EXHIBIT 4(U)
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ALLETE
(LEGALLY INCORPORATED AS MINNESOTA POWER, INC.)
TO
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, TRUSTEE
---------
INDENTURE
(FOR UNSECURED SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
RELATING TO TRUST SECURITIES)
DATED AS OF
----------------
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PARTIES.......................................................................1
RECITAL OF THE COMPANY........................................................1
ARTICLE ONE Definitions and Other Provisions of General Application...........1
SECTION 101. Definitions...............................................1
"ACT"...............................................................2
"ADDITIONAL INTEREST"...............................................2
"AFFILIATE".........................................................2
"AUTHENTICATING AGENT"..............................................2
"AUTHORIZED OFFICER"................................................2
"BOARD OF DIRECTORS"................................................2
"BOARD RESOLUTION"..................................................2
"BUSINESS DAY"......................................................2
"COMMISSION"........................................................3
"COMPANY"...........................................................3
"COMPANY REQUEST" or "COMPANY ORDER"................................3
"CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE"............................................3
"CORPORATION".......................................................3
"DEFAULTED INTEREST"................................................3
"DOLLAR" or "$".....................................................3
"ELIGIBLE OBLIGATIONS"..............................................3
"EVENT OF DEFAULT"..................................................3
"GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY"............................................3
"GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS"............................................3
"GUARANTEE".........................................................4
"HOLDER"............................................................4
"INDENTURE".........................................................4
"INTEREST PAYMENT DATE".............................................4
"MATURITY"..........................................................4
"OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE".............................................4
"OPINION OF COUNSEL"................................................4
"OUTSTANDING".......................................................4
"PAYING AGENT"......................................................5
"PERSON"............................................................5
"PLACE OF PAYMENT"..................................................5
"PREDECESSOR SECURITY"..............................................5
"PREFERRED SECURITIES"..............................................5
"REDEMPTION DATE"...................................................6
"REDEMPTION PRICE"..................................................6
"REGULAR RECORD DATE"...............................................6
"REQUIRED CURRENCY".................................................6
"RESPONSIBLE OFFICER"...............................................6
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"SECURITIES"........................................................6
"SECURITY REGISTER".................................................6
"SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS"...............................................6
"SPECIAL RECORD DATE"...............................................6
"STATED MATURITY"...................................................6
"TRUST".............................................................7
"TRUST AGREEMENT"...................................................7
"TRUST INDENTURE ACT"...............................................7
"TRUSTEE"...........................................................7
"UNITED STATES".....................................................7
SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions......................7
SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee....................8
SECTION 104. Acts of Holders...........................................9
SECTION 105. Notices, etc. to Trustee and Company.....................10
SECTION 106. Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver..................11
SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act........................11
SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.................12
SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns...................................12
SECTION 110. Separability Clause......................................12
SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture....................................12
SECTION 112. Governing Law............................................12
SECTION 113. Legal Holidays...........................................12
ARTICLE TWO Security Forms...................................................13
SECTION 201. Forms Generally..........................................13
SECTION 202. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication..........13
ARTICLE THREE The Securities.................................................14
SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.....................14
SECTION 302. Denominations............................................17
SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating...........17
SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.....................................19
SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange......19
SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.........21
SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved...........21
SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners....................................22
SECTION 309. Cancellation by Security Registrar.......................23
SECTION 310. Computation of Interest..................................23
SECTION 311. Extension of Interest Payment............................23
SECTION 312. Additional Interest......................................23
SECTION 313. Payment to Be in Proper Currency.........................24
ARTICLE FOUR Redemption of Securities........................................24
SECTION 401. Applicability of Article.................................24
SECTION 402. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee....................24
SECTION 403. Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed...................24
SECTION 404. Notice of Redemption.....................................25
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SECTION 405. Securities Payable on Redemption Date....................26
SECTION 406. Securities Redeemed in Part..............................27
ARTICLE FIVE Sinking Funds...................................................27
SECTION 501. Applicability of Article.................................27
SECTION 502. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities....27
SECTION 503. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund................28
ARTICLE SIX Covenants........................................................29
SECTION 601. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest...............29
SECTION 602. Maintenance of Office or Agency..........................29
SECTION 603. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust........29
SECTION 604. Corporate Existence......................................31
SECTION 605. Maintenance of Properties................................31
SECTION 606. Annual Officer's Certificate as to Compliance............31
SECTION 607. Waiver of Certain Covenants..............................31
SECTION 608. Restriction on Payment of Dividends......................32
SECTION 609. Maintenance of Trust Existence...........................32
SECTION 610. Rights of Holders of Preferred Securities................32
ARTICLE SEVEN Satisfaction and Discharge.....................................33
SECTION 701. Satisfaction and Discharge of Securities.................33
SECTION 702. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture..................35
SECTION 703. Application of Trust Money...............................36
ARTICLE EIGHT Events of Default; Remedies....................................36
SECTION 801. Events of Default........................................36
SECTION 802. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.......38
SECTION 803. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement
by Trustee...............................................39
SECTION 804. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.........................39
SECTION 805. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of
Securities...............................................40
SECTION 806. Application of Money Collected...........................40
SECTION 807. Limitation on Suits......................................41
SECTION 808. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal,
Premium and Interest.....................................41
SECTION 809. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.......................42
SECTION 810. Rights and Remedies Cumulative...........................42
SECTION 811. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.............................42
SECTION 812. Control by Holders of Securities.........................42
SECTION 813. Waiver of Past Defaults..................................43
SECTION 814. Undertaking for Costs....................................43
SECTION 815. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.........................43
ARTICLE NINE The Trustee.....................................................44
SECTION 901. Certain Duties and Responsibilities......................44
SECTION 902. Notice of Defaults.......................................44
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SECTION 903. Certain Rights of Trustee................................45
SECTION 904. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities...46
SECTION 905. May Hold Securities......................................46
SECTION 906. Money Held in Trust......................................46
SECTION 907. Compensation and Reimbursement...........................46
SECTION 908. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests..................47
SECTION 909. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility..................48
SECTION 910. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor........48
SECTION 911. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor...................50
SECTION 912. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to
Business.................................................51
SECTION 913. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company........51
SECTION 914. Co-trustees and Separate Trustees........................52
SECTION 915. Appointment of Authenticating Agent......................53
ARTICLE TEN Holders' Lists and Reports by Trustee and Company................55
SECTION 1001. Lists of Holders.........................................55
SECTION 1002. Reports by Trustee and Company...........................55
ARTICLE ELEVEN Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance or Other Transfer...........56
SECTION 1101. Company May Consolidate, etc., Only on Certain Terms.....56
SECTION 1102. Successor Person Substituted.............................56
ARTICLE TWELVE Supplemental Indentures.......................................57
SECTION 1201. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.......57
SECTION 1202. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders..........58
SECTION 1203. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.....................60
SECTION 1204. Effect of Supplemental Indentures........................60
SECTION 1205. Conformity With Trust Indenture Act......................60
SECTION 1206. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.......60
SECTION 1207. Modification Without Supplemental Indenture..............60
ARTICLE THIRTEEN Meetings of Holders; Action Without Meeting.................61
SECTION 1301. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called................61
SECTION 1302. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.......................61
SECTION 1303. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.....................62
SECTION 1304. Quorum; Action...........................................62
SECTION 1305. Attendance at Meetings; Determination of Voting Rights;
Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings......................63
SECTION 1306. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings..........64
SECTION 1307. Action Without Meeting...................................64
ARTICLE FOURTEEN Immunity of Incorporators, Shareholders Officers and
Directors...................................................64
SECTION 1401. Liability Solely Corporate...............................64
ARTICLE FIFTEEN Subordination of Securities..................................65
SECTION 1501. Securities Subordinate to Senior Indebtedness............65
SECTION 1502. Payment Over of Proceeds of Securities...................65
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SECTION 1503. Disputes with Holders of Certain Senior Indebtedness.....67
SECTION 1504. Subrogation..............................................67
SECTION 1505. Obligation of the Company Unconditional..................67
SECTION 1506. Priority of Senior Indebtedness Upon Maturity............68
SECTION 1507. Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness.................68
SECTION 1508. Notice to Trustee to Effectuate Subordination............68
SECTION 1509. Modification, Extension, etc. of Senior Indebtedness.....69
SECTION 1510. Trustee Has No Fiduciary Duty to Holders of Senior
Indebtedness.............................................69
SECTION 1511. Paying Agents Other Than the Trustee.....................69
SECTION 1512. Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness Not Impaired....69
SECTION 1513. Effect of Subordination Provisions; Termination..........70
ARTICLE SIXTEEN Junior Subordinated Debentures...............................70
SECTION 1601. Designation of Junior Subordinated Debentures............70
Testimonium...................................................................71
Signatures....................................................................72
ALLETE
RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
AND INDENTURE, DATED AS OF
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TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION INDENTURE SECTION
ss.310 (a)(1)..............................................................909
(a)(2)..............................................................909
(a)(3)..............................................................914
(a)(4)...................................................Not Applicable
(b).................................................................908
....................................................................910
ss.311 (a).................................................................913
(b).................................................................913
(c).................................................................913
ss.312 (a)................................................................1001
(b)................................................................1001
(c)................................................................1001
ss.313 (a)................................................................1002
(b)................................................................1002
(c)................................................................1002
ss.314 (a)................................................................1002
(a)(4)..............................................................606
(b)......................................................Not Applicable
(c)(1)..............................................................102
(c)(2)..............................................................102
(c)(3)...................................................Not Applicable
(d)......................................................Not Applicable
(e).................................................................102
ss.315 (a).................................................................901
....................................................................903
(b).................................................................902
(c).................................................................901
(d).................................................................901
(e).................................................................814
ss.316 (a).................................................................812
....................................................................813
(a)(1)(A)...........................................................802
....................................................................812
(a)(1)(B)...........................................................813
(a)(2)...................................................Not Applicable
(b).................................................................808
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ss.317 (a)(1)..............................................................803
(a)(2)..............................................................804
(b).................................................................603
ss.318 (a).................................................................107
INDENTURE, dated as of , between ALLETE (legally
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incorporated as MINNESOTA POWER, INC.), a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Minnesota (herein called the "Company"),
having its principal office at 30 West Superior Street, Duluth, Minnesota
55802-2093, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York banking corporation, having its
principal corporate trust office at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York
10286, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee").
RECITAL OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured
subordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called
the "Securities"), in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from
time to time in one or more series as contemplated herein; and all acts
necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company have been
performed.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly
provided or unless the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used herein
shall have the meanings assigned to them in Article One of this Indenture.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the
Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the
equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any
series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
SECTION 101. DEFINITIONS.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly
provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to
them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(b) all terms used herein without definition which are defined in the
Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the
meanings assigned to them therein;
(c) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the
meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States, and, except as otherwise herein expressly
provided, the term "generally accepted accounting principles" with respect
to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such
accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States at the
date of such computation or, at the election of the Company from time to
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time, at the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture;
provided, however, that in determining generally accepted accounting
principles applicable to the Company, the Company shall, to the extent
required, conform to any order, rule or regulation of any administrative
agency, regulatory authority or other governmental body having jurisdiction
over the Company; and
(d) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of
similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular
Article, Section or other subdivision.
Certain terms, used principally in Article Nine, are defined in that
Article.
"ACT", when used with respect to any Holder of a Security, has the
meaning specified in Section 104.
"ADDITIONAL INTEREST" has the meaning specified in Section 312.
"AFFILIATE" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"CONTROL" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or through one or
more intermediaries, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract or otherwise; and the terms "CONTROLLING" and "CONTROLLED" have
meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"AUTHENTICATING AGENT" means any Person (other than the Company or an
Affiliate of the Company) authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 915 to
act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate one or more series of Securities.
"AUTHORIZED OFFICER" means the Chairman of the Board, the President,
any Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary, any
Assistant Secretary or any other officer or agent of the Company duly authorized
by the Board of Directors to act in respect of matters relating to this
Indenture.
"BOARD OF DIRECTORS" means either the board of directors of the
Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act in respect of matters
relating to this Indenture.
"BOARD RESOLUTION" means a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by
the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
"BUSINESS DAY", when used with respect to a Place of Payment or any
other particular location specified in the Securities or this Indenture, means
any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, which is not a day on which banking
institutions or trust companies in such Place of Payment or other location are
generally authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to remain
closed, except as may be otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301.
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"COMMISSION" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from
time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or, if at any time after the date of execution and delivery of this
Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned
to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body, if any, performing such
duties at such time.
"COMPANY" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first
paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"Company" shall mean such successor Person.
"COMPANY REQUEST" or "COMPANY ORDER" means a written request or order
signed in the name of the Company by an Authorized Officer and delivered to the
Trustee.
"CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE" means the principal office of the Trustee in
New York, New York at which at any particular time its corporate trust business
is administered, which at the date of execution and delivery of this Indenture
is located at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286, Attention: Corporate
Trust Administration.
"CORPORATION" means a corporation, association, company, limited
liability company, joint stock company or business trust.
"DEFAULTED INTEREST" has the meaning specified in Section 307.
"DOLLAR" or "$" means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin
or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the
payment of public and private debts.
"ELIGIBLE OBLIGATIONS" means:
(a) with respect to Securities denominated in Dollars, Government
Obligations; or
(b) with respect to Securities denominated in a currency other than
Dollars or in a composite currency, such other obligations or instruments
as shall be specified with respect to such Securities, as contemplated by
Section 301.
"EVENT OF DEFAULT" has the meaning specified in Section 801.
"GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" means the government of the United States or
of any State or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia or of any
county, municipality or other political subdivision of any of the foregoing, or
any department, agency, authority or other instrumentality of any of the
foregoing.
"GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS" means:
(a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and
interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States and
entitled to the benefit of the full faith and credit thereof; and
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(b) certificates, depositary receipts or other instruments which
evidence a direct ownership interest in obligations described in clause (a)
above or in any specific interest or principal payments due in respect
thereof; provided, however, that the custodian of such obligations or
specific interest or principal payments shall be a bank or trust company
(which may include the Trustee or any Paying Agent) subject to Federal or
state supervision or examination with a combined capital and surplus of at
least $50,000,000; and provided, further, that except as may be otherwise
required by law, such custodian shall be obligated to pay to the holders of
such certificates, depositary receipts or other instruments the full amount
received by such custodian in respect of such obligations or specific
payments and shall not be permitted to make any deduction therefrom.
"GUARANTEE" means the guarantee agreement delivered from the Company
to a Trust, for the benefit of the holders of Preferred Securities issued by
such Trust.
"HOLDER" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the
Security Register.
"INDENTURE" means this instrument as originally executed and delivered
and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more
indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable
provisions hereof and shall include the terms of a particular series of
Securities established as contemplated by Section 301.
"INTEREST PAYMENT DATE" when used with respect to any Security, means
the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
"MATURITY" when used with respect to any Security, means the date on
which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due
and payable as provided in such Security or in this Indenture, whether at the
Stated Maturity, by declaration of acceleration, upon call for redemption or
otherwise.
"OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE" means a certificate signed by an Authorized
Officer and delivered to the Trustee.
"OPINION OF COUNSEL" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be
counsel for the Company, or other counsel acceptable to the Trustee.
"OUTSTANDING", when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the
date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered
under this Indenture, except:
(a) Securities theretofore canceled or delivered to the Security
Registrar for cancellation;
(b) Securities deemed to have been paid in accordance with Section
701; and
(c) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in
exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated
and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in
respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof
-5-
satisfactory to it and the Company that such Securities are held by a bona
fide purchaser or purchasers in whose hands such Securities are valid
obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that in determining whether or not the Holders of the
requisite principal amount of the Securities Outstanding under this Indenture,
or the Outstanding Securities of any series, have given any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or whether or not
a quorum is present at a meeting of Holders of Securities, Securities owned by
the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the
Company or of such other obligor (unless the Company, such Affiliate or such
obligor owns all Securities Outstanding under this Indenture, or all Outstanding
Securities of each such series, as the case may be, determined without regard to
this provision) shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except
that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any
such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver or
upon any such determination as to the presence of a quorum, only Securities
which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded; provided,
however, that Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be
regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the
Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that
the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any
Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor; and provided, further, that,
in the case of any Security the principal of which is payable from time to time
without presentment or surrender, the principal amount of such Security that
shall be deemed to be Outstanding at any time for all purposes of this Indenture
shall be the original principal amount thereof less the aggregate amount of
principal thereof theretofore paid.
"PAYING AGENT" means any Person, including the Company, authorized by
the Company to pay the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest, if any,
on any Securities on behalf of the Company.
"PERSON" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or unincorporated organization or any Governmental Authority.
"PLACE OF PAYMENT" when used with respect to the Securities of any
series, means the place or places, specified as contemplated by Section 301, at
which, subject to Section 602, principal of and premium, if any, and interest,
if any, on the Securities of such series are payable.
"PREDECESSOR SECURITY" of any particular Security means every previous
Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security
authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed (to the extent
lawful) to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
Security.
"PREFERRED SECURITIES" means any preferred trust interests issued by a
Trust or similar securities issued by permitted successors to such Trust in
accordance with the Trust Agreement pertaining to such Trust.
"REDEMPTION DATE", when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this
Indenture.
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"REDEMPTION PRICE", when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this
Indenture.
"REGULAR RECORD DATE" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment
Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose
as contemplated by Section 301.
"REQUIRED CURRENCY" has the meaning specified in Section 313.
"RESPONSIBLE OFFICER", when used with respect to the Trustee, means
any Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Trust Officer or other officer of
the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to the Corporate Trust Administration
Division of the Trustee (or any successor division or department of the
Trustee).
"SECURITIES" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this
Indenture and more particularly means any securities authenticated and delivered
under this Indenture.
"SECURITY REGISTER" and "SECURITY REGISTRAR" have the respective
meanings specified in Section 305.
"SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS"means all obligations (other than non-recourse
obligations and the indebtedness issued under this Indenture) of, or guaranteed
or assumed by, the Company for borrowed money, including both senior and
subordinated indebtedness for borrowed money (other than the Securities), 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 this Indenture
or subsequently incurred by the Company unless, in the case of any particular
indebtedness, 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 Securities; provided that the
Company's obligations under the Guaranty shall not be deemed to be Senior
Indebtedness.
"SPECIAL RECORD DATE" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the
Securities of any series means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section
307.
"STATED MATURITY", when used with respect to any obligation or any
installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date on which
the principal of such obligation or such installment of principal or interest is
stated to be due and payable (without regard to any provisions for redemption,
prepayment, acceleration, purchase or extension).
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"TRUST" means ALLETE Capital II, a statutory business trust formed
under the laws of the State of Delaware, or any other Trust designated pursuant
to Section 301 hereof or any permitted successor under the Trust Agreement
pertaining to such Trust.
"TRUST AGREEMENT" means the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement,
dated as of , relating to ALLETE Capital II, or an Amended and
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Restated Trust Agreement relating to a Trust designated pursuant to Section 301
hereof, in each case, among the Company, as Depositor, the trustees named
therein and several holders referred to therein, as such agreement or
agreements, as the case may be, may be amended from time to time.
"TRUST INDENTURE ACT" means, as of any time, the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, or any successor statute, as in effect at such time.
"TRUSTEE" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first
paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such
with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable
provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or include
each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more
than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of any
series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
"UNITED STATES" means the United States of America, its Territories,
its possessions and other areas subject to its political jurisdiction.
SECTION 102. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, upon any
application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under
any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an
Officer's Certificate stating that in the opinion of the Authorized Officer
executing such Officer's Certificate all conditions precedent, if any, provided
for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action (including any covenants
compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent) have been complied with
and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such
conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case
of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents
is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such
particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be
furnished.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(a) a statement that each Person signing such certificate or opinion
has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating
thereto;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of each such Person, such Person
has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such
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Person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or
condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such Person,
such condition or covenant has been complied with.
SECTION 103. FORM OF DOCUMENTS DELIVERED TO TRUSTEE.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or
covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one
or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify
or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based,
insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations
with respect to the matters upon which such officer's certificate or opinion are
based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based,
insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the
information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the
Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should
know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such
matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.
Whenever, subsequent to the receipt by the Trustee of any Board
Resolution, Officer's Certificate, Opinion of Counsel or other document or
instrument, a clerical, typographical or other inadvertent or unintentional
error or omission shall be discovered therein, a new document or instrument may
be substituted therefor in corrected form with the same force and effect as if
originally filed in the corrected form and, irrespective of the date or dates of
the actual execution and/or delivery thereof, such substitute document or
instrument shall be deemed to have been executed and/or delivered as of the date
or dates required with respect to the document or instrument for which it is
substituted. Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, if any
such corrective document or instrument indicates that action has been taken by
or at the request of the Company which could not have been taken had the
original document or instrument not contained such error or omission, the action
so taken shall not be invalidated or otherwise rendered ineffective but shall be
and remain in full force and effect, except to the extent that such action was a
result of willful misconduct or bad faith. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, any Securities issued under the authority of such defective
document or instrument shall nevertheless be the valid obligations of the
Company entitled to the benefits of this Indenture equally and ratably with all
other Outstanding Securities, except as aforesaid.
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SECTION 104. ACTS OF HOLDERS.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
election, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made,
given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more
instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person
or by an agent duly appointed in writing or, alternatively, may be embodied
in and evidenced by the record of Holders voting in favor thereof, either
in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of
Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article
Thirteen, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except
as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective
when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the
Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such
instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied
therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the
"Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments and so voting
at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a
writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a
Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and
(subject to Section 901) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the
Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any
meeting of Holders shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1306.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such
execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer
authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the
individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the
execution thereof or may be proved in any other manner which the Trustee
and the Company deem sufficient. Where such execution is by a signer acting
in a capacity other than his or her individual capacity, such certificate
or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his or her
authority.
(c) The principal amount and serial numbers of Securities held by any
Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security
Register.
(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
election, waiver or other Act of a Holder shall bind every future Holder of
the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the
registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof
in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee
or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action
is made upon such Security.
(e) Until such time as written instruments shall have been delivered
to the Trustee with respect to the requisite percentage of principal amount
of Securities for the action contemplated by such instruments, any such
instrument executed and delivered by or on behalf of a Holder may be
revoked with respect to any or all of such Securities by written notice by
such Holder or any subsequent Holder, proven in the manner in which such
instrument was proven.
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(f) Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after any Act
of Holders may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in
form approved by the Trustee as to any action taken by such Act of Holders.
If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified
as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to such
action may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and
delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such
series.
(g) If the Company shall solicit from Holders any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company
may, at its option, fix in advance a record date for the determination of
Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no
obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given
before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the
close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the
purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of the
Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as
of the record date.
SECTION 105. NOTICES, ETC. TO TRUSTEE AND COMPANY.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
election, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by
this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with, the
Trustee by any Holder or by the Company, or the Company by the Trustee or by any
Holder, shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein
expressly provided) if in writing and delivered personally to an officer or
other responsible employee of the addressee at the applicable location set forth
below or at such other location as such party may from time to time designate,
or transmitted by facsimile transmission or other direct written electronic
means to such telephone number or other electronic communications address as the
parties hereto shall from time to time designate, or transmitted by certified or
registered mail, charges prepaid, to the applicable address set opposite such
party's name below or to such other address as either party hereto may from time
to time designate:
If to the Trustee, to:
The Bank of New York
Corporate Trust Administration
101 Barclay Street - Floor 21 West
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Telephone: 212-815-5758
Telecopy: 212-815-5915
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If to the Company, to:
ALLETE
30 West Superior Street
Duluth, Minnesota 55802-2093
Attention: Treasurer
Telephone: 218-723-3992
Telecopy: 218-723-3912
Any communication contemplated herein shall be deemed to have been made, given,
furnished and filed if personally delivered, on the date of delivery, if
transmitted by facsimile transmission or other direct written electronic means,
on the date of transmission thereof, and if transmitted by certified or
registered mail, on the date of receipt.
SECTION 106. NOTICE TO HOLDERS OF SECURITIES; WAIVER.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, where this Indenture
provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently
given, and shall be deemed given, to Holders if in writing and mailed,
first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at the
address of such Holder as it appears in the Security Register, not later than
the latest date, if any, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any,
prescribed for the giving of such notice.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by
reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice to
Holders by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of
the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose
hereunder. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the
failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any
particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to
other Holders.
Any notice required by this Indenture may be waived in writing by the
Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event
otherwise to be specified therein, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of
such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but
such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action
taken in reliance upon such waiver.
SECTION 107. CONFLICT WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with
another provision hereof which is required or deemed to be included in this
Indenture by, or is otherwise governed by, any of the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act, such other provision shall control; and if any provision hereof
otherwise conflicts with the Trust Indenture Act, the Trust Indenture Act shall
control.
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SECTION 108. EFFECT OF HEADINGS AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The Article and Section headings in this Indenture and the Table of
Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
SECTION 109. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company and
Trustee shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed
or not.
SECTION 110. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE.
In case any provision in this Indenture or the Securities shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 111. BENEFITS OF INDENTURE.
Nothing in this Indenture or the Securities, express or implied, shall
give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, their successors hereunder,
the Holders and, so long as the notice described in Section 1513 hereof has not
been given, the holders of Senior Indebtedness, any benefit or any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture; provided, however, that
for so long as any Preferred Securities remain outstanding, the holders of such
Preferred Securities, subject to certain limitations set forth in this
Indenture, may enforce the Company's obligations hereunder directly against the
Company as third party beneficiaries of this Indenture without first proceeding
against the Trust issuing such Preferred Securities.
SECTION 112. GOVERNING LAW.
This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that
the law of any other jurisdiction shall be mandatorily applicable.
SECTION 113. LEGAL HOLIDAYS.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated
Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment,
then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities
other than a provision in Securities of any series, or in the Board Resolution
or Officer's Certificate which establishes the terms of the Securities of such
series, which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of
this Section) payment of interest or principal and premium, if any, need not be
made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next
succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment, 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,
and in the same amount, as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption
Date, or at the Stated Maturity, as the case may be, and, if such payment is
made or duly provided for on such Business Day, no interest shall accrue on the
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amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date,
Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, to such Business Day.
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITY FORMS
SECTION 201. FORMS GENERALLY.
The definitive Securities of each series shall be in substantially the
form or forms thereof established in the indenture supplemental hereto
establishing such series or in a Board Resolution establishing such series, or
in an Officer's Certificate pursuant to such supplemental indenture or Board
Resolution, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions,
substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this
Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification
and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply
with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be
determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their
execution of the Securities. If the form or forms of Securities of any series
are established in a Board Resolution or in an Officer's Certificate pursuant to
a Board Resolution, such Board Resolution and Officer's Certificate, if any,
shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company
Order contemplated by Section 303 for the authentication and delivery of such
Securities.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Sections 301 or 1201(g),
the Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form without
coupons. The definitive Securities shall be produced in such manner as shall be
determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their
execution thereof.
SECTION 202. FORM OF TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION.
The Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be in substantially
the form set forth below:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Trustee
By:
-------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
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ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES
SECTION 301. AMOUNT UNLIMITED; ISSUABLE IN SERIES.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be
authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited; provided,
however, that all Securities shall be issued to a Trust in exchange for
securities of the Company or to evidence loans by a Trust of the proceeds of the
issuance of Preferred Securities of such Trust plus the amount deposited by the
Company with such Trust from time to time.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. Prior to the
authentication and delivery of Securities of any series there shall be
established by specification in a supplemental indenture or in a Board
Resolution, or in an Officer's Certificate pursuant to a supplemental indenture
or a Board Resolution:
(a) the title of the Securities of such series (which shall
distinguish the Securities of such series from Securities of all other
series);
(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of
such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture
(except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of
transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such
series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 406 or 1206 and except for any
Securities which, pursuant to Section 303, are deemed never to have been
authenticated and delivered hereunder);
(c) the Person or Persons (without specific identification) to whom
interest on Securities of such series shall be payable on any Interest
Payment Date, if other than the Persons in whose names such Securities (or
one or more Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business
on the Regular Record Date for such interest;
(d) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of such
series is payable or any formulary or other method or other means by which
such date or dates shall be determined, by reference to an index or other
fact or event ascertainable outside of this Indenture or otherwise (without
regard to any provisions for redemption, prepayment, acceleration, purchase
or extension);
(e) the rate or rates at which the Securities of such series shall
bear interest, if any (including the rate or rates at which overdue
principal shall bear interest, if different from the rate or rates at which
such Securities shall bear interest prior to Maturity, and, if applicable,
the rate or rates at which overdue premium or interest shall bear interest,
if any), or any formulary or other method or other means by which such rate
or rates shall be determined, by reference to an index or other fact or
event ascertainable outside of this Indenture or otherwise; the date or
dates from which such interest shall accrue; the Interest Payment Dates on
which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any,
for the interest payable on such Securities on any Interest Payment Date;
the right of the Company, if any, to extend the interest payment periods
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and the duration of any such extension as contemplated by Section 311; and
the basis of computation of interest, if other than as provided in Section
310;
(f) the place or places at which or methods by which (1) the principal
of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on Securities of such series
shall be payable, (2) registration of transfer of Securities of such series
may be effected, (3) exchanges of Securities of such series may be effected
and (4) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the
Securities of such series and this Indenture may be served; the Security
Registrar and any Paying Agent or Agents for such series; and if such is
the case, that the principal of such Securities shall be payable without
presentment or surrender thereof;
(g) the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which,
the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the
Securities of such series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the
option of the Company and any restrictions on such redemptions, including
but not limited to a restriction on a partial redemption by the Company of
the Securities of any series, resulting in delisting of such Securities
from any national exchange;
(h) the obligation or obligations, if any, of the Company to redeem or
purchase the Securities of such series pursuant to any sinking fund or
other mandatory redemption provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof
and the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the
price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which such
Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to
such obligation, and applicable exceptions to the requirements of Section
404 in the case of mandatory redemption or redemption at the option of the
Holder;
(i) the denominations in which Securities of such series shall be
issuable if other than denominations of $25 and any integral multiple
thereof;
(j) the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in
which payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if
any, on the Securities of such series shall be payable (if other than in
Dollars) and the formulary or other method or other means by which the
equivalent of any such amount in Dollars is to be determined for any
purpose, including for the purpose of determining the principal amount of
such Securities deemed to be Outstanding at any time;
(k) if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on
the Securities of such series are to be payable, at the election of the
Company or a Holder thereof, in a coin or currency other than that in which
the Securities are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which
and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;
(l) if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on
the Securities of such series 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
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formulary or other method or other means by which such amount shall be
determined, and the period or periods within which, and the terms and
conditions upon which, any such election may be made;
(m) if the amount payable in respect of principal of or premium, if
any, or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series may be
determined with reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable
outside this Indenture, the manner in which such amounts shall be
determined to the extent not established pursuant to clause (e) of this
paragraph;
(n) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the
principal amount of Securities of such series which shall be payable upon
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section
802;
(o) any Events of Default, in addition to those specified in Section
801, with respect to the Securities of such series, and any covenants of
the Company for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such
series, in addition to those set forth in Article Six;
(p) the terms, if any, pursuant to which the Securities of such series
may be converted into or exchanged for shares of capital stock or other
securities of the Company or any other Person;
(q) the obligations or instruments, if any, which shall be considered
to be Eligible Obligations in respect of the Securities of such series
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 Securities after the satisfaction
and discharge thereof as provided in Section 701;
(r) if the Securities of such series are to be issued in global form,
(i) any limitations on the rights of the Holder or Holders of such
Securities to transfer or exchange the same or to obtain the registration
of transfer thereof, (ii) any limitations on the rights of the Holder or
Holders thereof to obtain certificates therefor in definitive form in lieu
of temporary form and (iii) any and all other matters incidental to such
Securities;
(s) if the Securities of such series are to be issuable as bearer
securities, any and all matters incidental thereto which are not
specifically addressed in a supplemental indenture as contemplated by
clause (g) of Section 1201;
(t) to the extent not established pursuant to clause (r) of this
paragraph, any limitations on the rights of the Holders of the Securities
of such Series to transfer or exchange such Securities or to obtain the
registration of transfer thereof; and if a service charge will be made for
the registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series the
amount or terms thereof;
(u) any exceptions to Section 113, or variation in the definition of
Business Day, with respect to the Securities of such series;
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(v) the designation of the Trust to which Securities of such series
are to be issued;
(w) any collateral security, assurance or guarantee for the Securities
of such series;
(x) any rights or duties of another Person to assume the obligations
of the Company with respect to the Securities of such series (whether as
joint obligor, primary obligor, secondary obligor or substitute obligor)
and any rights or duties to discharge and release any obligor with respect
to the Securities of such series or the Indenture to the extent related to
such series; and
(y) any rights to change or eliminate any provision of this Indenture
or to add any new provision to this Indenture (by supplemental indenture or
otherwise) without the consent of the Holders of the Securities of such
series; and
(z) any other terms of the Securities of such series not inconsistent
with the provisions of this Indenture.
Unless otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities
pursuant to Section 301(b), any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of a
series of Securities may be increased without the consent of any Holders and
additional Securities of such series may be authenticated and delivered up to
the limit upon the aggregate principal amount authorized with respect to such
series as so increased.
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical,
except as to principal amount and date of issue and except as may be set forth
in the terms of such series as contemplated above. The Securities of each series
shall be subordinated in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness as provided in
Article Fifteen.
SECTION 302. DENOMINATIONS.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect
to any series of Securities, the Securities of each series shall be issuable in
denominations of $25 and any integral multiple thereof.
SECTION 303. EXECUTION, AUTHENTICATION, DELIVERY AND DATING.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect
to any series of Securities, the Securities shall be executed on behalf of the
Company by an Authorized Officer and may have the corporate seal of the Company
affixed thereto or reproduced thereon attested by any other Authorized Officer.
The signature of any or all of these officers on the Securities may be manual or
facsimile.
Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals
who were at the time of execution Authorized Officers shall bind the Company,
notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such
offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not
hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
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The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities of a series, for
original issue, at one time or from time to time in accordance with the Company
Order referred to below, upon receipt by the Trustee of:
(a) the instrument or instruments establishing the form or forms and
terms of such series, as provided in Sections 201 and 301;
(b) a Company Order requesting the authentication and delivery of such
Securities and, to the extent that the terms of such Securities shall not
have been established in an indenture supplemental hereto or in a Board
Resolution, or in an Officer's Certificate pursuant to a supplemental
indenture or Board Resolution, all as contemplated by Sections 201 and 301,
establishing such terms;
(c) the Securities of such series, executed on behalf of the Company
by an Authorized Officer;
(d) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that:
(i) the form or forms of such Securities have been duly
authorized by the Company and have been established in
conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(ii) the terms of such Securities have been duly authorized by
the Company and have been established in conformity with the
provisions of this Indenture; and
(iii) such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the
Trustee and issued and delivered by the Company in the
manner and subject to any conditions specified in such
Opinion of Counsel, will have been duly issued under this
Indenture and will constitute valid and legally binding
obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits
provided by this Indenture, and enforceable in accordance
with their terms, subject, as to enforcement, to laws
relating to or affecting generally the enforcement of
creditors' rights, including, without limitation, bankruptcy
and insolvency laws and to general principles of equity
(regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in
a proceeding in equity or at law).
If the form or terms of the Securities of any series have been
established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or an Officer's Certificate as
permitted by Sections 201 or 301, the Trustee shall not be required to
authenticate such Securities if the issuance of such Securities pursuant to this
Indenture will materially or adversely affect the Trustee's own rights, duties
or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner
which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect
to any series of Securities, each Security shall be dated the date of its
authentication.
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Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect
to any series of Securities, no Security shall be entitled to any benefit under
this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on
such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided
for herein executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual
signature of an authorized signatory thereof, and such certificate upon any
Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security
has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the
benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall
have been authenticated and delivered hereunder to the Company, or any Person
acting on its behalf, but shall never have been issued and sold by the Company,
and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Security Registrar for
cancellation as provided in Section 309 together with a written statement (which
need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Officer's
Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been
issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security
shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and
shall never be entitled to the benefits hereof.
SECTION 304. TEMPORARY SECURITIES.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the
Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten,
mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination,
substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they
are issued, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other
variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced
by their execution of such Securities; provided, however, that temporary
Securities need not recite specific redemption, sinking fund, conversion or
exchange provisions.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect
to the Securities of any series, after the preparation of definitive Securities
of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable,
without charge to the Holder thereof, for definitive Securities of such series
upon surrender of such temporary Securities at the office or agency of the
Company maintained pursuant to Section 602 in a Place of Payment for such
Securities. Upon such surrender of temporary Securities for such exchange, the
Company shall, except as aforesaid, execute and the Trustee shall authenticate
and deliver in exchange therefor definitive Securities of the same series, of
authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary
Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits
under this Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like
tenor authenticated and delivered hereunder.
SECTION 305. REGISTRATION, REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.
The Company shall cause to be kept in each office designated pursuant
to Section 602, with respect to the Securities of each series, a register (all
registers kept in accordance with this Section being collectively referred to as
the "Security Register") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it
may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities of
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such series and the registration of transfer thereof. The Company shall
designate one Person to maintain the Security Register for the Securities of
each series on a consolidated basis, and such Person is referred to herein, with
respect to such series, as the "Security Registrar." Anything herein to the
contrary notwithstanding, the Company may designate one or more of its offices
as an office in which a register with respect to the Securities of one or more
series shall be maintained, and the Company may designate itself the Security
Registrar with respect to one or more of such series. The Security Register
shall be open for inspection by the Trustee and the Company at all reasonable
times.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with
respect to the Securities of any series, upon surrender for registration of
transfer of any Security of such series at the office or agency of the Company
maintained pursuant to Section 602 in a Place of Payment for such series, the
Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the
name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of
the same series, of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate
principal amount.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with
respect to the Securities of any series, any Security of such series may be
exchanged at the option of the Holder, for one or more new Securities of the
same series, of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate
principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any such
office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the
Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the
Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
All Securities delivered upon any registration of transfer or exchange
of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same
debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities
surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer
or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee or the
Security Registrar) be duly endorsed or shall be accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee or the
Security Registrar, as the case may be, duly executed by the Holder thereof or
his attorney duly authorized in writing.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect
to Securities of any series, no service charge shall be made for any
registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that
may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 406 or 1206 not
involving any transfer.
The Company shall not be required to execute or to provide for the
registration of transfer of or the exchange of (a) Securities of any series
during a period of 15 days immediately preceding the date of the mailing of any
notice of redemption of the Securities of such series (or stating that all
Outstanding Securities of such series are called for redemption) or (b) any
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Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed
portion of any Security being redeemed in part.
SECTION 306. MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST AND STOLEN SECURITIES.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange
therefor a new Security of the same series, and of like tenor and principal
amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (a)
evidence to their satisfaction of the ownership of and the destruction, loss or
theft of any Security and (b) such security or indemnity as may be reasonably
required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless,
then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security
is held by a Person purporting to be the owner of such Security, the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any
such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series, and
of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously
outstanding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case any such mutilated, destroyed,
lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the
Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such
Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company
may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other
reasonable expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected
therewith.
Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in
lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original
additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed,
lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone other than
the Holder of such new Security, and any such new Security shall be entitled to
all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all
other Securities of such series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to
the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement
or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
SECTION 307. PAYMENT OF INTEREST; INTEREST RIGHTS PRESERVED.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect
to the Securities of any series, interest on any Security which is payable, and
is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be
paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest.
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Subject to Section 311, any interest on any Security of any series
which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any
Interest Payment Date (herein called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease
to be payable to the Holder on the related Regular Record Date by virtue of
having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company,
at its election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:
(a) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to
the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their
respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business
on a date (herein called a "Special Record Date") for the payment of such
Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The
Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted
Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date
of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit
with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed
to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements
satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the
proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the
benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this
clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for
the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days
and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not
less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the
proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such
Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company,
shall promptly cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted
Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class
postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of such series at the address
of such Holder as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10
days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of
such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so
mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names
the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities)
are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date.
(b) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the
Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with
the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be
listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after
notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant
to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the
Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305,
each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or
in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to
interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other
Security.
SECTION 308. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS.
Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer,
the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat
the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the absolute owner of
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such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium,
if any, and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, on such Security
and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue,
and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee
shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
SECTION 309. CANCELLATION BY SECURITY REGISTRAR.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of
transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Security
Registrar, be delivered to the Security Registrar and, if not theretofore
canceled, shall be promptly canceled by the Security Registrar. The Company may
at any time deliver to the Security Registrar for cancellation any Securities
previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have
acquired in any manner whatsoever or which the Company shall not have issued and
sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Security
Registrar. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for
any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly
permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Securities held by the Security
Registrar shall be disposed of in accordance with the customary practices of the
Security Registrar at the time in effect, and the Security Registrar shall not
be required to destroy any such certificates. The Security Registrar shall
promptly deliver a certificate of disposition to the Trustee and the Company
unless, by a Company Order, similarly delivered, the Company shall direct that
canceled Securities be returned to it. The Security Registrar shall promptly
deliver evidence of any cancellation of a Security in accordance with this
Section 309 to the Trustee and the Company.
SECTION 310. COMPUTATION OF INTEREST.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for
Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and
for any period shorter than a full month, on the basis of the actual number of
days elapsed in such period.
SECTION 311. EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT.
The Company shall have the right at any time, so long as the Company
is not in default in the payment of interest on the Securities of any series
hereunder, to extend interest payment periods on all Securities of one or more
series, if so specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to such
Securities and upon such terms as may be specified as contemplated by Section
301 with respect to such Securities.
SECTION 312. ADDITIONAL INTEREST.
So long as any Preferred Securities remain outstanding, if the Trust
which issued such Preferred Securities shall be required to pay, with respect to
its income derived from the interest payments on the Securities 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 ("Additional Interest") as may be necessary in
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order that the net amounts received and retained by such Trust after the payment
of such taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges shall result in such
Trust's having such funds as it would have had in the absence of the payment of
such taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges.
SECTION 313. PAYMENT TO BE IN PROPER CURRENCY.
In the case of the Securities of any series denominated in any
currency other than Dollars or in a composite currency (the "Required
Currency"), except as otherwise specified with respect to such Securities as
contemplated by Section 301, the obligation of the Company to make any payment
of the principal thereof, or the premium or interest thereon, shall not be
discharged or satisfied by any tender by the Company, or recovery by the
Trustee, in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent
that such tender or recovery shall result in the Trustee timely holding the full
amount of the Required Currency then due and payable. If any such tender or
recovery is in a currency other than the Required Currency, the Trustee may take
such actions as it considers appropriate to exchange such currency for the
Required Currency. The costs and risks of any such exchange, including without
limitation the risks of delay and exchange rate fluctuation, shall be borne by
the Company, the Company shall remain fully liable for any shortfall or
delinquency in the full amount of Required Currency then due and payable, and in
no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable therefor except in the case of its
negligence or willful misconduct.
ARTICLE FOUR
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 401. APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE.
Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated
Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as
otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such
series) in accordance with this Article.
SECTION 402. ELECTION TO REDEEM; NOTICE TO TRUSTEE.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be
evidenced by a Board Resolution or an Officer's Certificate. The Company shall,
at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a
shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in
writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of such Securities
to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the
expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such
Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (b) pursuant to an election of the
Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such
Securities, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer's Certificate
evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.
SECTION 403. SELECTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED.
If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the
particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee from the
Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by
such method as shall be provided for any particular series, or, in the absence
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of any such provision, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and
appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions
(equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series or
any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such
series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for
Securities of such series; provided, however, that if, as indicated in an
Officer's Certificate, the Company shall have offered to purchase all or any
principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding of any series, and less than
all of such Securities as to which such offer was made shall have been tendered
to the Company for such purchase, the Trustee, if so directed by Company Order,
shall select for redemption all or any principal amount of such Securities which
have not been so tendered.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security
Registrar in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case
of any Securities selected to be redeemed in part, the principal amount thereof
to be redeemed.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise
requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate,
in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the
portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be
redeemed.
SECTION 404. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.
Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section
106 to the Holders of the Securities to be redeemed not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for
Securities of any series, all notices of redemption shall state:
(a) the Redemption Date,
(b) the Redemption Price or the formula pursuant to which the
Redemption Price is to be determined if the Redemption Price cannot be
determined at the time the notice is given,
(c) if less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed,
the identification of the particular Securities to be redeemed and the
portion of the principal amount of any Security to be redeemed in part, and
in the case of any such Security of such series to be redeemed in part,
that, on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, a
new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the
remaining unpaid principal amount thereof will be issued as provided in
Section 406,
(d) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price, together with
accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, will become due and
payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that
interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,
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(e) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered
for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, unless it
shall have been specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to
such Securities that such surrender shall not be required,
(f) that the redemption is for a sinking or other fund, if such is the
case, and
(g) the CUSIP or ISIN numbers, if any, assigned to such Securities (if
then generally in use); provided, however, that such notice may state that
no representation is made as to the correctness of the CUSIP or ISIN
numbers, in which case none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the
Company or the Trustee shall have any liability in respect of the use of
any CUSIP or ISIN number or numbers on such notices, and the redemption or
such Securities shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such
numbers and
(h) such other matters as the Company shall deem desirable or
appropriate.
Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities in
accordance with Section 301, with respect to any notice of redemption of
Securities at the election of the Company, unless, upon the giving of such
notice, such Securities shall be deemed to have been paid in accordance with
Section 701, such notice may state that such redemption shall be conditional
upon the receipt by the Paying Agent or Agents for such Securities, on or prior
to the date fixed for such redemption, of money sufficient to pay the principal
of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Securities and that if
such money shall not have been so received such notice shall be of no force or
effect and the Company shall not be required to redeem such Securities. In the
event that such notice of redemption contains such a condition and such money is
not so received, the redemption shall not be made and within a reasonable time
thereafter notice shall be given, in the manner in which the notice of
redemption was given, that such money was not so received and such redemption
was not required to be made, and the Paying Agent or Agents for the Securities
otherwise to have been redeemed shall promptly return to the Holders thereof any
of such Securities which had been surrendered for payment upon such redemption.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of
the Company, and any notice of non-satisfaction of a condition for redemption as
aforesaid, shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the
Security Registrar in the name and at the expense of the Company. Notice of
mandatory redemption of Securities shall be given by the Security Registrar in
the name and at the expense of the Company.
SECTION 405. SECURITIES PAYABLE ON REDEMPTION DATE.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, and the
conditions, if any, set forth in such notice having been satisfied, the
Securities or portions thereof so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date,
become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and
after such date (unless, in the case of an unconditional notice of redemption,
the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued
interest, if any) such Securities or portions thereof, if interest-bearing,
shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption
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in accordance with such notice, such Security or portion thereof shall be paid
by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any,
to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that no such surrender shall be a
condition to such payment if so specified as contemplated by Section 301 with
respect to such Security; and provided, further, that except as otherwise
specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to such Security, any
installment of interest on any Security the Stated Maturity of which installment
is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holder of such
Security, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close
of business on the related Regular Record Date according to the terms of such
Security and subject to the provisions of Section 307.
SECTION 406. SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART.
Upon the surrender of any Security which is to be redeemed only in
part at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so
requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof
or his attorney duly authorized in writing), the Company shall execute, and the
Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without
service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any
authorized denomination requested by such Holder and of like tenor and in
aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion
of the principal of the Security so surrendered.
ARTICLE FIVE
SINKING FUNDS
SECTION 501. APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund
for the retirement of the Securities of any series, except as otherwise
specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the
terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking
fund payment", and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by
the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an "optional
sinking fund payment". If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series,
the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as
provided in Section 502. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the
redemption of Securities of the series in respect of which it was made as
provided for by the terms of such Securities.
SECTION 502. SATISFACTION OF SINKING FUND PAYMENTS WITH SECURITIES.
The Company (a) may deliver to the Trustee Outstanding Securities
(other than any previously called for redemption) of a series in respect of
which a mandatory sinking fund payment is to be made and (b) may apply as a
credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election
of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the
application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of
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such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of such
mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series;
provided, however, that no Securities shall be applied in satisfaction of a
mandatory sinking fund payment if such Securities shall have been previously so
applied. Securities so applied shall be received and credited for such purpose
by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for
redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such
mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
SECTION 503. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES FOR SINKING FUND.
Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for the
Securities of any series, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer's
Certificate specifying:
(a) the amount of the next succeeding mandatory sinking fund payment
for such series;
(b) the amount, if any, of the optional sinking fund payment to be
made together with such mandatory sinking fund payment;
(c) the aggregate sinking fund payment;
(d) the portion, if any, of such aggregate sinking fund payment which
is to be satisfied by the payment of cash; and
(e) the portion, if any, of such aggregate sinking fund payment which
is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of such series
pursuant to Section 502 and stating the basis for such credit and that such
Securities have not previously been so credited, and the Company shall also
deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered.
If the Company shall not have delivered such Officer's Certificate
and, to the extent applicable, all such Securities, the next succeeding sinking
fund payment for such series shall be made entirely in cash in the amount of the
mandatory sinking fund payment. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking
fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon
such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 403 and cause
notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense
of the Company in the manner provided in Section 404. Such notice having been
duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and
in the manner stated in Sections 405 and 406.
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ARTICLE SIX
COVENANTS
SECTION 601. PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST.
The Company shall pay the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest, if any (including Additional Interest), on the Securities of each
series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.
SECTION 602. MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY.
The Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for the Securities
of each series an office or agency where payment of such Securities shall be
made, where the registration of transfer or exchange of such Securities may be
effected and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of such
Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt
written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location,
of each such office or agency and prompt notice to the Holders of any such
change in the manner specified in Section 106. If at any time the Company shall
fail to maintain any such required office or agency in respect of Securities of
any series, or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof,
payment of such Securities shall be made, registration of transfer or exchange
thereof may be effected and notices and demands in respect thereof may be served
at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints
the Trustee as its agent for all such purposes in any such event.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies with respect to the Securities of one or more series, for
any or all of the foregoing purposes and may from time to time rescind such
designations; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series, no
such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its
obligation to maintain an office or agency for such purposes in each Place of
Payment for such Securities in accordance with the requirements set forth above.
The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee, and prompt notice
to the Holders in the manner specified in Section 106, of any such designation
or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or
agency.
Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any office or agency
required by this Section may be maintained at an office of the Company, in which
event the Company shall perform all functions to be performed at such office or
agency.
SECTION 603. MONEY FOR SECURITIES PAYMENTS TO BE HELD IN TRUST.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with
respect to the Securities of any series, it shall, on or before each due date of
the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any of such
Securities, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled
thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and premium or interest so
becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed
of as herein provided. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any
failure by the Company (or any other obligor on such Securities) to make any
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payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such
Securities.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for the
Securities of any series, it shall, on or before each due date of the principal
of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Securities, deposit with
such Paying Agents sums sufficient (without duplication) to pay the principal
and premium or interest so becoming due, such sums to be held in trust for the
benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and
(unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the
Trustee of any failure by it so to act.
The Company shall cause each Paying Agent for the Securities of any
series, other than the Company or the Trustee, to execute and deliver to the
Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee,
subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent shall:
(a) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of and
premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such Securities in trust for the
benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to
such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;
(b) give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or any
other obligor upon such Securities) to make any payment of principal of or
premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such Securities; and
(c) at any time during the continuance of any such failure, upon the
written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so
held in trust by such Paying Agent and furnish to the Trustee such
information as it possesses regarding the names and addresses of the
Persons entitled to such sums.
The Company may at any time pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying
Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such
Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those
upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent and, if so
stated in a Company Order delivered to the Trustee, in accordance with the
provisions of Article Seven; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the
Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with
respect to such money.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held
by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of and premium, if
any, or interest, if any, on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years
after such principal and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable
shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or, if then held by the
Company, shall be discharged from such trust; and, upon such payment or
discharge, the Holder of such Security shall, as an unsecured general creditor
and not as a Holder of an Outstanding Security, look only to the Company for
payment of the amount so due and payable and remaining unpaid, and all liability
of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all
liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided,
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however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make
any such payment to the Company, may at the expense of the Company cause to be
mailed, on one occasion only, notice to such Holder that such money remains
unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than
30 days from the date of such mailing, any unclaimed balance of such money then
remaining will be paid to the Company.
SECTION 604. CORPORATE EXISTENCE.
Subject to the rights of the Company under Article Eleven, the Company
shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full
force and effect its corporate existence.
SECTION 605. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES.
The Company shall cause (or, with respect to property owned in common
with others, make reasonable effort to cause) all its properties used or useful
in the conduct of its business to be maintained and kept in good condition,
repair and working order and shall cause (or, with respect to property owned in
common with others, make reasonable effort to cause) to be made all necessary
repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as,
in the judgment of the Company, may be necessary so that the business carried on
in connection therewith may be properly conducted; provided, however, that
nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from discontinuing, or causing
the discontinuance of, the operation and maintenance of any of its properties if
such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct
of its business.
SECTION 606. ANNUAL OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE AS TO COMPLIANCE.
Not later than in each year, commencing ,
------------- -----------
, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate which
- ----
need not comply with Section 102, executed by the principal executive officer,
the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the
Company, as to such officer's knowledge of the Company's compliance with all
conditions and covenants under this Indenture, such compliance to be determined
without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this
Indenture, and making any other statements as may be required by the provisions
of Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 607. WAIVER OF CERTAIN COVENANTS.
The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any
term, provision or condition set forth in (a) Section 602 or any additional
covenant or restriction specified with respect to the Securities of any series,
as contemplated by Section 301, if before the time for such compliance the
Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of all series with respect to which compliance with Section 602 or
such additional covenant or restriction is to be omitted, considered as one
class, shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such
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instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition
and (b) Section 604, 605 or Article Eleven if before the time for such
compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of Securities
Outstanding under this Indenture shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive
such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term,
provision or condition; but, in the case of (a) or (b), no such waiver shall
extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so
expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations
of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term,
provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect; provided, however,
so long as a Trust holds Securities of any series, such Trust may not waive
compliance or waive any default in compliance by the Company with any covenant
or other term contained in this Indenture or the Securities of such series
without the approval of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate
liquidation preference of the outstanding Preferred Securities issued by such
Trust affected, obtained as provided in the Trust Agreement pertaining to such
Trust.
SECTION 608. RESTRICTION ON PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS.
So long as any Preferred Securities of any series remain outstanding,
the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend or distribution (other than
dividends or distributions paid in shares of common stock of the Company) on, or
redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of
the Company's capital stock, repurchase or redeem any indebtedness that is pari
passu with or subordinated to the Securities, or make any guarantee payments
with respect to the foregoing (other than payments under the Guarantee relating
to such Preferred Securities) if at such time (a) the Company shall be in
default with respect to its payment or other obligations under the Guarantee
relating to such Preferred Securities, (b) there shall have occurred and be
continuing a payment default (whether before or after expiration of any period
of grace) or an Event of Default hereunder or (c) the Company shall have elected
to extend any interest payment period as provided in Section 311, and any such
period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing.
SECTION 609. MAINTENANCE OF TRUST EXISTENCE.
So long as Preferred Securities of any series remain outstanding, the
Company shall (i) maintain direct or indirect ownership of all interests in the
Trust which issued such Preferred Securities, other than such Preferred
Securities, (ii) not voluntarily (to the extent permitted by law) dissolve,
liquidate or wind up such Trust, except in connection with a distribution of the
Securities to the holders of the Preferred Securities in liquidation of such
Trust, (iii) remain the sole Depositor under the Trust Agreement (the
"Depositor") of such Trust and timely perform in all material respects all of
its duties as Depositor of such Trust, and (iv) use reasonable efforts to cause
such Trust to remain a business trust and otherwise continue to be treated as a
grantor trust for Federal income tax purposes provided that any permitted
successor to the Company under this Indenture may succeed to the Company's
duties as Depositor of such Trust; and provided further that the Company may
permit such Trust to consolidate or merge with or into another business trust or
other permitted successor under the Trust Agreement pertaining to such Trust so
long as the Company agrees to comply with this Section 609 with respect to such
successor business trust or other permitted successor.
SECTION 610. RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF PREFERRED SECURITIES.
The Company agrees that, for so long as any Preferred Securities
remain outstanding, its obligations under this Indenture will also be for the
benefit of the holders from time to time of Preferred Securities, and the
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Company acknowledges and agrees that such holders will be entitled to enforce
this Indenture, as third party beneficiaries, directly against the Company to
the same extent as if such holders of Preferred Securities held a principal
amount of Securities equal to the stated liquidation amount of the Preferred
Securities held by such holders.
ARTICLE SEVEN
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 701. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF SECURITIES.
Any Security or Securities, or any portion of the principal amount
thereof, shall be deemed to have been paid for all purposes of this Indenture,
and the entire indebtedness of the Company in respect thereof shall be deemed to
have been satisfied and discharged, if there shall have been irrevocably
deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company), in
trust:
(a) money in an amount which shall be sufficient, or
(b) in the case of a deposit made prior to the Maturity of such
Securities or portions thereof, Eligible Obligations, which shall 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 which, together with the money, if any, deposited with or held by
the Trustee or such Paying Agent, shall be sufficient, or
(c) a combination of (a) or (b) which shall be sufficient,
to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, due
and to become due on such Securities or portions thereof on or prior to
Maturity; provided, however, that in the case of the provision for payment or
redemption of less than all the Securities of any series, such Securities or
portions thereof shall have been selected by the Trustee as provided herein and,
in the case of a redemption, the notice requisite to the validity of such
redemption shall have been given or irrevocable authority shall have been given
by the Company to the Trustee to give such notice, under arrangements
satisfactory to the Trustee; and provided, further, that the Company shall have
delivered to the Trustee and such Paying Agent:
(x) if such deposit shall have been made prior to the Maturity of
such Securities, a Company Order stating that the money and Eligible
Obligations deposited in accordance with this Section shall be held in
trust, as provided in Section 703; and
(y) if Eligible Obligations shall have been deposited, an Opinion
of Counsel that the obligations so deposited constitute Eligible
Obligations and do not contain provisions permitting the redemption or
other prepayment at the option of the issuer thereof, and an opinion
of an independent public accountant of nationally recognized standing,
selected by the Company, to the effect that the requirements set forth
in clause (b) above have been satisfied; and
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(z) if such deposit shall have been made prior to the Maturity of
such Securities, an Officer's Certificate stating the Company's
intention that, upon delivery of such Officer's Certificate, its
indebtedness in respect of such Securities or portions thereof will
have been satisfied and discharged as contemplated in this Section.
Upon the deposit of money or Eligible Obligations, or both, in
accordance with this Section, together with the documents required by clauses
(x), (y) and (z) above, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Request,
acknowledge in writing that the Security or Securities or portions thereof with
respect to which such deposit was made are deemed to have been paid for all
purposes of this Indenture and that the entire indebtedness of the Company in
respect thereof has been satisfied and discharged as contemplated in this
Section. In the event that all of the conditions set forth in the preceding
paragraph shall have been satisfied in respect of any Securities or portions
thereof except that, for any reason, the Officer's Certificate specified in
clause (z) shall not have been delivered, such Securities or portions thereof
shall nevertheless be deemed to have been paid for all purposes of this
Indenture, and the Holders of such Securities or portions thereof shall
nevertheless be no longer entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or of any
of the covenants of the Company under Article Six (except the covenants
contained in Sections 602 and 603) or any other covenants made in respect of
such Securities or portions thereof as contemplated by Section 301, but the
indebtedness of the Company in respect of such Securities or portions thereof
shall not be deemed to have been satisfied and discharged prior to Maturity for
any other purpose, and the Holders of such Securities or portions thereof shall
continue to be entitled to look to the Company for payment of the indebtedness
represented thereby; and, upon Company Request, the Trustee shall acknowledge in
writing that such Securities or portions thereof are deemed to have been paid
for all purposes of this Indenture.
If payment at Stated Maturity of less than all of the Securities of
any series is to be provided for in the manner and with the effect provided in
this Section, the Security Registrar shall select such Securities, or portions
of principal amount thereof, in the manner specified by Section 403 for
selection for redemption of less than all the Securities of a series.
In the event that Securities which shall be deemed to have been paid
for purposes of this Indenture, and, if such is the case, in respect of which
the Company's indebtedness shall have been satisfied and discharged, all as
provided in this Section do not mature and are not to be redeemed within the 60
day period commencing with the date of the deposit of moneys or Eligible
Obligations, as aforesaid, the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, give a
notice, in the same manner as a notice of redemption with respect to such
Securities, to the Holders of such Securities to the effect that such deposit
has been made and the effect thereof.
Notwithstanding that any Securities shall be deemed to have been paid
for purposes of this Indenture, as aforesaid, the obligations of the Company and
the Trustee in respect of such Securities under Sections 304, 305, 306, 404, 503
(as to notice of redemption), 602, 603, 907 and 915 and this Article Seven shall
survive.
The Company shall pay, and shall indemnify the Trustee or any Paying
Agent with which Eligible Obligations shall have been deposited as provided in
this Section against, any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed
against such Eligible Obligations or the principal or interest received in
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respect of such Eligible Obligations, including, but not limited to, any such
tax payable by any entity deemed, for tax purposes, to have been created as a
result of such deposit.
Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) if, at any time
after a Security would be deemed to have been paid for purposes of this
Indenture, and, if such is the case, the Company's indebtedness in respect
thereof would be deemed to have been satisfied or discharged, pursuant to this
Section (without regard to the provisions of this paragraph), the Trustee or any
Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall be required to return the money or
Eligible Obligations, or combination thereof, deposited with it as aforesaid to
the Company or its representative under any applicable Federal or State
bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, such Security shall thereupon be
deemed retroactively not to have been paid and any satisfaction and discharge of
the Company's indebtedness in respect thereof shall retroactively be deemed not
to have been effected, and such Security shall be deemed to remain Outstanding
and (b) any satisfaction and discharge of the Company's indebtedness in respect
of any Security shall be subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of
Section 603.
SECTION 702. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.
This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further
effect (except as hereinafter expressly provided), and the Trustee, at the
expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when
(a) no Securities remain Outstanding hereunder; and
(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable
hereunder by the Company;
provided, however, that if, in accordance with the last paragraph of Section
701, any Security, previously deemed to have been paid for purposes of this
Indenture, shall be deemed retroactively not to have been so paid, this
Indenture shall thereupon be deemed retroactively not to have been satisfied and
discharged, as aforesaid, and to remain in full force and effect, and the
Company shall execute and deliver such instruments as the Trustee shall
reasonably request to evidence and acknowledge the same.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as
aforesaid, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee under Sections 304,
305, 306, 404, 503 (as to notice of redemption), 602, 603, 907 and 915 and this
Article Seven shall survive.
Upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as provided in this
Section, the Trustee shall assign, transfer and turn over to the Company,
subject to the lien provided by Section 907, any and all money, securities and
other property then held by the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the
Securities other than money and Eligible Obligations held by the Trustee
pursuant to Section 703 and, upon request and at the expense of the Company,
shall execute and deliver to the Company such instruments as, in the judgment of
the Company, shall be necessary, desirable or appropriate to effect or evidence
the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
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SECTION 703. APPLICATION OF TRUST MONEY.
Neither the Eligible Obligations nor the money deposited pursuant to
Section 701, nor the principal or interest payments on any such Eligible
Obligations, shall be withdrawn or used for any purpose other than, and shall be
held in trust for, the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest, if any, on the Securities or portions of principal amount thereof in
respect of which such deposit was made, all subject, however, to the provisions
of Section 603; provided, however, that, so long as there shall not have
occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, any cash received from such
principal or interest payments on such Eligible Obligations, if not then needed
for such purpose, shall, to the extent practicable and upon Company Request, be
invested in Eligible Obligations of the type described in clause (b) in the
first paragraph of Section 701 maturing at such times and in such amounts as
shall be sufficient, together with any other moneys and the principal of and
interest on any other Eligible Obligations then held by the Trustee, to pay when
due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, due and to
become due on such Securities or portions thereof on and prior to the Maturity
thereof, and interest earned from such reinvestment shall be paid over to the
Company as received, free and clear of any trust, lien or pledge under this
Indenture except the lien provided by Section 907; and provided, further, that,
so long as there shall not have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default,
any moneys held in accordance with this Section on the Maturity of all such
Securities in excess of the amount required to pay the principal of and premium,
if any, and interest, if any, then due on such Securities shall be paid over to
the Company free and clear of any trust, lien or pledge under this Indenture
except the lien provided by Section 907; and provided, further, that if an Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, moneys to be paid over to the
Company pursuant to this Section shall be held until such Event of Default shall
have been waived or cured.
ARTICLE EIGHT
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES
SECTION 801. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
"Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to Securities of
any series, means any one of the following events:
(a) failure to pay interest, if any, including any Additional
Interest, on any Security of such series within 30 days after the same
becomes due and payable (whether or not payment is prohibited by the
provisions of Article Fifteen hereof); provided, however, that a valid
extension of the interest payment period by the Company as contemplated in
Section 311 of this Indenture shall not constitute a failure to pay
interest for this purpose; or
(b) failure to pay the principal of or premium, if any, on any
Security of such series at its Maturity (whether or not payment is
prohibited by the provisions of Article Fifteen hereof); or
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(c) failure to perform or breach of any covenant or warranty of the
Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in
the performance of which or breach of which is elsewhere in this Section
specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this
Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other
than such series) for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by
registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee, or to the
Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount
of the Outstanding Securities of such series, a written notice specifying
such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that
such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder, unless the Trustee, or the
Trustee and the Holders of a principal amount of Securities of such series
not less than the principal amount of Securities the Holders of which gave
such notice, as the case may be, shall agree in writing to an extension of
such period prior to its expiration; provided, however, that the Trustee,
or the Trustee and the Holders of such principal amount of Securities of
such series, as the case may be, shall be deemed to have agreed to an
extension of such period if corrective action is initiated by the Company
within such period and is being diligently pursued; or
(d) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (1) a
decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case
or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar law or (2) a decree or order adjudging the
Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition
by one or more Persons other than the Company seeking reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company
under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian,
receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar
official for the Company or for any substantial part of its property, or
ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and any such decree
or order for relief or any such other decree or order shall have remained
unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or
(e) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding
under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to
be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry
of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in a case or
proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any
bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it
of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under
any applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the filing of
such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian,
receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official
of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by
it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in
writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or
the authorization of such action by the Board of Directors; or
(f) any other Event of Default specified with respect to Securities of
such series.
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SECTION 802. ACCELERATION OF MATURITY; RESCISSION AND ANNULMENT.
If an Event of Default due to the default in payment of principal of,
or interest on, any series of Securities or due to the default in the
performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty of the Company
applicable to the Securities of such series but not applicable to all
Outstanding Securities shall have occurred and be continuing, either the Trustee
or the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of the Securities of
such series may then declare the principal of all Securities of such series and
interest accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately (provided that the
payment of principal and interest on such Securities shall remain subordinated
to the extent provided in Article Fifteen hereof), by a notice in writing to the
Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders). If an Event of Default due
to default in the performance of any other of the covenants or agreements herein
applicable to all Outstanding Securities or an Event of Default specified in
Section 801(d) or (e) shall have occurred and be continuing, either the Trustee
or the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of all Securities then
Outstanding (considered as one class), and not the Holders of the Securities of
any one of such series, may declare the principal of all Securities and interest
accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately (provided that the payment of
principal and interest on such Securities shall remain subordinated to the
extent provided in the Indenture), by a notice in writing to the Company (and to
the Trustee if given by the Holders). As a consequence of each such declaration
(herein referred to as a declaration of acceleration) with respect to Securities
of any series, the principal amount of such Securities and interest accrued
thereon shall become due and payable immediately.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Securities of any series shall have been made and before a judgment or decree
for payment of the money due shall have been obtained by the Trustee as
hereinafter in this Article provided, the Event or Events of Default giving rise
to such declaration of acceleration shall, without further act, be deemed to
have been waived, and such declaration and its consequences shall, without
further act, be deemed to have been rescinded and annulled, if
(a) the Company shall have paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum
sufficient to pay
(1) all overdue interest, if any, on all Securities of such
series;
(2) the principal of and premium, if any, on any Securities 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 Securities; and
(3) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful,
interest upon overdue interest, if any, at the rate or rates
prescribed therefor in such Securities; and
(4) all amounts due to the Trustee under Section 907;
and
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(b) any other Event or Events of Default with respect to Securities of
such series, other than the nonpayment of the principal of Securities of
such series which shall have become due solely by such declaration of
acceleration, shall have been cured or waived as provided in Section 813.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any
right consequent thereon.
SECTION 803. COLLECTION OF INDEBTEDNESS AND SUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT BY TRUSTEE.
If an Event of Default described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 801
shall have occurred and be continuing, the Company shall, upon demand of the
Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of the
series with respect to which such Event of Default shall have occurred, the
whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and premium,
if any, and interest, if any, and, to the extent permitted by law, interest on
premium, if any, and on any overdue principal and interest, at the rate or rates
prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further
amount as shall be sufficient to cover any amounts due to the Trustee under
Section 907. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to
any series of Securities, the rate or rates at which Securities shall bear
interest on overdue principal, and, if applicable, the rate or rates at which
overdue premium or interest shall bear interest, if any, shall be, to the extent
permitted by law, the same rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear
interest prior to Maturity.
If the Company shall fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such
demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may
institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and
unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may
enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities
and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided
by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such
Securities, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series shall
have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to
protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of
such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem
most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific
enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the
exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
SECTION 804. TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation,
bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other
judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the
Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their
creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities
shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or
otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on
the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled
and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
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(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal,
premium, if any, and interest, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the
Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary
or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any
claim for amounts due to the Trustee under Section 907) and of the Holders
allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
(b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or
other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by
each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the
Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to
pay to the Trustee any amounts due it under Section 907.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities
or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in
respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
SECTION 805. TRUSTEE MAY ENFORCE CLAIMS WITHOUT POSSESSION OF SECURITIES.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities
may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of
the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and
any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name
as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after
provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the
ratable benefit of the Holders in respect of which such judgment has been
recovered.
SECTION 806. APPLICATION OF MONEY COLLECTED.
Subject to the provisions of Article Fifteen, any money collected by
the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at
the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such
money on account of principal or premium, if any, or interest, if any, upon
presentation of the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which
such money shall have been collected and the notation thereon of the payment if
only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section
907;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the
Securities for principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, in
respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected,
ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts
due and payable on such Securities for principal, premium, if any, and interest,
if any, respectively; and
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THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or to
whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of
competent jurisdiction may direct.
SECTION 807. LIMITATION ON SUITS.
No Holder shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial
or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a
receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
(a) such Holder shall have previously given written notice to a
Responsible Officer of the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with
respect to the Securities of such series;
(b) the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of all series in respect of which an Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, considered as one class,
shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in
respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(c) such Holder or Holders shall have offered to the Trustee
reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be
incurred in compliance with such request;
(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request
and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such proceeding;
and
(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have
been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all
series in respect of which an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, considered as one class;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have
any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision
of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of
such Holders or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any
other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in
the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such
Holders.
SECTION 808. UNCONDITIONAL RIGHT OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM
AND INTEREST.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of
any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to
receive payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to
Sections 307 and 311) interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity
or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the
Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment,
and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
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SECTION 809. RESTORATION OF RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce
any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding shall have been
discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or shall have been determined
adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject
to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, and Trustee and such
Holder shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions
hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and such Holder
shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
SECTION 810. RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.
Except as otherwise provided in the last paragraph of Section 306, no
right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the
Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every
right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in
addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter
existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any
right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent
assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
SECTION 811. DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any
right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right
or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence
therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee
or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be
deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
SECTION 812. CONTROL BY HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.
If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing in
respect of a series of Securities, the Holders of a majority in principal amount
of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have the right to direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with
respect to the Securities of such series; provided, however, that if an Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to more than one
series of Securities, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Outstanding Securities of all such series, considered as one class, shall
have the right to make such direction, and not the Holders of the Securities of
any one of such series; and provided, further, that such direction shall not be
in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture. The Trustee shall have
the right to decline to follow any such direction which would subject the
Trustee to personal liability or expense. The Trustee may take any other action,
deemed proper by the Trustee, which is not inconsistent with any such direction.
Before proceeding to exercise any right or power hereunder at the direction of
such Holders, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive from such Holders
reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities
which might be incurred by it in compliance with any such direction.
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SECTION 813. WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS.
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the
Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such
series and its consequences, except a default
(a) in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or
interest, if any, on any Security of such series, or
(b) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Section
1202 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of
each Outstanding Security of such series affected;
provided, however, that so long as a Trust holds the Securities of any series,
such Trust may not waive any past default without the consent of at least a
majority in aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding Preferred
Securities issued by such Trust affected, obtained as provided in the Trust
Agreement pertaining to such Trust.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any and
all Events of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for
every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 814. UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS.
The Company and the Trustee agree, and each Holder by his acceptance
thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion
require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an
undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its
discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and
good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; all in the
manner to the extent and except as otherwise provided in the Trust Indenture
Act; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted
by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by
any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series in
respect of which such suit may be brought, considered as one class, or to any
suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the
principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security on or
after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the
case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).
SECTION 815. WAIVER OF STAY OR EXTENSION LAWS.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that
it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim
or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted,
now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the
performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law
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and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any
power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of
every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE NINE
THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 901. CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
(a) The Trustee shall have and be subject to all the duties and
responsibilities specified with respect to an indenture trustee in the
Trust Indenture Act and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read
into this Indenture against the Trustee. For purposes of Sections 315(a)
and 315(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, the term "default" is hereby defined
as an Event of Default which has occurred and is continuing.
(b) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend
or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the
performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of
its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing
that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or
liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(c) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Indenture to the
contrary, the duties and responsibilities of the Trustee under this
Indenture shall be subject to the protections, exculpations and limitations
on liability afforded to the Trustee under the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act. For the purpose of Section 315(d)(2) of the Trust Indenture
Act, the term "responsible officer" is hereby defined as a Responsible
Officer and the chairman or vice-chairman of the board of directors, the
chairman or vice-chairman of the executive committee of the board of
directors, the president, any vice president, any assistant vice president,
the secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant
treasurer, the cashier, any assistant cashier, any trust officer or
assistant trust officer, the controller and any assistant controller of the
Trustee, or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing
functions similar to those performed by a Responsible Officer or any of the
above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular
corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred
because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular
subject.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of
this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or
affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of
this Section.
SECTION 902. NOTICE OF DEFAULTS.
The Trustee shall give notice of any default hereunder with respect to
the Securities of any series to the Holders of Securities of such series of
which it has knowledge (within the meaning of Section 903(h) hereof) in the
manner and to the extent required to do so by the Trust Indenture Act, unless
such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that in the
case of any default of the character specified in Section 801(c), no such notice
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to Holders shall be given until at least 45 days after the occurrence thereof.
For the purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event which is, or
after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become, an Event of Default.
SECTION 903. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.
Subject to the provisions of Section 901 and to the applicable
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act:
(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in
acting or refraining from acting in good faith upon any resolution,
certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
indebtedness or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be
genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or
parties;
(b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be
sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, or as
otherwise expressly provided herein, and any resolution of the Board of
Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall
deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking,
suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other
evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad
faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officer's Certificate;
(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the
written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and
complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken,
suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction
of any Holder pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holder shall have
offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs,
expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with
such request or direction;
(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry
or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the
Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it
shall (subject to applicable legal requirements) be entitled to examine,
during normal business hours, the books, records and premises of the
Company, personally or by agent or attorney;
(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
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negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by
it hereunder;
(h) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given
to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified,
are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its
capacities hereunder; and
(i) the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any default or
Event of Default, as the case may be, with respect to the Securities of any
series for which it is acting as Trustee unless either (1) a Responsible
Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge of the default or Event
of Default, as the case may be, or (2) written notice of such default or
Event of Default, as the case may be, shall have been given to the Trustee
at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee by the Company, any other
obligor on such Securities or by any Holder of such Securities.
SECTION 904. NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities (except the
Trustee's certificates of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of
the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes
responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to
the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the
Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or
application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.
SECTION 905. MAY HOLD SECURITIES.
Each of the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any
Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any
other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to
Sections 908 and 913, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights
it would have if it were not the Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent,
Security Registrar or such other agent.
SECTION 906. MONEY HELD IN TRUST.
Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated
from other funds, except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be
under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as
expressly provided herein or otherwise agreed with, and for the sole benefit of,
the Company.
SECTION 907. COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.
The Company shall
(a) pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for
all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be
limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee
of an express trust);
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(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, reimburse the
Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and
advances reasonably incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any
provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the
expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except to the extent
that any such expense, disbursement or advance may be attributable to the
Trustee's negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith; and
(c) indemnify the Trustee for, and hold it harmless from and against,
any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred by it arising out of or
in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts
hereunder or the performance of its duties hereunder, including the
reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or
liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its
powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability
or expense may be attributable to its negligence, willful misconduct or bad
faith.
As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company
under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon
all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such other than
property and funds held in trust under Section 703 (except as otherwise provided
in Section 703). "Trustee" for purposes of this Section shall include any
predecessor Trustee; provided, however, that the negligence, willful misconduct
or bad faith of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other
Trustee hereunder.
In addition to the rights provided to the Trustee pursuant to the
provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph of this Section 907, when the
Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of
Default specified in Section 801(d) or Section 801(e), the expenses (including
the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the
services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any
applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.
The provisions of this Section 907 shall survive the termination of
this Indenture.
SECTION 908. DISQUALIFICATION; CONFLICTING INTERESTS.
If the Trustee shall have or acquire any conflicting interest within
the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, it shall either eliminate such
conflicting interest or resign to the extent, in the manner and with the effect,
and subject to the conditions, provided in the Trust Indenture Act and this
Indenture. For purposes of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act and to
the extent permitted thereby, the Trustee, in its capacity as trustee in respect
of the Securities of any series, shall not be deemed to have a conflicting
interest arising from its capacity as trustee in respect of (i) the Securities
of any other series, (ii) the Trust Agreement and the Guarantee Agreement
pertaining to each Trust; (iii) any securities of any series issued under the
Indenture (For Unsecured Subordinated Debt Securities relating to Trust
Securities), dated as of March 1, 1996, of the Company to The Bank of New York,
as trustee, (iv) the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of March 1,
1996 among the Company, as depositor The Bank of New York, as property trustee,
The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware trustee, the several administrative
trustees named therein and the several holders, or (v) the Guarantee Agreement,
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dated as of March 1, 1996 between the Company and The Bank of New York, as
guarantee trustee.
SECTION 909. CORPORATE TRUSTEE REQUIRED; ELIGIBILITY.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be
(a) a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the
United States, any State or Territory thereof or the District of Columbia,
authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a
combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and subject to
supervision or examination by Federal or State authority, or
(b) if and to the extent permitted by the Commission by rule,
regulation or order upon application, a corporation or other Person
organized and doing business under the laws of a foreign government,
authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a
combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 or the Dollar
equivalent of the applicable foreign currency and subject to supervision or
examination by authority of such foreign government or a political
subdivision thereof substantially equivalent to supervision or examination
applicable to United States institutional trustees,
and, in either case, qualified and eligible under this Article and the Trust
Indenture Act. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least
annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of such supervising or
examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital
and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and
surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at
any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with
the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
SECTION 910. RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR.
(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a
successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the
acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the
applicable requirements of Section 911.
(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities
of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If
the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 911
shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the
giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition
any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor
Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the
Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the
Trustee and to the Company; provided that so long as any Preferred
Securities remain outstanding, the Trust which issued such Preferred
Securities shall not execute any Act to remove the Trustee without the
consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate liquidation preference of
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Preferred Securities issued by such Trust outstanding, obtained as provided
in the Trust Agreement pertaining to such Trust.
(d) If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 908 after
written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been
a bona fide Holder for at least six months, or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 909 and
shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or
by any such Holder, or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be
adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of
its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take
charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the
purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (x) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the
Trustee with respect to all Securities or (y) subject to Section 814, any Holder
who has been a bona fide Holder for at least six months may, on behalf of
himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and
the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of
acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause
(other than as contemplated in clause (y) in Subsection (d) of this
Section), with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the
Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee
or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it
being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with
respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at
any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of
any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of
Section 911. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or
incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of
such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the
successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such
appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 911,
become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series
and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the
Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any
series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and
accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 911, any Holder who
has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six
months may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition
any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor
Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
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(f) So long as no event which is, or after notice or lapse of time, or
both, would become, an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, and except with respect to a Trustee appointed by Act of the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
pursuant to Subsection (e) of this Section, if the Company shall have
delivered to the Trustee (i) a Board Resolution appointing a successor
Trustee, effective as of a date specified therein, and (ii) an instrument
of acceptance of such appointment, effective as of such date, by such
successor Trustee in accordance with Section 911, the Trustee shall be
deemed to have resigned as contemplated in Subsection (b) of this Section,
the successor Trustee shall be deemed to have been appointed by the Company
pursuant to Subsection (e) of this Section and such appointment shall be
deemed to have been accepted as contemplated in Section 911, all as of such
date, and all other provisions of this Section and Section 911 shall be
applicable to such resignation, appointment and acceptance except to the
extent inconsistent with this Subsection (f).
(g) The Company (or, should the Company fail so to act promptly, the
successor trustee at the expense of the Company) shall give notice of each
resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities
of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to
the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of such
series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Each
notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the
Securities of such series and the address of its corporate trust office.
SECTION 911. ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR.
(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of all series, every such successor Trustee so
appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the
retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon
the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective
and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance,
shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the
retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor
Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of all sums owed to it,
execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee
all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly
assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and
money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company,
the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the
Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture
supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such
appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be
necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each
successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring
Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the
appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee
is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such
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provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all
the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect
to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee
is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee and (3)
shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be
necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts
hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein
or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees
co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee
of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts
hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution
and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of
the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein
and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or
conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and
duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or
those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates;
but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring
Trustee, upon payment of all sums owed to it, shall duly assign, transfer
and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such
retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those
series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.
(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall
execute any instruments which fully vest in and confirm to such successor
Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in Subsection (a) or
(b) of this Section, as the case may be.
(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the
time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and
eligible under this Article.
SECTION 912. MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS.
Any Person into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with
which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any Person
succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the
Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such Person
shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the
execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the
parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not
delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or
consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and
deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such
successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.
SECTION 913. PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY.
If the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company or any
other obligor upon the Securities (other than by reason of a relationship
described in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act), the Trustee shall be
subject to any and all applicable provisions of the Trust Indenture Act
regarding the collection of claims against the Company or such other obligor.
For purposes of Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act:
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(a) the term "cash transaction" means any transaction in which full
payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after
delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other
orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand;
(b) the term "self-liquidating paper" means any draft, bill of
exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or
incurred by the Company for the purpose of financing the purchase,
processing, manufacturing, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or
merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to,
possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or merchandise or the
receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or
merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is
received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor
relationship with the Company arising from the making, drawing, negotiating
or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation.
SECTION 914. CO-TRUSTEES AND SEPARATE TRUSTEES.
At any time or times, for the purpose of meeting the legal
requirements of any applicable jurisdiction, the Company and the Trustee shall
have power to appoint, and, upon the written request of the Trustee or of the
Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding,
the Company shall for such purpose join with the Trustee in the execution and
delivery of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to appoint, one
or more Persons approved by the Trustee either to act as co-trustee, jointly
with the Trustee, or to act as separate trustee, in either case with such powers
as may be provided in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person
or Persons, in the capacity aforesaid, any property, title, right or power
deemed necessary or desirable, subject to the other provisions of this Section.
If the Company does not join in such appointment within 15 days after the
receipt by it of a request so to do, or if an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, the Trustee alone shall have power to make such
appointment.
Should any written instrument or instruments from the Company be
required by any co-trustee or separate trustee so appointed to more fully
confirm to such co-trustee or separate trustee such property, title, right or
power, any and all such instruments shall, on request, be executed, acknowledged
and delivered by the Company.
Every co-trustee or separate trustee shall, to the extent permitted by
law, but to such extent only, be appointed subject to the following conditions:
(a) the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered, and all
rights, powers, duties and obligations hereunder in respect of the custody
of securities, cash and other personal property held by, or required to be
deposited or pledged with, the Trustee hereunder, shall be exercised
solely, by the Trustee;
(b) the rights, powers, duties and obligations hereby conferred or
imposed upon the Trustee in respect of any property covered by such
appointment shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed
either by the Trustee or by the Trustee and such co-trustee or separate
trustee jointly, as shall be provided in the instrument appointing such
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co-trustee or separate trustee, except to the extent that under any law of
any jurisdiction in which any particular act is to be performed, the
Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act, in which
event such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised and
performed by such co-trustee or separate trustee;
(c) the Trustee at any time, by an instrument in writing executed by
it, with the concurrence of the Company, may accept the resignation of or
remove any co-trustee or separate trustee appointed under this Section,
and, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the
Trustee shall have power to accept the resignation of, or remove, any such
co-trustee or separate trustee without the concurrence of the Company. Upon
the written request of the Trustee, the Company shall join with the Trustee
in the execution and delivery of all instruments and agreements necessary
or proper to effectuate such resignation or removal. A successor to any
co-trustee or separate trustee so resigned or removed may be appointed in
the manner provided in this Section;
(d) no co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be personally
liable by reason of any act or omission of the Trustee, or any other such
trustee hereunder; and
(e) any Act of Holders delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed to
have been delivered to each such co-trustee and separate trustee.
SECTION 915. APPOINTMENT OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect
to the Securities of one or more series, which shall be authorized to act on
behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon
original issuance and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial
redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated
shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and
obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder.
Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery
of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication,
such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf
of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication
executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each
Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times
be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United
States, any State or territory thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized
under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and
surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination
by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of
condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said
supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the
combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be
its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of
condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be
eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating
Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in
this Section.
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Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or
corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an
Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible
under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written
notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time
terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof
to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of
resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating
Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company. Any successor Authenticating
Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all
the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as
if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating
Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.
The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to
time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.
The provisions of Sections 308, 904 and 905 shall be applicable to
each Authenticating Agent.
If an appointment with respect to the Securities of one or more series
shall be made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have
endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an
alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated:
----------------------------------
As Trustee
By
--------------------------------
As Authenticating
Agent
By
--------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
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If all of the Securities of a series may not be originally issued at
one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating
Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the
Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original
issuance, the Trustee, if so requested by the Company in writing (which writing
need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of
Counsel), shall appoint, in accordance with this Section and in accordance with
such procedures as shall be acceptable to the Trustee, an Authenticating Agent
having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to
such series of Securities.
ARTICLE TEN
HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
SECTION 1001. LISTS OF HOLDERS.
Semiannually, not later than 1 and 1 in each year,
---- --------
commencing , , and at such other times as the Trustee may request in
---- ---
writing, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee
information as to the names and addresses of the Holders, and the Trustee shall
preserve such information and similar information received by it in any other
capacity and afford to the Holders access to information so preserved by it, all
to such extent, if any, and in such manner as shall be required by the Trust
Indenture Act; provided, however, that no such list need be furnished so long as
the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar.
SECTION 1002. REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY.
Not later than 1 in each year, commencing , , the
-------- -------- ----
Trustee shall transmit to the Holders, the Commission and each securities
exchange upon which any Securities are listed, a report, dated as of the next
preceding 15, with respect to any events and other matters described
---------
in Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, in such manner and to the extent
required by the Trust Indenture Act. The Trustee shall transmit to the Holders,
the Commission and each securities exchange upon which any Securities are
listed, and the Company shall file with the Trustee (within 30 days after filing
with the Commission in the case of reports which pursuant to the Trust Indenture
Act must be filed with the Commission and furnished to the Trustee) and transmit
to the Holders, such other information, reports and other documents, if any, at
such times and in such manner, as shall be required by the Trust Indenture Act.
The Company shall notify the Trustee of the listing of any Securities on any
securities exchange or of any delisting thereof.
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ARTICLE ELEVEN
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR OTHER TRANSFER
SECTION 1101. COMPANY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ONLY ON CERTAIN TERMS.
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person,
or convey or otherwise transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially
as an entirety to any Person, unless
(a) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company
is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which
leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an
entirety shall be a Person organized and validly existing under the laws of
the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and shall
expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and
delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and
punctual payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if
any, on all Outstanding Securities and the performance of every covenant of
this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;
(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction no Event of
Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would
become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(c) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such
consolidation, merger, conveyance, or other transfer or lease and such
supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions
precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been
complied with.
SECTION 1102. SUCCESSOR PERSON SUBSTITUTED.
Upon any consolidation by the Company with or merger by the Company
into any other Person or any conveyance, or other transfer or lease of the
properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance
with Section 1101, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into
which the Company is merged or the Person to which such conveyance, transfer or
lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every
right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if
such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter,
except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all
obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities Outstanding
hereunder.
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ARTICLE TWELVE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 1201. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company and the Trustee, at
any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures
supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the
following purposes:
(a) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and
the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein
and in the Securities, all as provided in Article Eleven; or
(b) to add one or more covenants of the Company or other provisions
for the benefit of all Holders or for the benefit of the Holders of, or to
remain in effect only so long as there shall be Outstanding, Securities of
one or more specified series, or to surrender any right or power herein
conferred upon the Company; or
(c) to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any
series of Securities Outstanding hereunder; or
(d) to change or eliminate any provision of this Indenture or to add
any new provision to this Indenture; provided, however, that if such
change, elimination or addition shall adversely affect the interests of the
Holders of Securities of any series (other than any series the terms of
which permit such change, elimination or addition) Outstanding on the date
of such indenture supplemental hereto in any material respect, such change,
elimination or addition shall become effective with respect to such series
only pursuant to the provisions of Section 1202 hereof or when no Security
of such series remains Outstanding; or
(e) to provide collateral security for all but not part of the
Securities; or
(f) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as
contemplated by Sections 201 and 301; 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
hereunder by a separate or successor Trustee or co-trustee with respect to
the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the
provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or
facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one
Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 911(b); or
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(i) to provide for the procedures required to permit the Company to
utilize, at its option, a noncertificated system of registration for all,
or any series of, the Securities; or
(j) to change any place or places where (1) the principal of and
premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all or any series of Securities
shall be payable, (2) all or any series of Securities may be surrendered
for registration of transfer, (3) all or any series of Securities may be
surrendered for exchange and (4) notices and demands to or upon the Company
in respect of all or any series of Securities and this Indenture may be
served; or
(k) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision
herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision
herein, to make any other changes to the provisions hereof or to add other
provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this
Indenture, provided that such other changes or additions shall not
adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series
in any material respect.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Trust
Indenture Act as in effect at the date of the execution and delivery of this
Indenture or at any time thereafter shall be amended and
(x) if any such amendment shall require one or more changes to
any provisions hereof or the inclusion herein of any additional
provisions, or shall by operation of law be deemed to effect such
changes or incorporate such provisions by reference or otherwise, this
Indenture shall be deemed to have been amended so as to conform to
such amendment to the Trust Indenture Act, and the Company and the
Trustee may, without the consent of any Holders, enter into an
indenture supplemental hereto to effect or evidence such changes or
additional provisions; or
(y) if any such amendment shall permit one or more changes to, or
the elimination of, any provisions hereof which, at the date of the
execution and delivery hereof or at any time thereafter, are required
by the Trust Indenture Act to be contained herein, this Indenture
shall be deemed to have been amended to effect such changes or
elimination, and the Company and the Trustee may, without the consent
of any Holders, enter into an indenture supplemental hereto to
evidence such amendment hereof.
SECTION 1202. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS.
With the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Securities of all series then Outstanding under this Indenture,
considered as one class, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the
Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may
enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of
adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the
provisions of, this Indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the
Holders of Securities of such series under the Indenture; provided, however,
that if there shall be Securities of more than one series Outstanding hereunder
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and if a proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the
Holders of Securities of one or more, but less than all, of such series, then
the consent only of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Outstanding Securities of all series so directly affected, considered as one
class, shall be required; and provided, further, that no such supplemental
indenture shall:
(a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment
of principal of or interest on (except as provided in Section 311 hereof),
any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of
interest thereon (or the amount of any installment of interest thereon) or
change the method of calculating such rate or reduce any premium payable
upon the redemption thereof, or change the coin or currency (or other
property), in which any Security or any premium or the interest thereon is
payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
such payment on or after the Stated Maturity of any Security (or, in the
case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), without, in any such
case, the consent of the Holder of such Security, or
(b) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of any series (or, if applicable, in liquidation preference of
any series of Preferred Securities), the consent of the Holders of which is
required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of the Holders
of which is required for any waiver of compliance with any provision of
this Indenture or of any default hereunder and its consequences, or reduce
the requirements of Section 1304 for quorum or voting, without, in any such
case, the consent of the Holders of each Outstanding Security of such
series, or
(c) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 607 or
Section 813 with respect to the Securities of any series, except to
increase the percentages in principal amount referred to in this Section or
such other Sections or to provide that other provisions of this Indenture
cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause
shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to
changes in the references to "the Trustee" and concomitant changes in this
Section, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the
requirements of Sections 911(b), 914 and 1201(h).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as any of the Preferred Securities remain
outstanding, the Trustee may not consent to a supplemental indenture under this
Section 1202 without the prior consent, obtained as provided in a Trust
Agreement pertaining to a Trust which issued such Preferred Securities, of the
holders of not less than a majority in aggregate liquidation preference of all
Preferred Securities issued by such Trust affected, considered as one class, or,
in the case of changes described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above, 100% in
aggregate liquidation preference of all such Preferred Securities then
outstanding which would be affected thereby, considered as one class. A
supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other
provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the
benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the
rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant
or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this
Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
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It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to
approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall
be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof. A waiver by a
Holder of such Holder's right to consent under this Section shall be deemed to
be a consent of such Holder.
SECTION 1203. EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of
the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive,
and (subject to Section 901) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an
Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is
authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be
obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the
Trustee's own rights, duties, immunities or liabilities under this Indenture or
otherwise.
SECTION 1204. EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article,
this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder
of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder
shall be bound thereby. Any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article may
restate this Indenture in its entirety, and, upon the execution and delivery
thereof, any such restatement shall supersede this Indenture as theretofore in
effect for all purposes.
SECTION 1205. CONFORMITY WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall
conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
SECTION 1206. REFERENCE IN SECURITIES TO SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the
execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall
if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as
to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall
so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the
opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may
be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the
Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
SECTION 1207. MODIFICATION WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.
If the terms of any particular series of Securities shall have been
established in a Board Resolution or an Officer's Certificate as contemplated by
Section 301, and not in an indenture supplemental hereto, additions to, changes
in or the elimination of any of such terms may be effected by means of a
supplemental Board Resolution or Officer's Certificate, as the case may be,
delivered to, and accepted by, the Trustee; provided, however, that such
supplemental Board Resolution or Officer's Certificate shall not be accepted by
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the Trustee or otherwise be effective unless all conditions set forth in this
Indenture which would be required to be satisfied if such additions, changes or
elimination were contained in a supplemental indenture shall have been
appropriately satisfied. Upon the acceptance thereof by the Trustee, any such
supplemental Board Resolution or Officer's Certificate shall be deemed to be a
"supplemental indenture" for purposes of Section 1204 and 1206.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
MEETINGS OF HOLDERS; ACTION WITHOUT MEETING
SECTION 1301. PURPOSES FOR WHICH MEETINGS MAY BE CALLED.
A meeting of Holders of Securities of one or more, or all, series may
be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make,
give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by
Holders of Securities of such series.
SECTION 1302. CALL, NOTICE AND PLACE OF MEETINGS.
(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of
Securities of one or more, or all, series for any purpose specified in
Section 1301, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, as the Trustee shall determine, or, with
the approval of the Company, at any other place. Notice of every such
meeting, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in
general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be
given, in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 21 nor more
than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
(b) If the Trustee shall have been requested to call a meeting of the
Holders of Securities of one or more, or all, series by the Company or by
the Holders of 33% in aggregate principal amount of all of such series,
considered as one class, for any purpose specified in Section 1301, by
written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to
be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have given the notice of
such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not
thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then
the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above
specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or in such other place as shall
be determined or approved by the Company, for such meeting and may call
such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in
Subsection (a) of this Section.
(c) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of one or more, or all,
series shall be valid without notice if the Holders of all Outstanding
Securities of such series are present in person or by proxy and if
representatives of the Company and the Trustee are present, or if notice is
waived in writing before or after the meeting by the Holders of all
Outstanding Securities of such series, or by such of them as are not
present at the meeting in person or by proxy, and by the Company and the
Trustee.
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SECTION 1303. PERSONS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT MEETINGS.
To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of one
or more, or all, series a Person shall be (a) a Holder of one or more
Outstanding Securities of such series, or (b) a Person appointed by an
instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more
Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only
Persons who shall be entitled to attend any meeting of Holders of Securities of
any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their
counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any
representatives of the Company and its counsel.
SECTION 1304. QUORUM; ACTION.
The Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Outstanding Securities of the series with respect to which a meeting
shall have been called as hereinbefore provided, considered as one class, shall
constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series;
provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting which this
Indenture expressly provides may be taken by the Holders of a specified
percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series, considered as one class, the Persons
entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series, considered as one class, shall constitute
a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within one hour of the time appointed for
any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of
Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be
adjourned for such period as may be determined by the chairman of the meeting
prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such
adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for such
period as may be determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the
adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Except as provided by Section 1305(e),
notice of the reconvening of any meeting adjourned for more than 30 days shall
be given as provided in Section 1302(a) not less than 10 days prior to the date
on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of
an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of
the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall
constitute a quorum.
Except as limited by Section 1202, any resolution presented to a
meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as
aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the
series with respect to which such meeting shall have been called, considered as
one class; provided, however, that, except as so limited, any resolution with
respect to any action which this Indenture expressly provides may be taken by
the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, considered as one
class, may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and
at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders
of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
of such series, considered as one class.
Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of
Securities duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the
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Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such meeting shall
have been held, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.
SECTION 1305. ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS; DETERMINATION OF VOTING RIGHTS;
CONDUCT AND ADJOURNMENT OF MEETINGS.
(a) Attendance at meetings of Holders of Securities may be in person
or by proxy; and, to the extent permitted by law, any such proxy shall
remain in effect and be binding upon any future Holder of the Securities
with respect to which it was given unless and until specifically revoked by
the Holder or future Holder of such Securities before being voted.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the
Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for
any meeting of Holders of Securities in regard to proof of the holding of
such Securities and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the
appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and
examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to
vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it
shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any
such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner
specified in Section 104 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved
in the manner specified in Section 104. Such regulations may provide that
written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be
presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 104 or
other proof.
(c) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a
temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been
called by the Company or by Holders as provided in Section 1302(b), in
which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling
the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary
chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting
shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series
represented at the meeting, considered as one class.
(d) At any meeting each Holder or proxy shall be entitled to one vote
for each $1 principal amount of Securities held or represented by him;
provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in
respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the
chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting
shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security or proxy.
(e) Any meeting duly called pursuant to Section 1302 at which a quorum
is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all
series represented at the meeting, considered as one class; and the meeting
may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
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SECTION 1306. COUNTING VOTES AND RECORDING ACTION OF MEETINGS.
The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders shall
be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders
or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial
numbers of the Outstanding Securities, of the series with respect to which the
meeting shall have been called, held or represented by them. The permanent
chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count
all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make
and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports of all
votes cast at the meeting. A record of the proceedings of each meeting of
Holders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be
attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any
vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having
knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and
showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1302 and, if
applicable, Section 1304. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the
affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such
copy shall be delivered to the Company, and another to the Trustee to be
preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted
at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence
of the matters therein stated.
SECTION 1307. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING.
In lieu of a vote of Holders at a meeting as hereinbefore contemplated
in this Article, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action may be made, given or taken by Holders by written
instruments as provided in Section 104.
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, SHAREHOLDERS OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
SECTION 1401. LIABILITY SOLELY CORPORATE.
No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or
premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Securities, or any part thereof, or
for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or of the
indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement
under this Indenture, against any incorporator, shareholder, officer or
director, as such, past, present or future of the Company or of any predecessor
or successor corporation (either directly or through the Company or a
predecessor or successor corporation), whether by virtue of any constitutional
provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or
penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this
Indenture and all the Securities are solely corporate obligations, and that no
personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any
incorporator, shareholder, officer or director, past, present or future, of the
Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, either directly or
indirectly through the Company or any predecessor or successor corporation,
because of the indebtedness hereby authorized or under or by reason of any of
the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any
of the Securities or to be implied herefrom or therefrom, and that any such
personal liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of,
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and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the
issuance of the Securities.
ARTICLE FIFTEEN
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1501. SECURITIES SUBORDINATE TO SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS.
The Company, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and
agrees, and each Holder of the Securities of each series, by its acceptance
thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of the principal of and
premium, if any, and interest, if any, on each and all of the Securities is
hereby expressly subordinated and subject to the extent and in the manner set
forth in this Article, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all
Senior Indebtedness.
Each Holder of the Securities of each series, by its acceptance
thereof, authorizes and directs the Trustee on its behalf to take such action as
may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in
this Article, and appoints the Trustee its attorney-in-fact for any and all such
purposes.
SECTION 1502. PAYMENT OVER OF PROCEEDS OF SECURITIES.
In the event (a) of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings or any
receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceedings in
respect of the Company or a substantial part of its property, or of any
proceedings for liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the Company,
whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or (b) subject to the
provisions of Section 1503, that (i) a default shall have occurred with respect
to the payment of principal of or interest on or other monetary amounts due and
payable on any Senior Indebtedness, or (ii) there shall have occurred a default
(other than a default in the payment of principal or interest or other monetary
amounts due and payable) in respect of any Senior Indebtedness, as defined
therein or in the instrument under which the same is outstanding, permitting the
holder or holders thereof to accelerate the maturity thereof (with notice or
lapse of time, or both), and such default shall have continued beyond the period
of grace, if any, in respect thereof, and, in the cases of subclauses (i) and
(ii) of this clause (b), such default shall not have been cured or waived or
shall not have ceased to exist, or (c) that the principal of and accrued
interest on the Securities of any series shall have been declared due and
payable pursuant to Section 801 and such declaration shall not have been
rescinded and annulled as provided in Section 802, then:
(1) the holders of all Senior Indebtedness shall first be
entitled to receive payment of the full amount due thereon, or
provision shall be made for such payment in money or money's worth,
before the Holders of any of the Securities are entitled to receive a
payment on account of the principal of or interest on the indebtedness
evidenced by the Securities, including, without limitation, any
payments made pursuant to Articles Four and Five;
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(2) any payment by, or distribution of assets of, the Company of
any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to
which any Holder or the Trustee would be entitled except for the
provisions of this Article, shall be paid or delivered by the person
making such payment or distribution, whether a trustee in bankruptcy,
a receiver or liquidating trustee or otherwise, directly to the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or
representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture
under which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness
may have been issued, ratably according to the aggregate amounts
remaining unpaid on account of such Senior Indebtedness held or
represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full
of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid after giving effect to any
concurrent payment or distribution (or provision therefor) to the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or
distribution is made to the Holders of the indebtedness evidenced by
the Securities or to the Trustee under this Indenture; and
(3) in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment
by, or distribution of assets of, the Company of any kind or
character, whether in cash, property or securities, in respect of
principal of or interest on the Securities or in connection with any
repurchase by the Company of the Securities, shall be received by the
Trustee or any Holder before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full,
or provision is made for such payment in money or money's worth, such
payment or distribution in respect of principal of or interest on the
Securities or in connection with any repurchase by the Company of the
Securities shall be paid over to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the
trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments
evidencing any such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably
as aforesaid, for application to the payment of all Senior
Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness shall
have been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment
or distribution (or provision therefor) to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time after the 123rd day
following the date of deposit of cash or Government Obligations pursuant to
Section 701 (provided all conditions set out in such Section shall have been
satisfied), the funds so deposited and any interest thereon will not be subject
to any rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness including, without limitation,
those arising under this Article Fifteen; provided that no event described in
clauses (d) and (e) of Section 801 with respect to the Company has occurred
during such 123-day period.
For purposes of this Article only, the words "cash, property or
securities" shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as
reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation
provided for by a plan or reorganization or readjustment which are subordinate
in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness which may at the time be
outstanding to the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Securities
are so subordinated as provided in this Article. The consolidation of the
Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the
liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer
of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another
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corporation upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article Eleven hereof
shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for
the purposes of this Section 1502 if such other corporation shall, as a part of
such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions
stated in Article Eleven hereof. Nothing in Section 1501 or in this Section 1502
shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to
Section 907.
SECTION 1503. DISPUTES WITH HOLDERS OF CERTAIN SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS.
Any failure by the Company to make any payment on or perform any other
obligation in respect of Senior Indebtedness, other than any indebtedness
incurred by the Company or assumed or guaranteed, directly or indirectly, by the
Company for money borrowed (or any deferral, renewal, extension or refunding
thereof) or any other obligation as to which the provisions of this Section
shall have been waived by the Company in the instrument or instruments by which
the Company incurred, assumed, guaranteed or otherwise created such indebtedness
or obligation, shall not be deemed a default under clause (b) of Section 1502 if
(i) the Company shall be disputing its obligation to make such payment or
perform such obligation and (ii) either (A) no final judgment relating to such
dispute shall have been issued against the Company which is in full force and
effect and is not subject to further review, including a judgment that has
become final by reason of the expiration of the time within which a party may
seek further appeal or review, or (B) in the event that a judgment that is
subject to further review or appeal has been issued, the Company shall in good
faith be prosecuting an appeal or other proceeding for review and a stay or
execution shall have been obtained pending such appeal or review.
SECTION 1504. SUBROGATION.
Senior Indebtedness shall not be deemed to have been paid in full
unless the holders thereof shall have received cash (or securities or other
property satisfactory to such holders) in full payment of such Senior
Indebtedness then outstanding. Subject to the prior payment in full of all
Senior Indebtedness, the rights of the Holders of the Securities shall be
subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive any
further payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company
applicable to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness until all amounts owing on
the Securities shall be paid in full; and such payments or distributions of
cash, property or securities received by the Holders of the Securities, by
reason of such subrogation, which otherwise would be paid or distributed to the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness shall, as between the Company, its creditors
other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders, be deemed to be
a payment by the Company to or on account of Senior Indebtedness, it being
understood that the provisions of this Article are and are intended solely for
the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders, on the one hand, and
the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.
SECTION 1505. OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY UNCONDITIONAL.
Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in
the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company, its
creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders, the
obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the
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Holders the principal of and interest on the Securities as and when the same
shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to
or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders and creditors of the Company
other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or
therein prevent the Trustee or any Holder from exercising all remedies otherwise
permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the
rights, if any, under this Article of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in
respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the
exercise of any such remedy.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities of the
Company referred to in this Article, the Trustee and the Holders shall be
entitled to rely upon any order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction
in which such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings
are pending for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate
in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other
indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount
or amounts paid or distributed thereon, and all other facts pertinent thereto or
to this Article.
SECTION 1506. PRIORITY OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS UPON MATURITY.
Upon the maturity of the principal of any Senior Indebtedness by lapse
of time, acceleration or otherwise, all matured principal of Senior Indebtedness
and interest and premium, if any, thereon shall first be paid in full before any
payment of principal or premium, if any, or interest, if any, is made upon the
Securities or before any Securities can be acquired by the Company or any
sinking fund payment is made with respect to the Securities (except that
required sinking fund payments may be reduced by Securities acquired before such
maturity of such Senior Indebtedness).
SECTION 1507. TRUSTEE AS HOLDER OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS.
The Trustee shall be entitled to all rights set forth in this Article
with respect to any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it, to the same
extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness. Nothing in this Article shall
deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article
Fifteen shall apply to the claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under and
pursuant to Section 907.
SECTION 1508. NOTICE TO TRUSTEE TO EFFECTUATE SUBORDINATION.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article or any other provision
of the Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the
existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment of moneys
to or by the Trustee unless and until the Trustee shall have received written
notice thereof from the Company, from a Holder or from a holder of any Senior
Indebtedness or from any representative or representatives of such holder and,
prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall be entitled,
subject to Section 901, in all respects to assume that no such facts exist;
provided, however, that, if prior to the fifth Business Day preceding the date
upon which by the terms hereof any such moneys may become payable for any
purpose, or in the event of the execution of an instrument pursuant to Section
702 acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, then if prior to
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the second Business Day preceding the date of such execution, the Trustee shall
not have received with respect to such moneys the notice provided for in this
Section, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustee may, in its discretion, receive such moneys and/or apply the same to the
purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to
the contrary, which may be received by it on or after such date; provided,
however, that no such application shall affect the obligations under this
Article of the persons receiving such moneys from the Trustee.
SECTION 1509. MODIFICATION, EXTENSION, ETC. OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS.
The holders of Senior Indebtedness may, without affecting in any
manner the subordination of the payment of the principal of and premium, if any,
and interest, if any, on the Securities, at any time or from time to time and in
their absolute discretion, agree with the Company to change the manner, place or
terms of payment, change or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter,
any Senior Indebtedness, or amend or supplement any instrument pursuant to which
any Senior Indebtedness is issued, or exercise or refrain from exercising any
other of their rights under the Senior Indebtedness including, without
limitation, the waiver of default thereunder, all without notice to or assent
from the Holders or the Trustee.
SECTION 1510. TRUSTEE HAS NO FIDUCIARY DUTY TO HOLDERS OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS.
With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee
undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and objectives as
are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or
obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read
into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe
any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and shall not be
liable to any such holders if it shall mistakenly pay over or deliver to the
Holders or the Company or any other Person, money or assets to which any holders
of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article or otherwise.
SECTION 1511. PAYING AGENTS OTHER THAN THE TRUSTEE.
In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have
been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term "Trustee"
as used in this Article shall in such case (unless the context shall otherwise
require) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its
meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named
in this Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided, however,
that Sections 1507, 1508 and 1510 shall not apply to the Company if it acts as
Paying Agent.
SECTION 1512. RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS NOT IMPAIRED.
No right of any present or future holder of Senior Indebtedness to
enforce the subordination herein shall at any time or in any way be prejudiced
or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any
noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this
Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof any such holder may have or be
otherwise charged with.
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SECTION 1513. EFFECT OF SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS; TERMINATION.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, other than
as provided in the immediately succeeding sentence, all the provisions of this
Indenture shall be subject to the provisions of this Article, so far as the same
may be applicable thereto.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the
provisions of this Article Fifteen shall be of no further effect, and the
Securities shall no longer be subordinated in right of payment to the prior
payment of Senior Indebtedness, if the Company shall have delivered to the
Trustee a notice to such effect. Any such notice delivered by the Company shall
not be deemed to be a supplemental indenture for purposes of Article Twelve.
ARTICLE SIXTEEN
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
SECTION 1601. DESIGNATION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES.
There is hereby created a series of Securities designated " %
------
Junior Subordinated Debentures, Series " (herein sometimes referred to as
--
"Series Subordinated Debentures") and limited in aggregate principal amount
-
(except as contemplated in Section 301(b) hereof) to $ . The form and
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terms of the Series Subordinated Debentures shall be established in an
---
Officer's Certificate pursuant to Sections 201 and 301.
-------------------------
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to
be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.
ALLETE
(legally incorporated as Minnesota Power, Inc.)
By:
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THE BANK OF NEW YORK, Trustee
By:
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