 3
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference.......................... 3
The Company.......................... 5
The Issuers.......................... 5
Use of Proceeds...................... 6
Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures......................... 6
Description of Preferred
Securities......................... 17
Description of Guarantees............ 29
Description of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures............ 31
Relationship Among the Preferred
Securities, the Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures and
the Guarantees..................... 33
Plan of Distribution................. 34
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2,800,000 PREFERRED SECURITIES
ENTERGY LOUISIANA CAPITAL I
% CUMULATIVE QUARTERLY
INCOME PREFERRED SECURITIES,
SERIES A (QUIPS(SM))
FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED,
AS SET FORTH HEREIN, BY
ENTERGY LOUISIANA, INC.
------------------
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
------------------
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
A.G. EDWARDS & SONS, INC.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNDERWRITERS
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