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EXHIBIT 4.3
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AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST
AMERICAN FINANCIAL CAPITAL TRUST I
Dated as of October , 1996
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1 INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS................................................... 1
Section 1.1 Interpretation and Definitions....................................... 1
ARTICLE 2 TRUST INDENTURE ACT.............................................................. 8
Section 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application..................................... 8
Section 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities....................................... 9
Section 2.3 Reports by the Property Trustee...................................... 9
Section 2.4 Periodic Reports to the Property Trustee............................. 10
Section 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent..................... 10
Section 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver............................................ 10
Section 2.7 Event of Default; Notice............................................. 12
ARTICLE 3 ORGANIZATION..................................................................... 12
Section 3.1 Name and Organization................................................ 12
Section 3.2 Office............................................................... 13
Section 3.3 Purpose.............................................................. 13
Section 3.4 Authority............................................................ 13
Section 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust....................................... 14
Section 3.6 Powers and Duties of the Regular Trustees............................ 14
Section 3.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees................. 17
Section 3.8 Powers and Duties of the Property Trustee............................ 18
Section 3.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Property Trustee.......... 20
Section 3.10 Certain Rights of Property Trustee................................... 22
Section 3.11 Delaware Trustee..................................................... 25
Section 3.12 Execution of Documents............................................... 25
Section 3.13 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities............... 25
Section 3.14 Duration of Trust.................................................... 25
Section 3.15 Mergers.............................................................. 26
Section 3.16 Property Trustee May File Proofs of Claim............................ 28
ARTICLE 4 SPONSOR.......................................................................... 29
Section 4.1 Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities.............................. 29
Section 4.2 Responsibilities of the Sponsor...................................... 29
ARTICLE 5 TRUSTEES......................................................................... 29
Section 5.1 Number of Trustees................................................... 29
Section 5.2 Delaware Trustee..................................................... 30
Section 5.3 Property Trustee; Eligibility........................................ 30
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Section 5.4 Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Delaware Trustee Generally.... 31
Section 5.5 Initial Trustees..................................................... 31
Section 5.6 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees..................... 32
Section 5.7 Vacancies among Trustees............................................. 33
Section 5.8 Effect of Vacancies.................................................. 33
Section 5.9 Meetings............................................................. 34
Section 5.10 Delegation of Power.................................................. 34
Section 5.11 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.......... 35
ARTICLE 6 DISTRIBUTIONS.................................................................... 35
Section 6.1 Distributions........................................................ 35
ARTICLE 7 ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES........................................................... 35
Section 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities.............................. 35
ARTICLE 8 DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST............................................. 36
Section 8.1 Dissolution and Termination of Trust................................. 36
ARTICLE 9 TRANSFER OF INTERESTS ........................................................... 37
Section 9.1 Transfer of Securities............................................... 37
Section 9.2 Transfer and Exchange of Certificates................................ 38
Section 9.3 Deemed Security Holders.............................................. 39
Section 9.4 Book Entry Interests................................................. 39
Section 9.5 Notices to Clearing Agency........................................... 40
Section 9.6 Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency............................. 40
Section 9.7 Definitive Preferred Security Certificates........................... 40
Section 9.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.................... 41
ARTICLE 10 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES
OR OTHERS ..................................................................... 41
Section 10.1 Liability............................................................ 41
Section 10.2 Exculpation.......................................................... 42
Section 10.3 Fiduciary Duty....................................................... 42
Section 10.4 Indemnification...................................................... 43
Section 10.5 Outside Businesses................................................... 46
ARTICLE 11 ACCOUNTING....................................................................... 47
Section 11.1 Fiscal Year.......................................................... 47
Section 11.2 Certain Accounting Matters........................................... 47
Section 11.3 Banking.............................................................. 48
Section 11.4 Withholding.......................................................... 48
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ARTICLE 12 AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS.......................................................... 48
Section 12.1 Amendments........................................................... 48
Section 12.2 Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written Consent..... 51
ARTICLE 13 REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE
AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE........................................................... 52
Section 13.1 Representations and Warranties of the Property Trustee............... 52
Section 13.2 Representations and Warranties of the Delaware Trustee............... 53
ARTICLE 14 MISCELLANEOUS.................................................................... 54
Section 14.1 Notices.............................................................. 54
Section 14.2 Governing Law........................................................ 55
Section 14.3 Intention of the Parties............................................. 55
Section 14.4 Headings............................................................. 55
Section 14.5 Successors and Assigns............................................... 55
Section 14.6 Partial Enforceability............................................... 55
Section 14.7 Counterparts......................................................... 56
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AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Declaration") dated as
of October , 1996 between American Financial Group, Inc., an Ohio
corporation, as Sponsor, and James E. Evans and Thomas E. Mischell as the
initial Regular Trustees, The Bank of New York as the initial Property Trustee
and The Bank of New York (Delaware) as the initial Delaware Trustee, not in
their individual capacities but solely as Trustees, and the holders, from time
to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to
this Declaration.
WHEREAS, the Sponsor desires to establish a statutory business trust
(the "Trust") under the Business Trust Act (as hereinafter defined); and
WHEREAS, the Trustees and the Sponsor established American Financial
Capital Trust I (the "Trust"), a trust under the Business Trust Act (as defined
herein) pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated as of September 13, 1996, (the
"Original Declaration") and a Certificate of Trust filed with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware on September 13, 1996, for the sole purpose of
issuing and selling certain securities representing undivided beneficial
interest in the assets of the Trust and investing the proceeds thereof in
certain Debentures (as defined herein) of the Debenture Issuer; and
WHEREAS, the sole purpose of the Trust shall be to issue and sell
certain securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of
the Trust, to invest the proceeds from such sales in the Debentures issued by
the Debenture Issuer (as those terms are hereinafter defined) and to engage in
only those activities necessary or incidental thereto; and
WHEREAS, all of the Trustees and the Sponsor, by this Declaration,
amend and restate each and every term and provision of the Original Declaration.
NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the
Trust constitute a business trust under the Business Trust Act, the Trustees
hereby declare that all assets contributed to the Trust 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 1
INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Interpretation and Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in the
preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section
1.1;
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(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 are to
Articles and Sections of 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
the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.
"Authorized Officer" of a Person means any Person that is authorized to
bind such Person.
"Book Entry Interest" means a beneficial interest in a Global
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 any day other than a day on which banking
institutions in New York, New York or in Wilmington, Delaware are authorized or
required by law to close.
"Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code,
12 Del. Code Section 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
Security Certificate.
"Certificate of Trust" has the meaning specified in Section 3.1.
"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.
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"Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank, other
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 date on which the Preferred Securities are
sold pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time, or any successor legislation. A reference to a specific section of the
Code refers not only to such specific section but also to any corresponding
provision of any federal tax statute enacted after the date of this Declaration,
as such specific section or corresponding provision is in effect on the date of
application of the provisions of this Declaration containing such reference.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Common Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement of the
Sponsor in respect of the Common Securities.
"Common Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1.
"Common Security Certificate" means a definitive certificate in fully
registered form representing a Common Security.
"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 any Affiliate thereof; or (d) any officer, employee or agent of the Trust or
its Affiliates.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Property Trustee at
which the corporate trust business of the Property Trustee shall, at any
particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of
execution of this Declaration is located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21W, New
York, New York 10086, Attention: Corporate Trust Trustee Administration;
telecopy no. _______________.
"Covered Person" means (a) any officer, director, shareholder, partner,
member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) the Trust's
Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities.
"Debenture Issuer" means American Financial Group, Inc. in its capacity
as issuer of the Debentures under the Indenture.
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"Debenture Trustee" means The Bank of New York, in its capacity 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
Debenture Issuer under the Indenture to be held by the Property Trustee.
"Definitive Preferred Security Certificates" has the meaning set forth
in Section 9.4.
"Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.
"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 Event of
Default (as defined in the Indenture) 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).
"Fiscal Year" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.
"Global Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4.
"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; provided, however, that in determining whether the
Holders of the requisite liquidation amount of Preferred Securities have voted
on any matter provided for in this Declaration, then for the purpose of such
determination only (and not for any other purpose hereunder), if the Preferred
Securities remain in the form of one or more Global Certificates, the term
"Holders" shall mean the holder of the Global Certificate acting at the
direction of the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners.
"Indemnified Person" means a Company Indemnified Person or a Fiduciary
Indemnified Person.
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"Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of September __, 1996, among
the Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, and any indenture supplemental
thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued.
"Investment Company" means an investment company as defined in the
Investment Company Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
"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).
"List of Holders" has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a).
"Majority in Liquidation Amount" 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 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.
"Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person (other than
Regular Trustees who are natural persons), 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 in this
Declaration shall include:
(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' 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 Officers' 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;
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provided, that the term "Officers' Certificate" when used with reference to
Regular Trustees who are natural persons shall mean a certificate signed by two
of the Regular Trustees which otherwise satisfies the foregoing requirements.
"Paying Agent" has the meaning specified in Section 3.8(h).
"Payment Amount" has the meaning specified in Section 6.1.
"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 of the
Sponsor in respect of the Preferred Securities.
"Preferred Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1.
"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).
"Preferred Security Certificate" means a certificate representing a
Preferred Security.
"Pricing Agreement" means the pricing agreement between the Trust, the
Debenture Issuer and the underwriters designated by the Regular Trustees with
respect to the offer and sale of the Preferred Securities.
"Property Trustee" means the Trustee meeting the eligibility
requirements set forth in Section 5.3.
"Property Trustee Account" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(c).
"Quorum" means a majority of the Regular Trustees or, if there are only
two Regular Trustees, both of them.
"Regular Trustee" means any Trustee other than the Property Trustee and
the Delaware Trustee.
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"Related Party" means, with respect to the Sponsor, any direct or
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Sponsor or any Person that owns,
directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding voting securities of the
Sponsor.
"Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Property Trustee, any
officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Property Trustee, including any
vice-president, any assistant vice-president, the secretary, any assistant
secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer or other officer of the
Corporate Trust Office of the Property 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 or any
successor rule thereunder.
"Rule 3a-7" means Rule 3a-7 under the Investment Company Act or any
successor rule thereunder.
"Securities" means the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time
to time, or any successor legislation.
"Securities Guarantees" means the Common Securities Guarantee and the
Preferred Securities Guarantee.
"Sponsor" means American Financial Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
or any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or amalgamation, in its
capacity as sponsor of the Trust.
"Successor Delaware Trustee" has the meaning specified in Section
5.6(b).
"Successor Entity" has the meaning specified in Section 3.15(b)(i).
"Successor Property Trustee" has the meaning specified in Section
5.6(b).
"Successor Security" has the meaning specified in Section 3.15(b)(i)b.
"Super Majority has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a)(ii).
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"10% in Liquidation Amount" 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).
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended
from time to time, or any successor legislation.
"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.
"Trustees' Authorization Certificate" means a written certificate
signed by two of the Regular Trustees for the purpose of establishing the terms
and form of the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities as determined by
the Regular Trustees.
"Underwriting Agreement" means the Underwriting Agreement for the
offering and sale of Preferred Securities between the Trust, the Debenture
Issuer and the underwriters designated by the Regular Trustees.
ARTICLE 2
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.
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(b) The Property 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 conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 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 Trust's classification as a grantor trust
for United States Federal income tax purposes and 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 Property Trustee with a list, in such form as the Property
Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the
Securities ("List of Holders"), (i) within one Business Day after January 1 and
June 30 of each year and current as of such date, and (ii) at any other time,
within 30 days of receipt by the Trust of a written request from the Property
Trustee for a List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List
of Holders is given to the Property Trustee; 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 Property Trustee by the Sponsor and the
Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust. The Property 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 Property Trustee may
destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of
Holders.
(b) The Property Trustee shall comply with its obligations under, and
shall be entitled to the benefits of, Sections 311(a), 311(b) and 312(b) of the
Trust Indenture Act.
Section 2.3 Reports by the Property Trustee.
Within 60 days after May 15 of each year(commencing with the year of
the first anniversary of the issuance of the Preferred Securities), the Property
Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Preferred Securities such reports as
are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and
in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Property
Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust
Indenture Act.
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Section 2.4 Periodic Reports to the Property Trustee.
Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust
shall provide to the Property Trustee such documents, reports and information as
required by Section 314 (if any) of the Trust Indenture Act and the compliance
certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in
the manner and at the times required by Section 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 Property 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 Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any
certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section
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 the Preferred
Securities may, by vote, 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 Event of
Default under the Indenture:
(i) is not waivable under the Indenture, the Event of Default
under the 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, the Event of
Default under the Declaration may only be waived by the vote
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
Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 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 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 and the Preferred Securities, 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
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of a Declaration 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 Declaration 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, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Common
Securities, waive any past Event of Default in respect of the Common Securities
and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Event of Default under
the Indenture:
(i) is not waivable under the Indenture, except where the Holders
of the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event
of Default under the Declaration as provided below in this
Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration
shall also not be waivable; or
(ii) requires the consent or vote of a Super Majority to be waived
under the Indenture, except where the Holders of the Common
Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of Default
under the Declaration as provided below in this Section
2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration may only be
waived by the vote 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, each Holder of Common Securities will be deemed to have waived
any such Event of Default and all Events of Default with respect to the Common
Securities and the consequences thereof until all Events of Default with respect
to the Preferred Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, and
until such Events of Default with respect to the Preferred Securities have been
so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the Property 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
Property Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Securities. The foregoing
provisions of this Section 2.6(b) shall be in lieu of Sections 316(a)(1)(A) and
316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Sections 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 by the Trust Indenture Act. Subject
to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b), upon such waiver, any such
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 with respect to the Common Securities or
impair any right consequent thereon.
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(c) A waiver of an Event of Default under the Indenture by the Property
Trustee at the direction of the Holders of the Preferred Securities constitutes
a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default with respect to the Preferred
Securities under this Declaration. The foregoing provisions of this Section
2.6(c) shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and
such Section 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 Event of Default; Notice.
(a) The Property 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 Property 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
Event of Default as defined in the Indenture, not including any periods of grace
provided for therein and irrespective of the giving of any notice provided
therein); provided that, except for a default in the payment of principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debentures, the Property Trustee
shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible
Officer of the Property Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of
such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities.
(b) The Property Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any
default except:
(i) a default under Sections 501(1) and 501(2) of the
Indenture; or
(ii) any default as to which the Property Trustee shall
have received written notice or of which a
Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee charged
with the administration of this Declaration shall
have actual knowledge.
ARTICLE 3
ORGANIZATION
Section 3.1 Name and Organization.
The Trust hereby created is named "American Financial Capital Trust 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.
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Section 3.2 Office.
The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o American
Financial Group, Inc., One East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. On ten
Business Days written notice to the Holders of Securities, the Regular Trustees
may designate another principal office.
Section 3.3 Purpose.
The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and
sell Securities and use the gross proceeds from such sale to acquire the
Debentures, 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.
The Trust will be classified as a grantor trust for United States
federal income tax purposes under Subpart E of Subchapter J of the Code,
pursuant to which the owners of the Preferred Securities and the Common
Securities will be the owners of the Trust for United States federal income tax
purposes, and such owners will include directly in their gross income the
income, deductions and credits of the Trust as if the Trust did not exist. By
the acceptance of this Trust, none of the Trustees, the Sponsor, the Holders of
the Preferred Securities or Common Securities or the Preferred Securities
Beneficial Owners will take any position for United States federal income tax
purposes which is contrary to the classification of the Trust as a grantor
trust.
Section 3.4 Authority.
Subject to the limitations provided in this Declaration and to the
specific duties of the Property Trustee, the Regular Trustees shall have
exclusive 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 Property 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.
(a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration and except if a
meeting of the Regular Trustees is called with respect to any matter over which
the Regular Trustees have power to act, any power of the Regular Trustees may be
exercised by, or with the consent of, any one such Regular Trustee.
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(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(b)(i), provided, that the registration statement
referred to in Section 3.6(b)(i), including any amendments thereto, shall be
signed by a majority of the Regular Trustees; and
(c) a Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with
applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or
her power for the purposes of signing any documents which the Regular Trustees
have power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 3.6.
Section 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust.
Except as provided in Section 3.8 with respect to the Debentures and
the Property 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.
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 establish the terms and form of the Preferred Securities and the
Common Securities in the manner specified in Section 7.1 and issue and sell the
Preferred Securities and the Common Securities in accordance with this
Declaration; provided, however, that the Trust may issue no more than one series
of Preferred Securities and no more than one series of Common Securities, and,
provided further, that there shall be no interests in the Trust other than the
Securities, and the issuance of Securities shall be limited to a one-time,
simultaneous issuance of both Preferred Securities and Common Securities on the
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 a registration
statement on Form S-3 prepared by the Sponsor,
including any amendments thereto, pertaining to the
Preferred Securities, the Preferred Securities
Guarantee and the Debentures;
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(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 System 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 and other related agreements
providing for the sale of the Preferred Securities;
(c) to acquire the Debentures 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 to be held of record
in the name of the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the
Preferred Securities and the Holders of the Common Securities;
(d) to give the Sponsor and the Property Trustee prompt written notice
of the occurrence of certain events (as may be specified in the terms of the
Securities) arising from a change in law or a change in legal interpretation or
other circumstances specified in the terms of the Securities provided that the
Regular Trustees shall consult with the Sponsor and the Property Trustee before
taking or refraining from taking any action in relation to any such 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 Section 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 Holder 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;
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(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 Property 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 to conduct only those services that the Regular Trustees have
authority to conduct directly, and to 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 Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust
Indenture Act to the Property 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 (i) to defer
payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period
under the Debentures as authorized by the Indenture, or (ii) to extend the
maturity date of the Debentures if so authorized by the Indenture, provided that
any such extension of the maturity date will not adversely affect the federal
income tax status of the Trust;
(n) 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;
(o) to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable law, that the
Regular Trustees determine in their discretion to be necessary or desirable in
carrying out the purposes and functions of the Trust as set out in Section 3.3
or 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;
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(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.
(p) 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; and
(q) 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.
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 have no power to, and
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 Property Trustee set forth in Section 3.8.
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 Property
Trustee) shall cause the Trust not to, engage in any activity other than as
required or authorized by this Declaration. In particular, the Trust shall not
and the Trustees (including the Property 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 the Debentures (and any interest
or proceeds received thereon);
(iii) possess Trust property for other than a Trust purpose;
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(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 (except to the extent expressly authorized in
this Declaration or by the terms of the Securities);
(vi) possess any power or otherwise act in such a way as to vary
the terms of the Securities in any way whatsoever (except to
the extent expressly authorized in this Declaration or by the
terms of the Securities);
(vii) issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial
ownership of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than
the Securities; or
(viii) other than as provided in this Declaration or by the terms of
the Securities, (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 the Trust will be deemed an Investment
Company required to be registered under the Investment Company
Act, or the Trust will not be classified as a grantor trust
for United States federal income tax purposes; or
(ix) take any action inconsistent with the status of the Trust as a
grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
Section 3.8 Powers and Duties of the Property Trustee.
(a) The legal title to the Debentures shall be owned by and held of
record in the name of the Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of the Trust
and the Holders of the Securities. The right, title and interest of the Property
Trustee to the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may
hereafter be appointed as Property Trustee in accordance with Section 5.6. Such
vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing
documents with regard to the Debentures have been executed and delivered.
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(b) The Property Trustee shall not transfer its right, title and
interest in the Debentures to the Regular Trustees or to the Delaware Trustee
(if the Property Trustee does not also act as Delaware Trustee).
(c) The Property Trustee shall:
(i) establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust
account (the "Property Trustee Account") in the name of and
under the exclusive control of the Property Trustee on behalf
of the Holders of the Securities and, upon the receipt of
payments of funds made in respect of the Debentures held by
the Property Trustee, deposit such funds into the Property
Trustee Account and make payments to the Holders of the
Preferred Securities and Holders of the Common Securities from
the Property Trustee Account in accordance with Section 6.1.
Funds in the Property Trustee Account shall be held uninvested
until disbursed in accordance with this Declaration. The
Property 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 so directed and as
shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the distribution
of the Debentures to Holders of Securities upon the occurrence
of certain special events (as may be defined in the terms of
the Securities) arising from a change in law or a change in
legal interpretation or other specified circumstances pursuant
to the terms of the Securities.
(d) The Property Trustee shall take all actions and perform such duties
as may be specifically required of the Property Trustee pursuant to the terms of
the Securities.
(e) The Property 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 Property Trustee has actual knowledge or the Property Trustee's duties and
obligations under this Declaration or the Trust Indenture Act.
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(f) The Property Trustee shall continue to serve as a Trustee
until 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 Property Trustee has been appointed and has
accepted that appointment in accordance with Section 5.6.
(g) Subject to such limitations as are necessary to insure compliance
with Section 3.3, the Property Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise
all of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Debentures under the
Indenture and, if an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of
the Property Trustee occurs and is continuing, the Property Trustee shall, for
the benefit of Holders of the Securities, enforce its rights as holder of the
Debentures subject to the rights of the Holders pursuant to the terms of such
Securities.
(h) The Property 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 Section 317(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any
Paying Agent may be removed by the Property Trustee at any time and a successor
Paying Agent or additional Paying Agents may be appointed at any time by the
Property Trustee. In the event the Preferred Securities do not remain in the
form of one or more Global Certificates, the Property Trustee will act as Paying
Agent and may designate an additional or substitute Paying Agent at any time.
(i) Subject to this Section 3.8, the Property Trustee shall have none
of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Regular Trustees set
forth in Section 3.6.
The Property 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 Property Trustee shall have no power to, and
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 Property Trustee.
(a) The Property 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 Property 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 Property Trustee has actual knowledge, the Property 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
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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
Property 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:
a. the duties and obligations of the Property Trustee
shall be determined solely by the express provisions
of this Declaration and the Property 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 Property Trustee; and
b. in the absence of bad faith on the part of the
Property Trustee, the Property 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 Property 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 Property Trustee, the Property
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 Property Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the
Property Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Property
Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(iii) the Property 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 Property Trustee, or exercising
any trust or power conferred upon the Property Trustee under
this Declaration;
(iv) no provision of this Declaration shall require the Property
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,
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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 Property Trustee against such
risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it;
(v) the Property Trustee's sole duty with respect to the custody,
safe keeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and
the Property Trustee Account shall be to deal with such
property in a similar manner as the Property Trustee deals
with similar property for its own account, subject to the
protections and limitations on liability afforded to the
Property Trustee under this Declaration and the Trust
Indenture Act;
(vi) the Property 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 Property Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on
any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree with
the Sponsor. Money held by the Property Trustee need not be
segregated from other funds held by it except in relation to
the Property Trustee Account maintained by the Property
Trustee pursuant to Section 3.8(c)(i) and except to the extent
otherwise required by law; and
(viii) the Property 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
Property Trustee be liable for any default or misconduct of
the Regular Trustees or the Sponsor.
Section 3.10 Certain Rights of Property Trustee.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9:
(i) the Property 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'
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Certificate (or, with respect to the establishment of
the terms and form of the Securities by the Regular
Trustees, by a Trustees' Authorization Certificate);
(iii) whenever in the administration of this Declaration,
the Property Trustee shall deem it desirable that a
matter be proved or established before taking,
suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the
Property Trustee (unless other evidence is herein
specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad
faith on 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 Property 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 Property Trustee may consult with counsel of its
choice or other experts 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 Property 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 Property 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
Property Trustee security and indemnity, reasonably
satisfactory to the Property Trustee, against the
costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and
expenses and the expenses of the Property 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 Property Trustee;
provided that, nothing contained in this Section
3.10(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Property
Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,
of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers
vested in it by this Declaration;
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(vii) the Property 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
Property Trustee, in its discretion, may make such
further inquiry or investigation into such facts or
matters as it may see fit;
(viii) the Property Trustee may execute any of the trusts or
powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder
either directly or by or through agents, custodians,
nominees or attorneys and the Property 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 Property Trustee or its
agents hereunder shall bind the Trust and the Holders
of the Securities, and the signature of the Property
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 Property 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 Property Trustee's or
its agent's taking such action;
(x) whenever in the administration of this Declaration
the Property Trustee shall deem it desirable to
receive instructions with respect to enforcing any
remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder,
the Property Trustee (i) may request instructions
from the Holders of the Securities which instructions
may only be given by the Holders of the same
proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities as
would be entitled to direct the Property 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 Property Trustee shall not be under
any obligation to take any action that is
discretionary under the provisions of this
Declaration; and
(xii) the Property 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
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authorized or within the discretion, 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 Property 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 Property 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 authority available to the Property 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 Property 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 Section 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 the Regular Trustees
or, if there are only two, both Regular Trustees 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 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, the Securities or the Debentures or the Indenture.
Section 3.14 Duration of Trust.
The Trust, unless terminated pursuant to the provisions of Article 8
hereof, shall have existence for fifty-five (55) years from the Closing Date.
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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).
(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 Property
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) if the Trust is not the successor, 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 Securities (the "Successor
Securities") so long as the Successor
Securities rank the same as the Securities
rank with respect to Distributions and
payments upon liquidation, redemption and
otherwise;
(ii) the Debenture Issuer expressly acknowledges a trustee
Successor Entity that possesses the same powers and
duties as the Property Trustee as the holder of the
Debentures;
(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 any other 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 with respect to
the Preferred Securities) to be downgraded by any
nationally recognized statistical rating organization
then rating the Preferred Securities at the request
of the Sponsor;
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(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);
(vi) such Successor Entity has a purpose identical to that
of the Trust;
(vii) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
replacement, the Sponsor has received an opinion of
qualified 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 such Holders' interests in the
Successor Entity's);
b. following such merger, consolidation,
amalgamation or replacement, neither the
Trust nor the Successor Entity will be
required to register as an Investment
Company; and
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 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 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 and each Holder of the
Securities not to be treated as owning an undivided interest in the Debentures.
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Section 3.16 Property Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation,
bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other
similar judicial proceeding relative to the Trust or any other obligor upon the
Securities or the property of the Trust or of such other obligor or their
creditors, the Property Trustee (irrespective of whether any Distributions on
the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by
declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Property Trustee shall
have made any demand on the Trust for the payment of any past due Distributions)
shall be entitled and empowered, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by
intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of any Distributions
owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities (or, if the Securities are
original issue discount Securities, such portion of the liquidation amount as
may be specified in the terms of such Securities) and to file such other papers
or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the
Property Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Property Trustee, its and counsel) and of the
Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
(b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or
other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by
each Holder to make such payments to the Property Trustee and, in the event the
Property Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the
Holders, to pay to the Property Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Property Trustee, its
agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Property Trustee.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Property
Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder
any plan of reorganization, arrangement adjustment or compensation affecting the
Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Property
Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
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ARTICLE 4
SPONSOR
Section 4.1 Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities.
On the Closing Date 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.
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 pertaining to the Preferred Securities,
including any amendments thereto (which registration statement may also include
other securities of the Sponsor);
(b) to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to
qualify or register for sale all or part of the Preferred Securities and to do
any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by the Trust, and
advise the Trust of actions it must take, and prepare for execution and filing
any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust, as the Sponsor deems
necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such
States;
(c) to prepare for filing by the Trust an application to the New York
Stock Exchange, Inc. or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq Stock
Market's National Market System 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 5
TRUSTEES
Section 5.1 Number of Trustees.
The number of Trustees initially shall be four (4), and:
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(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 or by written consent in lieu of such meeting.
provided that, if the Property Trustee does not also act as Delaware Trustee,
the number of Trustees shall be at least three (3); and provided further that
(1) the Delaware Trustee, in the case of a natural person, shall be a person who
is a resident of the State of Delaware or that, if not a natural person, is an
entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware; (2)
at least one Regular Trustee is an employee or officer of, or is affiliated with
the Sponsor; and (3) one Trustee shall be the Property 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.
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,
provided that, if the Property Trustee has its principal place of business in
the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law,
then the Property Trustee shall also be the Delaware Trustee and Section 3.11
shall have no application.
Section 5.3 Property Trustee; Eligibility.
(a) There shall at all times be one Trustee which shall act as Property
Trustee which shall:
(i) not be an Affiliate of the Sponsor;
(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 other Person permitted by the
Commission to act as an institutional trustee under
the Trust Indenture
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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; and
(iii) if the Trust is excluded from the definition of an
Investment Company solely by means of Rule 3a-7 and
to the extent Rule 3a-7 requires a trustee having
certain qualifications to hold title to the "eligible
assets" (as defined in Rule 3a-7) of the Trust, the
Property Trustee shall possess those qualifications.
(b) If at any time the Property Trustee shall cease to be eligible to
so act under Section 5.3(a), the Property Trustee shall immediately resign in
the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 5.6(c).
(c) If the Property Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting
interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the
Property Trustee and the Holder of the Common Securities (as if it were the
Obliger referred to in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall in all
respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act.
(d) The Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to be
specifically described in this Declaration for purposes of clause (i) of the
first provision contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 5.4 Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Delaware Trustee Generally.
Each Regular Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (unless the Property
Trustee also acts as 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 Initial Trustees.
The initial Regular Trustees shall be:
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James E. Evans and Thomas E. Mischell, the business
address of both of whom is One East Fourth Street,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Section 5.6 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees.
(a) Subject to Section 5.6(b), Trustees may be appointed or removed
without cause at any time:
(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) The Trustee that acts as Property Trustee shall not be removed in
accordance with Section 5.6(a) until a successor Trustee possessing the
qualifications to act as Property Trustee under Section 3.8(h) (a "Successor
Property Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by
written instrument executed by such Successor Property Trustee and delivered to
the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor. The Trustee that acts as Delaware Trustee
shall not be removed in accordance with Section 5.6(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 or its
successor shall have been appointed, until his death or its dissolution or until
his or its 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
Property Trustee shall be effective:
a. until a Successor Property Trustee has been
appointed and has accepted such appointment
by instrument executed by such Successor
Property Trustee and delivered to the Trust,
the Sponsor and the resigning Property
Trustee; or
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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 Property Trustee,
as the case may be, if the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee delivers an
instrument of resignation in accordance with this Section 5.6.
(e) If no Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee, as
the case may be, shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided
in this Section 5.6 within 60 days after delivery to the Sponsor and the Trust
of an instrument of resignation or removal, the resigning or removed Property
Trustee or Delaware Trustee, as applicable, may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Property Trustee or Successor
Delaware Trustee, as applicable. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing
such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Property Trustee
or Successor Delaware Trustee, as the case may be.
(f) No Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee shall be liable for the
acts or omissions to act of any Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be.
Section 5.7 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 5.6.
Section 5.8 Effect of Vacancies.
The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, dissolution,
liquidation, incompetence or incapacity 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
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is filled by the appointment of a Regular Trustee in accordance with Section
5.6, 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 5.9 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 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 5.10 Delegation of Power.
(a) Any Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with
applicable law, delegate to any natural person over the age of 21 his, her or
its 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.
(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 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.
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Section 5.11 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Property 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 Property 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 Property Trustee or the Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be, shall be the successor of the Property 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 6
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 held by
the Property Trustee (the amount of any such payment being a "Payment Amount"),
the Property 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 7
ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES
Section 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities.
(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 and in such form as shall be established
by the Regular Trustees (the "Preferred Securities") and one class of common
securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the
Trust having such terms and in such form as shall be established by the Regular
Trustees (the "Common Securities"). The terms and form of the Preferred
Securities and the Common Securities as established by the Regular Trustees
shall be set forth in a Trustees' Authorization Certificate prepared prior to
issuance of the Securities. The Trust shall issue no securities or
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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 or facsimile signature of
any present or any future Regular Trustee. In case any Regular Trustee of the
Trust who shall have signed any of the Certificates 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 Certificate, 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 and the terms of the Securities, the Securities
Guarantees, the Indenture and the Debentures.
(f) The Securities shall have no preemptive rights.
ARTICLE 8
DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST
Section 8.1 Dissolution and Termination of Trust.
(a) The Trust shall dissolve upon the earlier of:
(i) the bankruptcy of the Sponsor;
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(ii) the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its
equivalent with respect to the Sponsor; the filing of
a certificate of cancellation with respect to the
Trust after obtaining the consent of the Holders of
at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the
Securities to the filing of a certificate of
cancellation with respect to the Trust or the
revocation of the Sponsor's charter and the
expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation
without a reinstatement thereof;
(iii) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the
Sponsor or the Trust;
(iv) the time 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 satisfaction of the liabilities of creditors of
the Trust as provided by applicable law, provided all
of the Debentures shall have been distributed to the
Holders of the Preferred Securities in liquidation of
the Trust;
(vi) the time when all of the Regular Trustees and the
Sponsor shall have consented to termination of the
Trust provided such action is taken before the
issuance of any Securities; or
(vii) the expiration of the term of the Trust as set forth
in Section 3.14.
(b) As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred
to in Section 8.1(a) and upon completion of the winding up of the Trust, the
Trustees shall terminate 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 10 shall survive the
termination of the Trust.
ARTICLE 9
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.
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(b) Subject to this Article 9, Preferred Securities shall be freely
transferable.
(c) Subject to this Article 9, the Sponsor and any Related Party may
only transfer Common Securities to the Sponsor or a Related Party of the
Sponsor; PROVIDED THAT, any such transfer is subject to the condition precedent
that the transferor obtain the written opinion of qualified independent counsel
experienced in such matters that such transfer would not cause more than an
insubstantial risk that:
(i) the Trust would not be classified for United States
federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust; and
(ii) the Trust would be an Investment Company or the
transferee would become an Investment Company.
(d) The Trust shall not be required to issue Preferred Securities
during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of
any selection of Preferred Securities for redemption set forth in the Terms and
ending at the close of business on the day of selection.
Section 9.2 Transfer and Exchange of Certificates.
The Regular Trustees shall provide for the registration of Certificates
and of transfers or exchanges 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. Upon surrender
for exchange of any Certificate, the Regular Trustees shall cause one or more
new Certificates in the same aggregate liquidation amount as the Certificate
surrendered for exchange to be issued in the name of the Holder of the
Certificate so surrendered. Every Certificate surrendered for registration of
transfer or for exchange 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. Each Certificate
surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange 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.
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Section 9.3 Deemed Security Holders.
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. DTC will
make book entry transfers among the Clearing Agency Participants and receive and
transmit payments of Distributions on the Global Certificates to such Clearing
Agency Participants.
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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:
(i) Definitive Preferred Security Certificates shall be prepared
by the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust with respect to
such Preferred Securities; and
(ii) 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 the 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 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
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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, the Sponsor and the
Trust 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 10
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS
Section 10.1 Liability.
(a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the Securities
Guarantees and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor:
(i) shall not be 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) shall not be required to pay to the Trust or to any
Holder of Securities any deficit upon dissolution of
the Trust or otherwise.
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(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 Section 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 gross 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 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 Property Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act), are
agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of
such Indemnified Person.
(b) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein:
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(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.
(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), 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,
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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) 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) 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.
(iv) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by a Company
Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii)
of this Section 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
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majority vote of a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees, (ii) if such a
quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested
Regular Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion
or (iii) the Common Security Holder of the Trust, that, based upon the facts
known to the Regular Trustees, counsel or the Common Security Holder at the time
such determination is made, such Company Indemnified Person acted in bad faith
or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the Trust, or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that
such Company Indemnified Person believed or had reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful. In no event shall any advance be made in instances where
the Regular Trustees, independent legal counsel or Common Security Holder
reasonably determine that such person deliberately breached his duty to the
Trust or its Common or Preferred Security Holders.
(v) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section 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.
(vi) 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).
(vii) 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.
(viii) 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
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the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. The
obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 10.4(a) shall survive the
satisfaction and discharge of this Declaration.
(b) The Debenture Issuer agrees to indemnify the (i) Property Trustee,
(ii) the Delaware Trustee, (iii) any Affiliate of the Property Trustee and the
Delaware Trustee, and (iv) any officers, directors, shareholders, members,
partners, employees, representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the
Property 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 loss, liability or
expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or
in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts
hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and
expenses) of defending itself against or investigating any claim or liability in
connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties
hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 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 Property
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 activities 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 activities of the Trust, shall not be deemed
wrongful or improper. No Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee or
the Property 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 Property 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 Property 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.
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ARTICLE 11
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.
(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. The
Trust shall use the accrual method of accounting for United States federal
income tax purposes. 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 with
the appropriate taxing authority, 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.
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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 held by the Property Trustee shall be made directly to
the Property Trustee Account and no other funds of the Trust shall be deposited
in the Property Trustee Account. The sole signatories for such accounts shall be
designated by the Regular Trustees; provided, however, that the Property Trustee
shall designate the signatories for the Property Trustee Account.
Section 11.4 Withholding.
The Trust and the Regular Trustees shall comply with all withholding
requirements under United States federal, state 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 over withholding, 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 12
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 the Regular Trustees (or, if there
are more than two Regular Trustees, a majority of the Regular Trustees) and:
(i) by the Property Trustee if the amendment affects the
rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of
the Property Trustee; and (ii) by the Delaware
Trustee if the amendment affects the rights, powers,
duties, obligations or immunities of the Delaware
Trustee;
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(b) 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
Property 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);
(ii) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment which
affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or
immunities of the Property Trustee, the Property
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 be classified other than
a grantor trust for United States federal
income tax purposes;
b. reduce or otherwise adversely affect the
powers of the Property 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 (i) 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 pursuant to the terms of the Declaration, then the
holders of the Securities voting together as a single 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 at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount
of the Securities affected thereby; provided that, if any amendment or proposal
referred to in clause (i) above would adversely affect only the Preferred
Securities or the Common Securities, then only the affected class will
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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.;
(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 4 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 5
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; and
(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 rights, preferences or
privileges of the Holders; and
(v) to modify, eliminate and add to any provision of this
Declaration, provided such modification, elimination
or addition would not adversely affect the rights,
privileges or preferences of any Holder of the
Securities.
(h) The issuance of a Trustees' Authorization Certificate by the
Regular Trustees for purposes of establishing the terms and form of the
Securities as contemplated by Section 7.1 shall not be deemed an amendment of
this Declaration subject to the provisions of this Section 12.1.
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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 specified shall be counted for purposes of determining whether
the required percentage set forth in the second sentence of this paragraph has
been met.
(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 Holders 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
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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
such proxy. 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 for trading,
otherwise provides, 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 13
REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE
AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE
Section 13.1 Representations and Warranties of the Property Trustee.
The Trustee that acts as initial Property Trustee represents and
warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and
each Successor Property Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the
Sponsor at the time of the Successor Property Trustee's acceptance of its
appointment as Property Trustee that:
(a) the Property Trustee is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation or organization, with trust power and authority to execute and
deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, this
Declaration;
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(b) the Property Trustee satisfies the requirements set forth in
Section 5.3(a);
(c) the execution, delivery and performance by the Property Trustee of
this Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
the part of the Property Trustee. This Declaration has been duly executed and
delivered by the Property Trustee, and it constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Property 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 and the discretion of the court (regardless of
whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity
or at law);
(d) the execution, delivery and performance of this Declaration by the
Property Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the articles
of association or incorporation, as the case may be, or the by-laws (or other
similar organizational documents) of the Property Trustee; and
(e) no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or
notice to, any State or Federal banking authority is required for the execution,
delivery or performance by the Property Trustee of this Declaration.
Section 13.2 Representations and Warranties of the Delaware 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 satisfies the requirements set forth in
Section 5.2 and has the power and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry
out and perform its obligations under the terms of, this Declaration and, if it
is not a natural person, is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization;
(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
and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether the enforcement of such
remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and
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(c) no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or
notice to, any State or Federal banking authority is required for the execution,
delivery or performance by the Delaware Trustee of this Declaration.
ARTICLE 14
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 registered or certified 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 Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and the Holders of
the Securities):
(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
Regular Trustees, the Property Trustee and the Holders of the Securities):
(c) if given to the Property Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office (or
such other address as the Property Trustee may give notice of to the Regular
Trustees, the Delaware Trustee and the Holders of the Securities).
(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 Property Trustee, the Delaware
Trustee and the Trust):
(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.
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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 shall be governed by such laws without regard to
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 the 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 in a manner consistent with such
classification.
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 so expressed.
Section 14.6 Partial Enforceability.
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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 one of such counterpart signature pages. All of such
counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and they shall have the
same force and effect as though all of the signers had signed a single signature
page.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused these presents to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.,
as Sponsor and Debenture Issuer
BY:__________________________________
Name:________________________________
Title:_________________________________
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Property Trustee
BY:__________________________________
Name:________________________________
Title:_________________________________
THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE),
as Delaware Trustee
BY:__________________________________
Name:________________________________
Title:_________________________________
---------------------------------------
James E. Evans, as Regular Trustee
---------------------------------------
Thomas E. Mischell, as Regular Trustee
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