---------------------------------------------------------------
DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST X
Dated as of July 22, 1999
---------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1
Definitions................................................... 1
ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION
SECTION 2.1
Name.......................................................... 3
SECTION 2.2
Office........................................................ 3
SECTION 2.3
Purpose....................................................... 3
SECTION 2.4
Authority..................................................... 4
SECTION 2.5
Title to Property of the Trust................................ 4
SECTION 2.6
Powers of the Trustee......................................... 4
SECTION 2.7
Filing of Certificate of Trust................................ 5
SECTION 2.8
Duration of Trust............................................. 5
SECTION 2.9
Responsibilities of the Sponsor............................... 5
SECTION 2.10
Declaration Binding on Securities Holders..................... 6
ARTICLE III TRUSTEES
SECTION 3.1
Trustees...................................................... 6
SECTION 3.2
Regular Trustees.............................................. 6
SECTION 3.3
Delaware Trustee.............................................. 7
SECTION 3.4
Property Trustee.............................................. 7
SECTION 3.5
Not Responsible for Recitals or Sufficiency of Declaration.... 7
i
ARTICLE IV LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES,
TRUSTEES OR OTHERS
SECTION 4.1
Exculpation................................................... 7
SECTION 4.2
Fiduciary Duty................................................ 8
SECTION 4.3
Indemnification............................................... 9
SECTION 4.4
Outside Businesses........................................... 11
ARTICLE V AMENDMENTS, TERMINATION, MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 5.1
Amendments................................................... 11
SECTION 5.2
Termination of Trust......................................... 12
SECTION 5.3
Governing Law................................................ 12
SECTION 5.4
Headings..................................................... 12
SECTION 5.5
Successors and Assigns....................................... 12
SECTION 5.6
Partial Enforceability....................................... 12
SECTION 5.7
Counterparts................................................. 13
ii
DECLARATION OF TRUST OF CONSECO FINANCING TRUST X
DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Declaration") dated and effective as of
July 22, 1999 by the undersigned Trustees (together with all other persons from
time to time duly appointed and serving as trustees in accordance with the
provisions of this Declaration, the "Trustees"), Conseco, Inc., an Indiana
corporation, as trust sponsor (the "Sponsor"), and by the holders, from time to
time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to
this Declaration;
WHEREAS, the Trustees and the Sponsor desire to establish a trust
(the "Trust") pursuant to the Business Trust Act (as hereinafter defined);
WHEREAS, the sole purpose of the Trust shall be to issue and sell
certain securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of
the Trust and to invest the proceeds thereof in certain Debentures of the
Debenture Issuer (as those terms are hereinafter defined) and, except as
otherwise limited herein, to engage in only those other activities necessary,
appropriate, convenient or incidental thereto.
NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto that
the Trust constitute a business trust under the Business Trust Act and that this
Declaration constitute the governing instrument of such business trust, the
Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust
for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued
hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in
the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to
them in this Section 1.1;
(b) a term defined anywhere in this Declaration has the same
meaning throughout;
(c) all references to "the Declaration" or "this Declaration" are
to this Declaration of Trust as modified, supplemented or
amended from time to time;
(d) all references in this Declaration to Articles and Sections
are to Articles and Sections of this Declaration unless
otherwise specified; and
(e) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice
versa.
"Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule
405 of the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.
"Business Day" means any day other than a day on which banking
institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.
"Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware
Code, 12 Del. Code ss.3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, or
any successor legislation.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Common Security" means a security representing a common
undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust with such terms as may
be set out in any amendment to this Declaration.
"Company Indemnified Person" means (a) any Regular Trustee; (b)
any Affiliate of any Regular Trustee; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders,
members, partners, employees, representatives or agents of any Regular Trustee;
or (d) any employee or agent of the Trust or its Affiliates.
"Covered Person" means (a) any officer, director, shareholder,
partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) the
Trust's Affiliates and (b) any holder of Securities.
"Debenture Issuer" means Conseco, Inc. in its capacity as the
issuer of the Debentures under the Indenture.
"Debentures" means the series of Debentures to be issued under
the Indenture by the Debenture Issuer and acquired by the Trust.
"Debenture Trustee" means, Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as
trustee under the Indenture until a successor is appointed thereunder, and
thereafter means such successor trustee.
"Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time or any successor legislation.
"Fiduciary Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.3(b).
"Holder" means the person in whose name a certificate
representing a Security is registered.
"Indemnified Person" means a Company Indemnified Person or a
Fiduciary Indemnified Person.
2
"Indenture" means the indenture dated as of July , 1999 entered
into among Conseco, Inc. and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as trustee and any
indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be
issued.
"Person" means a legal person, including any individual,
corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock
company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity
of whatever nature.
"Preferred Security" means a security representing a preferred
undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust with such terms as may
be set out in any amendment to this Declaration.
"Regular Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.
"Securities" means the Common Securities and the Preferred
Securities.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
from time to time, or any successor legislation.
"Sponsor" means Conseco, Inc. in its capacity as sponsor of the
Trust.
"Trustee" or "Trustees" means each Person who has signed this
Declaration as a trustee, so long as such Person shall continue in office in
accordance with the terms hereof, and all other Persons who may from time to
time be duly appointed, qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the
provisions hereof, and references herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall
refer to such Person or Persons solely in their capacity as trustees hereunder.
ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION
SECTION 2.1 Name.
The Trust created by this Declaration is named "Conseco Financing
Trust X." The Trust's activities may be conducted under the name of the Trust or
any other name deemed advisable by the Regular Trustees.
SECTION 2.2 Office.
The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o General
Counsel, 11825 North Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032. At any time,
the Regular Trustees may designate another principal office.
SECTION 2.3 Purpose.
The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to
issue and sell the Securities and use the proceeds from such sale to acquire the
Debentures, and (b) except as otherwise limited herein, to engage in only those
other activities necessary,
3
appropriate, convenient or incidental thereto. The Trust shall not borrow money,
issue debt or reinvest proceeds derived from investments, pledge any of its
assets, or otherwise undertake (or permit to be undertaken) any activity that
would cause the Trust not to be classified for United States federal income tax
purposes as a grantor trust.
SECTION 2.4 Authority.
Subject to the limitations provided in this Declaration, the
Regular Trustees shall have exclusive and complete authority to carry out the
purposes of the Trust. An action taken by the Regular Trustees in accordance
with their powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust. In
dealing with the Regular Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust, no person shall
be required to inquire into the authority of the Regular Trustees to bind the
Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely conclusively on the
power and authority of the Regular Trustees as set forth in this Declaration.
SECTION 2.5 Title to Property of the Trust.
Legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the
Trust.
SECTION 2.6 Powers of the Trustee.
The Regular Trustees shall have the exclusive power and authority
to cause the Trust to engage in the following activities:
(a) to issue and sell the Preferred Securities and the Common
Securities in accordance with this Declaration; provided, however, that the
Trust may issue no more than one series of Preferred Securities and no more than
one series of Common Securities, and, provided further, that there shall be no
interests in the Trust other than the Securities and the issuance of the
Securities shall be limited to a one-time, simultaneous issuance of both
Preferred Securities and Common Securities;
(b) in connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred
Securities, at the direction of the Sponsor, to:
(i) execute and file with the Commission a registration
statement on Form S-3 prepared by the Sponsor, including any amendments thereto
in relation to the Preferred Securities;
(ii) execute and file any documents prepared by the Sponsor,
or take any acts as determined by the Sponsor to be necessary in order to
qualify or register all or part of the Preferred Securities in any State in
which the Sponsor has determined to qualify or register such Preferred
Securities for sale;
(iii) execute and file an application, prepared by the
Sponsor, to the New York Stock Exchange or any other national stock exchange or
the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market for listing upon notice of issuance of
any Preferred Securities;
4
(iv) execute and file with the Commission a registration
statement on Form 8-A, including any amendments thereto, prepared by the Sponsor
relating to the registration of the Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) of
the Exchange Act; and
(v) execute and enter into an underwriting agreement and
pricing agreement providing for the sale of the Preferred Securities;
(c) to employ or otherwise engage employees and agents (who may
be designated as officers with titles) and managers, contractors, advisors, and
consultants and provide for reasonable compensation for such services;
(d) to incur expenses which are necessary, appropriate,
convenient or incidental to carry out any of the purposes of this Declaration;
and
(e) to execute all documents or instruments, perform all duties
and powers, and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters
necessary, appropriate, convenient or incidental to the foregoing.
SECTION 2.7 Filing of Certificate of Trust.
On or after the date of execution of this Declaration, the
Trustees shall cause the filing of the Certificate of Trust for the Trust in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit A with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware.
SECTION 2.8 Duration of Trust.
The Trust, absent termination pursuant to the provisions of
Section 5.2, shall have existence for fifty-five (55) years from the date
hereof.
SECTION 2.9 Responsibilities of the Sponsor.
In connection with the issuance and sale of the Preferred
Securities, the Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to
engage in the following activities:
(a) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a
registration statement on Form S-3 in relation to the Preferred Securities,
including any amendments thereto;
(b) to determine the States in which to take appropriate action
to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Preferred Securities and to
do any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by the Trust,
and advise the Trust of actions it must take, and prepare for execution and
filing any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust, as the Sponsor deems
necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such
States;
(c) to prepare for filing by the Trust an application to the New
York Stock Exchange or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq National
Market for listing upon notice of issuance of any Preferred Securities;
5
(d) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a
registration statement on Form 8-A relating to the registration of the class of
Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any
amendments thereto; and
(e) to negotiate the terms of an underwriting agreement and
pricing agreement providing for the sale of the Preferred Securities.
SECTION 2.10 Declaration Binding on Securities Holders.
Every Person by virtue of having become a Holder of a Security or
any interest therein in accordance with the terms of this Declaration, shall be
deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and shall be bound
by, this Declaration.
ARTICLE III
TRUSTEES
SECTION 3.1 Trustees.
The number of Trustees initially shall be three (3), and
thereafter the number of Trustees shall be such number as shall be fixed from
time to time by a written instrument signed by the Sponsor. The Sponsor is
entitled to appoint or remove without cause any Trustee at any time; provided,
however, that the number of Trustees shall in no event be less than two (2);
provided, further, that one Trustee, in the case of a natural person, shall be a
person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or that, if not a natural
person, is an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of
Delaware and meets any other requirements imposed by applicable law (the
"Delaware Trustee"); provided, further, that there shall be at least one trustee
who is an employee or officer of, or is affiliated with the Sponsor (a "Regular
Trustee").
SECTION 3.2 Regular Trustees.
The initial Regular Trustees shall be: Rollin M. Dick and Stephen
C. Hilbert.
(a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, any power
of the Regular Trustees may be exercised by, or with the consent of, any one
such Regular Trustee.
(b) Unless otherwise determined by the Regular Trustees, and
except as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act, any Regular Trustee is
authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents which the Regular
Trustees have the power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to
Section 2.6 provided, that, the registration statement referred to in Section
2.6(b)(i), including any amendments thereto, shall be signed by at least a
majority of the Regular Trustees; and
(c) a Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with
applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or
her power for the purposes of signing any documents which the Regular Trustees
have power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 2.6.
6
SECTION 3.3 Delaware Trustee.
The initial Delaware Trustee shall be: First Union Trust Company,
National Association.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration, the
Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any of the powers, nor shall
the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities of the Regular
Trustees described in this Declaration. The Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee
for the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of ss. 3807 of
the Business Trust Act. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the
Delaware Trustee shall not be liable for the acts or omissions to act of the
Trust, of the Sponsor or of the Regular Trustees except such acts as the
Delaware Trustee is expressly obligated or authorized to undertake under this
Declaration or the Business Trust Act and except for the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of the Delaware Trustee.
SECTION 3.4 Property Trustee.
Prior to the issuance of the Preferred Securities and Common
Securities, the Sponsor shall appoint a trustee (the "Property Trustee") meeting
the requirements of an eligible trustee of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, by the execution of an amendment to this Declaration executed by the
Regular Trustees, the Sponsor, the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee.
SECTION 3.5 Not Responsible for Recitals or Sufficiency of Declaration.
The recitals contained in this Declaration shall be taken as the
statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustees do not assume any responsibility for
their correctness. The Trustees make no representations as to the value or
condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof. The Trustees make no
representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Declaration.
ARTICLE IV
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS
SECTION 4.1 Exculpation.
(a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or
accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any
loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or
omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a
manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the
authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration or by law,
except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or
claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's gross negligence or
willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions; and
(b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in
good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions,
reports or statements
7
presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person
reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert
competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the
Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value
and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts
pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which distributions to
holders of Securities might properly be paid.
SECTION 4.2 Fiduciary Duty.
(a) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified
Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto
to the Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under
this Declaration shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person
for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The
provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and
liabilities of an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity, are
agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of
such Indemnified Person;
(b) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein:
(i) whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between
Covered Persons; or
(ii) whenever this Declaration or any other agreement
contemplated herein or therein provides that an Indemnified Person shall act in
a manner that is, or provides terms that are, fair and reasonable to the Trust
or any Holder of Securities,
the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action
or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each
party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or
situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary
or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting
practices or principles. In the absence of bad faith by the Indemnified Person,
the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by the Indemnified
Person shall not constitute a breach of this Declaration or any other agreement
contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the Indemnified Person at
law or in equity or otherwise; and
(c) whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is
permitted or required to make a decision:
(i) in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar
authority, the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests
and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty
or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting
the Trust or any other Person; or
(ii) in its "good-faith" or under another express standard,
the Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be
subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or by
applicable law.
8
SECTION 4.3 Indemnification.
(a) The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by
law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be
made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action
by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact that he is or was a
Company Indemnified Person against expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding,
had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of
any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or
upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a
presumption that the Company Indemnified Person did not act in good faith and in
a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding,
had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
(i) The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent
permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or
suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against
expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in
good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the Trust and except that no such indemnification shall be
made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such Company
Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Trust unless and
only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which
such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite
the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case,
such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses
which such Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
(ii) To the extent that a Company Indemnified Person shall
be successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an action
without prejudice or the settlement of an action without admission of liability)
in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and
(ii) of this Section 4.3(a), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter
therein, he shall be indemnified, to the full extent permitted by law, against
expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection therewith.
(iii) Any indemnification under paragraphs (i) and (ii) of
this Section 4.3(a) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Sponsor
only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of the Company Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances
because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs
(i) and (ii). Such determination shall be made (1) by the Regular Trustees by a
majority vote of a quorum consisting of such Regular Trustees who were not
parties to such action, suit or proceeding, (2) if such a quorum is not
obtainable, or, even if
9
obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees so directs, by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the Common Security
Holder of the Trust.
(iv) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by a
Company Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii)
of this Section 4.3(a) shall be paid by the Sponsor in advance of the final
disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by
or on behalf of such Company Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall
ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the
Sponsor as authorized in this Section 4.3(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
advance shall be made by the Sponsor if a determination is reasonably and
promptly made (i) by the Regular Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum of
disinterested Regular Trustees, (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or,
even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees so directs, by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iii) the Common Security
Holder of the Trust, that, based upon the facts known to the Regular Trustees,
counsel or the Common Security Holder at the time such determination is made,
such Company Indemnified Person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such
person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Trust, or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that such Company
Indemnified Person believed or had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful. In no event shall any advance be made in instances where the Regular
Trustees, independent legal counsel or Common Security Holder reasonably
determine that such person deliberately breached his duty to the Trust or its
Common or Preferred Security Holders.
(v) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided
by, or granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section 4.3(a) shall
not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking
indemnification and advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement,
vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of the Sponsor or Preferred
Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to action in his official
capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. All
rights to indemnification under this Section 4.3(a) shall be deemed to be
provided by a contract between the Sponsor and each Company Indemnified Person
who serves in such capacity at any time while this Section 4.3(a) is in effect.
Any repeal or modification of this Section 4.3(a) shall not affect any rights or
obligations then existing.
(vi) The Sponsor or the Trust may purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Company Indemnified Person
against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such
capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Sponsor would
have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of
this Section 4.3 (a)
(vii) For purposes of this Section 4.3(a), references to
"the Trust" shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity, any
constituent entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a
consolidation or merger, so that any person who is or was a director, trustee,
officer or employee of such constituent entity, or is or was serving at the
request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or
agent of another entity, shall stand in the same position under the provisions
of this Section 4.3(a) with respect to the resulting or surviving entity as he
would have with respect to such constituent entity if its separate existence had
continued.
10
(viii) The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 4.3(a) shall, unless otherwise
provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to
be a Company Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such a person.
(b) The Sponsor agrees to indemnify the (i) the Delaware Trustee,
(ii) any Affiliate of the Delaware Trustee, and (iii) any officers, directors,
shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, nominees,
custodians or agents of the Delaware Trustee (each of the Persons in (i) through
(iii) being referred to as a "Fiduciary Indemnified Person") for, and to hold
each Fiduciary Indemnified Person harmless against, any loss, liability or
expense incurred without gross negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out
of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts
hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and
expenses) of defending itself against, or investigating, any claim or liability
in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties
hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 4.3(b) shall
survive the termination of this Declaration.
SECTION 4.4 Outside Businesses.
Any Covered Person, the Sponsor and the Delaware Trustee may
engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of any nature or
description, independently or with others, similar or dissimilar to the business
of the Trust, and the Trust and the Holders of Securities shall have no rights
by virtue of this Declaration in and to such independent ventures or the income
or profits derived therefrom and the pursuit of any such venture, even if
competitive with the business of the Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful or
improper. No Covered Person, the Sponsor or the Delaware Trustee shall be
obligated to present any particular investment or other opportunity to the Trust
even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Trust,
could be taken by the Trust, and any Covered Person, the Sponsor and the
Delaware Trustee shall have the right to take for its own account (individually
or as a partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others any such particular
investment or other opportunity. Any Covered Person and the Delaware Trustee may
engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Sponsor
or any Affiliate of the Sponsor, or may act as depositary for, trustee or agent
for or may act on any committee or body of holders of, securities or other
obligations of the Sponsor or its Affiliates.
ARTICLE V
AMENDMENTS, TERMINATION, MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 5.1 Amendments.
At any time before the issue of any Securities, this Declaration
may be amended by, and only by, a written instrument executed by all of the
Regular Trustees and the Sponsor; provided, however, if the amendment effects
the rights, powers, duties, obligation or immunities of the Delaware Trustee,
the amendment shall also be approved by the Delaware Trustee.
11
SECTION 5.2 Termination of Trust.
(a) The Trust shall terminate and be of no further force or
effect:
(i) upon the bankruptcy of the Sponsor;
(ii) upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its
equivalent with respect to the Sponsor or the revocation of the Sponsor's
charter or of the Trust's certificate of trust;
(iii) upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of
the Sponsor, or the Trust; and
(iv) before the issue of any Securities, with the consent of
all of the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor; and
(b) as soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event
referred to in Section 5.2(a), the Trustees shall file a certificate of
cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
SECTION 5.3 Governing Law.
This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be
governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware
and all rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws without regard to
principles of conflict of laws.
SECTION 5.4 Headings.
Headings contained in this Declaration are inserted for
convenience of reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this
Declaration or any provision hereof.
SECTION 5.5 Successors and Assigns.
Whenever in this Declaration any of the parties hereto is named
or referred to, the successors and assigns of such party shall be deemed to be
included, and all covenants and agreements in this Declaration by the Sponsor
and the Trustees shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective
successors and assigns, whether so expressed.
SECTION 5.6 Partial Enforceability.
If any provision of this Declaration, or the application of such
provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of
this Declaration, or the application of such provision to persons or
circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be
affected thereby.
12
SECTION 5.7 Counterparts.
This Declaration may contain more than one counterpart of the
signature page and this Declaration may be executed by the affixing of the
signature of each of the Trustees to one of such counterpart signature pages.
All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and they
shall have the same force and effect as though all of the signers had signed a
single signature page.
13
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused these presents to
be executed as of the day and year first above written.
CONSECO, INC., as sponsor and
Debenture Issuer
By: /s/ Rollin M. Dick
--------------------------------
Name: Rollin M. Dick
Title: Executive Vice President
FIRST UNION TRUST COMPANY,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
Delaware Trustee
By: /s/ Stephen Kaba
--------------------------------
Name: Stephen Kaba
Title: Vice President
/s/ Rollin M. Dick
--------------------------------------
Rollin M. Dick, as Regular Trustee
/s/ Stephen C. Hilbert
---------------------------------------
Stephen C. Hilbert, as Regular Trustee
14