EXHIBIT 10.2
Composite Conformed Copy
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GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
Between
THE FIRST AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(as Guarantor)
and
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
(as Trustee)
dated as of
April 22, 1997
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CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
Section of
Trust Indenture Act Section of
of 1939, as amended Guarantee Agreement
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310(a).................................................. 4.1(a)
310(b).................................................. 4.1(c), 2.8
310(c).................................................. Inapplicable
311(a).................................................. 2.2(b)
311(b).................................................. 2.2(b)
311(c).................................................. Inapplicable
312(a).................................................. 2.2(a)
312(b).................................................. 2.2(b)
313..................................................... 2.3
314(a).................................................. 2.4
314(b).................................................. Inapplicable
314(c).................................................. 2.5
314(d).................................................. Inapplicable
314(e).................................................. 1.1, 2.5, 3.2
314(f).................................................. 2.1, 3.2
315(a).................................................. 3.1(d)
315(b).................................................. 2.7
315(c).................................................. 3.1
315(d).................................................. 3.1(d)
316(a).................................................. 1.1, 2.6, 5.4
316(b).................................................. 5.3
316(c).................................................. 8.2
317(a).................................................. Inapplicable
317(b).................................................. Inapplicable
318(a).................................................. 2.1(b)
318(b).................................................. 2.1
318(c).................................................. 2.1(a)
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* This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Guarantee
Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or
provisions.
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS........................................................... 1
Section 1.1. Definitions.................................................. 1
ARTICLE II. TRUST INDENTURE ACT................................................... 4
Section 2.1. Trust Indenture Act; Application............................. 4
Section 2.2. List of Holders.............................................. 4
Section 2.3. Reports by the Guarantee Trustee............................. 4
Section 2.4. Periodic Reports to the Guarantee Trustee.................... 5
Section 2.5. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent............. 5
Section 2.6. Events of Default; Waiver.................................... 5
Section 2.7. Event of Default; Notice..................................... 5
Section 2.8. Conflicting Interests 6
ARTICLE III. POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.................... 6
Section 3.1. Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee................... 6
Section 3.2. Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee.......................... 7
Section 3.3. Indemnity.................................................... 9
ARTICLE IV. GUARANTEE TRUSTEE..................................................... 9
Section 4.1. Guarantee Trustee: Eligibility............................... 9
Section 4.2. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of the Guarantee Trustee 10
ARTICLE V. GUARANTEE............................................................. 11
Section 5.1. Guarantee.................................................... 11
Section 5.2. Waiver of Notice and Demand.................................. 11
Section 5.3. Obligations Not Affected..................................... 11
Section 5.4. Rights of Holders............................................ 12
Section 5.5. Guarantee of Payment......................................... 12
Section 5.6. Subrogation.................................................. 12
Section 5.7. Independent Obligations...................................... 13
ARTICLE VI. COVENANTS AND SUBORDINATION........................................... 13
Section 6.1. Subordination................................................ 13
Section 6.2. Pari Passu Guarantees........................................ 13
ARTICLE VII. TERMINATION AND INDEMNIFICATION....................................... 13
Section 7.1. Termination.................................................. 13
Section 7.2. Indemnification.............................................. 13
.............................................................................. 13
ARTICLE VIII. MISCELLANEOUS......................................................... 14
Section 8.1. Successors and Assigns....................................... 14
Section 8.2. Amendments................................................... 14
Section 8.3. Notices...................................................... 14
Section 8.4. Benefit...................................................... 15
Section 8.5. Interpretation............................................... 16
Section 8.6. Governing Law................................................ 16
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT, dated as of April 22, 1997, is executed and
delivered by THE FIRST AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a California corporation
(the "Guarantor") having its principal office at 114 East Fifth Street, Santa
Ana, California 92701, and Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking
corporation, as trustee (the "Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the
Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Capital Securities and
Common Securities (each as defined herein and together, the "Securities") of
First American Capital Trust I, a Delaware statutory business trust (the
"Trust").
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as
of April 22, 1997 (the "Declaration"), among the Guarantor, as Sponsor, the
Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee named therein, the Regular Trustees
named therein and the Holders from time to time of undivided beneficial
ownership interests in the assets of the Trust, the Trust is issuing
$100,000,000 aggregate liquidation amount of its 8.50% Capital Securities
(liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security) (the "Capital Securities")
representing undivided beneficial ownership interests in the assets of the Trust
and having the terms set forth in the Declaration;
WHEREAS, the Capital Securities will be issued by the Trust and the
proceeds thereof, together with the proceeds from the issuance of the Trust's
Common Securities (as defined herein), will be used to purchase the Debentures
(as defined in the Declaration) of the Guarantor which will be deposited with
Wilmington Trust Company, as Property Trustee under the Declaration, as trust
assets; and
WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase Securities the Guarantor
desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set forth
herein, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the Guarantee Payments (as
defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions
set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of
Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the
Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee Agreement for the
benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Securities.
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1. Definitions.
As used in this Guarantee Agreement, the terms set forth below shall,
unless the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings. Capitalized
or otherwise defined terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meanings assigned to such terms in the Declaration as in effect on the date
hereof.
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"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person; provided, however, that an Affiliate of the
Guarantor shall not be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Trust. For the purposes
of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified Person
means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly
or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract
or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings
correlative to the foregoing.
"Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Guarantor
or any committee of that board duly authorized to act hereunder.
"Common Securities" means the 8.50% Common Securities (liquidation amount
$1,000 per Common Security) representing undivided beneficial ownership
interests in the assets of the Trust.
"Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its payment
or other obligations under this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however, that,
except with respect to a default in payment of any Guarantee Payments, the
Guarantor shall have received notice of default and shall not have cured such
default within 90 days after receipt of such notice.
"Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions, without
duplication, with respect to the Securities, to the extent not paid or made by
or on behalf of the Trust: (i) any accumulated and unpaid Distributions (as
defined in the Declaration) required to be paid on the Securities, to the extent
the Trust shall have funds on hand available therefor at such time, (ii) the
redemption price, including all accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date of
redemption (the"Redemption Price"), with respect to any Securities called for
redemption by the Trust, to the extent the Trust shall have funds on hand
available therefor at such time, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary
termination, winding up or liquidation of the Trust, unless Debentures are
distributed to the Holders, the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation
amount of the Securities plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date of
payment and (b) the amount of assets of the Trust remaining available for
distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Trust after satisfaction of
liabilities to creditors of the Trust as required by applicable law (in either
case, the "Liquidation Distribution").
"Guarantee Trustee" means Wilmington Trust Company, until a Successor
Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant
to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement, and thereafter means each such
Successor Guarantee Trustee.
"Holder" means any holder, as registered on the books and records of the
Trust, of any Securities; provided, however, that in determining whether the
holders of the requisite percentage of Securities have given any request,
notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder" shall not include the Guarantor,
the Guarantee Trustee, or any Affiliate of the Guarantor or the Guarantee
Trustee.
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"Indenture" means the Junior Subordinated Indenture dated as of April 22,
1997, as supplemented and amended between the Guarantor and Wilmington Trust
Company, as trustee.
"List of Holders" has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a).
"Majority in Liquidation Amount" means, except as provided in the Trust
Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding Securities, voting together as a single
class, or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Capital 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, a certificate
signed by the Chairman or a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of such
Person or the President or a Vice President of such Person, and by the
Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of
such Person, and delivered to the Guarantee Trustee. Any Officers' Certificate
delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for
in this Guarantee Agreement 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 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 officer, such
condition or covenant has been complied with.
"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.
"Responsible Officer" when used with respect to the Guarantee Trustee means
any officer of the Guarantee Trustee within the Corporate Trust Office with
direct responsibility for the administration of this Guarantee Agreement.
"Successor Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Guarantee Trustee
possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
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ARTICLE II. TRUST INDENTURE ACT
Section 2.1. Trust Indenture Act; Application.
(a) At such time, if any, as this Guarantee Agreement is qualified under
the Trust Indenture Act, this Guarantee Agreement will be subject to the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this
Guarantee Agreement and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such
provisions.
(b) At such time, if any, as this Guarantee Agreement is qualified under
the Trust Indenture Act, if and to the extent that any provision of this
Guarantee Agreement limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by
Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties
shall control.
Section 2.2. List of Holders.
(a) The Guarantor shall provide the Guarantee Trustee with a list, in such
form as the Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses
of the Holders of the Securities ("List of Holders"):
(i) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after January 15 and July 15
in each year of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such January 1
and July 1; and
(ii) at such other times as the Guarantee Trustee may request in
writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Guarantor of any such
request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15
days prior to the time such list is furnished,
excluding from any such list names and addresses received by the Guarantee
Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Section
311(a), Section 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 2.3. Reports by the Guarantee Trustee.
The Guarantee Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the
Guarantee Trustee and its actions under this Guarantee Agreement as may be
required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner
provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture
Act, the Guarantee Trustee shall, within sixty days after each May 15 following
the first anniversary of the date of this Guarantee Agreement deliver to Holders
a brief report, dated as of such May 15, which complies with the provisions of
such Section 313(a).
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Section 2.4. Periodic Reports to the Guarantee Trustee.
The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee, the Securities and
Exchange Commission and the Holders such documents, reports and information, if
any, as required by Section 314 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.
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Guarantee Trustee is
for informational purposes only and the Guarantee Trustee's receipt of such
shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein,
including the Guarantor's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to
which the Guarantee Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers'
Certificates).
Section 2.5. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.
The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee such evidence of
compliance with such conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this
Guarantee Agreement 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.
The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Securities may, by
vote, on behalf of the Holders, waive any past Event of Default and its
consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist,
and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured,
for every purpose of this Guarantee Agreement, but no such waiver shall extend
to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right
consequent therefrom.
Section 2.7. Event of Default; Notice.
(a) The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the Guarantee Trustee
has knowledge of the occurrence of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first
class postage prepaid, to the Holders, notices of all Events of Default actually
known to the Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the
giving of such notice, provided, that, except in the case of a default in the
payment of a Guarantee Payment, the Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in
withholding such notice if and so long as one or more Responsible Officers of
the Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such
notice is in the interests of the Holders.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any
Event of Default unless the Guarantee Trustee shall have received written
notice, or a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee shall have actual
knowledge of such Event of Default.
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Section 2.8. Conflicting Interests.
The Declaration shall be deemed to be specifically described in this
Guarantee Agreement for the purposes of clause (i) of the first proviso
contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
ARTICLE III. POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
Section 3.1. Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee.
(a) This Guarantee Agreement shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee for the
benefit of the Holders, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this
Guarantee Agreement to any Person except a Holder exercising his or her rights
pursuant to Section 5.4(iv) or to a Successor Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by
such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor
Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Guarantee Trustee shall
automatically vest in any Successor Guarantee Trustee, upon acceptance by such
Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment hereunder, and such vesting and
cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have
been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor
Guarantee Trustee.
(b) If an Event of Default of which the Guarantee Trustee has knowledge has
occurred and is continuing, the Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Guarantee
Agreement for the benefit of the Holders.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default of
which the Guarantee Trustee has knowledge 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 Guarantee Agreement, and no implied covenants
or obligations shall be read into this Guarantee Agreement against the Guarantee
Trustee. In case an Event of Default of which the Guarantee Trustee has
knowledge has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section
2.6), the Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested
in it by this Guarantee Agreement, and use the same degree of care and skill in
its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the
circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(d) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be construed to relieve
the Guarantee 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 any Event of Default of which the
Guarantee Trustee has knowledge and after the curing or waiving of all such
Events of Default that may have occurred:
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(A) the duties and obligations of the Guarantee Trustee shall be
determined solely by the express provisions of this Guarantee Agreement,
and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of
such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee
Agreement; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Guarantee Trustee,
the Guarantee 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 Guarantee Trustee and conforming
to the requirements of this Guarantee Agreement; but in the case of any
such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof or of the Trust
Indenture Act are specifically required to be furnished to the Guarantee
Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to
determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Guarantee
Agreement;
(ii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee
Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Guarantee Trustee was negligent
in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;
(iii) the Guarantee 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 Guarantee
Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee
Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement; and
(iv) no provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall require the
Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur
personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in
the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Guarantee Trustee 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 Guarantee
Agreement or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not
reasonably assured to it.
Section 3.2. Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:
(i) The Guarantee Trustee may 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 reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have
been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties.
8
(ii) Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this
Guarantee Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers'
Certificate unless otherwise prescribed herein.
(iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Guarantee Agreement, the
Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or
established before taking, suffering or omitting to take any action
hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein
specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part,
request and rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such
request from the Guarantee Trustee, shall be promptly delivered by the
Guarantor.
(iv) The Guarantee Trustee may consult with legal counsel of its
selection, and the written advice or opinion of such legal counsel with
respect to legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken
by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or
opinion. Such legal counsel may be legal counsel to the Guarantor or any of
its Affiliates and may be one of its employees. The Guarantee Trustee shall
have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the
administration of this Guarantee Agreement from any court of competent
jurisdiction.
(v) The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any
of the rights or powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement at the
request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided
to the Guarantee Trustee such adequate security and indemnity as would
satisfy a reasonable person in the position of the Guarantee Trustee,
against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) 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
Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in this Section
3.2(a)(v) shall be taken to relieve the Guarantee Trustee, upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default of which the Guarantee Trustee has
knowledge, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it
by this Guarantee Agreement.
(vi) The Guarantee 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 Guarantee Trustee, in its
discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts
or matters as it may see fit.
(vii) The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers
hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through
its agents or attorneys, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible
for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney
appointed with due care by it hereunder.
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(viii) Whenever in the administration of this Guarantee Agreement the
Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive written instructions
with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action
hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (A) may request instructions from the
Holders, (B) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such
other action until such written instructions are received, and (C) shall be
protected in acting in accordance with such written instructions.
(ix) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken,
suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, without gross
negligence, and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the
discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Guarantee
Agreement.
(b) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be deemed to impose any
duty or obligation on the Guarantee 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 Guarantee 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 Guarantee Trustee
shall be construed to be a duty to act in accordance with such power and
authority.
Section 3.3. Indemnity.
The Guarantor agrees to indemnify the Guarantee Trustee for, and to hold it
harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or
bad faith on the part of the Guarantee Trustee, arising out of or in connection
with the acceptance or administration of this Guarantee Agreement, including the
costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in
connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties
hereunder.
ARTICLE IV. GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
Section 4.1. Guarantee Trustee: Eligibility.
(a) There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall:
(i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and
(ii) be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of
the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the
District of Columbia, or a corporation or other Person permitted by the
Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture
Act, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having
a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars
($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State,
Territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such Person publishes
reports of condition at least
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annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or
examining authority referred to above, then for the purposes of this
Section 4.1(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall
be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most
recent report of condition so published.
(b) If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so
act under Section 4.1(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the
manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c).
(c) If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting
interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the
Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions
of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 4.2. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of the Guarantee
Trustee.
(a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or
removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed until a Successor Guarantee
Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written
instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the
Guarantor. If an instrument of acceptance by a Successor Guarantee Trustee
shall not have been delivered to the Guarantee Trustee within 30 days after such
removal, the Guarantee Trustee being removed may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee appointed hereunder shall hold office until a
Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or
resignation. The Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for
prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the
Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not
take effect until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has
accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such Successor
Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Guarantee
Trustee.
(d) If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and
accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60 days after
delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the resigning
Guarantee Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Guarantor, any court of
competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee. Such
court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem
proper, appoint a Successor Guarantee Trustee.
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ARTICLE V. GUARANTEE
Section 5.1. Guarantee.
The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to
the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore
paid by or on behalf of the Trust), as and when due, regardless of any defense,
right of set-off or counterclaim which the Trust may have or assert. The
Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct
payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing
the Trust to pay such amounts to the Holders.
Section 5.2. Waiver of Notice and Demand.
The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of the Guarantee
Agreement and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment,
demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against the
Guarantee Trustee, Trust or any other Person before proceeding against the
Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of
redemption and all other notices and demands.
Section 5.3. Obligations Not Affected.
The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor
under this Guarantee Agreement shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason
of the happening from time to time of any of the following:
(a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the
performance or observance by the Trust of any express or implied agreement,
covenant, term or condition relating to the Securities to be performed or
observed by the Trust;
(b) the extension of time for the payment by the Trust of all or any
portion of the Distributions (other than an extension of time for payment of
Distributions that results from the extension of any interest payment period on
the Debentures as provided in the Indenture), Redemption Price, Liquidation
Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Securities or the
extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out
of, or in connection with, the Securities;
(c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of
the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy
conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Securities, or any action
on the part of the Trust granting indulgence or extension of any kind;
(d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, reorganization,
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arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of, or other similar
proceedings affecting, the Trust or any of the assets of the Trust;
(e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Securities;
(f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby
or hereby incurred; or
(g) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute
a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of
this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be
absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.
There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain the
consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.
Section 5.4. Rights of Holders.
The Guarantor expressly acknowledges that: (i) this Guarantee
Agreement will be deposited with the Guarantee Trustee to be held for the
benefit of the Holders; (ii) the Guarantee Trustee has the right to enforce this
Guarantee Agreement on behalf of the Holders; (iii) the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Securities have the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee
Trustee in respect of this Guarantee Agreement or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement; and (iv)
any Holder may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to
enforce its rights under this Guarantee Agreement, without first instituting a
legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee, the Trust or any other Person.
Section 5.5. Guarantee of Payment
This Guarantee Agreement creates a guarantee of payment and not of
collection. This Guarantee Agreement will not be discharged except by payment of
the Guarantee Payments in full (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid
by the Trust) or upon distribution of Debentures to Holders as provided in the
Declaration.
Section 5.6. Subrogation.
The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the
Holders against the Trust in respect of any amounts paid to the Holders by the
Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however, that the Guarantor
shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law) be
entitled to enforce or exercise any rights which it may acquire by way of
subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as
a result of payment under this Guarantee Agreement, if, at the time of any such
payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Guarantee Agreement. If any
amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in
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violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in
trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.
Section 5.7. Independent Obligations.
The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are
independent of the obligations of the Trust with respect to the Securities and
that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make
Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement
notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a)
through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.
ARTICLE VI. COVENANTS AND SUBORDINATION
Section 6.1. Subordination.
The obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement will
constitute unsecured obligations of the Guarantor and will rank subordinate and
junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the
Indenture) of the Guarantor, except those made pari passu or subordinate to such
obligations expressly by their terms in the same manner as set forth in Article
XIII of the Indenture.
Section 6.2. Pari Passu Guarantees.
The obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement shall
rank pari passu with the obligations of the Guarantor under any similar
Guarantee Agreements issued by the Guarantor on behalf of the holders of
securities similar to the Securities issued by any trust, partnership or other
entity affiliated with the Guarantor that is a financing entity of the
Guarantor.
ARTICLE VII. TERMINATION AND INDEMNIFICATION
Section 7.1. Termination.
This Guarantee Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force
and effect upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Securities, (ii)
the distribution of Debentures to the Holders in exchange for all of the
Securities or (iii) full payment of all amounts payable in accordance with the
Declaration upon liquidation of the Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this
Guarantee Agreement will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the
case may be, if at any time any Holder must restore payment of any sums paid
with respect to Securities or this Guarantee Agreement.
Section 7.2. Indemnification.
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The Guarantor agrees to indemnify the (i) Guarantee Trustee, (ii) each
Affiliate of the Guarantee Trustee and (iii) any officers, directors,
shareholders, members, partners, employees or agents of the Guarantee Trustee
(each of the Persons in (i) through (iii) being referred to as a "Fiduciary
Indemnified Person") for, and to hold each Fiduciary Indemnified Person harmless
against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense, including taxes
(other than taxes based on the income of such Fiduciary Indemnified Person)
incurred without gross negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in
connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts
hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and
expenses) of defending itself against or investigating any claim or liability in
connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties
hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 7.2 shall
survive the termination of this Guarantee Agreement and the removal or
resignation of the Guarantee Trustee.
ARTICLE VIII. MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.1. Successors and Assigns.
All guarantees and agreements contained in this Guarantee Agreement
shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of
the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Securities
then outstanding. Except in connection with a consolidation, merger or sale
involving the Guarantor that is permitted under Article VIII of the Indenture
and pursuant to which the successor or assignee agrees in writing to perform the
Guarantor's obligations hereunder, the Guarantor shall not assign its
obligations hereunder.
Section 8.2. Amendments.
Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the
rights of the Holders or the Guarantee Trustee in any material respect (in which
case no consent of the Holders or the Guarantee Trustee, as the case may be,
will be required), this Guarantee Agreement may only be amended with the prior
approval of the Holders of not less than a Majority in Liquidation Amount of all
the outstanding Securities and of the Guarantee Trustee. The provisions of
Article 11 of the Declaration concerning meetings of the Holders shall apply to
the giving of such approval.
Section 8.3. Notices.
Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be
given hereunder shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such
notice, and delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail as follows:
(a) if given to the Guarantor, to the address set forth below or such
other address, facsimile number or to the attention of such other Person as the
Guarantor may give notice to the Guarantee Trustee and the Holders:
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The First American Financial Corporation
114 East Fifth Street
Santa Ana, California 90271
Facsimile No.: (714)-836-1841
Attention: Mark R Amesen
(b) if given to the Trust, in care of the Guarantee Trustee, at the Trust's
(and the Guarantee Trustee's) address set forth below or such other address as
the Guarantee Trustee on behalf of the Trust may give notice to the Holders and
the Guarantor:
First American Capital Trust I
c/o The First American Financial Corporation
114 East Fifth Street
Santa Ana, California 92071
Facsimile No.: (714)-836-1841
Attention: Mark R Amesen
with a copy to:
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington Delaware 19890-0001
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Facsimile No.: 302-427-4749
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
(c) if given to any Holder, at the address set forth on the books and
records of the Trust.
All notices hereunder shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid, except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery
or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was
given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on
the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.
Section 8.4. Benefit.
This Guarantee Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Holders and is
not separately transferable from the Securities.
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Section 8.5. Interpretation.
In this Guarantee Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) capitalized terms used in this Guarantee Agreement but not defined in
the preamble hereto have the respective meanings assigned to them in Section
1.1;
(b) a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee Agreement has the same
meaning throughout;
(c) all references to "the Guarantee Agreement" or "this Guarantee
Agreement" are to this Guarantee Agreement as modified, supplemented or amended
from time to time;
(d) all references in this Guarantee Agreement to Articles and Sections are
to Articles and Sections of this Guarantee Agreement unless otherwise specified;
(e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when
used in this Guarantee Agreement unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee
Agreement or unless the context otherwise requires;
(f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa; and
(g) the masculine, feminine or neuter genders used herein shall include the
masculine, feminine and neuter genders.
Section 8.6. Governing Law.
THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
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This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above
written.
The First American Financial Corporation
By: /s/ THOMAS A. KLEMENS
-------------------------------------
Name: Thomas A. Klemens
Title: Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Wilmington Trust Company
as Guarantee Trustee
By: /s/ EMMETT R. HARMON
-------------------------------------
Name: Emmett R. Harmon
Title: Vice President