==============================================
AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION
OF TRUST
COUNTRYWIDE CAPITAL I
Dated as of _____, 1996
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CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
Section of
Trust Indenture Act Section of
of 1939, as amended Declaration
- ------------------- -----------
310(a) ............................................. 5.3(a)
310(c) ............................................. Inapplicable
311(c) ............................................. Inapplicable
312(a) ............................................. 2.2(a)
312(b) ............................................. 2.2(b)
313 ............................................. 2.3
314(a) ............................................. 2.4
314(b) ............................................. Inapplicable
314(c) ............................................. 2.5
314(d) ............................................. Inapplicable
314(f) ............................................. Inapplicable
315(a) ............................................. 3.9(b)
315(c) ............................................. 3.9(a)
315(d) ............................................. 3.9(a)
316(a) ............................................. Annex I
316(c) ............................................. 3.6(e)
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* This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Declaration
and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or
provisions.
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AMENDED AND RESTATED
DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
COUNTRYWIDE CAPITAL I
_____ __, 1996
AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Declaration") dated and
effective as of ______, 1996, by the Trustees (as defined herein), the Sponsor
(as defined herein) and by the holders, from time to time, of undivided
beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to this Declaration;
WHEREAS, the Trustees and the Sponsor established Countrywide Capital
I (the "Trust"), a trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act pursuant to a
Declaration of Trust dated as of ________, 1996 (the "Original Declaration"),
and a Certificate of Trust filed with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware on _______, 1996, for the sole purpose of issuing and selling certain
securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the
Trust and investing the proceeds thereof in certain Debentures of the Debenture
Issuer and the Debenture Guarantee of the Sponsor endorsed thereon;
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, no interests in the Trust have been
issued;
WHEREAS, all of the Trustees and the Sponsor, by this Declaration,
amend and restate each and every term and provision of the Original Declaration;
and
NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto to
continue the Trust as a business trust under the Business Trust Act and that
this Declaration constitute the governing instrument of such business trust, the
Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust
for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued
hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration.
ARTICLE I
INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 Definitions.
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Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined
in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in
this Section 1.1;
(b) a term defined anywhere in this Declaration has the same
meaning throughout;
(c) all references to "the Declaration" or "this Declaration"
are to this Declaration as modified, supplemented or amended from time
to time;
(d) all references in this Declaration to Articles and Sections
and Annexes and Exhibits are to Articles and Sections of and Annexes
and Exhibits to this Declaration unless otherwise specified;
(e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same
meaning when used in this Declaration unless otherwise defined in this
Declaration or unless the context otherwise requires; and
(f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice
versa.
"Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of
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the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.
"Agent" means any Paying Agent.
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"Authorized Officer" of a Person means any Person that is authorized
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to bind such Person.
"Book Entry Interest" means a beneficial interest in a Global
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Certificate, ownership and transfers of which shall be maintained and made
through book entries by a Clearing Agency as described in Section 9.4.
"Business Day" means, with respect to any series of Securities, any
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day other than a day on which federal or state banking institutions in the
Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, are authorized or obligated by law,
executive order or regulation to close.
2
"Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware
------------------
Code, 12 Del. Code (S) 3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, or
------------ -- ---
any successor legislation.
"Certificate" means a Common Security Certificate or a Preferred
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Security Certificate.
"Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a "Clearing
---------------
Agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act that is acting as depositary
for the Preferred Securities and in whose name or in the name of a nominee of
that organization shall be registered a Global Certificate and which shall
undertake to effect book entry transfers and pledges of the Preferred
Securities.
"Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank, other
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financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the Clearing
Agency effects book entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the
Clearing Agency.
"Closing Date" means the "Closing Time" and each "Date of Delivery"
------------
under the Underwriting Agreement.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time
----
to time, or any successor legislation.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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"Common Securities" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1(a).
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"Common Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement to be
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dated as of _____ __, 1996 of the Sponsor in respect of the Common Securities.
"Common Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1(a).
---------------
"Common Security Certificate" means a definitive certificate in fully
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registered form representing a Common Security substantially in the form of
Exhibit A-2.
"Company Indemnified Person" means (a) any Regular Trustee; (b) any
--------------------------
Affiliate of any Regular Trustee; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders,
members, partners, employees, representatives or agents of any Regular Trustee;
or (d) any officer, employee or agent of the Trust or its Affiliates.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Institutional Trustee
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at which the corporate trust business of the Institutional Trustee shall, at any
particular time, be
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principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this
Agreement is located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West, New York, New York
10286.
"Covered Person" means: (a) any officer, director, shareholder,
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partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) the
Trust's Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities.
"Debenture Guarantee" means the guarantee by the Sponsor of the
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Debentures endorsed thereon.
"Debenture Issuer" means Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., a New York
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corporation, in its capacity as issuer of the Debentures under the Indenture.
"Debenture Trustee" means The Bank of New York, a New York banking
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corporation, as trustee under the Indenture until a successor is appointed
thereunder, and thereafter means such successor trustee.
"Debentures" means the series of Debentures to be issued by the
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Debenture Issuer under the Indenture to be held by the Institutional Trustee or,
upon a dissolution of the Trust, the Depositary or the Holder, as the case may
be, a specimen certificate for such series of Debentures being Exhibit B.
"Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.
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"Definitive Preferred Security Certificates" has the meaning set forth
------------------------------------------
in Section 9.4.
"Depositary" means, with respect to the Preferred Securities, The
----------
Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or another Clearing Agency.
"Distribution" means a distribution payable to Holders of Securities
------------
in accordance with Section 6.1.
"DTC" means The Depository Trust Company, the initial Clearing Agency.
---
"Event of Default" in respect of the Securities means an Indenture
----------------
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing in respect of the Debentures.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
------------
from time to time, or any successor legislation.
"Fiduciary Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in Section
----------------------------
10.4(b).
4
"Global Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4.
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"Guarantor" has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.
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"Holder" means a Person in whose name a Certificate representing a
------
Security is registered, such Person being a beneficial owner within the meaning
of the Business Trust Act.
"Indemnified Person" means a Company Indemnified Person or a Fiduciary
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Indemnified Person.
"Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of _____ __, 1996, among the
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Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, and any indenture supplemental
thereto pursuant to which the Debentures and the Debenture Guarantees are to be
issued.
"Indenture Event of Default" means an Event of Default as defined in
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the Indenture.
"Institutional Trustee" means the Trustee meeting the eligibility
---------------------
requirements set forth in Section 5.3
"Institutional Trustee Account" has the meaning set forth in Section
-----------------------------
3.8(c).
"Investment Company" means an investment company as defined in the
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Investment Company Act.
"Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
----------------------
amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.
"Legal Action" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(g).
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"Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as
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provided in the terms of the Preferred Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act,
Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the
context may require, Holders of outstanding Preferred Securities or Holders of
outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record
owners of more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the
stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus
accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages
are determined) of all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.
5
"Ministerial Action" has the meaning set forth in the terms of the
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Securities as set forth in Annex I.
"Officers' Certificates" means, with respect to any Person, a
----------------------
certificate signed by two Authorized Officers of such Person. Any Officers'
Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant
provided for it in this Declaration shall include:
(a) a statement that each officer signing the Certificate has
read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination
or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the
Certificate;
(c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination
or investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable
such officer 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
officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
"Paying Agent" has the meaning specified in Section 7.2.
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"Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
------
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.
"Preferred Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement to be
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dated as of ___ __, 1996, of the Sponsor in respect of the Preferred Securities.
"Preferred Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1(a).
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"Preferred Security Beneficial Owner" means, with respect to a Book
-----------------------------------
Entry Interest, a Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book Entry
Interest, as reflected on the books of the Clearing Agency, or on the books of a
Person maintaining an account with such Clearing Agency (directly as a Clearing
Agency Participant or as an indirect participant, in each case in accordance
with the rules of such Clearing Agency).
6
"Preferred Security Certificate" means a certificate representing a
------------------------------
Preferred Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1.
"Pricing Agreement" means the pricing agreement between the Trust, the
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Debenture Issuer, and the underwriters designated by the Regular Trustees with
respect to the offer and sale of the Preferred Securities.
"Quorum" means a majority of the Regular Trustees or, if there are
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only two Regular Trustees, both of them.
"Regular Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
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"Related Party" means, with respect to the Sponsor, any direct or
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indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Sponsor or any other Person that owns,
directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding voting securities of the
Sponsor.
"Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Institutional
-------------------
Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Institutional
Trustee, including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any
assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer or other officer of
the Corporate Trust Office of the Institutional Trustee customarily performing
functions similar to those performed by 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 that officer's knowledge of
and familiarity with the particular subject.
"Rule 3a-5" means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act.
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"Securities" means the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities.
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"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
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time to time or any successor legislation.
"Securities Guarantees" means the Common Securities Guarantee and the
---------------------
Preferred Securities Guarantee.
"Sponsor" means Countrywide Credit Industries, Inc., a Delaware
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corporation, or any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or amalgamation,
in its capacity as sponsor of the Trust.
"Successor Institutional Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section
-------------------------------
5.7(b).
7
"Super Majority" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a) (ii).
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"Tax Event" has the meaning set forth in Annex I hereto.
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"10% in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as
-------------------------------------------
provided in the terms of the Preferred Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act,
Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the
context may require, holders of outstanding Preferred Securities or Holders of
outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record
owners of 10% or more of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated
amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued
and unpaid distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are
determined) of all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.
"Treasury Regulations" means the income tax regulations, including
--------------------
temporary and proposed regulations, promulgated under the Code by the United
States Treasury, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including
corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).
"Trustee" or "Trustees" means each Person who has signed this
------- --------
Declaration as a trustee, so long as such Person shall continue in office in
accordance with the terms hereof, and all other Persons who may from time to
time be duly appointed, qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the
provisions hereof, and references herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall
refer to such Person or Persons solely in their capacity as trustees hereunder.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
-------------------
amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.
"Underwriting Agreement" means the Underwriting Agreement for the
----------------------
offering and sale of Preferred Securities in the form of Exhibit C.
ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act: Application.
--------------------------------
(a) This Declaration is subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Declaration and shall, to the
extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
8
(b) The Institutional Trustee shall be the only Trustee which is a
Trustee for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) If and to the extent that any provision of this Declaration
limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by (S)(S) 310 to 317,
inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.
(d) The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Declaration
shall not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities.
------------------------------
(a) Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the
Trust shall provide the Institutional Trustee (i) within 14 days after each
record date for payment of Distributions, a list, in such form as the
Institutional Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the
Holders of the Securities ("List of Holders") as of such record date, provided
--------
that neither the Sponsor nor the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall
- ----
be obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders
does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to the Institutional
Trustee by the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust, and
(ii) at any other time, within 30 days of receipt by the Trust of a written
request therefor, a List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before
such List of Holders is given to the Institutional Trustee. The Institutional
Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all
information contained in Lists of Holders given to it or which it receives in
the capacity as Paying Agent (if acting in such capacity) provided that the
Institutional Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on
receipt of a new List of Holders.
(b) The Institutional Trustee shall comply with its obligations under
(S)(S) 311(a), 311(b) and 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Institutional Trustee.
------------------------------------
Within 60 days after May 15 of each year, the Institutional Trustee
shall provide to the Holders of the Preferred Securities such reports as are
required by (S) 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the
manner provided by (S) 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Institutional
Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of (S) 313(d) of the Trust
Indenture Act.
9
SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Institutional Trustee.
-----------------------------------------
Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust
shall provide to the Institutional Trustee such documents, reports and
information as required by (S) 314 (if any) and the compliance certificate
required by (S) 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at
the times required by (S) 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.
------------------------------------------------
Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust
shall provide to the Institutional Trustee such evidence of compliance with any
conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Declaration that relate to
any of the matters set forth in (S) 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any
certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to
(S) 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate.
SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver.
-------------------------
(a) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Preferred
Securities may, by vote or consent, on behalf of the Holders of all of the
Preferred Securities, waive any past Event of Default in respect of the
Preferred Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying
-------- ----
Indenture Event of Default:
(i) is not waivable under the Indenture, the Event of Default
under this Declaration shall also not be waivable; or
(ii) requires the consent or vote of greater than a majority in
principal amount of the holders of the Debentures (a "Super Majority")
to be waived under the Indenture, such Event of Default under this
Declaration may only be waived by the vote or consent of the Holders
of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Preferred
Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding.
The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(a) shall be in lieu of
(S) 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such (S) 316(a)(1)(B) of the
Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the
Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Upon such waiver, any such
Indenture Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with
respect to the Preferred Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have
been cured, for every purpose of this Declaration,
10
but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of
Default with respect to the Preferred Securities or impair any right consequent
thereon. Any waiver by the Holders of the Preferred Securities of an Event of
Default with respect to the Preferred Securities shall also be deemed to
constitute a waiver by the Holders of the Common Securities of any such Event of
Default with respect to the Common Securities for all purposes of this
Declaration without any further act, vote, or consent of the Holders of the
Common Securities.
(b) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common
Securities may, by vote or consent, on behalf of the Holders of all of the
Common Securities, waive any past Event of Default with respect to the Common
Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Indenture
-------- ----
Event of Default:
(i) is not waivable under the Indenture, the Event of Default
under this Declaration shall also not be waivable; or
(ii) requires the consent or vote of a Super Majority to be
waived under the Indenture, such Event of Default under this
Declaration may only be waived by the vote or consent of the Holders
of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Common
Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding;
provided, further, that, notwithstanding (i) or (ii) above, each Holder of
- -------- -------
Common Securities will be deemed to have waived any such Indenture Event of
Default and all Events of Default with respect to the Common Securities and
their consequences until all Events of Default with respect to the Preferred
Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, and until such
Events of Default have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the
Institutional Trustee will be deemed to be acting solely on behalf of the
Holders of the Preferred Securities and only the Holders of the Preferred
Securities will have the right to direct the Institutional Trustee in accordance
with the terms of the Securities. The foregoing provisions of this
Section 2.6(b) shall be in lieu of (S)(S) 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the
Trust Indenture Act and (S)(S) 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust
Indenture Act are hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the
Securities, as permitted in the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to the foregoing
provisions in this Section 2.6(b), upon such waiver, any such Indenture Event of
Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to the
Common Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for
every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other default or Event of Default
11
with respect to the Common Securities or impair any right consequent thereon.
(c) A waiver of an Indenture Event of Default by the Institutional
Trustee at the direction of the Holders of the Preferred Securities constitutes
a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default under this Declaration. The
foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(c) shall be in lieu of
(S) 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and (S) 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust
Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the
Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.7 Events of Default; Notice.
-------------------------
(a) The Institutional Trustee shall, within 90 days after the
occurrence of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage
prepaid, to the Holders of the Securities, notices of all defaults with respect
to the Securities actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Institutional
Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice
(the term "defaults" for the purposes of this Section 2.7(a) being hereby
defined to be an Indenture Event of Default, not including any periods of grace
provided for therein and irrespective of the giving of any notice provided
therein); provided, however, that, except for a default in the payment of
-------- ------- ----
principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debentures or in the
payment of any sinking fund installment established for the Debentures, the
Institutional Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so
long as a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee in good faith
determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the
Holders of the Securities.
(b) The Institutional Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge
of any default except:
(i) a default under Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) of the
Indenture; or
(ii) any default as to which the Institutional Trustee shall have
received written notice or of which a Responsible Officer of the
Institutional Trustee charged with the administration of the
Declaration shall have actual knowledge.
ARTICLE III
ORGANIZATION
SECTION 3.1 Name.
----
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The Trust is named "Countrywide Capital I," as such name may be
modified from time to time by the Regular Trustees following written notice to
the Holders of Securities. The Trust's activities may be conducted under the
name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the Regular Trustees.
SECTION 3.2 Office.
------
The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o Countrywide
Credit Industries, Inc., 155 North Lake Avenue, Pasadena, California 91101. On
ten Business Days written notice to the Holders of Securities, the Regular
Trustees may designate another principal office.
SECTION 3.3 Purpose.
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The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and
sell Securities and use the proceeds from such sale to acquire the Debentures
and the Debenture Guarantee, and (b) except as otherwise limited herein, to
engage in only those other activities necessary or incidental thereto. The
Trust shall not borrow money, issue debt or reinvest proceeds derived from
investments, pledge any of its assets, or otherwise undertake (or permit to be
undertaken) any activity that would cause the Trust not to be classified for
United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust.
SECTION 3.4 Authority.
---------
Subject to the limitations provided in this Declaration and to the
specific duties of the Institutional Trustee, the Regular Trustees shall have
exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust. An
action taken by the Regular Trustees in accordance with their powers shall
constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust and an action taken by the
Institutional Trustee on behalf of the Trust in accordance with its powers shall
constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust. In dealing with the Trustees
acting on behalf of the Trust, no person shall be required to inquire into the
authority of the Trustees to bind the Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are
entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of the Trustees as set
forth in this Declaration.
SECTION 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust.
------------------------------
Except as provided in Section 3.8 with respect to the Debentures, the
Debenture Guarantee and the Institutional Trustee Account or as otherwise
provided in this Declaration, legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be
vested in the Trust. The Holders shall not have legal title to any part of the
assets of the Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in the
assets of the Trust.
13
SECTION 3.6 Powers and Duties of the Regular Trustees.
-----------------------------------------
The Regular Trustees shall have the exclusive power, duty and
authority to cause the Trust to engage in the following activities:
(a) to issue and sell the Preferred Securities and the Common
Securities in accordance with this Declaration; provided, however, that the
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Trust may issue no more than one series of Preferred Securities and no more
than one series of Common Securities, and, provided, further, that there
-------- -------
shall be no interests in the Trust other than the Securities, and the
issuance of Securities shall be limited to a simultaneous issuance of both
Preferred Securities and Common Securities on each Closing Date;
(b) in connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred
Securities, at the direction of the Sponsor, to:
(i) execute and file with the Commission the registration
statement on Form S-3 prepared by the Sponsor, including any
amendments thereto, pertaining to the Preferred Securities;
(ii) execute and file any documents prepared by the Sponsor, or
take any acts as determined by the Sponsor to be necessary in order to
qualify or register all or part of the Preferred Securities in any
State in which the Sponsor has determined to qualify or register such
Preferred Securities for sale;
(iii) execute and file an application, prepared by the Sponsor,
to the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. or any other national stock
exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market for listing upon
notice of issuance of any Preferred Securities;
(iv) execute and file with the Commission a registration
statement on Form 8-A, including any amendments thereto, prepared by
the Sponsor, relating to the registration of the Preferred Securities
under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act; and
(v) execute and enter into the Underwriting Agreement and
Pricing Agreement providing for the sale of the Preferred Securities;
(c) to acquire the Debentures and the Debenture Guarantee with the
proceeds of the sale of the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities;
provided, however, that the Regular Trustees shall cause legal title to the
- -------- -------
Debentures and the Debenture Guarantee to be held of record in the name of the
14
Institutional Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities
and the Holders of Common Securities;
(d) to give the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee prompt written
notice of the occurrence of a Tax Event; provided that the Regular Trustees
-------- ----
shall consult with the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee before taking or
refraining from taking any Ministerial Action in relation to a Tax Event;
(e) to establish a record date with respect to all actions to be
taken hereunder that require a record date be established, including and with
respect to, for the purposes of (S) 316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act,
Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant
notices to the Holders of Preferred Securities and Holders of Common Securities
as to such actions and applicable record dates;
(f) to take all actions and perform such duties as may be required of
the Regular Trustees pursuant to the terms of the Securities;
(g) to bring or defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort
to legal action, or otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against the Trust
("Legal Action"), unless pursuant to Section 3.8(e), the Institutional Trustee
has the exclusive power to bring such Legal Action;
(h) to employ or otherwise engage employees and agents (who may be
designated as officers with titles) and managers, contractors, advisors, and
consultants and pay reasonable compensation for such services;
(i) to cause the Trust to comply with the Trust's obligations under
the Trust Indenture Act;
(j) to give the certificate required by (S) 314(a)(4) of the Trust
Indenture Act to the Institutional Trustee, which certificate may be executed by
any Regular Trustee;
(k) to incur expenses that are necessary or incidental to carry out
any of the purposes of the Trust;
(l) to act as, or appoint another Person to act as, registrar and
transfer agent for the Securities;
(m) to give prompt written notice to the Holders of the Securities of
any notice received from the Debenture Issuer of its election to defer payments
of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period under the
Indenture:
15
(n) to execute all documents or instruments, perform all duties and
powers, and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters
necessary or incidental to the foregoing;
(o) to take all action that may be necessary or appropriate for the
preservation and the continuation of the Trust's valid existence, rights,
franchises and privileges as a statutory business trust under the laws of the
State of Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is
necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the Preferred
Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the purposes for which the Trust was
created;
(p) to take any action, not inconsistent with this Declaration or
with applicable law, that the Regular Trustees determine in their discretion to
be necessary or desirable in carrying out the activities of the Trust as set out
in this Section 3.6, including, but not limited to:
(i) causing the Trust not to be deemed to be an Investment
Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act;
(ii) causing the Trust to be classified for United States
federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust; and
(iii) cooperating with the Debenture Issuer to ensure that the
Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Debenture Issuer for
United States federal income tax purposes,
provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of Holders;
and
(q) to take all action necessary to cause all applicable tax returns
and tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect to the
Trust to be duly prepared and filed by the Regular Trustees, on behalf of the
Trust.
The Regular Trustees must exercise the powers set forth in this
Section 3.6 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of
the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Regular Trustees shall not take any
action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set
forth in Section 3.3.
Subject to this Section 3.6, the Regular Trustees shall have none of
the powers or the authority of the Institutional Trustee set forth in
Section 3.8.
16
Any expenses incurred by the Regular Trustees pursuant to this
Section 3.6 shall be reimbursed by the Debenture Issuer.
SECTION 3.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees.
----------------------------------------------------
(a) The Trust shall not, and the Trustees (including the
Institutional Trustee) shall not, engage in any activity other than as required
or authorized by this Declaration. In particular, the Trust shall not and the
Trustees (including the Institutional Trustee) shall cause the Trust not to:
(i) invest any proceeds received by the Trust from holding the
Debentures, but shall distribute all such proceeds to Holders of
Securities pursuant to the terms of this Declaration and of the
Securities;
(ii) acquire any assets other than as expressly provided herein;
(iii) possess Trust property for other than a Trust purpose;
(iv) make any loans or incur any indebtedness other than loans
represented by the Debentures;
(v) possess any power or otherwise act in such a way as to vary
the Trust assets or the terms of the Securities in any way whatsoever;
(vi) issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial
ownership of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the
Securities; or
(vii) other than as provided in this Declaration (including
Annex I), (A) direct the time, method and place of exercising any
trust or power conferred upon the Debenture Trustee with respect to
the Debentures, (B) waive any past default that is waivable under the
Indenture, (C) exercise any right to rescind or annul any declaration
that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable, or
(D) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the
Indenture or the Debentures where such consent shall be required
unless the Trust shall have received an opinion of counsel to the
effect that such modification will not cause more than an
insubstantial risk that for United States federal income tax purposes
the Trust will not be classified as a grantor trust.
SECTION 3.8 Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee.
----------------------------------------------
17
(a) The legal title to the Debentures and the Debenture Guarantee
shall be owned by and held of record in the name of the Institutional Trustee in
trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities. The right, title and
interest of the Institutional Trustee to the Debentures and the Debenture
Guarantee shall vest automatically in each Person who may hereafter be appointed
as Institutional Trustee in accordance with Section 5.7. Such vesting and
cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents with
regard to the Debentures and the Debenture Guarantee have been executed and
delivered.
(b) The Institutional Trustee shall not transfer its right, title
and interest in the Debentures and the Debenture Guarantee to the Regular
Trustees or to the Delaware Trustee (if the Institutional Trustee does not also
act as Delaware Trustee).
(c) The Institutional Trustee shall:
(i) establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust
account (the "Institutional Trustee Account") in the name of and under the
exclusive control of the Institutional Trustee on behalf of the Holders of
the Securities and, upon the receipt of payments of funds made in respect
of the Debentures and the Debenture Guarantee held by the Institutional
Trustee, deposit such funds into the Institutional Trustee Account and make
payments to the Holders of the Preferred Securities and Holders of the
Common Securities from the Institutional Trustee Account in accordance with
Section 6.1. Funds in the Institutional Trustee Account shall be held
uninvested until disbursed in accordance with this Declaration. The
Institutional Trustee Account shall be an account that is maintained with a
banking institution the rating on whose long-term unsecured indebtedness is
at least equal to the rating assigned to the Preferred Securities by a
"nationally recognized statistical rating organization", as that term is
defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act;
(ii) engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or
appropriate to effect the redemption of the Preferred Securities and the
Common Securities to the extent the Debentures are redeemed or mature; and
(iii) upon written notice of distribution issued by the Regular
Trustees in accordance with the terms of the Securities, engage in such
ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the
distribution of the Debentures and the Debenture Guarantees to Holders of
Securities upon the occurrence of certain special events (as may be defined
in the terms of the Securities) arising from
18
a Tax Event or other specified circumstances pursuant to the terms of the
Securities.
(d) The Institutional Trustee shall take all actions and perform such
duties as may be specifically required of the Institutional Trustee pursuant to
the terms of the Securities.
(e) The Institutional Trustee shall take any Legal Action which
arises out of or in connection with an Event of Default of which a Responsible
Officer of the Institutional Trustee has actual knowledge or the Institutional
Trustee's duties and obligations under this Declaration or the Trust Indenture
Act; provided, however, that if an Event of Default has occurred and is
-------- -------
continuing and such event is attributable to (i) the failure of the Debenture
Issuer and the Guarantor to pay interest or principal on the Debentures on the
date such interest or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of
redemption, on the redemption date) or (ii) the failure of the Sponsor to pay
any obligation thereof in respect of the Debenture Guarantee, then a Holder of
Preferred Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of
payment to such Holder of the principal of or interest on the Debentures having
a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred
Securities of such Holder (a "Direct Action") on or after the respective due
date specified in the Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the
rights of the Holders of the Common Securities will be subrogated to the rights
of such Holder of Preferred Securities to the extent of any payment made by the
Debenture Issuer or the Guarantor to such Holder of Preferred Securities in such
Direct Action; provided that no Holder of the Common Securities may exercise any
such right of subrogation so long as an Event of Default with respect to the
Preferred Securities has occurred and is continuing. Except as provided in the
preceding sentences, the Holders of Preferred Securities will not be able to
exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures.
(f) The Institutional Trustee shall not resign as a Trustee unless
either:
(i) the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds of the
liquidation distributed to the Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms
of the Securities; or
(ii) a Successor Institutional Trustee has been appointed and has
accepted that appointment in accordance with Section 5.7.
(g) The Institutional Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise
all of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Debentures and the
Debenture Guarantee under the Indenture and, if an Event of Default actually
known to a
19
Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee occurs and is continuing, the
Institutional Trustee shall, for the benefit of Holders of the Securities,
enforce its rights as holder of the Debentures and the Debenture Guarantee
subject to the rights of the Holders pursuant to the terms of such Securities.
(h) The Institutional Trustee may authorize one or more Persons
(each, a "Paying Agent") to pay Distributions, redemption payments or
liquidation payments on behalf of the Trust with respect to all Securities and
any such Paying Agent shall comply with (S) 317(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Any Paying Agent may be removed by the Institutional Trustee at any time and a
successor Paying Agent or additional Paying Agents may be appointed at any time
by the Institutional Trustee.
(i) Subject to this Section 3.8, the Institutional Trustee shall have
none of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Regular Trustees
set forth in Section 3.6.
The Institutional Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this
Section 3.8 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of
the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Institutional Trustee shall not take
any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set
out in Section 3.3.
SECTION 3.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the
------------------------------------------
Institutional Trustee.
---------------------
(a) The Institutional Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of
Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred,
shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in
this Declaration and no implied covenants shall be read into this Declaration
against the Institutional Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred
(that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) of which a
Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee has actual knowledge, the
Institutional Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it
by this Declaration, and use the same degree of care and skill in their
exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in
the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(b) No provision of this Declaration shall be construed to relieve
the Institutional Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own
negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the
curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:
20
(A) the duties and obligations of the Institutional Trustee
shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this
Declaration and the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable except
for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically
set forth in this Declaration, and no implied covenants or obligations
shall be read into this Declaration against the Institutional Trustee;
and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Institutional
Trustee, the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the
truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed
therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the
Institutional Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this
Declaration; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that
by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to
the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee shall be under a
duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to
the requirements of this Declaration;
(ii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Institutional
Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Institutional Trustee was
negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(iii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable with respect to
any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance
with the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in
liquidation amount of the Securities relating to the time, method and place
of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional
Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional
Trustee under this Declaration;
(iv) no provision of this Declaration shall require the Institutional
Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal
financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the
exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable
grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not
reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Declaration or indemnity
reasonably satisfactory to the Institutional Trustee against such risk or
liability is not reasonably assured to it;
(v) the Institutional Trustee's sole duty with respect to the
custody, safe keeping and physical preservation of
21
the Debentures and the Institutional Trustee Account shall be to deal with
such property in a similar manner as the Institutional Trustee deals with
similar property for its own account, subject to the protections and
limitations on liability afforded to the Institutional Trustee under this
Declaration and the Trust Indenture Act;
(vi) the Institutional Trustee shall have no duty or liability for
or with respect to the value, genuineness, existence or sufficiency of the
Debentures or the payment of any taxes or assessments levied thereon or in
connection therewith;
(vii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any interest
on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree in writing
with the Sponsor. Money held by the Institutional Trustee need not be
segregated from other funds held by it except in relation to the
Institutional Trustee Account maintained by the Institutional Trustee
pursuant to Section 3.8(c)(i) and except to the extent otherwise required
by law; and
(viii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for
monitoring the compliance by the Regular Trustees or the Sponsor with their
respective duties under this Declaration, nor shall the Institutional
Trustee be liable for any default or misconduct of the Regular Trustees or
the Sponsor.
SECTION 3.10 Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee.
---------------------------------------
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9:
(i) the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be
fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution,
certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to
have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties;
(ii) any direction or act of the Sponsor or the Regular Trustees
contemplated by this Declaration shall be sufficiently evidenced by an
Officers' Certificate;
(iii) whenever in the administration of this Declaration, the
Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or
established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the
Institutional Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically
prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on
22
its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate
which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the
Sponsor or the Regular Trustees;
(iv) the Institutional Trustee shall have no duty to see to any
recording, filing or registration of any instrument (including any
financing or continuation statement or any filing under tax or securities
laws) or any rerecording, refiling or registration thereof;
(v) the Institutional Trustee may consult with counsel or other
experts of its selection and the advice or opinion of such counsel and
experts with respect to legal matters or advice within the scope of such
experts' area of expertise 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 accordance with such advice or opinion, such
counsel may be counsel to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates, and may
include any of its employees. The Institutional Trustee shall have the
right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of
this Declaration from any court of competent jurisdiction;
(vi) the Institutional Trustee shall be under no obligation to
exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Declaration at
the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have
provided to the Institutional Trustee security and indemnity, reasonably
satisfactory to the Institutional Trustee, against the costs, expenses
(including attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the
Institutional Trustee's agents, nominees or custodians) and liabilities
that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction,
including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Institutional
Trustee; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section
3.10(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Institutional Trustee, upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights
and powers vested in it by this Declaration;
(vii) the Institutional 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 Institutional Trustee, in
its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such
facts or matters as it may see fit;
(viii) the Institutional Trustee may execute any of the trusts or
powers hereunder or perform any duties
23
hereunder either directly or by or through agents, custodians, nominees or
attorneys and the Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for any
misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed
with due care by it hereunder;
(ix) any action taken by the Institutional Trustee or its agents
hereunder shall bind the Trust and the Holders of the Securities, and the
signature of the Institutional Trustee or its agents alone shall be
sufficient and effective to perform any such action and no third party
shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Institutional
Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and
provisions of this Declaration, both of which shall be conclusively
evidenced by the Institutional Trustee's or its agent's taking such action;
(x) whenever in the administration of this Declaration the
Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with
respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action
hereunder, the Institutional Trustee (i) may request instructions from the
Holders of the Securities which instructions from the Holders may only be
given by the Holders of the same proportion in liquidation amount of the
Securities as would be entitled to direct the Institutional Trustee under
the terms of the Securities in respect of such remedy, right or action,
(ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other
action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be protected
in conclusively relying on or acting in or accordance with such
instructions;
(xi) except as otherwise expressly provided by this Declaration, the
Institutional Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action
that is discretionary under the provisions of this Declaration; and
(xii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any action
taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably
believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or
powers conferred upon it by this Declaration.
(b) No provision of this Declaration shall be deemed to impose any
duty or obligation on the Institutional Trustee to perform any act or acts or
exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any
jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal or in which the Institutional Trustee
shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law to perform
any such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation.
No permissive power or
24
authority available to the Institutional Trustee shall be construed to be a
duty.
SECTION 3.11 Delaware Trustee.
----------------
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration other than
Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any powers,
nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities of
the Regular Trustees or the Institutional Trustee described in this Declaration.
Except as set forth in Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for
the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of (S) 3807 of the
Business Trust Act.
SECTION 3.12 Execution of Documents.
----------------------
Unless otherwise determined by the Regular Trustees, and except as
otherwise required by the Business Trust Act, a majority of or, if there are
only two, any Regular Trustee or, if there is only one, such Regular Trustee is
authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents that the Regular
Trustees have the power and authority to execute pursuant to Section 3.6;
provided, however, that the registration statement referred to in Section
3.6(b)(i), including any amendments thereto, shall be signed by all of the
Regular Trustees.
SECTION 3.13 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
------------------------------------------------------
The recitals contained in this Declaration and the Securities shall be
taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustees do not assume any
responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees make no representations as
to the value or condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof. The
Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this
Declaration or the Securities.
SECTION 3.14 Duration of Trust.
-----------------
The Trust, unless terminated pursuant to the provisions of Article
VIII hereof, shall have existence for fifty-five (55) years from the Closing
Date.
SECTION 3.15 Mergers.
-------
(a) The Trust may not consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or
be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other body, except as
described in Section 3.15(b) and (c).
25
(b) The Trust may, with the consent of the Regular Trustees or, if
there are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees and without the
consent of the Holders of the Securities, the Delaware Trustee or the
Institutional Trustee, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be
replaced by a trust organized as such under the laws of any State; provided
that:
(i) such successor entity (the "Successor Entity") either:
(A) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust under
the Securities; or
(B) substitutes for the Securities other securities having
substantially the same terms as the Preferred Securities (the
"Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank the
same as the Preferred Securities rank with respect to Distributions
and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise;
(ii) the Debenture Issuer expressly appoints a trustee of the
Successor Entity that possesses the same powers and duties as the
Institutional Trustee as the Holder of the Debentures and the Guarantor
expressly acknowledges such trustee of the Successor Entity as the holder
of the Debenture Guarantee;
(iii) the Preferred Securities or any Successor Securities are
listed, or any Successor Securities will be listed upon notification of
issuance, on any national securities exchange or with another organization
on which the Preferred Securities are then listed or quoted;
(iv) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not
cause the Preferred Securities (including any Successor Securities) to be
downgraded by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization;
(v) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not
adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders of
the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect
(other than with respect to any dilution of such Holders' interests in the
Successor Entity as a result of such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
replacement);
(vi) such Successor Entity has a purpose identical to that of the
Trust;
26
(vii) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
replacement, the Sponsor has received an opinion of a nationally recognized
independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect
that:
(A) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement
does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of
the Holders of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in
any material respect (other than with respect to any dilution of the
Holders' interest in the Successor Entity); and
(B) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
replacement, neither the Trust nor the Successor Entity will be
required to register as an Investment Company;
(C) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
replacement, the Trust (or the Successor Entity) will continue to be
classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax
purposes; and
(viii) the Sponsor guarantees the obligations of such Successor
Entity under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by
the Preferred Securities Guarantee.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 3.15(b), the Trust shall not, except with
the consent of Holders of 100% in liquidation amount of the Securities,
consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or to be replaced by any other
entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or
into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or replacement
would cause the Trust or Successor Entity to be classified as other than a
grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
ARTICLE IV
SPONSOR
SECTION 4.1 Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities.
---------------------------------------
The Sponsor will purchase all of the Common Securities issued by the
Trust, in an amount at least equal to 3% of the capital of the Trust, at the
same time as the Preferred Securities are sold.
27
SECTION 4.2 Responsibilities of the Sponsor.
--------------------------------
In connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred Securities, the
Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to engage in the
following activities:
(a) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a
registration statement on Form S-3 in relation to the Preferred Securities,
including any amendments thereto;
(b) to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to
qualify or register for sale all or part of the Preferred Securities and to do
any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by the Trust, and
advise the Trust of actions it must take, and prepare for execution and filing
any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust, as the Sponsor deems
necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such
States;
(c) to prepare for filing by the Trust of an application to the New
York Stock Exchange or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq National
Market for listing upon notice of issuance of any Preferred Securities;
(d) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a
registration statement on Form 8-A relating to the registration of the Preferred
Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments
thereto; and
(e) to negotiate the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and Pricing
Agreement providing for the sale of the Preferred Securities.
ARTICLE V
TRUSTEES
SECTION 5.1 Number of Trustees.
------------------
The number of Trustees initially shall be five (5), and:
(a) at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the Sponsor
may, by written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees; and
(b) after the issuance of any Securities, the number of Trustees may
be increased or decreased by vote of the Holders of a majority in liquidation
amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of
the Common Securities; provided, however, that, the number of Trustees shall in
-------- -------
no event be less than two (2); provided further that (1) there
-------- -------
28
shall be a Delaware Trustee if required by Section 5.2; (2) there shall be at
least one Trustee who is an employee or officer of, or is affiliated with the
Sponsor (a "Regular Trustee"); and (3) one Trustee shall be the Institutional
Trustee for so long as this Declaration is required to qualify as an indenture
under the Trust Indenture Act, and such Trustee may also serve as Delaware
Trustee if it meets the applicable requirements, in which case Section 3.11
shall have no application to such entity in its capacity as Institutional
Trustee.
SECTION 5.2 Delaware Trustee.
----------------
If required by the Business Trust Act, one Trustee (the "Delaware
Trustee") shall be:
(a) a natural person who is a resident of the State of Delaware; or
(b) if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal place
of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of
applicable law.
SECTION 5.3 Institutional Trustee; Eligibility.
----------------------------------
(a) There shall at all times be one Trustee which shall act as
Institutional Trustee which shall:
(i) not be an Affiliate of the Sponsor; and
(ii) be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of
the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the
District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted by the
Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture
Act, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having
a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars
($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State,
Territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation
publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the
requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to above,
then for the purposes of this Section 5.3(a)(ii), 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.
(b) If at any time the Institutional Trustee shall cease to be
eligible to so act under Section 5.3(a), the Institutional Trustee shall
immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set forth in Section
5.7(c).
29
(c) If the Institutional Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting
interest" within the meaning of (S) 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the
Institutional Trustee and the Holder of the Common Securities (as if it were the
obligor referred to in (S) 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall in all
respects comply with the provisions of (S) 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(d) The Indenture, the Debt Securities (as defined therein) issued or
to be issued thereunder, the Declaration, the Trust Securities issued or to be
issued thereunder and the Preferred Securities Guarantees and Common Securities
Guarantees in connection therewith (including the Preferred Securities Guarantee
in connection herewith) shall be deemed to be specifically described in this
Declaration for purposes of clause (i) of the proviso contained in Section
310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(e) The initial Institutional Trustee shall be:
The Bank of New York
SECTION 5.4 Certain Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Delaware
-------------------------------------------------------
Trustee Generally.
- -----------------
Each Regular Trustee and the Delaware Trustee shall be either a
natural person who is at least 21 years of age or a legal entity that shall act
through one or more Authorized Officers.
SECTION 5.5 Regular Trustees.
----------------
The initial Regular Trustees shall be:
[Insert three names]
(a) Except where a requirement for action by a specific number of
Regular Trustees is expressly set forth in this Declaration and except with
respect to any action the taking of which is the subject of a meeting of the
Regular Trustees any action required or permitted to be taken by the Regular
Trustees may be taken by, and any power of the Regular Trustees may be exercised
by, or with the consent of, any one such Regular Trustee.
(b) Unless otherwise determined by the Regular Trustees, and except as
otherwise required by the Business Trust Act or applicable law, any Regular
Trustee is authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents which the
Regular Trustees have the power and authority to cause the Trust to execute
pursuant to Section 3.6, provided that the registration statement referred to in
-------- ----
Section 3.6, including any amendments thereto, shall be signed by all of the
Regular Trustees.
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SECTION 5.6 Delaware Trustee.
----------------
The initial Delaware Trustee shall be:
The Bank of New York (Delaware)
SECTION 5.7 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees.
------------------------------------------------
(a) Subject to Section 5.7(b), Trustees may be appointed or removed
without cause at any time except during an Event of Default:
(i) until the issuance of any Securities, by written instrument
executed by the Sponsor; and
(ii) after the issuance of any Securities, by vote of the Holders of
a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities voting as a class
at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities.
(b) (i) The Trustee that acts as Institutional Trustee shall not be
removed in accordance with Section 5.7(a) until a Successor Institutional
Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written
instrument executed by such Successor Institutional Trustee and delivered to the
Regular Trustees and the Sponsor; and
(ii) the Trustee that acts as Delaware Trustee shall not be removed
in accordance with Section 5.7(a) until a successor Trustee possessing the
qualifications to act as Delaware Trustee under Sections 5.2 and 5.4 (a
"Successor Delaware Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted such
appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Delaware
Trustee and delivered to the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor.
(c) A Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until his
successor shall have been appointed or until his death, removal or resignation.
Any Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent
accounting) by an instrument in writing signed by the Trustee and delivered to
the Sponsor and the Trust, which resignation shall take effect upon such
delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein; provided, however,
-------- -------
that:
(i) no such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Institutional
Trustee shall be effective:
(A) until a Successor Institutional Trustee has been appointed
and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such
Successor Institutional
31
Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the resigning
Institutional Trustee; or
(B) until the assets of the Trust have been completely
liquidated and the proceeds thereof distributed to the Holders of the
Securities; and
(ii) no such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Delaware
Trustee shall be effective until a Successor Delaware Trustee has been
appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such
Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the
resigning Delaware Trustee.
(d) The Holders of the Common Securities shall use their best efforts
to promptly appoint a Successor Delaware Trustee or Successor Institutional
Trustee as the case may be if the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee
delivers an instrument of resignation in accordance with this Section 5.7.
(e) If no Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware
Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this
Section 5.7 within 60 days after delivery of an instrument of resignation or
removal, the Institutional Trustee or Delaware Trustee resigning or being
removed, as applicable, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for
appointment of a Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee.
Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem
proper, appoint a Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee,
as the case may be.
(f) No Institutional Trustee or Delaware Trustee shall be liable for
the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor
Delaware Trustee, as the case may be.
SECTION 5.8 Vacancies Among Trustees.
------------------------
If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of
Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 5.1, or if the number of Trustees is
increased pursuant to Section 5.1, a vacancy shall occur. A resolution
certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Regular Trustees or, if there
are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees shall be conclusive
evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The vacancy shall be filled with a
Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 5.7.
SECTION 5.9 Effect of Vacancies.
-------------------
The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, dissolution,
liquidation, incompetence or incapacity
32
to perform the duties of a Trustee shall not operate to annul the Trust.
Whenever a vacancy in the number of Regular Trustees shall occur, until such
vacancy is filled by the appointment of a Regular Trustee in accordance with
Section 5.7, the Regular Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall
have all the powers granted to the Regular Trustees and shall discharge all the
duties imposed upon the Regular Trustees by this Declaration.
SECTION 5.10 Meetings.
--------
If there is more than one Regular Trustee, meetings of the Regular
Trustees shall be held from time to time upon the call of any Regular Trustee.
Regular meetings of the Regular Trustees may be held at a time and place fixed
by resolution of the Regular Trustees. Notice of any in-person meetings of the
Regular Trustees shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing
(including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 48
hours before such meeting. Notice of any telephonic meetings of the Regular
Trustees or any committee thereof shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered
in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not
less than 24 hours before a meeting. Notices shall contain a brief statement of
the time, place and anticipated purposes of the meeting. The presence (whether
in person or by telephone) of a Regular Trustee at a meeting shall constitute a
waiver of notice of such meeting except where a Regular Trustee attends a
meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any activity
on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened. Unless
provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the Regular Trustees may
be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Regular Trustees present
(whether in person or by telephone) and eligible to vote with respect to such
matter, provided that a Quorum is present, or without a meeting by the unanimous
written consent of the Regular Trustees. In the event there is only one Regular
Trustee, any and all action of such Regular Trustee shall be evidenced by a
written consent of such Regular Trustee.
SECTION 5.11 Delegation of Power.
-------------------
(a) Any Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with
applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or
her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section
3.6, including any registration statement or amendment thereto filed with the
Commission, or making any other governmental filing; and
(b) the Regular Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to
time to such of their number or to officers of the Trust the doing of such
things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or
the names of the
33
Regular Trustees or otherwise as the Regular Trustees may deem expedient, to the
extent such delegation is not prohibited by applicable law or contrary to the
provisions of the Trust, as set forth herein.
SECTION 5.12 Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
---------------------------------------------------
Any corporation into which the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be, may be merged or converted or with which either
may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the
case may be, shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or
substantially all the corporate trust business of the Institutional Trustee or
the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, shall be the successor of the
Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, hereunder,
provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this
Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the
part of any of the parties hereto.
ARTICLE VI
DISTRIBUTIONS
SECTION 6.1 Distributions.
-------------
Holders shall receive Distributions (as defined herein) in accordance
with the applicable terms of the relevant Holder's Securities. Distributions
shall be made on the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities in
accordance with the preferences set forth in their respective terms. If and to
the extent that the Debenture Issuer makes a payment of interest (including
Compounded Interest (as defined in the Indenture) and Additional Interest (as
defined in the Indenture)), premium and/or principal on the Debentures (or the
Sponsor makes a payment in respect of the Debenture Guarantee) held by the
Institutional Trustee (the amount of any such payment being a "Payment Amount"),
the Institutional Trustee shall and is directed, to the extent funds are
available for that purpose, to make a distribution (a "Distribution") of the
Payment Amount to Holders.
ARTICLE VII
ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES
SECTION 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities.
---------------------------------------
34
(a) The Regular Trustees shall on behalf of the Trust issue one class
of preferred securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the
"Preferred Securities") and one class of common securities representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as
are set forth in Annex I (the "Common Securities"). The Trust shall issue no
securities or other interests in the assets of the Trust other than the
Preferred Securities and the Common Securities.
(b) The Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by a
Regular Trustee. Such signature shall be the manual signature of any present or
any future Regular Trustee. In case any Regular Trustee of the Trust who shall
have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such Regular Trustee before
the Certificates so signed shall be delivered by the Trust, such Certificates
nevertheless may be delivered as though the person who signed such Certificates
had not ceased to be such Regular Trustee; and any Certificate may be signed on
behalf of the Trust by such persons who, at the actual date of execution of such
Security, shall be the Regular Trustees of the Trust, although at the date of
the execution and delivery of the Declaration any such person was not such a
Regular Trustee. Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or may
be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Regular
Trustees, as evidenced by their execution thereof, and may have such letters,
numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or
endorsements as the Regular Trustees may deem appropriate, or as may be required
to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on
which Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.
(c) The consideration received by the Trust for the issuance of the
Securities shall constitute a contribution to the capital of the Trust and shall
not constitute a loan to the Trust.
(d) Upon issuance of the Securities as provided in this Declaration,
the Securities so issued shall be deemed to be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.
(e) Every Person, by virtue of having become a Holder or a Preferred
Security Beneficial Owner in accordance with the terms of this Declaration,
shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and shall
be bound by, this Declaration.
SECTION 7.2 Paying Agent.
------------
In the event that the Preferred Securities are not in book-entry only
form, the Trust shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York,
State of New York, an office or
35
agency where the Preferred Securities may be presented for payment ("Paying
Agent"). The Trust may appoint the Paying Agent and may appoint one or more
additional paying agents in such other locations as it shall determine. The
term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent. The Trust may change
any Paying Agent without prior notice to any Holder. The Trust shall notify the
Institutional Trustee of the name and address of any Paying Agent not a party to
this Declaration. If the Trust fails to appoint or maintain another entity as
Paying Agent, the Institutional Trustee shall act as such. The Trust or any of
its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent. The Trust shall initially act as Paying
Agent for the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities.
ARTICLE VIII
DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST
SECTION 8.1 Dissolution and Termination of Trust.
------------------------------------
(a) The Trust shall dissolve:
(i) upon the bankruptcy of the Sponsor or the Debenture Issuer;
(ii) upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its
equivalent with respect to the Sponsor or the Debenture Issuer; upon the
consent of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting
together as a single class to file a certificate of cancellation with
respect to the Trust or the revocation of the charter of the Sponsor or the
Debenture Issuer and the expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation
without a reinstatement thereof;
(iii) upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the
Holder of the Common Securities, the Sponsor, the Trust or the Debenture
Issuer;
(iv) when all of the Securities shall have been called for redemption
and the amounts necessary for redemption thereof shall have been paid to
the Holders in accordance with the terms of the Securities;
(v) upon the occurrence and continuation of a Tax Event pursuant to
which the Trust shall be dissolved in accordance with the terms of the
Securities and the Debentures and Debenture Guarantees endorsed thereon
shall, subject to the terms of the Securities, be distributed to the
Holders of Securities in exchange for the Securities; or
36
(vi) before the issuance of any Securities, with the consent of all
of the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor.
(b) As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event
referred to in Section 8.1(a), the Trustees shall terminate the Trust by filing
a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware.
(c) The provisions of Section 3.9 and Article X shall survive the
termination of the Trust.
ARTICLE IX
TRANSFER OF INTERESTS
SECTION 9.1 Transfer of Securities.
----------------------
(a) Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Declaration and in
the terms of the Securities. Any transfer or purported transfer of any Security
not made in accordance with this Declaration shall be null and void.
(b) Subject to this Article IX, Preferred Securities shall be freely
transferable.
(c) The Sponsor may not transfer the Common Securities.
SECTION 9.2 Transfer of Certificates.
------------------------
The Regular Trustees shall provide for the registration of
Certificates and of transfers of Certificates, which will be effected without
charge but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Regular Trustees may
require) in respect of any tax or other government charges that may be imposed
in relation to it. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any
Certificate, the Regular Trustees shall cause one or more new Certificates to be
issued in the name of the designated transferee or transferees. Every
Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall be accompanied by a
written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Regular Trustees duly
executed by the Holder or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing.
Every Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall be canceled by
the Regular Trustees. A transferee of a Certificate shall be entitled to the
rights and subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by
such transferee of a Certificate. By acceptance of a Certificate, each
transferee shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by this Declaration.
SECTION 9.3 Deemed Security Holders.
------------------------
37
The Trustees may treat the Person in whose name any Certificate shall
be registered on the books and records of the Trust as the sole holder of such
Certificate and of the Securities represented by such Certificate for purposes
of receiving Distributions and for all other purposes whatsoever and,
accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or
interest in such Certificate or in the Securities represented by such
Certificate on the part of any Person, whether or not the Trust shall have
actual or other notice thereof.
SECTION 9.4 Book Entry Interests.
--------------------
Unless otherwise specified in the terms of the Preferred Securities,
the Preferred Securities Certificates, on original issuance, will be issued in
the form of one or more, fully registered, global Preferred Security
Certificates (each a "Global Certificate"), to be delivered to DTC, the initial
Clearing Agency, by, or on behalf of, the Trust. Such Global Certificates shall
initially be registered on the books and records of the Trust in the name of
Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC, and no Preferred Security Beneficial Owner will
receive a definitive Preferred Security Certificate representing such Preferred
Security Beneficial Owner's interests in such Global Certificates, except as
provided in Section 9.7. Unless and until definitive, fully registered
Preferred Security Certificates (the "Definitive Preferred Security
Certificates") have been issued to the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners
pursuant to Section 9.7:
(a) the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall be in full force and
effect;
(b) the Trust and the Trustees shall be entitled to deal with the
Clearing Agency for all purposes of this Declaration (including the payment of
Distributions on the Global Certificates and receiving approvals, votes or
consents hereunder) as the Holder of the Preferred Securities and the sole
holder of the Global Certificates and shall have no obligation to the Preferred
Security Beneficial Owners;
(c) to the extent that the provisions of this Section 9.4 conflict
with any other provisions of this Declaration, the provisions of this Section
9.4 shall control; and
(d) the rights of the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners shall be
exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those
established by law and agreements between such Preferred Security Beneficial
Owners and the Clearing Agency and/or the Clearing Agency Participants and DTC
will make book entry transfers among the Clearing Agency
38
Participants and receive and transmit payments of Distributions on the Global
Certificates to such Clearing Agency Participants.
SECTION 9.5 Notices to Clearing Agency.
--------------------------
Whenever a notice or other communication to the Preferred Security
Holders is required under this Declaration, unless and until Definitive
Preferred Security Certificates shall have been issued to the Preferred Security
Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.7, the Regular Trustees shall give all
such notices and communications specified herein to be given to the Preferred
Security Holders to the Clearing Agency, and shall have no notice obligations to
the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners.
SECTION 9.6 Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency.
----------------------------------------
If any Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as
securities depositary with respect to the Preferred Securities, the Regular
Trustees may, in their sole discretion, appoint a successor Clearing Agency with
respect to such Preferred Securities.
SECTION 9.7 Definitive Preferred Security Certificates.
------------------------------------------
If:
(a) a Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities
depositary with respect to the Preferred Securities and a successor Clearing
Agency is not appointed within 90 days after such discontinuance pursuant to
Section 9.6; or
(b) the Regular Trustees elect after consultation with the Sponsor to
terminate the book entry system through the Clearing Agency with respect to the
Preferred Securities,
then:
(c) Definitive Preferred Security Certificates shall be prepared by
the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust with respect to such Preferred
Securities; and
(d) upon surrender of the Global Certificates by the Clearing Agency,
accompanied by registration instructions, the Regular Trustees shall cause
Definitive Preferred Security Certificates to be delivered to Preferred Security
Beneficial Owners in accordance with the instructions of the Clearing Agency.
Neither the Trustees nor the Trust shall be liable for any delay in delivery of
such instructions and each of them may
39
conclusively rely on and shall be protected in relying on, said instructions of
the Clearing Agency. The Definitive Preferred Security Certificates shall be
printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is
reasonably acceptable to the Regular Trustees, as evidenced by their execution
thereof, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or
designation and such legends or endorsements as the Regular Trustees may deem
appropriate, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or
regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock
exchange on which Preferred Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.
SECTION 9.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.
-------------------------------------------------
If:
(a) any mutilated Certificates should be surrendered to the Regular
Trustees, or if the Regular Trustees shall receive evidence to their
satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate; and
(b) there shall be delivered to the Regular Trustees such security or
indemnity as may be required by them to keep each of them harmless;
then, in the absence of notice that such Certificate shall have been acquired by
a bona fide purchaser, any Regular Trustee on behalf of the Trust shall execute
and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost
or stolen Certificate, a new Certificate of like denomination. In connection
with the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 9.8, the Regular
Trustees may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith. Any duplicate
Certificate issued pursuant to this Section shall constitute conclusive evidence
of an ownership interest in the relevant Securities, as if originally issued,
whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate shall be found at any
time.
ARTICLE X
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS
SECTION 10.1 Liability.
---------
(a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the Debenture
Guarantee, the Securities Guarantees and the terms of the Securities, the
Sponsor shall not be:
40
(i) personally liable for the return of any portion of the capital
contributions (or any return thereon) of the Holders of the Securities
which shall be made solely from assets of the Trust; and
(ii) required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder of Securities any
deficit upon dissolution of the Trust or otherwise.
(b) The Holder of the Common Securities shall be liable for all of the
debts and obligations of the Trust (other than with respect to the Securities)
to the extent not satisfied out of the Trust's assets.
(c) Pursuant to (S) 3803(a) of the Business Trust Act, the Holders of
the Preferred Securities shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal
liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
SECTION 10.2 Exculpation.
-----------
(a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable
in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any loss, damage
or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such
Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such
Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority
conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration or by law, except that
an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim
incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's negligence or willful misconduct
with respect to such acts or omissions.
(b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good
faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports
or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified
Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert
competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the
Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value
and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts
pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to
Holders of Securities might properly be paid.
SECTION 10.3 Fiduciary Duty.
--------------
(a) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified Person has
duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the
Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under this
Declaration shall
41
not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person for its good faith
reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The provisions of this
Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of an
Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity (other than the duties
imposed on the Institutional Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act), are agreed
by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of the
Indemnified Person.
(b) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein:
(i) whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between any
Covered Persons; or
(ii) whenever this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated
herein or therein provides that an Indemnified Person shall act in a manner
that is, or provides terms that are, fair and reasonable to the Trust or
any Holder of Securities,
the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action
or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each
party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or
situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary
or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting
practices or principles. In the absence of bad faith by the Indemnified Person,
the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by the Indemnified
Person shall not constitute a breach of this Declaration or any other agreement
contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the Indemnified Person at
law or in equity or otherwise.
(c) Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted or
required to make a decision:
(i) in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar authority, the
Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors
as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or
obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors
affecting the Trust or any other Person; or
(ii) in its "good faith" or under another express standard, the
Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be
subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or
by applicable law.
SECTION 10.4 Indemnification.
---------------
42
(a) (i) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent
permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or
is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by
reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against
expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith
and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order,
settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Company
Indemnified Person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
(ii) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent
permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or
is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed
action or suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its
favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person
against expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) actually and
reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of
such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust and
except that no such indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim,
issue or matter as to which such Company Indemnified Person shall have been
adjudged to be liable to the Trust unless and only to the extent that the
Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was
brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of
liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such
Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
(iii) To the extent that a Company Indemnified Person shall be
successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an action
without prejudice or the settlement of an action without admission of
liability) in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in
paragraphs (i)
43
and (ii) of this Section 10.4 (a), or in defense of any claim, issue or
matter therein, he shall be indemnified, to the full extent permitted by
law, against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection therewith.
(iv) Any indemnification under paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this
Section 10.4(a) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Debenture
Issuer only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of the Company Indemnified Person is proper in the
circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set
forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii). Such determination shall be made (1) by
the Regular Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of such
Regular Trustees who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding,
(2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum
of disinterested Regular Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel
in a written opinion, or (3) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust.
(v) Expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred by a
Company Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i)
and (ii) of this Section 10.4 (a) shall be paid by the Debenture Issuer in
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon
receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Company Indemnified
Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is
not entitled to be indemnified by the Debenture Issuer as authorized in
this Section 10.4 (a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be
made by the Debenture Issuer if a determination is reasonably and promptly
made (i) by the Regular Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum of
disinterested Regular Trustees, (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable,
or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees so
directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iii) the
Common Security Holder of the Trust, that, based upon the facts known to
the Regular Trustees, counsel or the Common Security Holder at the time
such determination is made, such Company Indemnified Person acted in bad
faith or in a manner that such Person did not believe to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Trust, or, with respect to any
criminal proceeding, that such Company Indemnified Person believed or had
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In no event shall
any advance be made in instances where the Regular Trustees, independent
legal counsel or the Common Security Holder reasonably determine that such
person deliberately breached his duty to the Trust or its Common or
Preferred Security Holders.
44
(vi) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section 10.4 (a) shall
not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking
indemnification and advancement of expenses may be entitled under any
agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of the Debenture
Issuer or Preferred Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to
action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding such office. All rights to indemnification under this Section
10.4(a) shall be deemed to be provided by a contract between the Debenture
Issuer and each Company Indemnified Person who serves in such capacity at
any time while this Section 10.4 (a) is in effect. Any repeal or
modification of this Section 10.4(a) shall not affect any rights or
obligations then existing.
(vii) The Debenture Issuer or the Trust may purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any Person who is or was a Company Indemnified
Person against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in
any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the
Debenture Issuer would have the power to indemnify him against such
liability under the provisions of this Section 10.4 (a).
(viii) For purposes of this Section 10.4 (a), references to "the
Trust" shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity, any
constituent entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in
a consolidation or merger, so that any Person who is or was a director,
trustee, officer or employee of such constituent entity, or is or was
serving at the request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee,
officer, employee or agent of another entity, shall stand in the same
position under the provisions of this Section 10.4 (a) with respect to the
resulting or surviving entity as he would have with respect to such
constituent entity if its separate existence had continued.
(ix) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, this Section 10.4(a) shall, unless otherwise provided
when authorized or ratified, continue as to a Person who has ceased to be a
Company Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such a Person.
(b) The Debenture Issuer agrees to indemnify the (i) Institutional
Trustee, (ii) the Delaware Trustee, (iii) any Affiliate of the Institutional
Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, and (iv) any officers, directors,
shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, custodians,
nominees or
45
agents of the Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (each of the
Persons in (i) through (iv) being referred to as a "Fiduciary Indemnified
Person") for, and to hold each Fiduciary Indemnified Person harmless against,
any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense including taxes (other
than taxes based on the income of such Fiduciary Indemnified Person) incurred
without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection
with the acceptance or administration or the trust or trusts hereunder,
including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses)
of defending itself against or investigating any claim or liability in
connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties
hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 10.4(b)
shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Declaration.
SECTION 10.5 Outside Businesses.
------------------
Any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the
Institutional Trustee may engage in or possess an interest in other business
ventures of any nature or description, independently or with others, similar or
dissimilar to the business of the Trust, and the Trust and the Holders of
Securities shall have no rights by virtue of this Declaration in and to such
independent ventures or the income or profits derived therefrom, and the pursuit
of any such venture, even if competitive with the business of the Trust, shall
not be deemed wrongful or improper. No Covered Person, the Sponsor, the
Delaware Trustee, or the Institutional Trustee shall be obligated to present any
particular investment or other opportunity to the Trust even if such opportunity
is of a character that, if presented to the Trust, could be taken by the Trust,
and any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Institutional
Trustee shall have the right to take for its own account (individually or as a
partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others any such particular investment
or other opportunity. Any Covered Person, the Delaware Trustee and the
Institutional Trustee may engage or be interested in any financial or other
transaction with the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor, or may act as
depositary for, trustee or agent for, or act on any committee or body of holders
of, securities or other obligations of the Sponsor or its Affiliates.
ARTICLE XI
ACCOUNTING
SECTION 11.1 Fiscal Year.
-----------
The fiscal year ("Fiscal Year") of the Trust shall be the calendar
year, or such other year as is required by the Code.
SECTION 11.2 Certain Accounting Matters.
--------------------------
46
(a) At all times during the existence of the Trust, the Regular
Trustees shall keep, or cause to be kept, full books of account, records and
supporting documents, which shall reflect in reasonable detail each transaction
of the Trust. The books of account shall be maintained on the accrual method of
accounting, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied. The books of account and the records of the Trust shall
be examined by and reported upon as of the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust
by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected by the Regular
Trustees.
(b) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be prepared and delivered to
each of the Holders of Securities, within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal
Year of the Trust, annual financial statements of the Trust, including a balance
sheet of the Trust as of the end of such Fiscal Year, and the related statements
of income or loss.
(c) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and delivered
to each of the Holders of Securities any annual United States federal income tax
information statement required by the Code, containing such information with
regard to the Securities held by each Holder as is required by the Code and the
Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding any right under the Code to deliver any
such statement at a later date, the Regular Trustees shall endeavor to deliver
all such statements within 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the
Trust.
(d) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and filed an
annual United States federal income tax return on a Form 1041 or such other form
required by United States federal income tax law, and any other annual income
tax returns required to be filed by the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust
with any state or local taxing authority.
SECTION 11.3 Banking.
-------
The Trust shall maintain one or more bank accounts in the name and for
the sole benefit of the Trust; provided, however, that all payments of funds in
-------- -------
respect of the Debentures and the Debenture Guarantee held by the Institutional
Trustee shall be made directly to the Institutional Trustee Account and no other
funds of the Trust shall be deposited in the Institutional Trustee Account. The
sole signatories for such accounts shall be designated by the Regular Trustees;
provided, however, that the Institutional Trustee shall designate the
- -------- -------
signatories for the Institutional Trustee Account.
SECTION 11.4 Withholding.
-----------
The Trust and the Regular Trustees shall comply with all withholding
requirements under United States federal, state
47
and local law. The Trust shall request, and the Holders shall provide to the
Trust, such forms or certificates as are necessary to establish an exemption
from withholding with respect to each Holder, and any representations and forms
as shall reasonably be requested by the Trust to assist it in determining the
extent of, and in fulfilling, its withholding obligations. The Regular Trustees
shall file required forms with applicable jurisdictions and, unless an exemption
from withholding is properly established by a Holder, shall remit amounts
withheld with respect to the Holder to applicable jurisdictions. To the extent
that the Trust is required to withhold and pay over any amounts to any authority
with respect to distributions or allocations to any Holder, the amount withheld
shall be deemed to be a Distribution in the amount of the withholding to the
Holder. In the event of any claimed overwithholding, Holders shall be limited
to an action against the applicable jurisdiction. If the amount required to be
withheld was not withheld from actual Distributions made, the Trust may reduce
subsequent Distributions by the amount of such withholding.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS
SECTION 12.1 Amendments.
----------
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration or by any
applicable terms of the Securities, this Declaration may only be amended by a
written instrument approved and executed by
(i) the Regular Trustees (or, if there are more than two Regular
Trustees, a majority of the Regular Trustees);
(ii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations
or immunities of the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee; and
(iii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties,
obligations or immunities of the Delaware Trustee, the Delaware Trustee.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article XII, no
amendment shall be made, and any such purported amendment shall be void and
ineffective:
(i) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment, the Institutional
Trustee shall have first received an Officers' Certificate from each of the
Trust and the Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to,
the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities);
48
(ii) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment which affects the
rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Institutional
Trustee, the Institutional Trustee shall have first received;
(A) an Officers' Certificate from each of the Trust and the
Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the
terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); and
(B) an opinion of counsel (who may be counsel to the Sponsor or
the Trust) that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the
terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); and
(iii) to the extent the result of such amendment would be to:
(A) cause the trust to fail to continue to be classified for
purposes of United States federal income taxation as a grantor trust;
(B) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the
Institutional Trustee in contravention of the Trust Indenture Act; or
(C) cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment Company
required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.
(c) At such time after the Trust has issued any Securities that remain
outstanding, any amendment that would adversely affect the rights, privileges or
preferences of any Holder of Securities may be effected only with such
additional requirements as may be set forth in the terms of such Securities.
(d) Section 9.1(c) and this Section 12.1 shall not be amended without
the consent of all of the Holders of the Securities.
(e) Article IV shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders
of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities.
(f) the rights of the holders of the Common Securities under Article V
to increase or decrease the number of, and appoint and remove, Trustees shall
not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation
amount of the Common Securities.
49
(g) Notwithstanding Section 12.1(c), this Declaration may be amended
without the consent of the Holders of the Securities to:
(i) cure any ambiguity;
(ii) correct or supplement any provision in this Declaration that may
be defective or inconsistent with any other provision of this Declaration;
(iii) add to the covenants, restrictions or obligations of the
Sponsor;
(iv) to conform to any change in Rule 3a-5 or written change in
interpretation or application of Rule 3a-5 by any legislative body, court,
government agency or regulatory authority which amendment does not have a
material adverse effect on the right, preferences or privileges of the
Holders; and
(v) to modify, eliminate and add to any provision of this Declaration
to such extent as may be necessary; provided, however, that no such
amendment shall adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights
of Holders of Securities.
SECTION 12.2 Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by
------------------------------------------------
Written Consent.
- ---------------
(a) Meetings of the Holders of any class of Securities may be called
at any time by the Regular Trustees (or as provided in the terms of the
Securities) to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such class of
Securities are entitled to act under the terms of this Declaration, the terms of
the Securities or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Preferred
Securities are listed or admitted for trading. The Regular Trustees shall call
a meeting of the Holders of such class if directed to do so by the Holders of at
least 10% in liquidation amount of such class of Securities. Such direction
shall be given by delivering to the Regular Trustees one or more calls in a
writing stating that the signing Holders of Securities wish to call a meeting
and indicating the general or specific purpose for which the meeting is to be
called. Any Holders of Securities calling a meeting shall specify in writing
the Certificates held by the Holders of Securities exercising the right to call
a meeting and only those Securities represented by such Certificates shall be
counted for purposes of determining whether the required percentage set forth in
the second sentence of this paragraph has been met.
50
(b) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the
Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders of
Securities:
(i) notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the Holders of
Securities having a right to vote thereat at least 7 days and not more than
60 days before the date of such meeting. Whenever a vote, consent or
approval of the Holders of Securities is permitted or required under this
Declaration or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Preferred
Securities are listed or admitted for trading, such vote, consent or
approval may be given at a meeting of the Holders of Securities. Any
action that may be taken at a meeting of the Holders of Securities may be
taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so
taken is signed by the Holders of Securities owning not less than the
minimum amount of Securities in liquidation amount that would be necessary
to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all Holders of
Securities having a right to vote thereon were present and voting. Prompt
notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the
Holders of Securities entitled to vote who have not consented in writing.
The Regular Trustees may specify that any written ballot submitted to the
Security Holder for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting
shall be returned to the Trust within the time specified by the Regular
Trustees;
(ii) each Holder of a Security may authorize any Person to act for it
by proxy on all matters in which a Holder of Securities is entitled to
participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or
participating at a meeting. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration
of 11 months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy.
Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Holder of Securities
executing it. Except as otherwise provided herein, all matters relating to
the giving, voting or validity of proxies shall be governed by the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to proxies, and judicial
interpretations thereunder, as if the Trust were a Delaware corporation and
the Holders of the Securities were stockholders of a Delaware corporation;
(iii) each meeting of the Holders of the Securities shall be
conducted by the Regular Trustees or by such other Person that the Regular
Trustees may designate; and
(iv) unless the Business Trust Act, this Declaration, the terms of
the Securities, the Trust Indenture Act or the listing rules of any stock
exchange on which the Preferred Securities are then listed or trading
otherwise provides,
51
the Regular Trustees, in their sole discretion, shall establish all other
provisions relating to meetings of Holders of Securities, including notice
of the time, place or purpose of any meeting at which any matter is to be
voted on by any Holders of Securities, waiver of any such notice, action by
consent without a meeting, the establishment of a record date, quorum
requirements, voting in person or by proxy or any other matter with respect
to the exercise of any such right to vote.
ARTICLE XIII
REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE
AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE
SECTION 13.1 Representations and Warranties of Institutional
-----------------------------------------------
Trustee.
The Trustee that acts as initial Institutional Trustee represents and
warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and
each Successor Institutional Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and
the Sponsor at the time of the Successor Institutional Trustee's acceptance of
its appointment as Institutional Trustee, that:
(a) the Institutional Trustee is a New York banking corporation with
trust powers and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform
its obligations under the terms of, this Declaration;
(b) the execution, delivery and performance by the Institutional
Trustee of the Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action on the part of the Institutional Trustee. This Declaration has been duly
executed and delivered by the Institutional Trustee, and it constitutes a legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Institutional Trustee, enforceable against
it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy,
reorganization, moratorium, insolvency, and other similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of
whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);
(c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Declaration by the
Institutional Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the
charter or by-laws of the Institutional Trustee; and
(d) no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or
notice to, any New York State or federal banking authority is required for the
execution, delivery or performance by the Institutional Trustee of this
Declaration.
SECTION 13.2 Representations and Warranties of Delaware
------------------------------------------
52
Trustee.
-------
The Trustee that acts as initial Delaware Trustee represents and
warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and
each Successor Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the
Sponsor at the time of the Successor Delaware Trustee's acceptance of its
appointment as Delaware Trustee, that:
(a) The Delaware Trustee is duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with trust power and
authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations
under the terms of, this Declaration.
(b) The Delaware Trustee has been authorized to perform its
obligations under the Certificate of Trust and this Declaration. This
Declaration under Delaware law constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation
of the Delaware Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms,
subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency, and
other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to general
principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity
or at law).
(c) No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or
notice to, any federal banking authority is required for the execution, delivery
or performance by the Delaware Trustee of this Declaration.
(d) The Delaware Trustee is a natural person who is a resident of the
State of Delaware or, if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal
place of business in the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE XIV
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 14.1 Notices.
-------
All notices provided for in this Declaration shall be in writing, duly
signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or
mailed by first class mail, as follows:
(a) if given to the Trust, in care of the Regular Trustees at the
Trust's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Trust may
give notice of to the Holders of the Securities:
Countrywide Capital I
53
Countrywide Credit Industries, Inc.
155 North Lake Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
Attention:
Telecopy
(b) if given to the Delaware Trustee, at the mailing address set forth
below (or such other address as Delaware Trustee may give notice of to the
Holders of the Securities):
The Bank of New York (Delaware)
White Clay Center, Route 273
Newark, Delaware 19711
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
(c) if given to the Institutional Trustee, at the Institutional
Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the
Institutional Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities):
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street, 21 West
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Corporate Trust Trustee
Administration
(d) if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the mailing
address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the Holder of
the Common Securities may give notice of to the Trust):
Countrywide Credit Industries, Inc.
155 North Lake Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
Attention:
(e) if given to any other Holder, at the address set forth on the
books and records of the Trust.
All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or
cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given,
such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date
of such refusal or inability to deliver.
SECTION 14.2 Governing Law.
-------------
This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be
governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware
and all rights and remedies
54
shall be governed by such laws without regard to the principles of conflict of
laws of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction that would call for the
application of the law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware;
provided, however, that there shall not be applicable to the Trust, the Trustees
or this Declaration any provision of the laws (statutory or common) of the State
of Delaware pertaining to trusts that relate to or regulate, in a manner
inconsistent with the terms hereof (a) the filing with any court or governmental
body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges, (b)
affirmative requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents or
employees of a trust, (c) the necessity for obtaining court or other
governmental approval concerning the acquisition, holding or disposition of real
or personal property, (d) fees or other sums payable to trustees, officers,
agents or employees of a trust, (e) the allocation of receipts and expenditures
to income or principal, (f) restrictions or limitations on the permissible
nature, amount or concentration of trust investments or requirements relating to
the titling, storage or other manner of holding or investing trust assets or (g)
the establishment of fiduciary or other standards of responsibility or
limitations on the acts or powers of trustees that are inconsistent with the
limitations or liabilities or authorities and powers of the Trustees as set
forth or referenced in this Declaration. Section 3540 of Title 12 of the
Delaware Code shall not apply to the Trust.
SECTION 14.3 Intention of the Parties.
------------------------
It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Trust be classified
for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust. The
provisions of this Declaration shall be interpreted to further this intention of
the parties.
SECTION 14.4 Headings.
--------
Headings contained in this Declaration are inserted for convenience of
reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this Declaration or any
provision hereof.
SECTION 14.5 Successors and Assigns.
----------------------
Whenever in this Declaration any of the parties hereto is named or
referred to, the successors and assigns of such party shall be deemed to be
included, and all covenants and agreements in this Declaration by the Sponsor
and the Trustees shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective
successors and assigns, whether or not so expressed.
SECTION 14.6 Partial Enforceability.
----------------------
55
If any provision of this Declaration, or the application of such
provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of
this Declaration, or the application of such provision to persons or
circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be
affected thereby.
SECTION 14.7 Counterparts.
------------
This Declaration may contain more than one counterpart of the
signature page and this Declaration may be executed by the affixing of the
signature of each of the Trustees to any of such counterpart signature pages.
All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and they
shall have the same force and effect as though all of the signers had signed a
single signature page.
56
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused these presents to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
-------------------------------
, as Regular Trustee
-------------------------------
, as Regular Trustee
-------------------------------
, as Regular Trustee
THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE),
as Delaware Trustee
By: _____________________________
Name:
Title
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Institutional Trustee
By: _____________________________
Name:
Title:
COUNTRYWIDE CREDIT INDUSTRIES, INC.,
as Sponsor
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
57
A-1
ANNEX I
TERMS OF
____% CUMULATIVE TRUST ORIGINATED PREFERRED SECURITIES
____% CUMULATIVE TRUST ORIGINATED COMMON SECURITIES
Pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust, dated as of _________ ___, 1996 (as amended from time to time, the
"Declaration"), the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences
and other terms and provisions of the Preferred Securities and the Common
Securities are set out below (each capitalized term used but not defined herein
has the meaning set forth in the Declaration or, if not defined in the
Declaration, as defined in the Prospectus referred to below):
1. Designation and Number.
----------------------
(a) Preferred Securities. __________ Preferred Securities (or up to
--------------------
___________ Preferred Securities if the over-allotment option is exercised) of
the Trust, with an aggregate stated liquidation amount with respect to the
assets of the Trust of _____________________ dollars ($___________) and a stated
liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $25 per Preferred
Security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as
"____% Trust Originated Preferred Securities(SM) (`TOPrS'(SM))" (the "Preferred
Securities"). The Preferred Security Certificates evidencing the Preferred
Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Declaration,
with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be
required by ordinary usage, custom or practice or to conform to the rules of any
stock exchange on which the Preferred Securities are listed.
(b) Common Securities. _______ Common Securities of the Trust, with
-----------------
an aggregate stated liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust
of _____________________________________ dollars ($_________) and a stated
liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $25 per Common
Security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as
"____% Cumulative Trust Originated Common Securities" (the "Common Securities").
The Common Security Certificates evidencing the Common Securities shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Declaration, with such changes
and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary
usage, custom or practice.
2. Distributions.
-------------
(a) Distributions payable on each Security will be fixed at a rate per
annum of ____% (the "Coupon Rate") of the
I-1
stated liquidation amount of $25 per Security, such rate being the rate of
interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee.
Except as set forth below in respect of an Extension Period, Distributions in
arrears for more than one quarter will bear interest thereon compounded
quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The
term "Distributions" as used herein includes cash distributions and any such
interest payable unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the
extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures and the Debenture
Guarantee held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent the Institutional
Trustee has funds available therefor. The amount of Distributions payable for
any period will be computed for any full quarterly Distribution period on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and, for any period shorter
than a full quarterly Distribution period for which Distributions are computed,
Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed
per 30-day month.
(b) Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will accrue
from ________ __, 1996, and will be payable quarterly in arrears on March 31,
June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year, commencing on December 31,
1996, except as otherwise described below. The Debenture Issuer has the right
under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest
payment period at any time and from time to time on the Debentures for a period
not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (each an "Extension Period"), during which
Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable on the Debentures,
provided that no Extension Period shall be initiated while accrued interest with
- -------- ----
respect to prior, completed Extension Periods is unpaid; and, provided further,
-------- -------
that no Extension Period shall extend beyond the date of maturity of the
Debentures. As a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be
deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to
accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the
Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the
termination of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further
extend such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period together with
-------- ----
all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive
quarters or extend beyond the maturity of the Debentures. Distributions accrued
during any Extension Period will be payable on the next quarterly Distribution
payment date to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on
the record date next following the termination of the Extension Period. Upon
the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due,
the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above
requirements.
I-2
(c) Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders
thereof as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the relevant
record dates. While the Preferred Securities remain in book-entry only form,
the relevant record dates shall be one Business Day prior to the relevant
payment dates which payment dates correspond to the interest payment dates on
the Debentures. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations and the
provisions of the Declaration, each such payment in respect of the Preferred
Securities will be made as described under the heading "Description of the
Preferred Securities -- Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The Depository Trust
Company" in the Prospectus Supplement dated ________ __, 1996, to the Prospectus
dated _________ __, 1996 (together, the "Prospectus"), of the Trust included in
the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Sponsor, the Trust and certain
other business trusts. The relevant record dates for the Common Securities
shall be the same record dates as for the Preferred Securities. If the
Preferred Securities shall not continue to remain in book-entry only form, the
relevant record dates for the Preferred Securities shall conform to the rules of
any securities exchange on which the Preferred Securities are listed and, if
none, shall be selected by the Regular Trustees, which dates shall be at least
one Business Day but less than 60 Business Days before the relevant payment
dates, which payment dates correspond to the interest payment dates on the
Debentures. Distributions payable on any Securities that are not punctually
paid on any Distribution payment date, as a result of the Debenture Issuer or
the Guarantor having failed to make a payment under the Debentures or the
Debenture Guarantee, as the case may be, when due (taking into account any
Extension Period), will cease to be payable to the Person in whose name such
Securities are registered on the relevant record date, and such defaulted
Distribution will instead be payable to the Person in whose name such Securities
are registered on the special record date or other specified date determined in
accordance with the Indenture. If any date on which Distributions are payable
on the Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Distribution
payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business
Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay)
except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such
payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case
with the same force and effect as if made on such date.
(d) In the event that there is any money or other property held by or
for the Trust that is not accounted for hereunder, such property shall be
distributed Pro Rata (as defined herein) among the Holders of the Securities.
3. Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution.
-----------------------------------------
I-3
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up
or termination of the Trust, the Holders of the Securities on the date of the
dissolution, winding-up or termination, as the case may be, will be entitled to
receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to Holders of
Securities after paying or making reasonable provision to pay all claims and
obligations of the Trust in accordance with Section 3808(e) of the Business
Trust Act an amount equal to the aggregate of the stated liquidation amount of
$25 per Security plus accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of
payment (such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"), unless such
dissolution, winding-up or termination occurs in connection with a Tax Event in
which, in accordance with Section 4(c), Debentures in an aggregate stated
principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of such
Securities, with an interest rate equal to the Coupon Rate of, and bearing
accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid
Distributions on, such Securities, shall be distributed on a Pro Rata basis to
the Holders of the Securities in exchange for such Securities.
If, upon any such dissolution, winding up or termination the
Liquidation Distribution can be paid only in part because the Trust has
insufficient assets available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation
Distribution, then the amounts payable directly by the Trust on the Securities
shall be paid on a Pro Rata basis, except that if an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, the Preferred Securities shall have a preference
over the Common Securities with regard to such amounts.
4. Redemption and Distribution.
---------------------------
(a) Upon the repayment of the Debentures in whole or in part, whether
at maturity or upon redemption (either at the option of the Debenture Issuer or
pursuant to a Tax Event as described below), the proceeds from such repayment or
payment shall be simultaneously applied to redeem Securities having an aggregate
liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so
repaid or redeemed at a redemption price of $25 per Security plus an amount
equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon at the date of the redemption,
payable in cash (the "Redemption Price"). Holders will be given not less than
30 nor more than 60 days notice of such redemption.
(b) If fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be so
redeemed, the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities will be redeemed
Pro Rata and the Preferred Securities to be redeemed will be as described in
Section 4(f)(ii) below.
(c) If, at any time, a Tax Event (as defined below) shall occur and
be continuing the Regular Trustees shall, except
I-4
in certain limited circumstances described in this Section 4(c), dissolve the
Trust and, after paying or making reasonable provision to pay all claims and
obligations of the Trust in accordance with Section 3808(e) of the Business
Trust Act, cause Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee, having an
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of,
with an interest rate identical to the Coupon Rate of, and accrued and unpaid
interest equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions on, and having the same
record date for payment as the Securities, to be distributed to the Holders of
the Securities together with the Debenture Guarantee in liquidation of such
Holders' interests in the Trust on a Pro Rata basis, within 90 days following
the occurrence of such Tax Event (the "90 Day Period"); provided, however, that,
-------- -------
as a condition of such dissolution and distribution, the Regular Trustees shall
have received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel
experienced in such matters (a "No Recognition Opinion"), which opinion may rely
on published revenue rulings of the Internal Revenue Service, to the effect that
the Holders of the Securities will not recognize any gain or loss for United
States federal income tax purposes as a result of the dissolution of the Trust
and the distribution of Debentures, and provided, further, that, if at the time
-------- -------
there is available to the Trust the opportunity to eliminate, within the 90 Day
Period, the adverse effects of the Tax Event by taking some ministerial action,
such as filing a form or making an election, or pursuing some other similar
reasonable measure that has no adverse effect on the Trust, the Debenture
Issuer, the Sponsor or the Holders of the Securities ("Ministerial Action"), the
Trust will pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of dissolution.
If, at any time, a Tax Event shall occur and be continuing, then (i)
upon receipt of a Tax Event Opinion (as defined hereinafter) by the Regular
Trustees, the Debenture Issuer receives an opinion (a "Redemption Tax Opinion")
of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters
that, as a result of a Tax Event, there is more than an insubstantial risk that
the Debenture Issuer would be precluded from deducting the interest on the
Debentures for United States federal income tax purposes even if the Debentures
were distributed to the Holders of Securities in liquidation of such Holders'
interests in the Trust as described in this Section 4(c), or (ii) the Regular
Trustees shall have been informed by the tax counsel expressing the Dissolution
Tax Opinion (as defined below) that a No Recognition Opinion cannot be delivered
to the Trust, the Debenture Issuer shall have the right at any time, upon not
less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, to redeem the Debentures in whole or
in part for cash so long as such Tax Event is continuing, and, following such
redemption, Securities with an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so redeemed shall be redeemed by
the Trust at the Redemption Price on a Pro Rata
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basis; provided, however, that, if at the time there is available to the
-------- -------
Debenture Issuer or the Trust the opportunity to eliminate, within the 90 Day
Period, the adverse effects of the Tax Event by taking some Ministerial Action,
the Trust or the Debenture Issuer will pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of
redemption.
"Tax Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have received an
opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such
matters (a "Dissolution Tax Opinion") to the effect that on or after the date of
the Prospectus Supplement, as a result of (a) any amendment to, clarification of
or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any
regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision or
taxing authority thereof or therein affecting taxation, (b) any judicial
decision, official administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure,
notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt
such procedures or regulations (an "Administrative Action"), or (c) any
amendment to, clarification of, or change in the official position or the
interpretation of such Administrative Action or judicial decision that differs
from the theretofore generally accepted position, in each case, by any
legislative body, court, governmental authority or regulatory body, irrespective
of the manner in which such amendment, clarification or change is made known,
which amendment, clarification, or change is effective or such Administrative
Action or decision is announced, in each case, on or after the first date of
issuance of the Securities, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i)
the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to United
States federal income tax with respect to interest accrued or received on the
Debentures, (ii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date thereof,
subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other
governmental charges, or (iii) (A) interest payable by the Debenture Issuer to
the Trust on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date thereof will
not be, deductible, in whole or in part, by the Debenture Issuer for United
States federal income tax purposes or (B) the Debenture Issuer could become
liable to pay, on the next date on which any amount would be payable with
respect to the Debentures, any Additional Interest (as defined in the
Indenture).
On and from the date fixed by the Regular Trustees for any
distribution of Debentures and dissolution of the Trust: (i) the Securities will
be deemed to be no longer outstanding, (ii) The Depository Trust Company (the
"Depositary") or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee),
as the Holder of the Preferred Securities, will receive a registered global
certificate or certificates representing the Debentures and the Debenture
Guarantee to be delivered upon such distribution and (iii) any Certificates
representing Securities, except for
I-6
Certificates representing Preferred Securities held by the Depositary or its
nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), will be deemed to
represent beneficial interests in such of the Debentures having an aggregate
principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an
interest rate identical to the Coupon Rate of, and accrued and unpaid interest
equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions on, such Securities until such
Certificates are presented to the Debenture Issuer or its agent for transfer or
reissue.
(d) The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding
Securities unless all accrued and unpaid Distributions have been paid on all
Securities for all quarterly Distribution periods terminating on or before the
date of redemption.
(e) If the Debentures and the Debenture Guarantee are distributed to
Holders of the Securities, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Debenture
Issuer will use its best efforts to have the Debentures listed on the New York
Stock Exchange or on such other securities exchange on which the Preferred
Securities were listed immediately prior to the distribution of the Debentures.
(f) "Redemption or Distribution Procedures."
(i) Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of
Debentures in exchange for, the Securities (a "Redemption/Distribution
Notice") will be given by the Trust by mail to each Holder of Securities to
be redeemed or exchanged not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days before the
date fixed for redemption or exchange thereof which, in the case of a
redemption, will be the date fixed for redemption of the Debentures. For
purposes of the calculation of the date of redemption or exchange and the
dates on which notices are given pursuant to this Section 4(f)(i), a
Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be deemed to be given on the day such
notice is first mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders of
such Securities. Each Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be addressed to
the Holders of such Securities at the address of each such Holder appearing
on the books and records of the Trust. No defect in the
Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the mailing thereof with respect to
any Holder shall affect the validity of the redemption or exchange
proceedings with respect to any other Holder.
(ii) In the event that fewer than all the outstanding Securities
are to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be redeemed Pro
Rata from each Holder of Preferred Securities; provided, however, that, in
respect of Preferred Securities registered in the name of and held of
record by
I-7
the Depositary or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its
nominee), the Preferred Securities shall be redeemed in accordance with the
procedures of the Depositary (which may include redemption by lot), and the
distribution of the proceeds of such redemption will be made to each
Clearing Agency Participant (or Person on whose behalf such nominee holds
such Securities) in accordance with the procedures applied by such Clearing
Agency or nominee.
(iii) If Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a
Redemption/Distribution Notice, which notice may only be issued if the
Debentures are redeemed as set out in this Section 4 (which notice will be
irrevocable), then (A) with respect to the Preferred Securities, while the
Preferred Securities are in book-entry only form, provided that the
Debenture Issuer or the Guarantor has paid the Institutional Trustee a
sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or
maturity of the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee will deposit
irrevocably with the Depositary or its nominee (or successor Clearing
Agency or its nominee), by 12:00 noon, New York city time, on the
redemption date, funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price
with respect to the Preferred Securities and will give the Depositary
irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the
Holders of the Preferred Securities, and (B) with respect to Preferred
Securities issued in definitive form and Common Securities, provided that
the Debenture Issuer has paid the Institutional Trustee a sufficient amount
of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity of the
Debentures, the Institutional Trustee will pay the relevant Redemption
Price to the Holders of such Securities by check mailed to the address of
each such Holder appearing on the books and records of the Trust on the
redemption date. If a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall have been given
and funds deposited as required, if applicable, then immediately prior to
the close of business on the date of such deposit, or on the redemption
date, as applicable, Distributions will cease to accrue on the Securities
so called for redemption and all rights of Holders of such Securities so
called for redemption will cease, except the right of the Holders of such
Securities to receive the Redemption Price, but without interest on such
Redemption Price. Neither the Regular Trustees nor the Trust shall be
required to register or cause to be registered the transfer or exchange of
any Securities that have been so called for redemption. If any date fixed
for redemption of Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the
Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding
day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in
respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day falls in the
next calendar
I-8
year, such payment will be made on the immediately preceding Business Day,
in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date fixed
for redemption. If payment of the Redemption Price in respect of any
Securities is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the
Institutional Trustee or by the Sponsor as guarantor pursuant to the
relevant Securities Guarantee, Distributions on such Securities will
continue to accrue from the original redemption date to the actual date of
payment, in which case the actual payment date will be considered the date
fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price.
(iv) Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by the Regular
Trustees on behalf of the Trust to (A) in respect of the Preferred
Securities, the Depositary or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency
or its nominee) if the Global Certificates have been issued or, if
Definitive Preferred Security Certificates have been issued, to the Holders
thereof, and (B) in respect of the Common Securities, to the Holder
thereof.
(v) Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including, without
limitation, United States federal securities laws), provided the acquiror
is not the Holder of the Common Securities or the obligor under the
Indenture, the Sponsor or any of its subsidiaries may at any time and from
time to time purchase outstanding Preferred Securities by tender, in the
open market or by private agreement.
5. Voting Rights - Preferred Securities.
------------------------------------
(a) Except as provided under Sections 5(b) and 7 and as otherwise
required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Preferred Securities
will have no voting rights.
(b) Subject to the requirements set forth in this paragraph, the
Holders of a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred
Securities, voting separately as a class, may direct the time, method, and place
of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional
Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional
Trustee under the Declaration, including the right to direct the Institutional
Trustee, as holder of the Debentures, to (i) exercise the remedies available
under the Indenture conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Debenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Debenture
Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waive any past default and its
consequences that is waivable under the Indenture, or (iii) exercise any right
to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall
be due and payable, provided, however, that, where a consent or action
-------- -------
I-9
under the Indenture would require the consent or act of the holders of greater
than a majority in principal amount of Debentures affected thereby (a "Super
Majority"), the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent or take such
action at the written direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in
liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities which the relevant Super Majority
represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. The
Institutional Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or
approved by a vote or consent of the Holders of the Preferred Securities. Other
than with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee as set forth
above, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action described in (i),
(ii), or (iii) above, unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion
of tax counsel to the effect that for the purposes of United States federal
income tax the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust on
account of such action. If a Declaration Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer
to pay interest or principal on the Debentures on the date such interest or
principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption
date), then a Holder of Preferred Securities may, after such Holder's written
request to the Institutional Trustee to pursue its remedies under the Indenture
and any failure by the Institutional Trustee to do so, directly institute a
proceeding against the Debenture Issuer ("Direct Action") for enforcement of
payment, on or after the respective due dates specified in the Debentures, to
such Holder of the principal of or interest on the Debentures having a principal
amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities of
such Holder. In connection with such Direct Action, the rights of the Holders
of the Common Securities will be subrogated to the rights of such Holder of
Preferred Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Debenture Issuer
to such Holder of Preferred Securities in such Direct Action, provided that no
Holder of the Common Securities may exercise any such right of subrogation so
long as an Event of Default with respect to the Preferred Securities has
occurred and is continuing. Except as provided in the preceding sentences, the
Holders of Preferred Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other
remedy available to the holders of the Debentures.
Any approval or direction of Holders of Preferred Securities may be
given at a separate meeting of Holders of Preferred Securities convened for such
purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or
pursuant to written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any
meeting at which Holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to vote, or of any
matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to
be mailed to each Holder of
I-10
Preferred Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting forth
(i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such action is to be taken,
(ii) a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on
which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written
consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or
consents.
No vote or consent of the Holders of the Preferred Securities will be
required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Preferred Securities or to
distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of
the Securities.
Notwithstanding that Holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to
vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, the Preferred
Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor shall
not entitle the Holder thereof to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of
such vote or consent, be treated as if such Preferred Securities were not
outstanding.
6. Voting Rights - Common Securities.
---------------------------------
(a) Except as provided under Sections 6(b), 6(c) and 7 and as
otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Common
Securities will have no voting rights.
(b) The Holders of the Common Securities are entitled, in accordance
with Article V of the Declaration, to vote to appoint, remove or replace any
Trustee or to increase or decrease the number of Trustees.
(c) Subject to Section 2.6 of the Declaration and only after each
Event of Default (if any) with respect to the Preferred Securities has been
cured, waived, or otherwise eliminated and subject to the requirements of the
second to last sentence of this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in
liquidation amount of the Common Securities, voting separately as a class, may
direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the Institutional Trustee under the Declaration, including (i)
directing the time, method, place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Debenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred
on the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waive any past
default and its consequences that is waivable under the Indenture, or (iii)
exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all
the Debentures shall be due and payable, provided, however, that, where a
-------- ------- ----
consent or action under the Indenture would require a Super Majority, the
Institutional Trustee may only give such consent or take such action at the
written direction of the
I-11
Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Common
Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. Notwithstanding this Section
6(c), the Institutional Trustee shall not revoke any action previously
authorized or approved by a vote or consent of the Holders of the Preferred
Securities. Other than with respect to directing the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee
or the Debenture Trustee as set forth above, the Institutional Trustee shall not
take any action described in (i), (ii) or (iii) above, unless the Institutional
Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that for the
purposes of United States federal income tax the Trust will not be classified as
other than a grantor trust on account of such action. If the Institutional
Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Declaration, any Holder of Common
Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against any Person to
enforce the Institutional Trustee's rights under the Declaration, without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the Institutional Trustee or any other
Person.
Any approval or direction of Holders of Common Securities may be given
at a separate meeting of Holders of Common Securities convened for such purpose,
at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or pursuant to
written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at
which Holders of Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon
which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to
each Holder of Common Securities. Each such notice will include a statement
setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such action is
to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such
meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which
written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or
consents.
No vote or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities will be
required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Common Securities or to distribute
the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the
Securities.
7. Amendments to Declaration and Indenture.
---------------------------------------
(a) In addition to any requirements under Section 12.1 of the
Declaration, if any proposed amendment to the Declaration provides for, or the
Regular Trustees otherwise propose to effect, (i) any action that would
adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Securities,
whether by way of amendment to the Declaration or otherwise, or (ii) the
dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust, other than as described in
Section 8.1 of the Declaration, then the Holders of outstanding Securities,
voting together as a single class,
I-12
will be entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal and such amendment or
proposal shall not be effective except with the approval of the Holders of at
least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities, affected thereby;
provided, however, if any amendment or proposal referred to in clause (i) above
- -------- -------
would adversely affect only the Preferred Securities or only the Common
Securities, then only the affected class will be entitled to vote on such
amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective
except with the approval of a Majority in liquidation amount of such class of
Securities.
(b) In the event the consent of the Institutional Trustee as the
holder of the Debentures and the Debenture Guarantee is required under the
Indenture with respect to any amendment, modification or termination of the
Indenture, the Debentures or the Debenture Guarantee, the Institutional Trustee
shall request the written direction of the Holders of the Securities with
respect to such amendment, modification or termination and shall vote with
respect to such amendment, modification, or termination as directed by a
Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together as a single
class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require
-------- -------
a Super Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent at the
direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the
Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures outstanding; provided, further, that the
-------- -------
Institutional Trustee shall not take any action in accordance with the
directions of the Holders of the Securities under this Section 7(b) unless the
Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that
for the purposes of United States federal income tax the Trust will not be
classified as other than a grantor trust on account of such action.
8. Pro Rata.
--------
A reference in these terms of the Securities to any payment,
distribution or treatment as being "Pro Rata" shall mean pro rata to each Holder
of Securities according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Securities
held by the relevant Holder in relation to the aggregate liquidation amount of
all Securities outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing, in which case any funds available to make such
payment shall be paid first to each Holder of the Preferred Securities pro rata
according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Preferred Securities held by
the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all
Preferred Securities outstanding, and only after satisfaction of all amounts
owed to the Holders of the Preferred Securities, to each Holder of Common
Securities pro rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Common
Securities held by the
I-13
relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Common
Securities outstanding.
9. Ranking.
-------
The Preferred Securities rank pari passu and payment thereon shall be
---- -----
made Pro Rata with the Common Securities except that, where an Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing, the rights of Holders of the Common Securities
to payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption
and otherwise are subordinated to the rights to payment of the Holders of the
Preferred Securities.
10. Listing.
-------
The Regular Trustees shall use their best efforts to cause the
Preferred Securities to be listed for quotation on the New York Stock Exchange,
Inc.
11. Acceptance of Securities Guarantee and Indenture.
------------------------------------------------
Each Holder of Preferred Securities and Common Securities, by the
acceptance of such Securities, agrees to the provisions of the Preferred
Securities Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee, respectively,
including the subordination provisions therein and to the provisions of the
Indenture.
12. No Preemptive Rights.
--------------------
The Holders of the Securities shall have no preemptive rights to
subscribe for any additional securities.
13. Miscellaneous.
-------------
These terms constitute a part of the Declaration.
The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Preferred
Securities Guarantee or the Common Securities Guarantee (as may be appropriate),
and the Indenture to a Holder without charge on written request to the Sponsor
at its principal place of business.
I-14
Exhibit A-1
EXHIBIT A-1
FORM OF PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATE
This Preferred Security is a Global Certificate within the meaning of
the Declaration hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of The
Depository Trust Company (the "Depositary") or a nominee of the Depositary.
This Preferred Security is exchangeable for Preferred Securities registered in
the name of a person other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the
limited circumstances described in the Declaration and no transfer of this
Preferred Security (other than a transfer of this Preferred Security as a whole
by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the
Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary) may be
registered except in limited circumstances.
Unless this Preferred Security is presented by an authorized
representative of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New
York) to the Trust or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or
payment, and any Preferred Security issued is registered in the name of Cede &
Co. or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of The
Depository Trust Company and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co., ANY
TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS
WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.
Certificate Number Number of Preferred Securities
CUSIP NO ___________
Certificate Evidencing Preferred Securities
of
COUNTRYWIDE CAPITAL I
____% Cumulative Trust Originated Preferred Securities/SM/
("TOPrS"/SM/)
(liquidation amount $25 per Preferred Security)
COUNTRYWIDE CAPITAL I, a statutory business trust formed under the
laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that
______________ (the "Holder") is the registered owner of preferred securities of
the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the
Trust, designated the ____% Cumulative Trust Originated Preferred Securities/SM/
(liquidation amount $25 per Preferred Security) (the "Preferred Securities").
The Preferred Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Trust,
in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate
A1-1
duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designation, rights,
privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the
Preferred Securities represented hereby are issued pursuant to, and shall in all
respects be subject to, the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration
of Trust of the Trust dated as of __________ __, 1996, including the designation
of the terms of the Preferred Securities as set forth in Annex I to the
Declaration, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration").
Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them
in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Preferred
Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a
copy of the Declaration, the Preferred Securities Guarantee and the Indenture to
the Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal
place of business.
Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the
Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
By acceptance of this Certificate, the Holder agrees to treat, for
United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and
the Preferred Securities as evidence of beneficial ownership in the Debentures.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the Trust has executed this certificate
this _____ day of _________, 1996.
COUNTRYWIDE CAPITAL I
By:________________________________
Name:
Title: Regular Trustee
A1-2
[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]
Distributions payable on each Preferred Security will be fixed at a
rate per annum of ____% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of
$25 per Preferred Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the
Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee. Except as set forth below
in respect of an Extension Period, Distributions in arrears for more than one
quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to
the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used
herein includes cash distributions and any such interest payable unless
otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments
are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to
the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. The amount
of Distributions payable for any period will be computed for any full quarterly
Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and,
for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which
Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the
actual number of days elapsed per 30-day month.
Except as otherwise described below, Distributions on the Preferred
Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance
and will be payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and
December 31 of each year, commencing on December 31, 1996. The Debenture Issuer
has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the
interest payment period at any time and from time to time on the Debentures for
a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (each an "Extension Period"),
during which Extension Period no interest will be due and payable on the
Debentures, provided that no Extension Period shall be initiated while accrued
-------- ----
interest with respect to prior, completed Extension Periods is unpaid or extend
beyond the date of the maturity of the Debentures. As a consequence of such
deferral, Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly
Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent
permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any
such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period,
the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period; provided that
-------- ----
such Extension Period together with all such previous and further extensions
thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity of
the Debentures. Distributions accrued during any Extension Period will be
payable on the next quarterly Distribution payment date to Holders as they
appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date next following
the termination of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension
Period and the payment of all
A1-3
amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period,
subject to the above requirements.
The Preferred Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the
Declaration.
A1-4
_________________________
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Preferred
Security Certificate to:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Insert assignee's social security or tax identification number)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Insert address and zip code of assignee)
and irrevocably appoints
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
agent to transfer this Preferred Security Certificate on the books of the Trust.
The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.
Date: ___________________________
Signature: _____________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Preferred Security
Certificate)
Signature Guarantee/*/: _____________________________
/*/ Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is
a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting
the requirements of the Security registrar, which requirements include
membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion
Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be
determined by the Security registrar in addition to, or in substitution
for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
A1-5
Exhibit A-2
EXHIBIT A-2
FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE
Certificate Number Number of Common Securities
Certificate Evidencing Common Securities
of
COUNTRYWIDE CAPITAL I
_____% Cumulative Trust Originated Common Securities
(liquidation amount $25 per Common Security)
COUNTRYWIDE CAPITAL I, a statutory business trust formed under the
laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that Countrywide
Credit Industries, Inc. (the "Holder") is the registered owner of common
securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust, designated the _____% Cumulative Trust Originated Common
Securities (liquidation amount $25 per Common Security) (the "Common
Securities"). The Common Securities are transferable on the books and records
of the trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this
Certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designation,
rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of
the Common Securities represented hereby are issued pursuant to, and shall in
all respects be subject to, the provisions of the Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of ________ __, 1996, including the
designation of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth in Annex I to the
Declaration, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration").
Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them
in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Common
Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a
copy of the Declaration, the Common Securities Guarantee and the Indenture to
the Holder without charge upon written request to the Sponsor at its principal
place of business.
Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the
Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
By acceptance of this Certificate, the Holder agrees to treat, for
United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and
the Common Securities as evidence of undivided beneficial ownership in the
Debentures.
A2-1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this _____
day of ______, 1996.
COUNTRYWIDE CAPITAL I
By:______________________________
Name:
Title: Regular Trustee
A2-2
[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]
Distributions payable on each Common Security will be fixed at a rate
per annum of _____% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $25
per Common Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the
Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee. Except as set forth below
in respect of an Extension Period, Distributions in arrears for more than one
quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to
the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein
includes cash distributions and any such interest payable unless otherwise
stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in
respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent
the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. The amount of
Distributions payable for any period will be computed for any full quarterly
Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and,
for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which
Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the
actual number of days elapsed per 30-day month.
Except as otherwise described below, Distributions on the Common
Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance
and will be payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and
December 31 of each year, commencing on December 31, 1996, to Holders of record
fifteen (15) days prior to such payment dates, which payment dates shall
correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures. The Debenture
Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by
extending the interest payment period at any time and from time to time on the
Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (each an
"Extension Period"), provided that no Extension Period shall be initiated while
-------- ----
accrued interest with respect to prior completed Extension Period is unpaid or
extend beyond the date of the maturity of the Debentures. As a consequence of
such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral,
quarterly Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly
during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such
Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period;
provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and further
- -------- ----
extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the
maturity date of the Debentures. Distributions accruing during any Extension
Period will be payable on the next quarterly Distribution payment date to
Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date
next following the termination of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of
any Extension Period
A2-3
and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a
new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements.
The Common Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the
Declaration.
A2-4
______________________
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Common Security
Certificate to:
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
(Insert assignee's social security or tax identification number)
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
(Insert address and zip code of assignee)
and irrevocably appoints _______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________agent to transfer
this Common Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may
substitute another to act for him or her.
Date: __________________________
Signature: __________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Common Security
Certificate)
Signature: ______________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this common Security
Certificate)
Signature Guarantee*: ________________________________________________________
___________________________________
* Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that
is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union,
meeting the requirements of the Security registrar, which requirements
include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents
Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program"
as may be determined by the Security registrar in addition to, or in
substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended.
A2-5
Exhibit B
EXHIBIT B
SPECIMEN OF DEBENTURE
B-1
(FACE OF DEBENTURE)
[If the Debenture is to be a global Debenture, Insert - This Debenture
is a Global Debenture within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred
to and is registered in the name of a Depositary or a nominee of a Depositary.
This Debenture is exchangeable for Debentures registered in the name of a person
other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited circumstances
described in the Indenture, and no transfer of this Debenture (other than a
transfer of this Debenture as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the
Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another
nominee of the Depositary) may be registered except in limited circumstances.
Unless this Debenture is presented by an authorized representative of
The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York) to the issuer
or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any
Debenture issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as
requested by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company and
any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE
HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS WRONGFUL since the registered owner
hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]
No. _________________ CUSIP No. _______________
COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS, INC.
______% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURE
DUE ______
COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS, INC., a New York corporation (the "Company",
which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to ____________ or
registered assigns, the principal sum of ________________ Dollars ($_________ )
on ________ __, 20___, and to pay interest on said principal sum from ________
__, ____, or from the most recent interest payment date (each such date, an
"Interest Payment Date") to which interest has been paid or duly provided for,
quarterly (subject to deferral as set forth herein) in arrears on March 31, June
30, September 30 and December 31 of each year commencing ________ __, 199__, at
the rate of ______% per annum until the principal hereof shall have become due
and payable, and on any overdue principal and premium, if any, and (without
duplication and to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under
applicable law) on any overdue installment of interest at the same rate per
annum compounded quarterly. The amount of interest payable on any Interest
Payment Date shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months. In the event
B-2
that any date on which interest is payable on this Debenture is not a Business
Day, then payment of interest payable on such date will be made on the next
succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment
in respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next
succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made
on such date. The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly
provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture,
be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor
Securities, as defined in said Indenture) is registered at the close of business
on the regular record date for such interest installment, which shall be the
close of business on the Business Day next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
[IF PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE INDENTURE THE DEBENTURES ARE NO LONGER
REPRESENTED BY A GLOBAL Debenture --which shall be the close of business on the
____ Business Day next preceding such Interest Payment Date.] Any such interest
installment not punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be
payable to the registered holders on such regular record date and may be paid to
the Person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities)
is registered at the close of business on a special record date to be fixed by
the Trustee for the payment of such defaulted interest, notice whereof shall be
given to the registered holders of this series of Debentures not less than 10
days prior to such special record date, or may be paid at any time in any other
lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange
on which the Debentures may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required
by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture. The principal of
(and premium, if any) and the interest on this Debenture shall be payable at the
office or agency of the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company)
maintained for that purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of
America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and
private debts; provided, however, that payment of interest may be made at the
-------- -------
option of the Company by check mailed to the registered holder at such address
as shall appear in the Security Register. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so
long as the holder of this Debenture is the Institutional Trustee, the payment
of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Debenture will be
made at such place and to such account as may be designated by the Institutional
Trustee.
The indebtedness evidenced by this Debenture is, to the extent
provided in the Indenture, subordinate and junior in right of payment to the
prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, and this Debenture is issued
subject to the provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each holder of
this Debenture, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be
B-3
bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee on his or her
behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or
effectuate the subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his or her
attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. Each holder hereof, by his or
her acceptance hereof, hereby waives all notice of the acceptance of the
subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture by each holder of
Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred, and waives
reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.
This Debenture shall not be entitled to any benefit under the
Indenture hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any purpose
until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on
behalf of the Trustee.
The provisions of this Debenture are continued on the reverse side
hereof and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect
as though fully set forth at this place.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be
executed.
COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS, INC.
By:________________________
Name:
Title:
Attest:
By: _________________
Name:
Title:
B-4
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred
to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated ________________
The Bank of New York,
as Trustee
By____________________
Authorized Signatory
[FORM OF GUARANTEE]
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, COUNTRYWIDE CREDIT INDUSTRIES, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the "Guarantor"), hereby unconditionally guarantees to the holder
of the Security upon which this Guarantee is endorsed the due and punctual
payment of the principal of, sinking fund payment, if any, premium, if any, or
interest on said Security, when and as the same shall become due and payable,
whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, according to the terms
thereof and of the Indenture referred to therein.
The Guarantor agrees to determine, at least one Business Day prior to the
date upon which a payment of principal of, sinking fund payment, if any,
premium, if any, or interest on said Security is due and payable, whether the
Company has available the funds to make such payment as the same shall become
due and payable. In case of the failure of the Company punctually to pay any
such principal, sinking fund payment, if any, premium, if any, or interest, the
Guarantor hereby agrees to cause any such payment to be made punctually when and
as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, upon redemption,
or otherwise, and as if such payment were made by the Company.
The Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be
unconditional, irrevocable, and absolute, irrespective of the validity,
regularity, or enforceability of said Security or said Indenture, the absence of
any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by the holder of said
Security with respect to any provisions thereof, the recovery of any judgment
against the Company or any action to enforce the same, or any other circumstance
which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a
guarantor. The Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of
payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of merger or bankruptcy of
the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company,
protest or notice with respect to said Security or
B-5
indebtedness evidenced thereby, and all demands whatsoever and covenants that
this Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the
obligations contained in said Security and in this Guarantee.
The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of the holder of said
Security against the Company in respect of any amounts paid by the Guarantor
pursuant to the provisions of this Guarantee; provided, however, that the
Guarantor shall not, without the consent of the holders of all of the Securities
then outstanding, be entitled to enforce or to receive any payments arising out
of or based upon such right of subrogation until the principal of and premium,
if any, and interest on all Securities shall have been paid in full or payment
thereof shall have been provided for in accordance with said Indenture.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if following any
payment of principal or interest by the Company on the Securities to the holders
of the Securities it is determined by a final decision of a court of competent
jurisdiction that such payment shall be avoided by a trustee in bankruptcy
(including any debtor-in-possession) as a preference under 11 U.S.C. Section 547
and such payment is paid by such holder to such trustee in bankruptcy, then and
to the extent of such repayment, the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder
shall remain in full force and effect.
The obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee are, to the extent
provided in the Indenture, subordinate and junior in right of payment to the
prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, and this Guarantee is issued
subject to the provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto.
Each holder of the Security upon which this Guarantee is endorsed, by
accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b)
authorizes and directs the Trustee on his or her behalf to take such action as
may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination
so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his or her attorney-in-fact for any and
all such purposes. Each holder of the Security upon which this Guarantee is
endorsed, by his or her acceptance thereof, hereby waives all notice of the
acceptance of the subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture
by each holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter
incurred, and waives reliance by each holder upon said provisions.
This Guarantee shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose with
respect to a Security until the certificate of authentication on such Security
shall have been signed by the Trustee (or the Authentication Agent).
B-6
This Guarantee shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
B-7
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, COUNTRYWIDE CREDIT INDUSTRIES, INC. has caused this
Guarantee to be signed in its corporate name by the facsimile signature of two
of its officers thereunto duly authorized and has caused a facsimile of its
corporate seal to be affixed hereunto or imprinted or otherwise reproduced
hereon.
COUNTRYWIDE CREDIT INDUSTRIES, INC.
______________________________{Seal} _______________________
{Title} {Title}
B-8
(REVERSE OF DEBENTURE)
This Debenture is one of a duly authorized series of Debt Securities
of the Company, specified in the Indenture, all issued or to be issued in one or
more series under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of _________ __, 1996,
duly executed and delivered between the Company and The Bank of New York as
Trustee (the "Trustee"), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture
dated as of ________ __, 1996, between the Company and the Trustee (the
Indenture as so supplemented, the "Indenture"), to which Indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of
the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder
of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the series of Debt Securities
(referred to herein as the "Debentures") of which this Debenture is a part. By
the terms of the Indenture, the Debt Securities are issuable in series that may
vary as to amount, date of maturity, rate of interest and in other respects as
provided in the Indenture. This series of Debentures is limited in aggregate
principal amount as specified in said First Supplemental Indenture.
Because of the occurrence and continuation of a Tax Event, in certain
circumstances, this Debenture may become due and payable at the principal amount
together with any interest accrued thereon (the "Redemption Price"). The
Redemption Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York time, on the date
of such redemption or at such earlier time as the Company determines. The
Company shall have the right to redeem this Debenture at the option of the
Company, without premium or penalty, in whole or in part at any time on or after
______ __, ____ (an "Optional Redemption"), or at any time in certain
circumstances upon the occurrence of a Tax Event, at a redemption price equal to
100% of the principal amount plus any accrued but unpaid interest, to the date
of such redemption (the "Optional Redemption Price"). Any redemption pursuant
to this paragraph will be made upon not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days
notice, at the Optional Redemption Price. If the Debentures are only partially
redeemed by the Company pursuant to an Optional Redemption, the Debentures will
be redeemed pro rata or by lot or by any other method utilized by the Trustee;
--- ----
provided that if, at the time of redemption, the Debentures are registered as a
Global Debenture, the Depositary shall determine the principal amount of such
Debentures held by each Debentureholder to be redeemed in accordance with its
procedures.
In the event of redemption of this Debenture in part only, a new
Debenture or Debentures of this series for the unredeemed portion hereof will be
issued in the name of the holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.
B-9
In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Debentures may be
declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the
manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the
Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of each series affected at the
time outstanding, as specified in the Indenture, to execute supplemental
indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner
or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental
indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Debt
Securities; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall (i),
among other things, extend the fixed maturity of any Debt Securities of any
series, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the
time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the
redemption thereof, without the consent of the holder of each Debt Security so
affected, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debt Securities, the
holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture,
without the consent of the holders of each Debt Securities then outstanding and
affected thereby. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series
at the time outstanding affected thereby, on behalf of all of the holders of the
Debt Securities of such series, to waive any past default in the performance of
any of the covenants contained in the Indenture, or established pursuant to the
Indenture with respect to such series, and its consequences, except a default in
the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any of the
Debt Securities of such series. Any such consent or waiver by the registered
holder of this Debenture (unless revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall be
conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners
of this Debenture and of any Debenture issued in exchange herefor or in place
hereof (whether by registration of transfer or otherwise), irrespective of
whether or not any notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this
Debenture.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this
Debenture or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the
Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and
premium, if any, and interest on this Debenture at the time and place and at the
rate and in the money herein prescribed.
The Company shall have the right at any time during the term of the
Debentures and from time to time to extend the
B-10
interest payment period of the Debentures for up to 20 consecutive quarters
(each, an "Extended Interest Payment Period"), following the end of which period
the Company shall pay on the next Interest Payment Date all interest then
accrued and unpaid (together with interest thereon at the rate specified for the
Debentures to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under
applicable law); provided that no Extended Interest Payment Period may last
-------- ----
beyond the Maturity Date. Before the termination of any such Extended Interest
Payment Period, the Company may further extend such Extended Interest Payment
Period, provided that such Extended Interest Payment Period together with all
such further extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or
extend beyond the Maturity Date. At the termination of any such Extended
Interest Payment Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest
and any additional amounts then due, the Company may commence a new Extended
Interest Payment Period.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, this Debenture is transferable by the registered holder
hereof on the Security Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Debenture
for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Trustee in the City
and State of New York accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Company or the Trustee duly executed by the
registered holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and
thereupon one or more new Debentures of authorized denominations and for the
same aggregate principal amount and series will be issued to the designated
transferee or transferees. No service charge will be made for any such
transfer, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in relation thereto.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this
Debenture, the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and the Security registrar
may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner hereof
(whether or not this Debenture shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice
of ownership or writing hereon made by anyone other than the Security registrar)
for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal hereof
and premium, if any, and interest due hereon and for all other purposes, and
neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Security
registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or the
interest on this Debenture, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in
respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture, against any
incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, past, present or future, as
such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, whether
B-11
by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of
any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the
acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issuance hereof,
expressly waived and released.
[The Debentures of this series are issuable only in registered form
without coupons in denominations of $25 and any integral multiple thereof.]
[This Global Debenture is exchangeable for Debentures in definitive form only
under certain limited circumstances set forth in the Indenture. Debentures of
this series so issued are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $25 and any integral multiple thereof.] As provided in the
Indenture and subject to certain limitations [herein and] therein set forth,
Debentures of this series [so issued] are exchangeable for a like aggregate
principal amount of Debentures of this series of a different authorized
denomination, as requested by the holder surrendering the same. All terms used
in this Debenture that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings
assigned to them in the Indenture.
THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN THE INDENTURE
AND THE DEBENTURES WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
B-12
EXHIBIT C