Exhibit 10.1
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AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION
OF TRUST
by and among
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as Delaware Trustee,
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as Institutional Trustee,
FOUR OAKS FINCORP, INC.,
as Sponsor,
and
AYDEN R. LEE, JR., NANCY S. WISE and
WANDA J. BLOW,
as Administrators,
Dated as of March 30, 2006
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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ARTICLE I INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS.......................................1
Section 1.1. Definitions....................................................1
ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION........................................................8
Section 2.1. Name...........................................................8
Section 2.2. Office.........................................................8
Section 2.3. Purpose........................................................8
Section 2.4. Authority......................................................8
Section 2.5. Title to Property of the Trust.................................8
Section 2.6. Powers and Duties of the Trustees and the Administrators.......9
Section 2.7. Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Institutional
Trustee......................................................12
Section 2.8. Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee................13
Section 2.9. Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustees and
Administrators...............................................14
Section 2.10. Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee.......................14
Section 2.11. Delaware Trustee..............................................14
Section 2.12. Execution of Documents........................................14
Section 2.13. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities........14
Section 2.14. Duration of Trust.............................................14
Section 2.15. Mergers.......................................................14
ARTICLE III SPONSOR...........................................................14
Section 3.1. Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities.......................14
Section 3.2. Responsibilities of the Sponsor...............................14
Section 3.3. Expenses......................................................14
Section 3.4. Right to Proceed..............................................14
ARTICLE IV INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND ADMINISTRATORS...........................14
Section 4.1. Number of Trustees............................................14
Section 4.2. Delaware Trustee; Eligibility.................................14
Section 4.3. Institutional Trustee; Eligibility............................14
Section 4.4. Administrators................................................14
Section 4.5. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees and
Administrators...............................................14
Section 4.6. Vacancies Among Trustees......................................14
Section 4.7. Effect of Vacancies...........................................14
Section 4.8. Meetings of the Trustees and the Administrators...............14
Section 4.9. Delegation of Power...........................................14
Section 4.10. Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business...........14
ARTICLE V DISTRIBUTIONS.......................................................14
Section 5.1. Distributions.................................................14
ARTICLE VI ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES.............................................14
Section 6.1. General Provisions Regarding Securities.......................14
Section 6.2. Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar....................14
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Section 6.3. Form and Dating...............................................14
Section 6.4. Book-Entry Capital Securities.................................14
Section 6.5. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.............14
Section 6.6. Temporary Securities..........................................14
Section 6.7. Cancellation..................................................14
Section 6.8. CUSIP Numbers.................................................14
Section 6.9. Rights of Holders; Waivers of Past Defaults...................14
ARTICLE VII DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST..............................14
Section 7.1. Dissolution and Termination of Trust..........................14
ARTICLE VIII TRANSFER OF INTERESTS............................................14
Section 8.1. General.......................................................14
Section 8.2. Transfer Procedures and Restrictions..........................14
Section 8.3. Deemed Security Holders.......................................14
ARTICLE IX LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, INSTITUTIONAL
TRUSTEE OR OTHERS............................................................14
Section 9.1. Liability.....................................................14
Section 9.2. Exculpation...................................................14
Section 9.3. Fiduciary Duty................................................14
Section 9.4. Indemnification...............................................14
Section 9.5. Outside Businesses............................................14
Section 9.6. Compensation; Fee.............................................14
ARTICLE X ACCOUNTING..........................................................14
Section 10.1. Fiscal Year...................................................14
Section 10.2. Certain Accounting Matters....................................14
Section 10.3. Banking.......................................................14
Section 10.4. Withholding...................................................14
ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS............................................14
Section 11.1. Amendments....................................................14
Section 11.2. Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written
Consent......................................................14
ARTICLE XII REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND THE DELAWARE
TRUSTEE......................................................................14
Section 12.1. Representations and Warranties of Institutional Trustee.......14
Section 12.2. Representations of the Delaware Trustee.......................14
ARTICLE XIII MISCELLANEOUS....................................................14
Section 13.1. Notices.......................................................14
Section 13.2. Governing Law.................................................14
Section 13.3. Intention of the Parties......................................14
Section 13.4. Headings......................................................14
Section 13.5. Successors and Assigns........................................14
Section 13.6. Partial Enforceability........................................14
Section 13.7. Counterparts..................................................14
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Annex I....................Terms of Securities
Exhibit A-1................Form of Capital Security Certificate
Exhibit A-2................Form of Common Security Certificate
Exhibit B..................Specimen of Initial Debenture
Exhibit C..................Placement Agreement
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AMENDED AND RESTATED
DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
FOUR OAKS STATUTORY TRUST I
March 30, 2006
AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Declaration") dated and
effective as of March 30, 2006, by the Trustees (as defined herein), the
Administrators (as defined herein), the Sponsor (as defined herein) and by the
holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust (as
defined herein) to be issued pursuant to this Declaration;
WHEREAS, the Trustees, the Administrators and the Sponsor established Four
Oaks Statutory Trust I (the "Trust"), a statutory trust under the Statutory
Trust Act (as defined herein) pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated as of
March 22, 2006 (the "Original Declaration"), and a Certificate of Trust filed
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 22, 2006, for the
sole purpose of issuing and selling certain securities representing undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust and investing the proceeds
thereof in certain debentures of the Debenture Issuer (as defined herein);
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, no interests in the Trust have been issued;
and
WHEREAS, the Trustees, the Administrators 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 to continue
the Trust as a statutory trust under the Statutory Trust Act and that this
Declaration constitutes the governing instrument of such statutory trust, the
Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust
for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued
hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration. The parties hereto
hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS
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Section 1.1. Definitions.
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Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in the
preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section
1.1;
(b) a term defined anywhere in this Declaration has the same meaning
throughout;
(c) all references to "the Declaration" or "this Declaration" are to this
Declaration as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;
(d) all references in this Declaration to Articles and Sections and Annexes
and Exhibits are to Articles and Sections of and Annexes and Exhibits to this
Declaration unless otherwise specified; and
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(e) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.
"Acceleration Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.
"Additional Interest" has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.
"Administrative Action" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of
Annex I.
"Administrators" means each of Ayden R. Lee, Jr., Nancy S. Wise and Wanda
J. Blow, solely in such Person's capacity as Administrator of the Trust created
and continued hereunder and not in such Person's individual capacity, or such
Administrator's successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor
appointed as herein provided.
"Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the
Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.
"Applicable Depositary Procedures" means, with respect to any transfer or
transaction involving a Book-Entry Capital Security, the rules and procedures of
the Depositary for such Book-Entry Capital Security, in each case to the extent
applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.
"Authorized Officer" of a Person means any Person that is authorized to
bind such Person.
"Bankruptcy Event" means, with respect to any Person:
(a) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or
order for relief in respect of such Person in an involuntary case under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in
effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee,
sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or for any substantial part of
its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such
decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90
consecutive days; or
(b) such Person shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, shall
consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any
such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a
receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other
similar official) of such Person of any substantial part of its property, or
shall make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail
generally to pay its debts as they become due.
"Book-Entry Capital Securities" means a Capital Security, the ownership and
transfer of which shall be made through book entries by a Depositary.
"Business Day" means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day
on which banking institutions in New York City or Wilmington, Delaware are
permitted or required by any applicable law or executive order to close.
"Capital Securities" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 1(a) of Annex
I.
"Capital Security Certificate" means a definitive Certificate in fully
registered form representing a Capital Security substantially in the form of
Exhibit A-1.
"Capital Treatment Event" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of
Annex I.
"Certificate" means any certificate evidencing Securities.
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"Closing Date" has the meaning set forth in the Placement Agreement.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time, or any successor legislation.
"Common Securities" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 1(b) of Annex I.
"Common Security Certificate" means a definitive Certificate in fully
registered form representing a Common Security substantially in the form of
Exhibit A-2.
"Company Indemnified Person" means (a) any Administrator; (b) any Affiliate
of any Administrator; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders, members,
partners, employees, representatives or agents of any Administrator; or (d) any
officer, employee or agent of the Trust or its Affiliates.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Institutional Trustee at
which the corporate trust business of the Institutional Trustee shall, at any
particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of
execution of this Declaration is located at Rodney Square North, 1100 North
Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-1600, Attn: Corporate Trust
Administration.
"Coupon Rate" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(a) of Annex I.
"Covered Person" means: (a) any Administrator, officer, director,
shareholder, partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust
or (ii) any of the Trust's Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities.
"Creditor" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.
"Debenture Issuer" means Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc., a North Carolina
corporation, in its capacity as issuer of the Debentures under the Indenture.
"Debenture Trustee" means Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee under the
Indenture until a successor is appointed thereunder, and thereafter means such
successor trustee.
"Debentures" means the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable
Interest Debentures due 2036 to be issued by the Debenture Issuer under the
Indenture.
"Defaulted Interest" has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.
"Definitive Capital Securities Certificates" means Capital Securities
issued in certificated, fully registered form that are not Global Capital
Securities.
"Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.
"Depositary" means an organization registered as a clearing agency under
the Exchange Act that is designated as Depositary by the Administrators or any
successor thereto. DTC will be the initial Depositary.
"Depositary Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank, other financial
institution or other Person for whom from time to time the Depositary effects
book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Depositary.
"Determination Date" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex
I.
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"Direct Action" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(d).
"Distribution" means a distribution payable to Holders of Securities in
accordance with Section 5.1.
"Distribution Payment Date" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(b) of
Annex I.
"Distribution Period" means (i) with respect to the Distribution paid on
the first Distribution Payment Date, the period beginning on (and including) the
date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Distribution Payment
Date in June 2006 and (ii) thereafter, with respect to a Distribution paid on
each successive Distribution Payment Date, the period beginning on (and
including) the preceding Distribution Payment Date and ending on (but excluding)
such current Distribution Payment Date.
"Distribution Rate" means, for the Distribution Period beginning on (and
including) the date of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the
Distribution Payment Date in June 2006, the rate per annum of [RATE]%, and for
each Distribution Period beginning on or after the Distribution Payment Date in
June 2006, the Coupon Rate for such Distribution Period.
"DTC" means The Depository Trust Company or any successor thereto.
"Event of Default" means any one of the following events (whatever the
reason for such event and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be
effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any
court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental
body):
(a) the occurrence of an Indenture Event of Default; or
(b) default by the Trust in the payment of any Redemption Price or Special
Redemption Price of any Security when it becomes due and payable; or
(c) default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of any
covenant or warranty of the Institutional Trustee in this Declaration (other
than those specified in clause (a) or (b) above) and continuation of such
default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by
registered or certified mail to the Institutional Trustee and to the Sponsor by
the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate liquidation amount of the outstanding
Capital Securities, a written notice specifying such default or breach and
requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of
Default" hereunder; or
(d) the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Institutional
Trustee if a successor Institutional Trustee has not been appointed within 90
days thereof.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from
time to time, or any successor legislation.
"Extension Period" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(b) of Annex I.
"Federal Reserve" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.
"Fiduciary Indemnified Person" shall mean each of the Institutional Trustee
(including in its individual capacity), the Delaware Trustee (including in its
individual capacity), any Affiliate of the Institutional Trustee or Delaware
Trustee and any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees,
representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the Institutional Trustee or
Delaware Trustee.
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"Fiscal Year" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.
"Global Capital Security" means a Capital Securities Certificate evidencing
ownership of Book-Entry Capital Securities.
"Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of the Closing
Date, of the Sponsor in respect of the Capital Securities.
"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
Statutory Trust Act.
"Indemnified Person" means a Company Indemnified Person or a Fiduciary
Indemnified Person.
"Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of the Closing Date, between the
Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, and any indenture supplemental
thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued, as such Indenture and
any supplemental indenture may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time.
"Indenture Event of Default" means an "Event of Default" as defined in the
Indenture.
"Institutional Trustee" means the Trustee meeting the eligibility
requirements set forth in Section 4.3.
"Interest" means any interest due on the Debentures including any
Additional Interest and Defaulted Interest.
"Investment Company" means an investment company as defined in the
Investment Company Act.
"Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.
"Investment Company Event" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of
Annex I.
"Liquidation" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.
"Liquidation Distribution" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of
Annex I.
"Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities" means 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.
"Maturity Date" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.
"Officers' Certificates" means, with respect to any Person, a certificate
signed by two Authorized Officers of such Person. Any Officers' Certificate
delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant providing for
it in this Declaration shall include:
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(a) a statement that each officer signing the Certificate has read the
covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Certificate;
(c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer
to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such
condition or covenant has been complied with.
"OTS" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 3 of Annex I.
"Owner" means each Person who is the beneficial owner of Book-Entry Capital
Securities as reflected in the records of the Depositary or, if a Depositary
Participant is not the beneficial owner, then the beneficial owner as reflected
in the records of the Depositary Participant.
"Paying Agent" has the meaning specified in Section 6.2.
"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.
"Placement Agreement" means the Placement Agreement relating to the
offering and sale of Capital Securities in the form of Exhibit C.
"Property Account" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(c).
"Pro Rata" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 8 of Annex I.
"QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A under
the Securities Act.
"Quorum" means a majority of the Administrators or, if there are only two
Administrators, both of them.
"Redemption Date" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.
"Redemption/Distribution Notice" has the meaning set forth in paragraph
4(e) of Annex I.
"Redemption Price" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.
"Registrar" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.
"Relevant Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(a).
"Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Institutional Trustee, any
officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Institutional Trustee,
including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any assistant
secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer or other
officer of the Corporate Trust Office of the Institutional Trustee customarily
performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated
officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter,
any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer's
knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
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"Restricted Securities Legend" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(b).
"Rule 3a-5" means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act.
"Rule 3a-7" means Rule 3a-7 under the Investment Company Act.
"Securities" means the Common Securities and the Capital Securities.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to
time, or any successor legislation.
"Special Event" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.
"Special Redemption Date" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of
Annex I.
"Special Redemption Price" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of
Annex I.
"Sponsor" means Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc., a North Carolina corporation, or
any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or amalgamation, in its capacity
as sponsor of the Trust.
"Statutory Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12
Del. C. ss.ss. 3801, et seq. as may be amended from time to time.
"Successor Entity" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(b).
"Successor Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(e).
"Successor Institutional Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section
4.5(b).
"Successor Securities" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(b).
"Super Majority" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 5(b) of Annex I.
"Tax Event" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.
"10% in liquidation amount of the Securities" means 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 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.
"3-Month LIBOR" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 4(a) of Annex I.
"Transfer Agent" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.
"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).
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"Trust Property" means (a) the Debentures, (b) any cash on deposit in, or
owing to, the Property Account and (c) all proceeds and rights in respect of the
foregoing and any other property and assets for the time being held or deemed to
be held by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to the trusts of this Declaration.
"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.
"U.S. Person" means a United States Person as defined in Section
7701(a)(30) of the Code.
ARTICLE II.
ORGANIZATION
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Section 2.1. Name. The Trust is named "Four Oaks Statutory Trust I," as
such name may be modified from time to time by the Administrators following
written notice to the Holders of the Securities. The Trust's activities may be
conducted under the name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the
Administrators.
Section 2.2. Office. The address of the principal office of the Trust is
c/o Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street,
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-1600. On at least 10 Business Days written notice to
the Holders of the Securities, the Administrators may designate another
principal office, which shall be in a state of the United States or in the
District of Columbia.
Section 2.3. Purpose. The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are
(a) to issue and sell the Securities representing undivided beneficial interests
in the assets of the Trust, (b) to invest the gross proceeds from such sale to
acquire the Debentures, (c) to facilitate direct investment in the assets of the
Trust through issuance of the Common Securities and the Capital Securities and
(d) except as otherwise limited herein, to engage in only those other activities
necessary or incidental thereto. The Trust shall not borrow money, issue debt or
reinvest proceeds derived from investments, pledge any of its assets, or
otherwise undertake (or permit to be undertaken) any activity that would cause
the Trust not to be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as
a grantor trust.
Section 2.4. Authority. Except as specifically provided in this
Declaration, the Institutional Trustee shall have exclusive and complete
authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust. An action taken by a Trustee
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. The
Administrators shall have only those ministerial duties set forth herein with
respect to accomplishing the purposes of the Trust and are not intended to be
trustees or fiduciaries with respect to the Trust or the Holders. The
Institutional Trustee shall have the right, but shall not be obligated except as
provided in Section 2.6, to perform those duties assigned to the Administrators.
Section 2.5. Title to Property of the Trust. Except as provided in Section
2.8 with respect to the Debentures and the Property 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.
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Section 2.6. Powers and Duties of the Trustees and the Administrators.
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(a) The Trustees and the Administrators shall conduct the affairs of the
Trust in accordance with the terms of this Declaration. Subject to the
limitations set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section, and in accordance with
the following provisions (i) and (ii), the Trustees and the Administrators shall
have the authority to enter into all transactions and agreements determined by
the Institutional Trustee to be appropriate in exercising the authority, express
or implied, otherwise granted to the Trustees or the Administrators, as the case
may be, under this Declaration, and to perform all acts in furtherance thereof,
including without limitation, the following:
(1) Each Administrator shall have the power and authority to act on
behalf of the Trust with respect to the following matters:
(A) the issuance and sale of the Securities;
(B) to cause the Trust to enter into, and to execute and deliver
on behalf of the Trust, such agreements as may be necessary or
desirable in connection with the purposes and function of the Trust,
including agreements with the Paying Agent;
(C) ensuring compliance with the Securities Act, applicable state
securities or blue sky laws;
(D) the sending of notices (other than notices of default), and
other information regarding the Securities and the Debentures to the
Holders in accordance with this Declaration;
(E) the consent to the appointment of a Paying Agent, Transfer
Agent and Registrar in accordance with this Declaration, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed;
(F) execution and delivery of the Securities in accordance with
this Declaration;
(G) execution and delivery of closing certificates pursuant to
the Placement Agreement and the application for a taxpayer
identification number;
(H) unless otherwise determined by the Holders of a Majority in
liquidation amount of the Securities or as otherwise required by the
Statutory Trust Act, to execute on behalf of the Trust (either acting
alone or together with any or all of the Administrators) any documents
that the Administrators have the power to execute pursuant to this
Declaration;
(I) the taking of any action incidental to the foregoing as the
Institutional Trustee may from time to time determine is necessary or
advisable to give effect to the terms of this Declaration for the
benefit of the Holders (without consideration of the effect of any
such action on any particular Holder);
(J) to establish a record date with respect to all actions to be
taken hereunder that require a record date be established, including
Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue
relevant notices to the Holders of Capital Securities and Holders of
Common Securities as to such actions and applicable record dates; and
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(K) to duly prepare and file all applicable tax returns and tax
information reports that are required to be filed with respect to the
Trust on behalf of the Trust.
(2) As among the Trustees and the Administrators, the Institutional
Trustee shall have the power, duty and authority to act on behalf of the
Trust with respect to the following matters:
(A) the establishment of the Property Account;
(B) the receipt of the Debentures;
(C) the collection of interest, principal and any other payments
made in respect of the Debentures in the Property Account;
(D) the distribution through the Paying Agent of amounts owed to
the Holders in respect of the Securities;
(E) the exercise of all of the rights, powers and privileges of a
holder of the Debentures;
(F) the sending of notices of default and other information
regarding the Securities and the Debentures to the Holders in
accordance with this Declaration;
(G) the distribution of the Trust Property in accordance with the
terms of this Declaration;
(H) to the extent provided in this Declaration, the winding up of
the affairs of and liquidation of the Trust and the preparation,
execution and filing of the certificate of cancellation with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;
(I) after any Event of Default (provided that such Event of
Default is not by or with respect to the Institutional Trustee) the
taking of any action incidental to the foregoing as the Institutional
Trustee may from time to time determine is necessary or advisable to
give effect to the terms of this Declaration and protect and conserve
the Trust Property for the benefit of the Holders (without
consideration of the effect of any such action on any particular
Holder); and
(J) to take all action that may be necessary for the preservation
and the continuation of the Trust's valid existence, rights,
franchises and privileges as a statutory trust under the laws of the
State of Delaware.
(3) The Institutional Trustee shall have the power and authority to
act on behalf of the Trust with respect to any of the duties, liabilities,
powers or the authority of the Administrators set forth in Section
2.6(a)(i)(D), (E) and (F) herein but shall not have a duty to do any such
act unless specifically requested to do so in writing by the Sponsor, and
shall then be fully protected in acting pursuant to such written request;
and in the event of a conflict between the action of the Administrators and
the action of the Institutional Trustee, the action of the Institutional
Trustee shall prevail.
(b) So long as this Declaration remains in effect, the Trust (or the
Trustees or Administrators acting on behalf of the Trust) shall not undertake
any business, activities or transaction except as expressly provided herein or
contemplated hereby. In particular, neither the Trustees nor the Administrators
may cause the Trust to (i) acquire any investments or engage in any activities
not authorized by this Declaration, (ii) sell, assign, transfer, exchange,
mortgage, pledge, set-off or otherwise dispose of any of the Trust Property or
interests therein, including to Holders, except as expressly provided herein,
(iii) take any action that would reasonably be expected (x) to cause the Trust
to fail or cease to qualify as a "grantor trust" for United States federal
income tax purposes or (y) to require the trust to register as an Investment
Company under the Investment Company Act, (iv) incur any indebtedness for
borrowed money or issue any other debt or (v) take or consent to any action that
would result in the placement of a lien on any of the Trust Property. The
Institutional Trustee shall, at the sole cost and expense of the Trust, defend
all claims and demands of all Persons at any time claiming any lien on any of
the Trust Property adverse to the interest of the Trust or the Holders in their
capacity as Holders.
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(c) In connection with the issuance and sale of the Capital Securities, the
Sponsor shall have the right and responsibility to assist the Trust with respect
to, or effect on behalf of the Trust, the following (and any actions taken by
the Sponsor in furtherance of the following prior to the date of this
Declaration are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects):
(1) the taking of any action necessary to obtain an exemption from the
Securities Act;
(2) the determination of the States in which to take appropriate
action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Capital
Securities and the determination of any and all such acts, other than
actions which must be taken by or on behalf of the Trust, and the advice to
the Administrators of actions they must take on behalf of the Trust, and
the preparation for execution and filing of any documents to be executed
and filed by the Trust or on behalf of the Trust, as the Sponsor deems
necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any
such States in connection with the sale of the Capital Securities;
(3) the negotiation of the terms of, and the execution and delivery
of, the Placement Agreement providing for the sale of the Capital
Securities; and
(4) the taking of any other actions necessary or desirable to carry
out any of the foregoing activities.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrators and
the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities are
authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of the Trust and to operate the
Trust so that the Trust will not (i) be deemed to be an Investment Company
required to be registered under the Investment Company Act, and (ii) fail to be
classified as a "grantor trust" for United States federal income tax purposes.
The Administrators and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the
Common Securities shall not take any action inconsistent with the treatment of
the Debentures as indebtedness of the Debenture Issuer for United States federal
income tax purposes. In this connection, the Administrators and the Holders of a
Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities are authorized to take
any action, not inconsistent with applicable laws, the Certificate of Trust or
this Declaration, as amended from time to time, that each of the Administrators
and the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities
determines in their discretion to be necessary or desirable for such purposes.
(e) All expenses incurred by the Administrators or the Trustees pursuant to
this Section 2.6 shall be reimbursed by the Sponsor, and the Trustees and the
Administrators shall have no obligations with respect to such expenses (for
purposes of clarification, this Section 2.6(e) does not contemplate the payment
by the Sponsor of acceptance or annual administration fees owing to the Trustees
under this Declaration or the fees and expenses of the Trustees' counsel in
connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by this
Declaration).
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(f) The assets of the Trust shall consist of the Trust Property.
(g) Legal title to all Trust Property shall be vested at all times in the
Institutional Trustee (in its capacity as such) and shall be held and
administered by the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators for the benefit
of the Trust in accordance with this Declaration.
(h) If the Institutional Trustee or any Holder has instituted any
proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Declaration and such
proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been
determined adversely to the Institutional Trustee or to such Holder, then and in
every such case the Sponsor, the Institutional Trustee and the Holders shall,
subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and
respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and
remedies of the Institutional Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though
no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 2.7. Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Institutional
------------------------------------------------------------
Trustee.
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(a) The Trust shall not, and the Institutional 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 Institutional
Trustee shall cause the Trust not to:
(1) invest any proceeds received by the Trust from holding the
Debentures, but shall distribute all such proceeds to Holders of the
Securities pursuant to the terms of this Declaration and of the Securities;
(2) acquire any assets other than as expressly provided herein;
(3) possess Trust Property for other than a Trust purpose;
(4) make any loans or incur any indebtedness other than loans
represented by the Debentures;
(5) possess any power or otherwise act in such a way as to vary the
Trust assets or the terms of the Securities in any way whatsoever other
than as expressly provided herein;
(6) issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial ownership
of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the Securities;
(7) carry on any "trade or business" as that phrase is used in the
Code; or
(8) other than as provided in this Declaration (including Annex I),
(A) direct the time, method and place of exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (B)
waive any past default that is waivable under the Indenture, (C) exercise
any right to rescind or annul any declaration that the principal of all the
Debentures shall be due and payable, or (D) consent to any amendment,
modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures where such
consent shall be required unless the Trust shall have received a written
opinion of counsel to the effect that such modification will not cause the
Trust to cease to be classified as a "grantor trust" for United States
federal income tax purposes.
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Section 2.8. Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee.
-----------------------------------------------
(a) The legal title to the Debentures shall be owned by and held of record
in the name of the Institutional Trustee in trust for the benefit of the Trust
and the Holders of the Securities. The right, title and interest of the
Institutional Trustee to the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person
who may hereafter be appointed as Institutional Trustee in accordance with
Section 4.5. Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or
not conveyancing documents with regard to the Debentures have been executed and
delivered.
(b) The Institutional Trustee shall not transfer its right, title and
interest in the Debentures to the Administrators or to the Delaware Trustee.
(c) The Institutional Trustee shall:
(1) establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust
account (the "Property Account") in the name of and under the exclusive
control of the Institutional Trustee, and maintained in the Institutional
Trustee's trust department, 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 Institutional Trustee, deposit such funds into the Property
Account and make payments, or cause the Paying Agent to make payments, to
the Holders of the Capital Securities and Holders of the Common Securities
from the Property Account in accordance with Section 5.1. Funds in the
Property Account shall be held uninvested until disbursed in accordance
with this Declaration;
(2) engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or
appropriate to effect the redemption of the Capital Securities and the
Common Securities to the extent the Debentures are redeemed or mature; and
(3) upon written notice of distribution issued by the Administrators
in accordance with the terms of the Securities, engage in such ministerial
activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the distribution
of the Debentures to Holders of Securities upon the occurrence of certain
circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Securities.
(d) The Institutional Trustee may bring or defend, pay, collect,
compromise, arbitrate, resort to legal action with respect to, or otherwise
adjust claims or demands of or against, the Trust which arises out of or in
connection with an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the
Institutional Trustee has actual knowledge or arises out of the Institutional
Trustee's duties and obligations under this Declaration; provided, however, that
if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is
attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay interest or principal
on the Debentures on the date such interest or principal is otherwise payable
(or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), then a Holder of the
Capital Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of
payment to such Holder of the principal of or interest on the Debentures having
a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital
Securities of such Holder (a "Direct Action") on or after the respective due
date specified in the Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the
rights of the Holders of the Common Securities will be subrogated to the rights
of such Holder of the Capital Securities to the extent of any payment made by
the Debenture Issuer to such Holder of the Capital Securities in such Direct
Action; provided, however, that no Holder of the Common Securities may exercise
such right of subrogation so long as an Event of Default with respect to the
Capital Securities has occurred and is continuing.
(e) The Institutional Trustee shall continue to serve as a Trustee until
either:
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(1) the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds of the
liquidation distributed to the Holders of the Securities pursuant to the
terms of the Securities and this Declaration; or
(2) a Successor Institutional Trustee has been appointed and has
accepted that appointment in accordance with Section 4.5.
(f) The Institutional Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise all of
the rights, powers and privileges of a Holder of the Debentures under the
Indenture and, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the
Institutional Trustee may, 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 this Declaration (including Annex I) and the terms of the
Securities.
The Institutional Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this
Section 2.8 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of
the Trust set out in Section 2.3, and the Institutional Trustee shall not take
any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set
out in Section 2.3.
Section 2.9. Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustees and
------------------------------------------------------------
Administrators.
- ---------------
(a) The Institutional Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of
Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may
have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically
set forth in this Declaration and no implied covenants shall be read into this
Declaration against the Institutional Trustee. In case an Event of Default has
occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 6.8), the
Institutional Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it
by this Declaration, and use the same degree of care and skill in their
exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in
the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(b) The duties and responsibilities of the Trustees and the Administrators
shall be as provided by this Declaration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
provision of this Declaration shall require any Trustee or Administrator to
expend or risk their own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the
performance of any of their duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of their
rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment
of such funds or adequate protection against such risk of liability is not
reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every
provision of this Declaration relating to the conduct or affecting the liability
of or affording protection to the Trustees or Administrators shall be subject to
the provisions of this Article. Nothing in this Declaration shall be construed
to relieve an Administrator or a Trustee from liability for its own negligent
act, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct. To the
extent that, at law or in equity, a Trustee or an Administrator has duties and
liabilities relating to the Trust or to the Holders, such Trustee or such
Administrator shall not be liable to the Trust or to any Holder for such
Trustee's or such Administrator's 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 the Administrators or the Trustee
otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Sponsor and the
Holders to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Administrators or
the Trustees.
(c) All payments made by the Institutional Trustee or a Paying Agent in
respect of the Securities shall be made only from the revenue and proceeds from
the Trust Property and only to the extent that there shall be sufficient revenue
or proceeds from the Trust Property to enable the Institutional Trustee or a
Paying Agent to make payments in accordance with the terms hereof. Each Holder,
by its acceptance of a Security, agrees that it will look solely to the revenue
and proceeds from the Trust Property to the extent legally available for
distribution to it as herein provided and that the Trustees and the
Administrators are not personally liable to it for any amount distributable in
respect of any Security or for any other liability in respect of any Security.
This Section 2.9(c) does not limit the liability of the Trustees expressly set
forth elsewhere in this Declaration.
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(d) The Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for its own acts or
omissions hereunder except as a result of its own negligent action, its own
negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(1) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by an Authorized Officer of the Institutional
Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Institutional Trustee was
negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(2) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with
the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation
amount of the Capital Securities or the Common Securities, as applicable,
relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or
power conferred upon the Institutional Trustee under this Declaration;
(3) the Institutional Trustee's sole duty with respect to the custody,
safekeeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and the Property
Account shall be to deal with such property in a similar manner as the
Institutional Trustee deals with similar property for its fiduciary
accounts generally, subject to the protections and limitations on liability
afforded to the Institutional Trustee under this Declaration;
(4) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on
any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree in writing with
the Sponsor; and money held by the Institutional Trustee need not be
segregated from other funds held by it except in relation to the Property
Account maintained by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to Section
2.8(c)(1) and except to the extent otherwise required by law; and
(5) the Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring
the compliance by the Administrators or the Sponsor with their respective
duties under this Declaration, nor shall the Institutional Trustee be
liable for any default or misconduct of the Administrators or the Sponsor.
Section 2.10. Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee. Subject to the
-------------------------------------------
provisions of Section 2.9:
(a) the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely and shall fully be
protected in acting or refraining from acting in good faith upon any resolution,
opinion of counsel, certificate, written representation of a Holder or
transferee, certificate of auditors or any other certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
appraisal, 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;
(b) if (i) in performing its duties under this Declaration, the
Institutional Trustee is required to decide between alternative courses of
action, (ii) in construing any of the provisions of this Declaration, the
Institutional Trustee finds the same ambiguous or inconsistent with any other
provisions contained herein, or (iii) the Institutional Trustee is unsure of the
application of any provision of this Declaration, then, except as to any matter
as to which the Holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote under the
terms of this Declaration, the Institutional Trustee may deliver a notice to the
Sponsor requesting the Sponsor's written instructions as to the course of action
to be taken and the Institutional Trustee shall take such action, or refrain
from taking such action, as the Institutional Trustee shall be instructed in
writing, in which event the Institutional Trustee shall have no liability except
for its own negligence or willful misconduct;
15
(c) any direction or act of the Sponsor or the Administrators contemplated
by this Declaration shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate;
(d) whenever in the administration of this Declaration, the Institutional
Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before
undertaking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Institutional
Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may request
and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate as to factual matters which,
upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Sponsor or the
Administrators;
(e) the Institutional Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording,
filing or registration of any instrument (including any financing or
continuation statement or any filing under tax or securities laws) or any
rerecording, refiling or reregistration thereof;
(f) the Institutional Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection
(which counsel may be counsel to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates) and the
advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection
in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good
faith and in reliance thereon and in accordance with such advice; the
Institutional Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions
concerning the administration of this Declaration from any court of competent
jurisdiction;
(g) the Institutional Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any
of the rights or powers vested in it by this Declaration at the request or
direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Declaration, unless such
Holders shall have offered to the Institutional Trustee security or indemnity
reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which
might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction; provided,
that nothing contained in this Section 2.10(g) shall be taken to relieve the
Institutional Trustee, subject to Section 2.9(b), upon the occurrence of an
Event of Default (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 6.9), to
exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Declaration, and use
the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own
affairs;
(h) the Institutional Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation
into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond,
debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document,
unless requested in writing to do so by one or more Holders, but the
Institutional Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such
facts or matters as it may see fit;
(i) the Institutional 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 Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for
any misconduct or negligence on the part of or for the supervision of, any such
agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(j) whenever in the administration of this Declaration the Institutional
Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to
enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder the
Institutional Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of the
Capital Securities which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the
same proportion in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities as would be
entitled to direct the Institutional Trustee under the terms of the Capital
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 fully protected in acting in
accordance with such instructions;
16
(k) except as otherwise expressly provided in this Declaration, the
Institutional Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that
is discretionary under the provisions of this Declaration;
(l) when the Institutional Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in
connection with a Bankruptcy Event, such expenses (including the fees and
expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for such services are intended to
constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law or law relating
to creditors rights generally;
(m) the Institutional Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of an
Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee
obtains actual knowledge of such event or the Institutional Trustee receives
written notice of such event from any Holder, the Sponsor or the Debenture
Trustee;
(n) any action taken by the Institutional Trustee or its agents hereunder
shall bind the Trust and the Holders of the Securities, and the signature of the
Institutional Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to
perform any such action and no third party shall be required to inquire as to
the authority of the Institutional Trustee to so act or as to its compliance
with any of the terms and provisions of this Declaration, both of which shall be
conclusively evidenced by the Institutional Trustee's or its agent's taking such
action; and
(o) no provision of this Declaration shall be deemed to impose any duty or
obligation on the Institutional Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise
any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any
jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Institutional Trustee
shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to
perform any such act or acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty or
obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Institutional
Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.
Section 2.11. Delaware Trustee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Declaration other than Section 4.1, the Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled
to exercise any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties
and responsibilities of any of the Trustees or the Administrators described in
this Declaration (except as may be required under the Statutory Trust Act).
Except as set forth in Section 4.1, the Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for
the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of ss. 3807 of the
Statutory Trust Act.
Section 2.12. Execution of Documents. Unless otherwise determined in
writing by the Institutional Trustee, and except as otherwise required by the
Statutory Trust Act, the Institutional Trustee, or any one or more of the
Administrators, as the case may be, is authorized to execute on behalf of the
Trust any documents that the Trustees or the Administrators, as the case may be,
have the power and authority to execute pursuant to Section 2.6.
Section 2.13. 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
Debentures or the Securities.
Section 2.14. Duration of Trust. The Trust, unless earlier dissolved
pursuant to the provisions of Article VII hereof, shall be in existence for 35
years from the Closing Date.
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Section 2.15. 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 2.15(b) and (c) and except in connection with the
liquidation of the Trust and the distribution of the Debentures to Holders of
Securities pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(iv) of the Declaration or Section 4 of
Annex I.
(b) The Trust may, with the consent of the Institutional Trustee and
without the consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities, consolidate,
amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by a trust organized as such
under the laws of any state; provided that:
(1) if the Trust is not the surviving entity, 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 that the Successor Securities rank the same as the
Securities rank with respect to Distributions and payments upon
Liquidation, redemption and otherwise;
(2) the Sponsor expressly appoints a trustee of the Successor Entity
that possesses substantially the same powers and duties as the
Institutional Trustee as the Holder of the Debentures;
(3) 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;
(4) the Institutional Trustee receives written confirmation from
Moody's Investor Services, Inc. and any other nationally recognized
statistical rating organization that rates securities issued by the initial
purchaser of the Capital Securities that it will not reduce or withdraw the
rating of any such securities because of such merger, conversion,
consolidation, amalgamation or replacement;
(5) such Successor Entity has a purpose substantially identical to
that of the Trust;
(6) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement,
the Trust has received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent
counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect that:
(A) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does
not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the
Holders of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any
material respect;
(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
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(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;
(7) the Sponsor guarantees the obligations of such Successor Entity
under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the
Guarantee;
(8) the Sponsor owns 100% of the common securities of any Successor
Entity; and
(9) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement,
the Institutional Trustee shall have received an Officers' Certificate of
the Administrators and an opinion of counsel, each to the effect that all
conditions precedent under this Section 2.15(b) to such transaction have
been satisfied.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 2.15(b), the Trust shall not, except with the
consent of Holders of 100% in aggregate 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.
ARTICLE III.
SPONSOR
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Section 3.1. 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
Capital Securities are sold.
Section 3.2. Responsibilities of the Sponsor. In connection with the issue
and sale of the Capital Securities, the Sponsor shall have the exclusive right
and responsibility to engage in, or direct the Administrators to engage in, the
following activities:
(a) to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to qualify
the Trust or to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Capital
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, to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the
Capital Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the purposes for which it
was created; and
(b) to negotiate the terms of and/or execute on behalf of the Trust, the
Placement Agreement and other related agreements providing for the sale of the
Capital Securities.
Section 3.3. Expenses. In connection with the offering, sale and issuance
of the Debentures to the Trust and in connection with the sale of the Securities
by the Trust, the Sponsor, in its capacity as Debenture Issuer, shall:
(a) pay all reasonable costs and expenses owing to the Debenture Trustee
pursuant to Section 6.6 of the Indenture;
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(b) be responsible for and shall pay all debts and obligations (other than
with respect to the Securities) and all costs and expenses of the Trust, the
offering, sale and issuance of the Securities (including fees to the placement
agents in connection therewith), the costs and expenses (including reasonable
counsel fees and expenses) of the Institutional Trustee and the Administrators,
the costs and expenses relating to the operation of the Trust, including,
without limitation, costs and expenses of accountants, attorneys, statistical or
bookkeeping services, expenses for printing and engraving and computing or
accounting equipment, Paying Agents, Registrars, Transfer Agents, duplicating,
travel and telephone and other telecommunications expenses and costs and
expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition, financing, and disposition
of Trust assets and the enforcement by the Institutional Trustee of the rights
of the Holders (for purposes of clarification, this Section 3.3(b) does not
contemplate the payment by the Sponsor of acceptance or annual administration
fees owing to the Trustees pursuant to the services to be provided by the
Trustees under this Declaration or the fees and expenses of the Trustees'
counsel in connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by this
Declaration); and
(c) pay any and all taxes (other than United States withholding taxes
attributable to the Trust or its assets) and all liabilities, costs and expenses
with respect to such taxes of the Trust.
The Sponsor's obligations under this Section 3.3 shall be for the benefit
of, and shall be enforceable by, any Person to whom such debts, obligations,
costs, expenses and taxes are owed (a "Creditor") whether or not such Creditor
has received notice hereof. Any such Creditor may enforce the Sponsor's
obligations under this Section 3.3 directly against the Sponsor and the Sponsor
irrevocably waives any right or remedy to require that any such Creditor take
any action against the Trust or any other Person before proceeding against the
Sponsor. The Sponsor agrees to execute such additional agreements as may be
necessary or desirable in order to give full effect to the provisions of this
Section 3.3.
Section 3.4. Right to Proceed. The Sponsor acknowledges the rights of
Holders to institute a Direct Action as set forth in Section 2.8(d) hereto.
ARTICLE IV.
INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND ADMINISTRATORS
----------------------------------------
Section 4.1. Number of Trustees. The number of Trustees shall initially be
two, and;
(a) at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the Sponsor may, by
written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees; and
(b) after the issuance of any Securities, the number of Trustees may be
increased or decreased by vote of the Holder of a Majority in liquidation amount
of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holder of the
Common Securities; provided, however, that there shall be a Delaware Trustee if
required by Section 4.2; and there shall always be one Trustee who shall be the
Institutional Trustee, and such Trustee may also serve as Delaware Trustee if it
meets the applicable requirements, in which case Section 2.11 shall have no
application to such entity in its capacity as Institutional Trustee.
Section 4.2. Delaware Trustee; Eligibility.
------------------------------
(a) If required by the Statutory Trust Act, one Trustee (the "Delaware
Trustee") shall be:
(1) a natural person at least 21 years of age who is a resident of the
State of Delaware; or
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(2) if not a natural person, an entity which is organized under the
laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia,
has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise
meets the requirements of applicable law, including ss. 3807 of the
Statutory Trust Act.
(b) The initial Delaware Trustee shall be Wilmington Trust Company.
Section 4.3. Institutional Trustee; Eligibility.
-----------------------------------
(a) There shall at all times be one Trustee which shall:
(1) not be an Affiliate of the Sponsor;
(2) not offer or provide credit or credit enhancement to the Trust;
and
(3) be a banking corporation or trust company organized and doing
business under the laws of the United States of America or any state
thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise
corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least
50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000.00), and subject to supervision or
examination by Federal, state, 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 4.3(a)(3), the
combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its
combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of
condition so published.
(b) If at any time the Institutional Trustee shall cease to be eligible to
so act under Section 4.3(a), the Institutional Trustee shall immediately resign
in the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 4.5.
(c) If the Institutional Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting
interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended, the Institutional Trustee shall either eliminate such interest
or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to this
Declaration.
(d) The initial Institutional Trustee shall be Wilmington Trust Company.
Section 4.4. Administrators. Each Administrator shall be a U.S. Person, 21
years of age or older and authorized to bind the Sponsor. The initial
Administrators shall be Ayden R. Lee, Jr., Nancy S. Wise and Wanda J. Blow.
There shall at all times be at least one Administrator. Except where a
requirement for action by a specific number of Administrators is expressly set
forth in this Declaration and except with respect to any action the taking of
which is the subject of a meeting of the Administrators, any action required or
permitted to be taken by the Administrators may be taken by, and any power of
the Administrators may be exercised by, or with the consent of, any one such
Administrator.
Section 4.5. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees and
-----------------------------------------------------------
Administrators.
- ---------------
(a) No resignation or removal of any Trustee (the "Relevant Trustee") and
no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become
effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in
accordance with the applicable requirements of this Section 4.5.
(b) Subject to Section 4.5(a), a Relevant Trustee may resign at any time by
giving written notice thereof to the Holders of the Securities and by appointing
a successor Relevant Trustee. Upon the resignation of the Institutional Trustee,
the Institutional Trustee shall appoint a successor by requesting from at least
three Persons meeting the eligibility requirements their expenses and charges to
serve as the successor Institutional Trustee on a form provided by the
Administrators, and selecting the Person who agrees to the lowest expense and
charges (the "Successor Institutional Trustee"). If the instrument of acceptance
by the successor Relevant Trustee required by this Section 4.5 shall not have
been delivered to the Relevant Trustee within 60 days after the giving of such
notice of resignation or delivery of the instrument of removal, the Relevant
Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Trust, any federal, state or
District of Columbia court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a
successor Relevant Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such
notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Relevant Trustee. The
Institutional Trustee shall have no liability for the selection of such
successor pursuant to this Section 4.5.
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(c) Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, any
Trustee may be removed at any time by an act of the Holders of a Majority in
liquidation amount of the Common Securities. If any Trustee shall be so removed,
the Holders of the Common Securities, by act of the Holders of a Majority in
liquidation amount of the Common Securities delivered to the Relevant Trustee,
shall promptly appoint a successor Relevant Trustee, and such successor Trustee
shall comply with the applicable requirements of this Section 4.5. If an Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Institutional Trustee or
the Delaware Trustee, or both of them, may be removed by the act of the Holders
of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, delivered to the
Relevant Trustee (in its individual capacity and on behalf of the Trust). If any
Trustee shall be so removed, the Holders of Capital Securities, by act of the
Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities then
outstanding delivered to the Relevant Trustee, shall promptly appoint a
successor Relevant Trustee or Trustees, and such successor Trustee shall comply
with the applicable requirements of this Section 4.5. If no successor Relevant
Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Holders of a Majority in liquidation
amount of the Capital Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required
by this Section 4.5 within 30 days after delivery of an instrument of removal,
the Relevant Trustee or any Holder who has been a Holder of the Securities for
at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated,
petition any federal, state or District of Columbia court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Relevant Trustee. Such court may
thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint
a successor Relevant Trustee or Trustees.
(d) The Institutional Trustee shall give notice of each resignation and
each removal of a Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all
Holders and to the Sponsor. Each notice shall include the name of the successor
Relevant Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office if it is the
Institutional Trustee.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this
Declaration, in the event a Delaware Trustee who is a natural person dies or is
adjudged by a court to have become incompetent or incapacitated, the vacancy
created by such death, incompetence or incapacity may be filled by the
Institutional Trustee following the procedures in this Section 4.5 (with the
successor being a Person who satisfies the eligibility requirement for a
Delaware Trustee set forth in this Declaration) (the "Successor Delaware
Trustee").
(f) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Relevant Trustee,
the retiring Relevant Trustee and each successor Relevant Trustee with respect
to the Securities shall execute and deliver an amendment hereto wherein each
successor Relevant Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (a) shall
contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and
confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Relevant Trustee all the rights,
powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Relevant Trustee with respect to the
Securities and the Trust and (b) shall add to or change any of the provisions of
this Declaration as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the
administration of the Trust by more than one Relevant Trustee, it being
understood that nothing herein or in such amendment shall constitute such
Relevant Trustees co-trustees and upon the execution and delivery of such
amendment the resignation or removal of the retiring Relevant Trustee shall
become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Relevant
Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with
all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Relevant Trustee; but,
on request of the Trust or any successor Relevant Trustee, such retiring
Relevant Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor
Relevant Trustee all Trust Property, all proceeds thereof and money held by such
retiring Relevant Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities and the Trust
subject to the payment of all unpaid fees, expenses and indemnities of such
retiring Relevant Trustee.
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(g) No Institutional Trustee or Delaware Trustee shall be liable for the
acts or omissions to act of any Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor
Delaware Trustee, as the case may be.
(h) The Holders of the Capital Securities will have no right to vote to
appoint, remove or replace the Administrators, which voting rights are vested
exclusively in the Holders of the Common Securities.
(i) Any successor Delaware Trustee shall file an amendment to the
Certificate of Trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
identifying the name and principal place of business of such Delaware Trustee in
the State of Delaware.
Section 4.6. Vacancies Among Trustees. If a Trustee ceases to hold office
for any reason and the number of Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section
4.1, a vacancy shall occur. A resolution certifying the existence of such
vacancy by the Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the
Trustees, shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The
vacancy shall be filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 4.5.
Section 4.7. 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 dissolve, terminate or
annul the Trust or terminate this Declaration. Whenever a vacancy in the number
of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of a
Trustee in accordance with Section 4.5, the Institutional Trustee shall have all
the powers granted to the Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed
upon the Trustees by this Declaration.
Section 4.8. Meetings of the Trustees and the Administrators. Meetings of
the Administrators shall be held from time to time upon the call of an
Administrator. Regular meetings of the Administrators may be held in person in
the United States or by telephone, at a place (if applicable) and time fixed by
resolution of the Administrators. Notice of any in-person meetings of the
Trustees with the Administrators or meetings of the Administrators 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 Trustees with the Administrators or meetings of
the Administrators or any committee thereof shall be hand delivered or otherwise
delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight
courier) not less than 24 hours before a meeting. Notices shall contain a brief
statement of the time, place and anticipated purposes of the meeting. The
presence (whether in person or by telephone) of a Trustee or an Administrator,
as the case may be, at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such
meeting except where the Trustee or an Administrator, as the case may be,
attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any
activity on the grounds that the meeting has not been lawfully called or
convened. Unless provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the
Trustees or the Administrators, as the case may be, may be taken at a meeting by
vote of a majority of the Trustees or the Administrators 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 Trustees or the Administrators. Meetings of the Trustees and the
Administrators together shall be held from time to time upon the call of any
Trustee or an Administrator.
23
Section 4.9. Delegation of Power.
--------------------
(a) Any Administrator may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable
law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 that is a U.S.
Person his or her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated
in Section 2.6; and
(b) the Administrators shall have power to delegate from time to time to
such of their number the doing of such things and the execution of such
instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names of the Administrators
or otherwise as the Administrators may deem expedient, to the extent such
delegation is not prohibited by applicable law or contrary to the provisions of
the Trust, as set forth herein.
Section 4.10. Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any
Person into which the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee may be
merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person
resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the
Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee shall be a party, or any Person
succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the
Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee shall be the successor of the
Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee hereunder, provided such Person
shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article and, provided,
further, that such Person shall file an amendment to the Certificate of Trust
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as contemplated in Section
4.5(i).
ARTICLE V.
DISTRIBUTIONS
-------------
Section 5.1. Distributions. Holders shall receive Distributions in
accordance with the applicable terms of the relevant Holder's Securities.
Distributions shall be made on the Capital 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 or any
principal on the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional
Trustee shall and is directed, to the extent funds are available for that
purpose, to make a distribution (a "Distribution") of such amounts to Holders.
ARTICLE VI.
ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES
----------------------
Section 6.1. General Provisions Regarding Securities.
----------------------------------------
(a) The Administrators shall, on behalf of the Trust, issue one series of
capital securities substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as
are set forth in Annex I and one series of common securities representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as
are set forth in Annex I. The Trust shall issue no securities or other interests
in the assets of the Trust other than the Capital Securities and the Common
Securities. The Capital Securities rank pari passu to, and payment thereon shall
be made Pro Rata with, the Common Securities except that, where an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, the rights of Holders of the Common
Securities to payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon liquidation,
redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights to payment of the
Holders of the Capital Securities as set forth in Annex I.
24
(b) The Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by one or more
Administrators. Such signature shall be the facsimile or manual signature of any
Administrator. In case any Administrator of the Trust who shall have signed any
of the Securities shall cease to be such Administrator 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 Administrator, and any Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Trust by
such persons who, at the actual date of execution of such Security, shall be an
Administrator of the Trust, although at the date of the execution and delivery
of the Declaration any such person was not such an Administrator. A Capital
Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the facsimile or manual
signature of an Authorized Officer of the Institutional Trustee. Such signature
shall be conclusive evidence that the Capital Security has been authenticated
under this Declaration. Upon written order of the Trust signed by one
Administrator, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate the Capital
Securities for original issue. The Institutional Trustee may appoint an
authenticating agent that is a U.S. Person acceptable to the Trust to
authenticate the Capital Securities. A Common Security need not be so
authenticated.
(c) The Capital Securities issued to QIBs shall be, except as provided in
Section 6.4, Book-Entry Capital Securities issued in the form of one or more
Global Capital Securities registered in the name of the Depositary or its
nominee and deposited with the Depositary or a custodian for the Depositary for
credit by the Depositary to the respective accounts of the Depositary
Participants thereof (or such other accounts as they may direct). The Capital
Securities issued to a Person other than a QIB shall be issued in the form of a
Definitive Capital Securities Certificate.
(d) 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.
(e) Upon issuance of the Securities as provided in this Declaration, the
Securities so issued shall be deemed to be validly issued, fully paid and,
except as provided in Section 9.1(b) with respect to the Common Securities,
non-assessable.
(f) Every Person, by virtue of having become a Holder 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
Guarantee.
Section 6.2. Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar. The Trust shall
maintain in Wilmington, Delaware, an office or agency where the Capital
Securities may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent"), and an office or
agency where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or
exchange (the "Transfer Agent"). The Trust shall keep or cause to be kept at
such office or agency a register for the purpose of registering Securities,
transfers and exchanges of Securities, such register to be held by a registrar
(the "Registrar"). The Administrators may appoint the Paying Agent, the
Registrar and the Transfer Agent and may appoint one or more additional Paying
Agents or one or more co-Registrars, or one or more co-Transfer Agents in such
other locations as it shall determine. The term "Paying Agent" includes any
additional paying agent, the term "Registrar" includes any additional registrar
or co-Registrar and the term "Transfer Agent" includes any additional transfer
agent. The Administrators may change any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or
Registrar at any time without prior notice to any Holder. The Administrators
shall notify the Institutional Trustee of the name and address of any Paying
Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar not a party to this Declaration. The
Administrators hereby initially appoint the Institutional Trustee to act as
Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Capital Securities and the
Common Securities. The Institutional Trustee or any of its Affiliates in the
United States may act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar.
Section 6.3. Form and Dating. The Capital Securities and the Institutional
Trustee's certificate of authentication thereon shall be substantially in the
form of Exhibit A-1, and the Common Securities shall be substantially in the
form of Exhibit A-2, each of which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made
a part of this Declaration. Certificates may be typed, printed, lithographed or
engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to
the Administrators, as conclusively evidenced by their execution thereof. The
Securities may have letters, numbers, notations or other marks of identification
or designation and such legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange
rule, agreements to which the Trust is subject if any, or usage (provided that
any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the
Sponsor). The Trust at the direction of the Sponsor shall furnish any such
legend not contained in Exhibit A-1 to the Institutional Trustee in writing.
Each Capital Security shall be dated on or before the date of its
authentication. The terms and provisions of the Securities set forth in Annex I
and the forms of Securities set forth in Exhibits A-1 and A-2 are part of the
terms of this Declaration and to the extent applicable, the Institutional
Trustee, the Delaware Trustee, the Administrators and the Sponsor, by their
execution and delivery of this Declaration, expressly agree to such terms and
provisions and to be bound thereby. Capital Securities will be issued only in
blocks having a stated liquidation amount of not less than $100,000.00 and any
multiple of $1,000.00 in excess thereof.
25
The Capital Securities are being offered and sold by the Trust pursuant to
the Placement Agreement in definitive, registered form without coupons and with
the Restricted Securities Legend.
Section 6.4. Book-Entry Capital Securities.
------------------------------
(a) A Global Capital Security may be exchanged, in whole or in part, for
Definitive Capital Securities Certificates registered in the names of Owners
only if such exchange complies with Article VIII and (i) the Depositary advises
the Administrators and the Institutional Trustee in writing that the Depositary
is no longer willing or able to properly discharge its responsibilities with
respect to the Global Capital Security, and no qualified successor is appointed
by the Administrators within ninety (90) days of receipt of such notice, (ii)
the Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act
and the Administrators fail to appoint a qualified successor within ninety (90)
days of obtaining knowledge of such event, (iii) the Administrators at their
option advise the Institutional Trustee in writing that the Trust elects to
terminate the book-entry system through the Depositary, or (iv) an Indenture
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Upon the occurrence of any
event specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, the Administrators
shall notify the Depositary and instruct the Depositary to notify all Owners of
Book-Entry Capital Securities and the Institutional Trustee of the occurrence of
such event and of the availability of Definitive Capital Securities Certificates
to Owners of the Capital Securities requesting the same. Upon the issuance of
Definitive Capital Securities Certificates, the Administrators and the
Institutional Trustee shall recognize the Holders of the Definitive Capital
Securities Certificates as Holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Owner
of a beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security wishes at any time to
transfer an interest in such Global Capital Security to a Person other than a
QIB, such transfer shall be effected, subject to the Applicable Depositary
Procedures, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.4 and Article
VIII, and the transferee shall receive a Definitive Capital Securities
Certificate in connection with such transfer. A holder of a Definitive Capital
Securities Certificate that is a QIB may upon request, and in accordance with
the provisions of this Section 6.4 and Article VIII, exchange such Definitive
Capital Securities Certificate for a beneficial interest in a Global Capital
Security.
(b) If any Global Capital Security is to be exchanged for Definitive
Capital Securities Certificates or canceled in part, or if any Definitive
Capital Securities Certificate is to be exchanged in whole or in part for any
Global Capital Security, then either (i) such Global Capital Security shall be
so surrendered for exchange or cancellation as provided in this Section 6.4 and
Article VIII or (ii) the aggregate liquidation amount represented by such Global
Capital Security shall be reduced, subject to Section 6.3, or increased by an
amount equal to the liquidation amount represented by that portion of the Global
Capital Security to be so exchanged or canceled, or equal to the liquidation
amount represented by such Definitive Capital Securities Certificates to be so
exchanged for any Global Capital Security, as the case may be, by means of an
appropriate adjustment made on the records of the Registrar, whereupon the
Institutional Trustee, in accordance with the Applicable Depositary Procedures,
shall instruct the Depositary or its authorized representative to make a
corresponding adjustment to its records. Upon any such surrender to the
Administrators or the Registrar of any Global Capital Security or Securities by
the Depositary, accompanied by registration instructions, the Administrators, or
any one of them, shall execute the Definitive Capital Securities Certificates in
accordance with the instructions of the Depositary. None of the Registrar,
Administrators, or the Institutional Trustee shall be liable for any delay in
delivery of such instructions and may conclusively rely on, and shall be fully
protected in relying on, such instructions.
26
(c) Every Definitive Capital Securities Certificate executed and delivered
upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global
Capital Security or any portion thereof shall be executed and delivered in the
form of, and shall be, a Global Capital Security, unless such Definitive Capital
Securities Certificate is registered in the name of a Person other than the
Depositary for such Global Capital Security or a nominee thereof.
(d) The Depositary or its nominee, as registered owner of a Global Capital
Security, shall be the Holder of such Global Capital Security for all purposes
under this Declaration and the Global Capital Security, and Owners with respect
to a Global Capital Security shall hold such interests pursuant to the
Applicable Depositary Procedures. The Registrar, the Administrators and the
Institutional Trustee shall be entitled to deal with the Depositary for all
purposes of this Declaration relating to the Global Capital Securities
(including the payment of the liquidation amount of and Distributions on the
Book-Entry Capital Securities represented thereby and the giving of instructions
or directions by Owners of Book-Entry Capital Securities represented thereby and
the giving of notices) as the sole Holder of the Book-Entry Capital Securities
represented thereby and shall have no obligations to the Owners thereof. None of
the Administrators, the Institutional Trustee nor the Registrar shall have any
liability in respect of any transfers effected by the Depositary.
(e) The rights of the Owners of the Book-Entry Capital Securities shall be
exercised only through the Depositary and shall be limited to those established
by law, the Applicable Depositary Procedures and agreements between such Owners
and the Depositary and/or the Depositary Participants; provided, however, solely
for the purpose of determining whether the Holders of the requisite amount of
Capital Securities have voted on any matter provided for in this Declaration, to
the extent that Capital Securities are represented by a Global Capital Security,
the Administrators and the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely on, and
shall be fully protected in relying on, any written instrument (including a
proxy) delivered to the Institutional Trustee by the Depositary setting forth
the Owners' votes or assigning the right to vote on any matter to any other
Persons either in whole or in part. To the extent that Capital Securities are
represented by a Global Capital Security, the initial Depositary will make
book-entry transfers among the Depositary Participants and receive and transmit
payments on the Capital Securities that are represented by a Global Capital
Security to such Depositary Participants, and none of the Sponsor, the
Administrators or the Institutional Trustee shall have any responsibility or
obligation with respect thereto.
(f) To the extent that a notice or other communication to the Holders is
required under this Declaration, for so long as Capital Securities are
represented by a Global Capital Security, the Administrator and the
Institutional Trustee shall give all such notices and communications to the
Depositary, and shall have no obligations to the Owners.
Section 6.5. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.
--------------------------------------------------
27
If:
(a) any mutilated Certificates should be surrendered to the Registrar, or
if the Registrar shall receive evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction,
loss or theft of any Certificate; and
(b) there shall be delivered to the Registrar, the Administrators and the
Institutional Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to
keep each of them harmless;
then, in the absence of notice that such Certificate shall have been acquired by
a protected purchaser, an Administrator on behalf of the Trust shall execute
(and in the case of a Capital Security Certificate, the Institutional Trustee
shall authenticate) 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 6.5, the Registrar or the Administrators 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.
Section 6.6. Temporary Securities. Until definitive Securities are ready
for delivery, the Administrators may prepare and, in the case of the Capital
Securities, the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate, temporary Securities.
Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities
but may have variations that the Administrators consider appropriate for
temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Administrators shall
prepare and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the Institutional Trustee
shall authenticate, definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities.
Section 6.7. Cancellation. The Administrators at any time may deliver
Securities to the Institutional Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar shall
forward to the Institutional Trustee any Securities surrendered to it for
registration of transfer, redemption or payment. The Institutional Trustee shall
promptly cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer,
payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such canceled
Securities as the Administrators direct. The Administrators may not issue new
Securities to replace Securities that have been paid or that have been delivered
to the Institutional Trustee for cancellation.
Section 6.8. CUSIP Numbers. The Trust in issuing the Securities may use
"CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Institutional
Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notice of redemption as a convenience to
Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no
representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed
on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and that
identification numbers printed on the Securities and any such redemption shall
not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Trust shall
promptly notify the Institutional Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP
numbers.
Section 6.9. Rights of Holders; Waivers of Past Defaults.
(a) The legal title to the Trust Property is vested exclusively in the
Institutional Trustee (in its capacity as such) in accordance with Section 2.5,
and the Holders shall not have any right or title therein other than the
undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust conferred by their
Securities and they shall have no right to call for any partition or division of
property, profits or rights of the Trust except as described below. The
Securities shall be personal property giving only the rights specifically set
forth therein and in this Declaration. The Securities shall have no preemptive
or similar rights.
(b) For so long as any Capital Securities remain outstanding, if upon an
Acceleration Event of Default, the Debenture Trustee fails or the holders of not
less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Debentures fail to declare
the principal of all of the Debentures to be immediately due and payable, the
Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities then
outstanding shall have the right to make such declaration by a notice in writing
to the Institutional Trustee, the Sponsor and the Debenture Trustee.
28
At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the
Debentures has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the
money due has been obtained by the Debenture Trustee as provided in the
Indenture, if the Institutional Trustee, subject to the provisions hereof, fails
to annul any such declaration and waive such default, the Holders of a Majority
in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, by written notice to the
Institutional Trustee, the Sponsor and the Debenture Trustee, may rescind and
annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(1) the Debenture Issuer has paid or deposited with the Debenture Trustee a
sum sufficient to pay
(A) all overdue installments of interest on all of the Debentures,
(B) any accrued Additional Interest on all of the Debentures,
(C) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Debentures that
have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and
interest and Additional Interest thereon at the rate borne by the
Debentures, and
(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Debenture Trustee under the
Indenture and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and
advances of the Debenture Trustee and the Institutional Trustee, their
agents and counsel; and
(2) all Events of Default with respect to the Debentures, other than the
non-payment of the principal of the Debentures that has become due solely by
such acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.7 of the
Indenture.
The Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital
Securities may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Capital Securities, waive
any past default under the Indenture or any Indenture Event of Default, except a
default or Indenture Event of Default in the payment of principal or interest on
the Debentures (unless such default or Indenture Event of Default has been cured
and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal
due otherwise than by acceleration has been deposited with the Debenture
Trustee) or a default under the Indenture or an Indenture Event of Default in
respect of a covenant or provision that under the Indenture cannot be modified
or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debenture. No
such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereon.
Upon receipt by the Institutional Trustee of written notice declaring such
an acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, by Holders of any part of
the Capital Securities, a record date shall be established for determining
Holders of outstanding Capital Securities entitled to join in such notice, which
record date shall be at the close of business on the day the Institutional
Trustee receives such notice. The Holders on such record date, or their duly
designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to join in such
notice, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date;
provided, that unless such declaration of acceleration, or rescission and
annulment, as the case may be, shall have become effective by virtue of the
requisite percentage having joined in such notice prior to the day that is 90
days after such record date, such notice of declaration of acceleration, or
rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall automatically and without
further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect. Nothing in
this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy of a Holder, from giving,
after expiration of such 90-day period, a new written notice of declaration of
acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, as the case may be, that is
identical to a written notice that has been canceled pursuant to the proviso to
the preceding sentence, in which event a new record date shall be established
pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.8.
29
(c) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section
6.8, the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital
Securities may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Capital Securities, waive
any past default or Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any
such default or Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any default or Event
of Default 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 or impair any right consequent thereon.
ARTICLE VII.
DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST
------------------------------------
Section 7.1. Dissolution and Termination of Trust.
-------------------------------------
(a) The Trust shall dissolve on the first to occur of:
(1) unless earlier dissolved, on June 15, 2041, the expiration of the
term of the Trust;
(2) upon a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Sponsor, the Trust or
the Debenture Issuer;
(3) upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent
with respect to the Sponsor (other than in connection with a merger,
consolidation or similar transaction not prohibited by the Indenture, this
Declaration or the Guarantee, as the case may be) or upon the revocation of
the charter of the Sponsor and the expiration of 90 days after the date of
revocation without a reinstatement thereof;
(4) upon the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of the
Securities, upon exercise of the right of the Holder of all of the
outstanding Common Securities to dissolve the Trust as provided in Annex I
hereto;
(5) upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Holder
of the Common Securities, the Sponsor, the Trust or the Debenture Issuer;
(6) 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; or
(7) before the issuance of any Securities, with the consent of all of
the Trustees and the Sponsor.
(b) As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred to
in Section 7.1(a), and after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the
Trust as required by applicable law, including of the Statutory Trust Act, and
subject to the terms set forth in Annex I, the Institutional Trustee shall
terminate the Trust by filing a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware.
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(c) The provisions of Section 2.9 and Article IX shall survive the
termination of the Trust.
ARTICLE VIII.
TRANSFER OF INTERESTS
---------------------
Section 8.1. General.
(a) Subject to Section 8.1(c), where Capital Securities are presented to
the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to
exchange them for an equal number of Capital Securities represented by different
certificates, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if
its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of
transfer and exchanges, the Trust shall issue and the Institutional Trustee
shall authenticate Capital Securities at the Registrar's request.
(b) Upon issuance of the Common Securities, the Sponsor shall acquire and
retain beneficial and record ownership of the Common Securities and for so long
as the Securities remain outstanding, and to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, the Sponsor shall maintain 100% ownership of the Common
Securities; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the Sponsor, in
its capacity as Debenture Issuer, under the Indenture that is a U.S. Person may
succeed to the Sponsor's ownership of the Common Securities.
(c) Capital 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. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
any transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance with
this Declaration shall be null and void and will be deemed to be of no legal
effect whatsoever and any such transferee shall be deemed not to be the holder
of such Capital Securities for any purpose, including but not limited to the
receipt of Distributions on such Capital Securities, and such transferee shall
be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such Capital Securities.
(d) The Registrar shall provide for the registration of Securities and of
transfers of Securities, which will be effected without charge but only upon
payment (with such indemnity as the Registrar may require) in respect of any tax
or other governmental charges that may be imposed in relation to it. Upon
surrender for registration of transfer of any Securities, the Registrar shall
cause one or more new Securities of the same tenor to be issued in the name of
the designated transferee or transferees. Every Security surrendered for
registration of transfer shall be accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by the Holder or
such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing. Each Security surrendered for
registration of transfer shall be canceled by the Institutional Trustee pursuant
to Section 6.7. A transferee of a Security shall be entitled to the rights and
subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by such
transferee of a Security. By acceptance of a Security, each transferee shall be
deemed to have agreed to be bound by this Declaration.
(e) The Trust shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of,
or exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business
fifteen days before the day of any selection of Securities for redemption and
ending at the close of business on the earliest date on which the relevant
notice of redemption is deemed to have been given to all Holders of the
Securities to be redeemed, or (ii) to register the transfer or exchange of any
Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed
portion of any Security being redeemed in part.
31
Section 8.2. Transfer Procedures and Restrictions.
-------------------------------------
(a) The Capital Securities shall bear the Restricted Securities Legend,
which shall not be removed unless there is delivered to the Trust such
satisfactory evidence, which may include an opinion of counsel satisfactory to
the Institutional Trustee, as may be reasonably required by the Trust, that
neither the legend nor the restrictions on transfer set forth therein are
required to ensure that transfers thereof comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act. Upon provision of such satisfactory evidence, the Institutional
Trustee, at the written direction of the Trust, shall authenticate and deliver
Capital Securities that do not bear the legend.
(b) Except as permitted by Section 8.2(a), each Capital Security shall bear
a legend (the "Restricted Securities Legend") in substantially the following
form and a Capital Security shall not be transferred except in compliance with
such legend, unless otherwise determined by the Sponsor, upon the advice of
counsel expert in securities law, in accordance with applicable law:
[If the Capital Security is to be Global Capital Security- THIS
CAPITAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE DECLARATION
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY
TRUST COMPANY ("DTC") OR A NOMINEE OF DTC. THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS
EXCHANGEABLE FOR CAPITAL SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON
OTHER THAN DTC OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED
IN THE DECLARATION, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY (OTHER THAN A
TRANSFER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY DTC TO A NOMINEE OF DTC OR
BY A NOMINEE OF DTC TO DTC OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC) MAY BE REGISTERED
EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
UNLESS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC TO FOUR OAKS STATUTORY TRUST I OR ITS AGENT FOR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CAPITAL SECURITY
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS
MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE
OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED
OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY
OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR
PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED,
PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH
REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO,
THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE
STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF
AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE
SPONSOR OR THE TRUST, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS
BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE
SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A
TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY
IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A,
(D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE
903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,
(E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" WITHIN THE MEANING OF
SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING
THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A
VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN
VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE
EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT
TO THE SPONSOR'S AND THE TRUST'S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR
TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION
AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE DECLARATION OF TRUST, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SPONSOR
OR THE TRUST. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE
CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.
32
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES,
REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE")
(EACH A "PLAN"), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE "PLAN ASSETS"
BY REASON OF ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING
"PLAN ASSETS" OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY
INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE
RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION
CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE
EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY
SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH
PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES OR ANY
INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND
HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN
THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF
THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE
ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR
(ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER
SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO
APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.
33
THIS SECURITY WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS
HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 (100 SECURITIES)
AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF
SECURITIES IN A BLOCK HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000.00
SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE
FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
(c) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trust shall
execute and the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate Capital Securities at
the Registrar's request.
(d) Registrations of transfers or exchanges will be effected without
charge, but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Registrar or the
Sponsor may require) in respect of any tax or other governmental charge that may
be imposed in relation to it.
(e) All Capital Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or
exchange pursuant to the terms of this Declaration shall evidence the same
security and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Declaration as
the Capital Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or
exchange.
Section 8.3. Deemed Security Holders. The Trust, the Administrators, the
Trustees, the Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent or the Registrar 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, the Administrators, the Trustees, the
Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent or the Registrar shall have actual or other
notice thereof.
ARTICLE IX.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
--------------------------
HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE OR OTHERS
------------------------------------------------------
Section 9.1. Liability.
----------
(a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the Guarantee and
the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor shall not be:
(1) 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; or
(2) required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder of the Securities
any deficit upon dissolution of the Trust or otherwise.
34
(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 the Statutory Trust Act, the Holders of the Capital
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 9.2. Exculpation.
------------
(a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in
damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or
claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such
Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such
Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority
conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration or by law, except that
an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim
incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's negligence or willful misconduct
with respect to such acts or omissions.
(b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith
upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports or
statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified
Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert
competence and, if selected by such Indemnified Person, has been selected by
such Indemnified Person 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 9.3. 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, are agreed by the
parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Indemnified
Person.
(b) Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted or
required to make a decision:
(1) 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
(2) 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 9.4. Indemnification.
----------------
(a) The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any
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) arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or
administration of this Declaration by reason of the fact that he is or was an
Indemnified Person against expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and
expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if
he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order,
settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent,
shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the 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.
35
(b) The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any
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 arising out of or in connection with
the acceptance or administration of this Declaration by reason of the fact that
he is or was an Indemnified Person against expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in
good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the Trust; provided, however, that no such indemnification
shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such
Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Trust unless and
only to the extent that 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 shall deem proper.
(c) To the extent that an Indemnified Person shall be successful on the
merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an action without prejudice or the
settlement of an action without admission of liability) in defense of any
action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section
9.4, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be
indemnified, to the full extent permitted by law, against expenses (including
attorneys' fees and expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection therewith.
(d) Any indemnification of an Administrator under paragraphs (a) and (b) of
this Section 9.4 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Sponsor only
as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of
the Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances because he has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b). Such
determination shall be made (i) by the Administrators by a majority vote of a
Quorum consisting of such Administrators who were not parties to such action,
suit or proceeding, (ii) if such a Quorum is not obtainable, or, even if
obtainable, if a Quorum of disinterested Administrators so directs, by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (iii) by the Common Security
Holder of the Trust.
(e) To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnified Person in defending a
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding
referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 9.4 shall be paid by the
Sponsor in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding
upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person to
repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled
to be indemnified by the Sponsor as authorized in this Section 9.4.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made by the Sponsor if a
determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by the Administrators by a
majority vote of a Quorum of disinterested Administrators, (ii) if such a Quorum
is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested
Administrators so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or
(iii) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust, that, based upon the facts
known to the Administrators, counsel or the Common Security Holder at the time
such determination is made, such Indemnified Person acted in bad faith or in a
manner that such Indemnified Person did not believe to be in the best interests
of the Trust, or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that such 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 Administrators,
independent legal counsel or the Common Security Holder reasonably determine
that such Indemnified Person deliberately breached his duty to the Trust or its
Common or Capital Security Holders.
36
(f) The Trustees, at the sole cost and expense of the Sponsor, retain the
right to representation by counsel of their own choosing in any action, suit or
any other proceeding for which they are indemnified under paragraphs (a) and (b)
of this Section 9.4, without affecting their right to indemnification hereunder
or waiving any rights afforded to it under this Declaration or applicable law.
(g) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted
pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section 9.4 shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification and
advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors of the Sponsor or Capital 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 9.4 shall be deemed to be provided by a
contract between the Sponsor and each Indemnified Person who serves in such
capacity at any time while this Section 9.4 is in effect. Any repeal or
modification of this Section 9.4 shall not affect any rights or obligations then
existing.
(h) The Sponsor or the Trust may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf
of any Person who is or was an Indemnified Person against any liability asserted
against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his
status as such, whether or not the Sponsor would have the power to indemnify him
against such liability under the provisions of this Section 9.4.
(i) For purposes of this Section 9.4, 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
9.4 with respect to the resulting or surviving entity as he would have with
respect to such constituent entity if its separate existence had continued.
(j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted
pursuant to, this Section 9.4 shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized
or ratified, (i) continue as to a Person who has ceased to be an Indemnified
Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators
of such a Person; and (ii) survive the termination or expiration of this
Declaration or the earlier removal or resignation of an Indemnified Person.
Section 9.5. Outside Businesses. Any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the
Delaware Trustee and the Institutional Trustee may engage in or possess an
interest in other business ventures of any nature or description, independently
or with others, similar or dissimilar to the business of the Trust, and the
Trust and the Holders of Securities shall have no rights by virtue of this
Declaration in and to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived
therefrom, and the pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the
business of the Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper. None of any
Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee or the Institutional Trustee
shall be obligated to present any particular investment or other opportunity to
the Trust even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the
Trust, could be taken by the Trust, and any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the
Delaware Trustee and the Institutional Trustee shall have the right to take for
its own account (individually or as a partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to
others any such particular investment or other opportunity. Any Covered Person,
the Delaware Trustee and the Institutional Trustee may engage or be interested
in any financial or other transaction with the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the
Sponsor, or may act as depositary for, trustee or agent for, or act on any
committee or body of holders of, securities or other obligations of the Sponsor
or its Affiliates.
37
Section 9.6. Compensation; Fee. The Sponsor agrees:
------------------
(a) to pay to the Trustees from time to time such compensation for all
services rendered by them hereunder as the parties shall agree from time to time
(which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to
the compensation of a trustee of an express trust); and
(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the
Trustees upon request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances
incurred or made by the Trustees in accordance with any provision of this
Declaration (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and
disbursements of their respective agents and counsel), except any such expense,
disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct.
For purposes of clarification, this Section 9.6 does not contemplate the
payment by the Sponsor of acceptance or annual administration fees owing to the
Trustees under this Declaration or the fees and expenses of the Trustees'
counsel in connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by this
Declaration.
The provisions of this Section 9.6 shall survive the dissolution of the
Trust and the termination of this Declaration and the removal or resignation of
any Trustee.
No Trustee may claim any lien or charge on any property of the Trust as a
result of any amount due pursuant to this Section 9.6.
ARTICLE X.
ACCOUNTING
----------
Section 10.1. 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 10.2. Certain Accounting Matters.
(a) At all times during the existence of the Trust, the Administrators
shall keep, or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Trust in the
United States, as defined for purposes of Treasury Regulations section
301.7701-7, 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, at the Sponsor's expense, in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. The books of account and
the records of the Trust shall be examined by and reported upon (either
separately or as part of the Sponsor's regularly prepared consolidated financial
report) as of the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust by a firm of independent
certified public accountants selected by the Administrators.
(b) The Administrators shall cause to be duly prepared and delivered to
each of the Holders of Securities Form 1099 or such other 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 Administrators shall endeavor
to deliver all such statements within 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Year
of the Trust.
38
(c) The Administrators, at the Sponsor's expense, shall cause to be duly
prepared at the principal office of the Sponsor in the United States, as `United
States' is defined in Section 7701(a)(9) of the Code (or at the principal office
of the Trust if the Sponsor has no such principal office in the United States),
and filed an annual United States federal income tax return on a Form 1041 or
such other form required by United States federal income tax law, and any other
annual income tax returns required to be filed by the Administrators on behalf
of the Trust with any state or local taxing authority.
Section 10.3. Banking. The Trust shall maintain in the United States, as
defined for purposes of Treasury Regulations section 301.7701-7, 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
Institutional Trustee shall be made directly to the Property Account and no
other funds of the Trust shall be deposited in the Property Account. The sole
signatories for such accounts (including the Property Account) shall be
designated by the Institutional Trustee.
Section 10.4. Withholding. The Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent
and the Administrators shall comply with all withholding requirements under
United States federal, state and local law. The Institutional Trustee or any
Paying Agent shall request, and each Holder shall provide to the Institutional
Trustee or any Paying Agent, such forms or certificates as are necessary to
establish an exemption from withholding with respect to the Holder, and any
representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by the Institutional
Trustee or any Paying Agent to assist it in determining the extent of, and in
fulfilling, its withholding obligations. The Administrators 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 Institutional
Trustee or any Paying Agent is required to withhold and pay over any amounts to
any authority with respect to distributions or allocations to any Holder, the
amount withheld shall be deemed to be a Distribution in the amount of the
withholding to the Holder. In the event of any claimed overwithholding, Holders
shall be limited to an action against the applicable jurisdiction. If the amount
required to be withheld was not withheld from actual Distributions made, the
Institutional Trustee or any Paying Agent may reduce subsequent Distributions by
the amount of such withholding.
ARTICLE XI.
AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS
-----------------------
Section 11.1. 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 (i) by the Institutional Trustee, or (ii) if
the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of
the Delaware Trustee, by the Delaware Trustee.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article XI, an amendment
may be made, and any such purported amendment shall be valid and effective only
if:
(1) the Institutional Trustee shall have first received
39
(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
(2) the result of such amendment would not be to
(A) cause the Trust to cease to be classified for purposes of
United States federal income taxation as a grantor trust; or
(B) cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment Company
required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.
(c) Except as provided in Section 11.1(d), (e) or (h), no amendment shall
be made, and any such purported amendment shall be void and ineffective, unless
the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities shall
have consented to such amendment.
(d) In addition to and notwithstanding any other provision in this
Declaration, without the consent of each affected Holder, this Declaration may
not be amended to (i) change the amount or timing of any Distribution on the
Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any Distribution required
to be made in respect of the Securities as of a specified date or change any
conversion or exchange provisions or (ii) restrict the right of a Holder to
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date.
(e) Sections 9.1(b) and 9.1(c) and this Section 11.1 shall not be amended
without the consent of all of the Holders of the Securities.
(f) Article III shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of
a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities.
(g) The rights of the Holders of the Capital Securities under Article IV to
appoint and remove Trustees shall not be amended without the consent of the
Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.
(h) This Declaration may be amended by the Institutional Trustee and the
Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities without the
consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities to:
(1) cure any ambiguity;
(2) correct or supplement any provision in this Declaration that may
be defective or inconsistent with any other provision of this Declaration;
(3) add to the covenants, restrictions or obligations of the Sponsor;
or
(4) modify, eliminate or add to any provision of this Declaration to
such extent as may be necessary to ensure that the Trust will be classified
for United States federal income tax purposes at all times as a grantor
trust and will not be required to register as an Investment Company
(including without limitation to conform to any change in Rule 3a-5, Rule
3a-7 or any other applicable rule under the Investment Company Act or
written change in interpretation or application thereof 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 of Securities;
40
provided, however, that no such modification, elimination or addition
referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) shall adversely affect in any
material respect the powers, preferences or special rights of Holders of Capital
Securities.
Section 11.2. 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 Administrators (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 or the terms of the
Securities. The Administrators 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
Administrators one or more calls in a writing stating that the signing Holders
of the Securities wish to call a meeting and indicating the general or specific
purpose for which the meeting is to be called. Any Holders of the Securities
calling a meeting shall specify in writing the Certificates held by the Holders
of the Securities exercising the right to call a meeting and only those
Securities represented by such Certificates shall be counted for purposes of
determining whether the required percentage set forth in the second sentence of
this paragraph has been met.
(b) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the Securities,
the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders of the Securities:
(1) notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the Holders of
the 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 the Securities is permitted or required under
this Declaration, such vote, consent or approval may be given at a meeting
of the Holders of the Securities. Any action that may be taken at a meeting
of the Holders of the Securities may be taken without a meeting if a
consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by the
Holders of the 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 the 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 the
Securities entitled to vote who have not consented in writing. The
Administrators may specify that any written ballot submitted to the Holders
of the Securities for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting
shall be returned to the Trust within the time specified by the
Administrators;
(2) each Holder of a Security may authorize any Person to act for it
by proxy on all matters in which a Holder of Securities is entitled to
participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or
participating at a meeting. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of
11 months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy.
Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Holder of the
Securities executing it. Except as otherwise provided herein, all matters
relating to the giving, voting or validity of proxies shall be governed by
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to proxies,
and judicial interpretations thereunder, as if the Trust were a Delaware
corporation and the Holders of the Securities were stockholders of a
Delaware corporation; each meeting of the Holders of the Securities shall
be conducted by the Administrators or by such other Person that the
Administrators may designate; and
41
(3) unless the Statutory Trust Act, this Declaration, or the terms of
the Securities otherwise provides, the Administrators, 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 the
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; provided, however, that each meeting shall be conducted in
the United States (as that term is defined in Treasury Regulations section
301.7701-7).
ARTICLE XII.
REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND THE DELAWARE TRUSTEE
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Section 12.1. Representations and Warranties of Institutional Trustee. The
initial Institutional Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and to the
Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and each Successor Institutional
Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Sponsor at the time of the
Successor Institutional Trustee's acceptance of its appointment as Institutional
Trustee, that:
(a) the Institutional Trustee is a Delaware banking corporation with trust
powers, duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of
Delaware with trust power and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out
and perform its obligations under the terms of, this Declaration;
(b) the execution, delivery and performance by the Institutional Trustee of
this Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
the part of the Institutional Trustee. This Declaration has been duly executed
and delivered by the Institutional Trustee, and it constitutes a legal, valid
and binding obligation of the Institutional Trustee, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization,
moratorium, insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered
in a proceeding in equity or at law);
(c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Declaration by the
Institutional Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the
charter or by-laws of the Institutional Trustee; and
(d) no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or
notice to, any state or federal banking authority is required for the execution,
delivery or performance by the Institutional Trustee of this Declaration.
Section 12.2. Representations 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) if it is not a natural person, the Delaware Trustee is duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware;
(b) if it is not a natural person, the execution, delivery and performance
by the Delaware Trustee of this Declaration has been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of the Delaware Trustee. This Declaration
has been duly executed and delivered by the Delaware Trustee, and under Delaware
law (excluding any securities laws) 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 considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);
42
(c) if it is not a natural person, the execution, delivery and performance
of this Declaration by the Delaware Trustee does not conflict with or constitute
a breach of the charter or by-laws of the Delaware Trustee;
(d) it has trust power and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry
out and perform its obligations under the terms of, this Declaration;
(e) no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or
notice to, any state or federal banking authority governing the trust powers of
the Delaware Trustee is required for the execution, delivery or performance by
the Delaware Trustee of this Declaration; and
(f) the Delaware Trustee is a natural person who is a resident of the State
of Delaware or, if not a natural person, it is an entity which has its principal
place of business in the State of Delaware and, in either case, a Person that
satisfies for the Trust the requirements of Section 3807 of the Statutory Trust
Act.
ARTICLE XIII.
MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
Section 13.1. 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 (which telecopy shall be followed by notice delivered or
mailed by first class mail) or mailed by first class mail, as follows:
(a) if given to the Trust, in care of the Administrators at the Trust's
mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Trust may give
notice of to the Holders of the Securities):
Four Oaks Statutory Trust I
c/o Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc.
6144 U.S. 301 South
Four Oaks, North Carolina 27524
Attention: Nancy S. Wise
Telecopy: 919-963-2278
(b) if given to the Delaware Trustee, at the Delaware Trustee's mailing
address set forth below (or such other address as the Delaware Trustee may give
notice of to the Holders of the Securities):
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-1600
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Telecopy: 302-636-4140
(c) if given to the Institutional Trustee, at the Institutional Trustee's
mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Institutional
Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities):
43
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-1600
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Telecopy: 302-636-4140
(d) if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the mailing address
of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the Holder of the
Common Securities may give notice of to the Trust):
Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc.
6144 U.S. 301 South
Four Oaks, North Carolina 27524
Attention: Nancy S. Wise
Telecopy: 919-963-2278
(e) if given to any other Holder, at the address set forth on the books and
records of the Trust.
All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or
cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given,
such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date
of such refusal or inability to deliver.
Section 13.2. Governing Law. This Declaration and the rights of the parties
hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the law of the
State of Delaware and all rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws
without regard to the principles of conflict of laws of the State of Delaware or
any other jurisdiction that would call for the application of the law of any
jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware; provided, however, that there
shall not be applicable to the Trust, the Trustees or this Declaration any
provision of the laws (statutory or common) of the State of Delaware pertaining
to trusts that relate to or regulate, in a manner inconsistent with the terms
hereof (a) the filing with any court or governmental body or agency of trustee
accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges, (b) affirmative requirements
to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (c) the
necessity for obtaining court or other governmental approval concerning the
acquisition, holding or disposition of real or personal property, (d) fees or
other sums payable to trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (e)
the allocation of receipts and expenditures to income or principal, or (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.
Section 13.3. Intention of the Parties. It is the intention of the parties
hereto that the Trust be classified for United States federal income tax
purposes as a grantor trust. The provisions of this Declaration shall be
interpreted to further this intention of the parties.
Section 13.4. 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 13.5. Successors and Assigns. Whenever in this Declaration any of
the parties hereto is named or referred to, the successors and assigns of such
party shall be deemed to be included, and all covenants and agreements in this
Declaration by the Sponsor and the Trustees shall bind and inure to the benefit
of their respective successors and assigns, whether or not so expressed.
44
Section 13.6. Partial Enforceability. If any provision of this Declaration,
or the application of such provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be
held invalid, the remainder of this Declaration, or the application of such
provision to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held
invalid, shall not be affected thereby.
Section 13.7. 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 and Administrators to any of
such counterpart signature pages. All of such counterpart signature pages shall
be read as though one, and they shall have the same force and effect as though
all of the signers had signed a single signature page.
Signatures appear on the following page
45
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused these presents to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as Delaware Trustee
By: /s/ Christopher J. Claybaugh
-----------------------------------------
Name: Christopher J. Claybaugh
Title: Senior Financial Services Officer
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as Institutional Trustee
By: /s/ Christopher J. Claybaugh
-----------------------------------------
Name: Christopher J. Claybaugh
Title: Senior Financial Services Officer
FOUR OAKS FINCORP, INC., as Sponsor
By: /s/ Nancy S. Wise
-----------------------------------------
Name: Nancy S. Wise
Title: Executive Vice President/Chief
Financial Officer
ADMINISTRATORS OF FOUR OAKS STATUTORY TRUST I
By: /s/ Ayden R. Lee
-----------------------------------------
Ayden R. Lee
By: /s/ Nancy S. Wise
-----------------------------------------
Nancy S. Wise
By: /s/ Wanda J. Blow
-----------------------------------------
Wanda J. Blow
46
ANNEX I
TERMS OF SECURITIES
Pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust,
dated as of March 30, 2006 (as amended from time to time, the "Declaration"),
the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms
and provisions of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities are set out
below (each capitalized term used but not defined herein has the meaning set
forth in the Declaration):
1. Designation and Number.
----------------------
(a) 12,000 Floating Rate Capital Securities of Four Oaks Statutory Trust I
(the "Trust"), with an aggregate stated liquidation amount with respect to the
assets of the Trust of twelve million dollars ($12,000,000.00) and a stated
liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $1,000.00 per
Capital Security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only
as the "Capital Securities". The Capital Security Certificates evidencing the
Capital Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the
Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as
may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice.
(b) 372 Floating Rate Common Securities of the Trust (the "Common
Securities") will be evidenced by Common Security Certificates substantially in
the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions
thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or
practice.
2. Distributions.
--------------
(a) Distributions will be payable on each Security for the Distribution
Period beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance and ending on
(but excluding) the Distribution Payment Date in June 2006 at a rate per annum
of [RATE]% and shall bear interest for each successive Distribution Period
beginning on (and including) the Distribution Payment Date in June 2006, and
each succeeding Distribution Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the
next succeeding Distribution Payment Date at a rate per annum equal to the
3-Month LIBOR, determined as described below, plus 1.35% (the "Coupon Rate"),
applied to the stated liquidation amount thereof, such rate being the rate of
interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee.
Distributions in arrears will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the
applicable Distribution Rate (to the extent permitted by law). Distributions, as
used herein, include cash distributions and any such compounded distributions
unless otherwise noted. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that
payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee
and to the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. The
amount of the Distribution payable for any Distribution Period will be
calculated by applying the Distribution Rate to the stated liquidation amount
outstanding at the commencement of the Distribution Period on the basis of the
actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360. All
percentages resulting from any calculations on the Capital Securities will be
rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage
point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g.,
9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all dollar
amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the
nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).
(b) Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from
the date of original issuance, and will be payable, subject to extension of
distribution payment periods as described herein, quarterly in arrears on March
15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, or if such day is not a
Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day (each a "Distribution
Payment Date") (it being understood that interest accrues for any such
I-1
non-Business Day), commencing on the Distribution Payment Date in June 2006
when, as and if available for payment. The Debenture Issuer has the right under
the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Debentures, so long as no
Acceleration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, by deferring the
payment of interest on the Debentures for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods
(each an "Extension Period") at any time and from time to time, subject to the
conditions described below, during which Extension Period no interest shall be
due and payable. During any Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue
on the Debentures, and interest on such accrued interest will accrue at an
annual rate equal to the Distribution Rate in effect for each such Extension
Period, compounded quarterly from the date such interest would have been payable
were it not for the Extension Period, to the extent permitted by law (such
interest referred to herein as "Additional Interest"). No Extension Period may
end on a date other than a Distribution Payment Date. At the end of any such
Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer shall pay all interest then accrued and
unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided,
however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date and
provided further, however, that during any such Extension Period, the Debenture
Issuer and its Affiliates shall not (i) declare or pay any dividends or
distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment
with respect to, any of the Debenture Issuer's or its Affiliates' capital stock
(other than payments of dividends or distributions to the Debenture Issuer) or
make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing, or (ii) make any
payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase
or redeem any debt securities of the Debenture Issuer or any Affiliate that rank
pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other
than, with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) above, (a) repurchases, redemptions
or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Debenture Issuer in
connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar
arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers,
directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or
stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital
stock of the Debenture Issuer (or securities convertible into or exercisable for
such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into
prior to the applicable Extension Period, (b) as a result of any exchange or
conversion of any class or series of the Debenture Issuer's capital stock (or
any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Debenture Issuer) for any class or
series of the Debenture Issuer's capital stock or of any class or series of the
Debenture Issuer's indebtedness for any class or series of the Debenture
Issuer's capital stock, (c) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of
the Debenture Issuer's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange
provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged,
(d) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders' rights
plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders'
rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, (e) any
dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the
dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or
other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or
ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any cash payments in lieu of
fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or (f) payments under the
Capital Securities Guarantee). Prior to the termination of any Extension Period,
the Debenture Issuer may further extend such period, provided that such period
together with all such previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall
not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date.
Upon the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued
and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Debenture Issuer may commence a
new Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or
Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except
at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have
been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional
Interest. During any Extension Period, Distributions on the Securities shall be
deferred for a period equal to the Extension Period. If Distributions are
deferred, the Distributions due shall be paid on the date that the related
Extension Period terminates to Holders of the Securities as they appear on the
books and records of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding such
date. Distributions on the Securities must be paid on the dates payable (after
giving effect to any Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has funds
available for the payment of such distributions in the Property Account of the
Trust. The Trust's funds available for Distribution to the Holders of the
Securities will be limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer. The
payment of Distributions out of moneys held by the Trust is guaranteed by the
Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee.
I-2
(c) Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders thereof
as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the relevant record
dates. The relevant record dates shall be fifteen days before the relevant
Distribution Payment Date. Distributions payable on any Securities that are not
punctually paid on any Distribution Payment Date, as a result of the Debenture
Issuer having failed to make a payment under the Debentures, as the case may be,
when due (taking into account any Extension Period), will cease to be payable to
the Person in whose name such Securities are registered on the relevant record
date, and such defaulted Distribution will instead be payable to the Person in
whose name such Securities are registered on the special record date or other
specified date determined in accordance with the Indenture.
(d) In the event that there is any money or other property held by or for
the Trust that is not accounted for hereunder, such property shall be
distributed Pro Rata (as defined herein) among the Holders of the Securities.
3. Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution. In the event of the voluntary
or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust
(each a "Liquidation") other than in connection with a redemption of the
Debentures, the Holders of the Securities will be entitled to receive out of the
assets of the Trust available for distribution to Holders of the Securities,
after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust (to the extent not
satisfied by the Debenture Issuer), distributions equal to the aggregate of the
stated liquidation amount of $1,000.00 per Security plus accrued and unpaid
Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation
Distribution"), unless in connection with such Liquidation, the Debentures in an
aggregate stated principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation
amount of such Securities, with an interest rate equal to the Distribution Rate
of, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the accrued
and unpaid Distributions on, and having the same record date as, such
Securities, after paying or making reasonable provision to pay all claims and
obligations of the Trust in accordance with the Statutory Trust Act, shall be
distributed on a Pro Rata basis to the Holders of the Securities in exchange for
such Securities.
The Sponsor, as the Holder of all of the Common Securities, has the right
at any time to dissolve the Trust (including, without limitation, upon the
occurrence of a Special Event), subject to the receipt by the Debenture Issuer
of prior approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or
its designated district bank, as applicable, and any successor federal agency
that is primarily responsible for regulating the activities of the Sponsor (the
"Federal Reserve"), if the Sponsor is a bank holding company, or from the Office
of Thrift Supervision and any successor federal agency that is primarily
responsible for regulating the activities of Sponsor, (the "OTS") if the Sponsor
is a savings and loan holding company, in either case if then required under
applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve or OTS, as
applicable, and, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust,
cause the Debentures to be distributed to the Holders of the Securities on a Pro
Rata basis in accordance with the aggregate stated liquidation amount thereof.
If a Liquidation of the Trust occurs as described in clause (i), (ii),
(iii) or (v) in Section 7.1(a) of the Declaration, the Trust shall be liquidated
by the Institutional Trustee as expeditiously as it determines to be possible by
distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust, to
the Holders of the Securities, the Debentures on a Pro Rata basis to the extent
not satisfied by the Debenture Issuer, unless such distribution is determined by
the Institutional Trustee not to be practical, in which event such Holders will
be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution
to the Holders, after satisfaction of liabilities of creditors of the Trust to
the extent not satisfied by the Debenture Issuer, an amount equal to the
Liquidation Distribution. An early Liquidation of the Trust pursuant to clause
(iv) of Section 7.1(a) of the Declaration shall occur if the Institutional
Trustee determines that such Liquidation is possible by distributing, after
satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust, to the Holders of the
Securities on a Pro Rata basis, the Debentures, and such distribution occurs.
I-3
If, upon any such Liquidation the Liquidation Distribution can be paid only
in part because the Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full the
aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the amounts payable directly by the
Trust on such Capital Securities shall be paid to the Holders of the Trust
Securities on a Pro Rata basis, except that if an Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing, the Capital Securities shall have a preference over the
Common Securities with regard to such distributions.
After the date for any distribution of the Debentures upon dissolution of
the Trust (i) the Securities of the Trust will be deemed to be no longer
outstanding, (ii) upon surrender of a Holder's Securities certificate, such
Holder of the Securities will receive a certificate representing the Debentures
to be delivered upon such distribution, (iii) any certificates representing the
Securities still outstanding will be deemed to represent undivided beneficial
interests in such of the Debentures as have an aggregate principal amount equal
to the aggregate stated liquidation amount with an interest rate identical to
the Distribution Rate of, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest equal to
accrued and unpaid distributions on, the Securities until such certificates are
presented to the Debenture Issuer or its agent for transfer or reissuance (and
until such certificates are so surrendered, no payments of interest or principal
shall be made to Holders of Securities in respect of any payments due and
payable under the Debentures; provided, however that such failure to pay shall
not be deemed to be an Event of Default and shall not entitle the Holder to the
benefits of the Guarantee), and (iv) all rights of Holders of Securities under
the Declaration shall cease, except the right of such Holders to receive
Debentures upon surrender of certificates representing such Securities.
4. Redemption and Distribution.
(a) The Debentures will mature on June 15, 2036. The Debentures may be
redeemed by the Debenture Issuer, in whole or in part, at any Distribution
Payment Date on or after the Distribution Payment Date in June 2011, at the
Redemption Price. In addition, the Debentures may be redeemed by the Debenture
Issuer at the Special Redemption Price, in whole but not in part, at any
Distribution Payment Date, upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special
Event within 120 days following the occurrence of such Special Event at the
Special Redemption Price, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice to
holders of such Debentures so long as such Special Event is continuing. In each
case, the right of the Debenture Issuer to redeem the Debentures is subject to
the Debenture Issuer having received prior approval from the Federal Reserve (if
the Debenture Issuer is a bank holding company) or prior approval from the OTS
(if the Debenture Issuer is a savings and loan holding company), in each case if
then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the applicable
federal agency.
"3-Month LIBOR" means the London interbank offered interest rate for
three-month, U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Debenture Trustee in the
following order of priority:
(1) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for U.S. dollar
deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750
as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date (as
defined below). "Telerate Page 3750" means the display designated as "Page
3750" on the Moneyline Telerate Service or such other page as may replace
Page 3750 on that service or such other service or services as may be
nominated by the British Bankers' Association as the information vendor for
the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar
deposits;
I-4
(2) if such rate cannot be identified on the related Determination
Date, the Debenture Trustee will request the principal London offices of
four leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks'
offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks in
the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month
maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at
least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic
mean of such quotations;
(3) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in
clause (2) above, the Debenture Trustee will request four major New York
City banks to provide such banks' offered quotations (expressed as
percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S. dollars
as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two
such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of
such quotations; and
(4) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in
clause (3) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR determined with
respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such current
Distribution Period.
If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that
initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the
related Determination Date is superseded on the Telerate Page 3750 by a
corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, then the
corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable
3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.
The Distribution Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher
than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified
by United States law.
"Capital Treatment Event" means the receipt by the Debenture Issuer and the
Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that,
as a result of the occurrence of any amendment to, or change (including any
announced prospective change) in, the laws, rules or regulations of the United
States or any political subdivision thereof or therein, or as the result of any
official or administrative pronouncement or action or decision interpreting or
applying such laws, rules or regulations, which amendment or change is effective
or which pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or after the date of
original issuance of the Debentures, there is more than an insubstantial risk
that the Sponsor will not, within 90 days of the date of such opinion, be
entitled to treat an amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the
Capital Securities as "Tier 1 Capital" (or its then equivalent) for purposes of
the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and
applicable to the Sponsor (or if the Sponsor is not a bank holding company or
otherwise is not subject to the Federal Reserve's risk-based capital adequacy
guidelines, such guidelines applied to the Sponsor as if the Sponsor were
subject to such guidelines); provided, however, that the inability of the
Sponsor to treat all or any portion of the liquidation amount of the Capital
Securities as Tier l Capital shall not constitute the basis for a Capital
Treatment Event, if such inability results from the Sponsor having cumulative
preferred stock, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, or any other
class of security or interest which the Federal Reserve or OTS, as applicable,
may now or hereafter accord Tier 1 Capital treatment in excess of the amount
which may now or hereafter qualify for treatment as Tier 1 Capital under
applicable capital adequacy guidelines; provided further, however, that the
distribution of Debentures in connection with the Liquidation of the Trust shall
not in and of itself constitute a Capital Treatment Event unless such
Liquidation shall have occurred in connection with a Tax Event or an Investment
Company Event.
"Determination Date" means the date that is two London Banking Days (i.e.,
a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in
the London interbank market) preceding the particular Distribution Period for
which a Coupon Rate is being determined.
I-5
"Investment Company Event" means the receipt by the Debenture Issuer and
the Trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect
that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or written
change (including any announced prospective change) in interpretation or
application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental
agency or regulatory authority, there is more than an insubstantial risk that
the Trust is or, within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will be considered
an Investment Company that is required to be registered under the Investment
Company Act which change or prospective change becomes effective or would become
effective, as the case may be, on or after the date of the issuance of the
Debentures.
"Maturity Date" means June 15, 2036.
"Redemption Date" shall mean the date fixed for the redemption of Capital
Securities, which shall be any Distribution Payment Date on or after the
Distribution Payment Date in June 2011.
"Redemption Price" means 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures
being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid Interest on such Debentures to the
Redemption Date.
"Special Event" means a Tax Event, an Investment Company Event or a Capital
Treatment Event.
"Special Redemption Date" means a date on which a Special Event redemption
occurs, which shall be a Distribution Payment Date.
"Special Redemption Price" means the price set forth in the following table
for any Special Redemption Date that occurs on the date indicated below (or if
such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day),
expressed as the percentage of the principal amount of the Debentures being
redeemed:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month in which Special Special Redemption Price
---------------------- ------------------------
Redemption Date Occurs
----------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 2006 104.625%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 2006 104.300%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 2006 104.000%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 2007 103.650%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 2007 103.350%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 2007 103.000%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 2007 102.700%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 2008 102.350%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 2008 102.050%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 2008 101.700%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 2008 101.400%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I-6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 2009 101.050%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 2009 100.750%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 2009 100.450%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 2009 100.200%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 2010 and thereafter 100.000%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid Interest on such Debentures to the
Special Redemption Date.
"Tax Event" means the receipt by the Debenture Issuer and the Trust of an
opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result
of any amendment to or change (including any announced prospective change) in
the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United States or any political
subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any
official administrative pronouncement (including any private letter ruling,
technical advice memorandum, field service advice, regulatory procedure, notice
or announcement including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt such
procedures or regulations) (an "Administrative Action") or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, regardless of whether such
Administrative Action or judicial decision is issued to or in connection with a
proceeding involving the Debenture Issuer or the Trust and whether or not
subject to review or appeal, which amendment, clarification, change,
Administrative Action or decision is enacted, promulgated or announced, in each
case on or after the date of original issuance of the Debentures, there is more
than an insubstantial risk that: (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of
the date of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with
respect to income received or accrued on the Debentures; (ii) interest payable
by the Debenture Issuer on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date
of such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Debenture Issuer, in whole or in
part, for United States federal income tax purposes; or (iii) the Trust is, or
will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de
minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.
(b) Upon the repayment in full at maturity or redemption in whole or in
part of the Debentures (other than following the distribution of the Debentures
to the Holders of the Securities), the proceeds from such repayment or payment
shall concurrently be applied to redeem Pro Rata at the applicable Redemption
Price or Special Redemption Price, as applicable, Securities having an aggregate
liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so
repaid or redeemed; provided, however, that holders of such Securities shall be
given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice of such redemption (other
than at the scheduled maturity of the Debentures).
(c) If fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be so redeemed, the
Common Securities and the Capital Securities will be redeemed Pro Rata and the
Capital Securities to be redeemed will be redeemed Pro Rata from each Holder of
Capital Securities.
(d) The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding Capital
Securities unless all accrued and unpaid Distributions have been paid on all
Capital Securities for all quarterly Distribution periods terminating on or
before the date of redemption.
I-7
(e) Redemption or Distribution Procedures.
--------------------------------------
(i) Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of the
Debentures in exchange for, the Securities (a "Redemption/Distribution Notice")
will be given by the Trust by mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed
or exchanged not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days before the date fixed for
redemption or exchange thereof which, in the case of a redemption, will be the
date fixed for redemption of the Debentures. For purposes of the calculation of
the date of redemption or exchange and the dates on which notices are given
pursuant to this paragraph 4(e)(i), a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be
deemed to be given on the day such notice is first mailed by first-class mail,
postage prepaid, to Holders of such Securities. Each Redemption/Distribution
Notice shall be addressed to the Holders of such Securities at the address of
each such Holder appearing on the books and records of the Trust. No defect in
the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the mailing thereof with respect to any
Holder shall affect the validity of the redemption or exchange proceedings with
respect to any other Holder.
(ii) If the Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a
Redemption/ Distribution Notice, which notice may only be issued if the
Debentures are redeemed as set out in this paragraph 4 (which notice will be
irrevocable), then, provided that the Institutional Trustee has a sufficient
amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity of the
Debentures, the Institutional Trustee will pay the relevant Redemption Price or
Special Redemption Price, as applicable, to the Holders of such Securities by
check mailed to the address of each such Holder appearing on the books and
records of the Trust on the Redemption Date. If a Redemption/Distribution Notice
shall have been given and funds deposited as required then immediately prior to
the close of business on the date of such deposit Distributions will cease to
accrue on the Securities so called for redemption and all rights of Holders of
such Securities so called for redemption will cease, except the right of the
Holders of such Securities to receive the applicable Redemption Price or Special
Redemption Price specified in paragraph 4(a), but without interest on such
Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price. If payment of the Redemption Price
or Special Redemption Price in respect of any Securities is improperly withheld
or refused and not paid either by the Trust or by the Debenture Issuer as
guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee, Distributions on such Securities will
continue to accrue at the Distribution Rate from the original Redemption Date to
the actual date of payment, in which case the actual payment date will be
considered the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the
Redemption Price or Special Redemption Price. In the event of any redemption of
the Capital Securities issued by the Trust in part, the Trust shall not be
required to (i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security during
a period beginning at the opening of business fifteen days before any selection
for redemption of the Capital Securities and ending at the close of business on
the earliest date on which the relevant notice of redemption is deemed to have
been given to all Holders of the Capital Securities to be so redeemed or (ii)
register the transfer of or exchange any Capital Securities so selected for
redemption, in whole or in part, except for the unredeemed portion of any
Capital Securities being redeemed in part.
(iii) Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by the
Administrators on behalf of the Trust to (A) in respect of the Capital
Securities, the Holders thereof and (B) in respect of the Common Securities, the
Holder thereof.
(iv) Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including, without
limitation, United States federal securities laws), and provided that the
acquiror is not the Holder of the Common Securities or the obligor under the
Indenture, the Sponsor or any of its subsidiaries may at any time and from time
to time purchase outstanding Capital Securities by tender, in the open market or
by private agreement.
I-8
5. Voting Rights - Capital Securities.
----------------------------------
(a) Except as provided under paragraphs 5(b) and 7 and as otherwise
required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Capital Securities will
have no voting rights. The Administrators are required to call a meeting of the
Holders of the Capital Securities if directed to do so by Holders of at least
10% in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.
(b) Subject to the requirements of obtaining a tax opinion by the
Institutional Trustee in certain circumstances set forth in the last sentence of
this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital
Securities, voting separately as a class, have the right to direct the time,
method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the
Institutional Trustee under the Declaration, including the right to direct the
Institutional Trustee, as holder of the Debentures, to (i) exercise the remedies
available under the Indenture as the holder of the Debentures, (ii) waive any
past default that is waivable under the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to
rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be
due and payable or (iv) consent on behalf of all the Holders of the Capital
Securities to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the
Debentures where such consent shall be required; provided, however, that, where
a consent or action under the Indenture would require the consent or act of the
holders of greater than a simple majority in aggregate principal amount of
Debentures (a "Super Majority") affected thereby, the Institutional Trustee may
only give such consent or take such action at the written direction of the
Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Capital
Securities outstanding which the relevant Super Majority represents of the
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. If the Institutional
Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Debentures after the Holders of a
Majority in liquidation amount of such Capital Securities have so directed the
Institutional Trustee, to the fullest extent permitted by law, a Holder of the
Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the
Debenture Issuer to enforce the Institutional Trustee's rights under the
Debentures without first instituting any legal proceeding against the
Institutional Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event
is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay interest or
principal on the Debentures on the date the interest or principal is payable (or
in the case of redemption, the Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date,
as applicable), then a Holder of record of the Capital Securities may directly
institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment, on or after the respective
due dates specified in the Debentures, to such Holder directly of the principal
of or interest on the Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to
the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such Holder. The
Institutional Trustee shall notify all Holders of the Capital Securities of any
default actually known to the Institutional Trustee with respect to the
Debentures unless (x) such default has been cured prior to the giving of such
notice or (y) the Institutional Trustee determines in good faith that the
withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of such Capital
Securities, except where the default relates to the payment of principal of or
interest on any of the Debentures. Such notice shall state that such Indenture
Event of Default also constitutes an Event of Default hereunder. Except with
respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting a proceeding for a
remedy, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any of the actions described in
clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained
an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that, as a result of such action, the
Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States
federal income tax purposes.
In the event the consent of the Institutional Trustee, as the holder of the
Debentures, is required under the Indenture with respect to any amendment,
modification or termination of the Indenture, the Institutional Trustee shall
request the direction of the Holders of the Securities with respect to such
amendment, modification or termination and shall vote with respect to such
amendment, modification or termination as directed by a Majority in liquidation
amount of the Securities voting together as a single class; provided, however,
that where a consent under the Indenture would require the consent of a
Super-Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent at the
direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the
Securities outstanding which the relevant Super-Majority represents of the
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. The Institutional
Trustee shall not take any such action in accordance with the directions of the
Holders of the Securities unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an
opinion of tax counsel to the effect that, as a result of such action, the Trust
will not be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal
income tax purposes.
I-9
A waiver of an Indenture Event of Default will constitute a waiver of the
corresponding Event of Default hereunder. Any required approval or direction of
Holders of the Capital Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders
of the Capital Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the
Holders of the Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The
Institutional Trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of the
Capital Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by
written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of
record of the Capital Securities. Each such notice will include a statement
setting forth the following information (i) the date of such meeting or the date
by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution
proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote
or of such matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions
for the delivery of proxies or consents. No vote or consent of the Holders of
the Capital Securities will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel
Capital Securities or to distribute the Debentures in accordance with the
Declaration and the terms of the Securities.
Notwithstanding that Holders of the Capital Securities are entitled to vote
or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Capital
Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor shall
not entitle the Holder thereof to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of
such vote or consent, be treated as if such Capital Securities were not
outstanding.
In no event will Holders of the Capital Securities have the right to vote
to appoint, remove or replace the Administrators, which voting rights are vested
exclusively in the Sponsor as the Holder of all of the Common Securities of the
Trust. Under certain circumstances as more fully described in the Declaration,
Holders of Capital Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or
replace the Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee.
6. Voting Rights - Common Securities.
----------------------------------
(a) Except as provided under paragraphs 6(b), 6(c) and 7 and as
otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Common Securities will have
no voting rights.
(b) The Holders of the Common Securities are entitled, in accordance
with Article IV of the Declaration, to vote to appoint, remove or replace any
Administrators.
(c) Subject to Section 6.8 of the Declaration and only after each Event
of Default (if any) with respect to the Capital Securities has been cured,
waived, or otherwise eliminated and subject to the requirements of the second to
last sentence of this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount
of the Common Securities, voting separately as a class, may direct the time,
method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Institutional Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the
Institutional Trustee under the Declaration, including (i) directing the time,
method, place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Debenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Debenture
Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waiving any past default and its
consequences that is waivable under the Indenture, or (iii) exercising any right
to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall
be due and payable; provided, however, that, where a consent or action under the
Indenture would require a Super Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only
give such consent or take such action at the written direction of the Holders of
at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Common Securities which the
relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the
Debentures outstanding. Notwithstanding this paragraph 6(c), the Institutional
Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote
or consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities. Other than with respect to
directing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Institutional Trustee or the Debenture Trustee as set forth
above, the Institutional Trustee shall not take any action described in (i),
(ii) or (iii) above, unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion of
tax counsel to the effect that for the purposes of United States federal income
tax the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust on account of
such action. If the Institutional Trustee fails to enforce its rights, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, under the Declaration, any Holder of the Common
Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against any Person to
enforce the Institutional Trustee's rights under the Declaration, without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the Institutional Trustee or any other
Person.
I-10
Any approval or direction of Holders of the Common Securities may be given
at a separate meeting of Holders of the Common Securities convened for such
purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of the Securities in the Trust or
pursuant to written consent. The Administrators will cause a notice of any
meeting at which Holders of the Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of
any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken,
to be mailed to each Holder of the Common Securities. Each such notice will
include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date by
which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed
for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of
such matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the
delivery of proxies or consents.
No vote or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities will be required
for the Trust to redeem and cancel Common Securities or to distribute the
Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities.
7. Amendments to Declaration and Indenture.
---------------------------------------
(a) In addition to any requirements under Section 11.1 of the
Declaration, if any proposed amendment to the Declaration provides for, or the
Trustees, Sponsor or Administrators otherwise propose to effect, (i) any action
that would adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the
Securities, whether by way of amendment to the Declaration or otherwise, or (ii)
the Liquidation of the Trust, other than as described in Section 7.1 of the
Declaration, then the Holders of outstanding 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 the
Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities, affected
thereby; provided, however, if any amendment or proposal referred to in clause
(i) above would adversely affect only the Capital Securities or only the Common
Securities, then only the affected class will be entitled to vote on such
amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective
except with the approval of a Majority in liquidation amount of such class of
Securities.
(b) In the event the consent of the Institutional Trustee as the holder
of the Debentures is required under the Indenture with respect to any amendment,
modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures, the
Institutional Trustee shall request the written direction of the Holders of the
Securities with respect to such amendment, modification or termination and shall
vote with respect to such amendment, modification, or termination as directed by
a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together as a single
class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require
a Super Majority, the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent at the
direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the
Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures outstanding.
I-11
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment or modification may be
made to the Declaration if such amendment or modification would (i) cause the
Trust to be classified for purposes of United States federal income taxation as
other than a grantor trust, (ii) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers
of the Institutional Trustee or (iii) cause the Trust to be deemed an Investment
Company which is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.
(d) Notwithstanding any provision of the Declaration, the right of any
Holder of the Capital Securities to receive payment of distributions and other
payments upon redemption or otherwise, on or after their respective due dates,
or to institute a suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such
respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such
Holder. For the protection and enforcement of the foregoing provision, each and
every Holder of the Capital Securities shall be entitled to such relief as can
be given either at law or equity.
8. Pro Rata. A reference in these terms of the Securities to any payment,
distribution or treatment as being "Pro Rata" shall mean pro rata to each Holder
of the Securities according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the
Securities held by the relevant Holder in relation to the aggregate liquidation
amount of all Securities then outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, in which case any funds
available to make such payment shall be paid first to each Holder of the Capital
Securities Pro Rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital
Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation
amount of all Capital Securities outstanding, and only after satisfaction of all
amounts owed to the Holders of the Capital Securities, to each Holder of the
Common Securities Pro Rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the
Common Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate
liquidation amount of all Common Securities outstanding.
9. Ranking. The Capital Securities rank pari passu with and payment thereon
shall be made Pro Rata with the Common Securities except that, where an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, the rights of Holders of the Common
Securities to receive payment of Distributions and payments upon liquidation,
redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of the Holders of the
Capital Securities with the result that no payment of any Distribution on, or
Redemption Price (or Special Redemption Price) of, any Common Security, and no
other payment on account of redemption, liquidation or other acquisition of
Common Securities, shall be made unless payment in full in cash of all
accumulated and unpaid Distributions on all outstanding Capital Securities for
all distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto, or in the case of
payment of the Redemption Price (or Special Redemption Price) the full amount of
such Redemption Price (or Special Redemption Price) on all outstanding Capital
Securities then called for redemption, shall have been made or provided for, and
all funds immediately available to the Institutional Trustee shall first be
applied to the payment in full in cash of all Distributions on, or the
Redemption Price (or Special Redemption Price) of, the Capital Securities then
due and payable.
10. Acceptance of Guarantee and Indenture. Each Holder of the Capital
Securities and the Common Securities, by the acceptance of such Securities,
agrees to the provisions of the Guarantee, including the subordination
provisions therein and to the provisions of the Indenture.
11. No Preemptive Rights. The Holders of the Securities shall have no
preemptive or similar rights to subscribe for any additional securities.
I-12
12. Miscellaneous. These terms constitute a part of the Declaration. The
Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Guarantee, and the Indenture
to a Holder without charge on written request to the Sponsor at its principal
place of business.
I-13
EXHIBIT A-1
FORM OF CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE
DECLARATION HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY ("DTC") OR A NOMINEE OF DTC. THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS
EXCHANGEABLE FOR CAPITAL SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER
THAN DTC OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE
DECLARATION, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF
THIS CAPITAL SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY DTC TO A NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY A NOMINEE OF
DTC TO DTC OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES.
UNLESS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF DTC TO FOUR OAKS STATUTORY TRUST I OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER,
EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CAPITAL SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME
OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS
IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR
OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH
AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER
APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR
PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED,
ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR
UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE
HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE SPONSOR OR THE TRUST, (B)
PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A
QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE
144A SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN
ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION
IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATION S UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" WITHIN THE
MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS
ACQUIRING THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH
AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A
VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION
OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE SPONSOR'S AND
THE TRUST'S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE
DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION
SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DECLARATION OF TRUST, A COPY
OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SPONSOR OR THE TRUST. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS
INVOLVING THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE
SECURITIES ACT.
A-1-1
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES,
REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE") (EACH
A "PLAN"), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE "PLAN ASSETS" BY REASON
OF ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING "PLAN ASSETS" OF
ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH
PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38,
90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF
THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE
CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE
SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS
PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF
THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF
ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH
PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA
OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR
ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.
THIS SECURITY WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING A
LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 (100 SECURITIES) AND MULTIPLES
OF $1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF SECURITIES IN A BLOCK
HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID
AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING
RESTRICTIONS.
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR
AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY
THE DECLARATION TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING
RESTRICTIONS.
Certificate Number P-1 12,000 Capital Securities
[CUSIP NO. [_______] ]
March 30, 2006
Certificate Evidencing Floating Rate Capital Securities
of
Four Oaks Statutory Trust I
(liquidation amount $1,000.00 per Capital Security)
A-1-2
Four Oaks Statutory Trust I, a statutory trust created under the laws of
the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that Cede & Co. (the
"Holder") is the registered owner of capital securities of the Trust
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust,
(liquidation amount $1,000.00 per capital security) (the "Capital Securities").
Subject to the Declaration (as defined below), the Capital Securities are
transferable on the books and records of the Trust in person or by a duly
authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate duly endorsed and in
proper form for transfer. The Capital Securities represented hereby are issued
pursuant to, and the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences
and other terms and provisions of the Capital Securities shall in all respects
be subject to, the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust
of the Trust dated as of March 30, 2006, among Ayden R. Lee, Jr., Nancy S. Wise
and Wanda J. Blow, as Administrators, Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware
Trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, as Institutional Trustee, Four Oaks Fincorp,
Inc., as Sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust, including the designation of the terms of
the Capital Securities as set forth in Annex I to such amended and restated
declaration as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration").
Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them
in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee to
the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration,
the Guarantee, and the Indenture to the Holder without charge upon written
request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business.
Upon receipt of this Security, the Holder is bound by the Declaration and
is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
By acceptance of this Security, the Holder agrees to treat, for United
States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the
Capital Securities as evidence of beneficial ownership in the Debentures.
This Capital Security is governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.
Signatures appear on following page
A-1-3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has duly executed this certificate.
FOUR OAKS STATUTORY TRUST I
By:
-------------------------
Name:
Title: Administrator
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Capital Securities referred to in the within-mentioned
Declaration.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as the Institutional Trustee
By:
-------------------------
Authorized Officer
A-1-4
[FORM OF REVERSE OF CAPITAL SECURITY]
Distributions payable on each Capital Security will be payable at an annual
rate equal to [RATE]% beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance
and ending on (but excluding) the Distribution Payment Date in June 2006 and at
an annual rate for each successive period beginning on (and including) the
Distribution Payment Date in June 2006, and each succeeding Distribution Payment
Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Distribution Payment
Date (each a "Distribution Period"), equal to 3-Month LIBOR, determined as
described below, plus 1.35% (the "Coupon Rate"), applied to the stated
liquidation amount of $1,000.00 per Capital Security, such rate being the rate
of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee.
Distributions in arrears will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the
Distribution Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term
"Distributions" as used herein includes cash distributions and any such
compounded distributions unless otherwise noted. A Distribution is payable only
to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the
Institutional Trustee and to the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds
available therefor. As used herein, "Determination Date" means the date that is
two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in
U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the
commencement of the relevant Distribution Period. The amount of the Distribution
payable for any Distribution Period will be calculated by applying the
Distribution Rate to the stated liquidation amount outstanding at the
commencement of the Distribution Period on the basis of the actual number of
days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360.
"3-Month LIBOR" as used herein, means the London interbank offered interest
rate for three-month U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Debenture Trustee in
the following order of priority: (i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per
annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on
Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination
Date ("Telerate Page 3750" means the display designated as "Page 3750" on the
Moneyline Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that
service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British
Bankers' Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying
London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits); (ii) if such rate
cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Debenture Trustee
will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London
interbank market to provide such banks' offered quotations (expressed as
percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S.
dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on
such Determination Date. If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR
will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; (iii) if fewer than two such
quotations are provided as requested in clause (ii) above, the Debenture Trustee
will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks' offered
quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for
loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.
If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the
arithmetic mean of such quotations; and (iv) if fewer than two such quotations
are provided as requested in clause (iii) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month
LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding
such current Distribution Period. If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a
three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00
a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the
Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such
Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable
page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.
The Distribution Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher
than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified
by United States law.
All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Capital Securities
will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a
percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward
(e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all
dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the
nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).
A-1-5
Except as otherwise described below, Distributions on the Capital
Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance
and will be payable quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and
December 15 of each year or if any such day is not a Business Day, then the next
succeeding Business Day (each such day, a "Distribution Payment Date") (it being
understood that interest accrues for any such non-Business Day), commencing on
the Distribution Payment Date in June 2006. The Debenture Issuer has the right
under the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Debentures, so long as
no Acceleration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, by extending
the interest payment period for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each an
"Extension Period") at any time and from time to time on the Debentures, subject
to the conditions described below, during which Extension Period no interest
shall be due and payable. During any Extension Period, interest will continue to
accrue on the Debentures, and interest on such accrued interest will accrue at
an annual rate equal to the Distribution Rate in effect for each such Extension
Period, compounded quarterly from the date such interest would have been payable
were it not for the Extension Period, to the extent permitted by law (such
interest referred to herein as "Additional Interest"). No Extension Period may
end on a date other than a Distribution Payment Date. At the end of any such
Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer shall pay all interest then accrued and
unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided,
however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date. Prior to
the termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend
such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and
further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly
periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any
Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and
Additional Interest, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period,
subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall
be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but
each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable
during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest. During any
Extension Period, Distributions on the Capital Securities shall be deferred for
a period equal to the Extension Period. If Distributions are deferred, the
Distributions due shall be paid on the date that the related Extension Period
terminates, to Holders of the Securities as they appear on the books and records
of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding such date. Distributions
on the Securities must be paid on the dates payable (after giving effect to any
Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the
payment of such distributions in the Property Account of the Trust. The Trust's
funds available for Distribution to the Holders of the Securities will be
limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer. The payment of
Distributions out of moneys held by the Trust is guaranteed by the Guarantor
pursuant to the Guarantee.
The Capital Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration.
A-1-6
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Capital
Security Certificate to:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Insert assignee's social security or tax identification number)
------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Insert address and zip code of assignee) and irrevocably appoints
----------------------------------------------------------------------
agent to transfer this Capital Security Certificate on the books of the
Trust. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.
Date:
--------------------------------------
Signature:
---------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Capital
Security Certificate)
Signature Guarantee:(1)
_____________________________
(1) Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is
a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the
requirements of the Security registrar, which requirements include membership or
participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or
such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Security
registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
A-1-7
EXHIBIT A-2
FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE
THIS COMMON SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED
EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION.
THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 8.1
OF THE DECLARATION.
Certificate Number C-1 372 Common Securities
March 30, 2006
Certificate Evidencing Floating Rate Common Securities
of
Four Oaks Statutory Trust I
Four Oaks Statutory Trust I, a statutory trust created under the laws of
the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that Four Oaks Fincorp,
Inc. (the "Holder") is the registered owner of common securities of the Trust
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust (the
"Common Securities"). The Common Securities represented hereby are issued
pursuant to, and the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences
and other terms and provisions of the Common Securities shall in all respects be
subject to, the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of
the Trust dated as of March 30, 2006, among Ayden R. Lee, Jr., Nancy S. Wise and
Wanda J. Blow, as Administrators, Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee,
Wilmington Trust Company, as Institutional Trustee, Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc., as
Sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interest in
the assets of the Trust including the designation of the terms of the Common
Securities as set forth in Annex I to such amended and restated declaration, as
the same may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"). Capitalized terms
used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the
Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee to the
extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the
Guarantee and the Indenture to the Holder without charge upon written request to
the Sponsor at its principal place of business.
As set forth in the Declaration, when an Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing, the rights of Holders of Common Securities to payment in respect
of Distributions and payments upon Liquidation, redemption or otherwise are
subordinated to the rights of payment of Holders of the Capital Securities.
Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the Declaration
and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
By acceptance of this Certificate, the Holder agrees to treat, for United
States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the
Common Securities as evidence of undivided beneficial ownership in the
Debentures.
This Common Security is governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.
A-2-1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has duly executed this certificate.
FOUR OAKS STATUTORY TRUST I
By:
------------------------
Name:
Title: Administrator
A-2-2
[FORM OF REVERSE OF COMMON SECURITY]
Distributions payable on each Common Security will be payable at an annual
rate equal to [RATE]% beginning on (and including) the date of original issuance
and ending on (but excluding) the Distribution Payment Date in June 2006 and at
an annual rate for each successive period beginning on (and including) the
Distribution Payment Date in June 2006, and each succeeding Distribution Payment
Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Distribution Payment
Date (each a "Distribution Period"), equal to 3-Month LIBOR, determined as
described below, plus 1.35% (the "Coupon Rate"), applied to the stated
liquidation amount of $1,000.00 per Common Security, such rate being the rate of
interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee.
Distributions in arrears will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the
Distribution Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term
"Distributions" as used herein includes cash distributions and any such
compounded distributions unless otherwise noted. A Distribution is payable only
to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the
Institutional Trustee and to the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds
available therefor. As used herein, "Determination Date" means the date that is
two London Banking Days (i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in
U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the
commencement of the relevant Distribution Period. The amount of the Distribution
payable for any Distribution Period will be calculated by applying the
Distribution Rate to the stated liquidation amount outstanding at the
commencement of the Distribution Period on the basis of the actual number of
days in the Distribution Period concerned divided by 360.
"3-Month LIBOR" as used herein, means the London interbank offered interest
rate for three-month U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Debenture Trustee in
the following order of priority: (i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per
annum) for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on
Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination
Date ("Telerate Page 3750" means the display designated as "Page 3750" on the
Moneyline Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that
service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British
Bankers' Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying
London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits); (ii) if such rate
cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Debenture Trustee
will request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London
interbank market to provide such banks' offered quotations (expressed as
percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S.
dollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on
such Determination Date. If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR
will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; (iii) if fewer than two such
quotations are provided as requested in clause (ii) above, the Debenture Trustee
will request four major New York City banks to provide such banks' offered
quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for
loans in U.S. dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date.
If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the
arithmetic mean of such quotations; and (iv) if fewer than two such quotations
are provided as requested in clause (iii) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month
LIBOR determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding
such current Distribution Period. If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a
three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00
a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the
Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such
Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable
page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date.
The Distribution Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher
than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified
by United States law.
All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Common Securities
will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a
percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward
(e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all
dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the
nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).
A-2-3
Except as otherwise described below, Distributions on the Common Securities
will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance and will be
payable quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15
of each year or if any such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding
Business Day (each such day, a "Distribution Payment Date") (it being understood
that interest accrues for any such non-Business Day), commencing on the
Distribution Payment Date in June 2006. The Debenture Issuer has the right under
the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Debentures, so long as no
Acceleration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, by extending the
interest payment period for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods (each an
"Extension Period") at any time and from time to time on the Debentures, subject
to the conditions described below, during which Extension Period no interest
shall be due and payable. During any Extension Period, interest will continue to
accrue on the Debentures, and interest on such accrued interest will accrue at
an annual rate equal to the Distribution Rate in effect for each such Extension
Period, compounded quarterly from the date such interest would have been payable
were it not for the Extension Period, to the extent permitted by law (such
interest referred to herein as "Additional Interest"). No Extension Period may
end on a date other than a Distribution Payment Date. At the end of any such
Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer shall pay all interest then accrued and
unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional Interest thereon); provided,
however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date. Prior to
the termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend
such period, provided that such period together with all such previous and
further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly
periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any
Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and
Additional Interest, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period,
subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or Additional Interest shall
be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but
each installment of interest that would otherwise have been due and payable
during such Extension Period shall bear Additional Interest. During any
Extension Period, Distributions on the Common Securities shall be deferred for a
period equal to the Extension Period. If Distributions are deferred, the
Distributions due shall be paid on the date that the related Extension Period
terminates, to Holders of the Securities as they appear on the books and records
of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding such date. Distributions
on the Securities must be paid on the dates payable (after giving effect to any
Extension Period) to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the
payment of such distributions in the Property Account of the Trust. The Trust's
funds available for Distribution to the Holders of the Securities will be
limited to payments received from the Debenture Issuer.
The Common Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration.
A-2-4
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Common
Security Certificate to:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Insert assignee's social security or tax identification number)
------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Insert address and zip code of assignee) and irrevocably appoints
----------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________agent
to transfer this Common Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The
agent may substitute another to act for him or her.
Date:
---------------------------------------
Signature:
----------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Common
Security Certificate)
Signature:
----------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Common
Security Certificate)
Signature Guarantee(2)
_________________________________
(2) Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is
a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union, meeting the
requirements of the Security registrar, which requirements include membership or
participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or
such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Security
registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
A-2-5
EXHIBIT B
SPECIMEN OF INITIAL DEBENTURE
FLOATING RATE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURE
THIS SECURITY IS NOT A SAVINGS ACCOUNT OR DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED BY
THE UNITED STATES OR ANY AGENCY OR FUND OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER
APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR
PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED,
ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR
UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE
HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT, (C) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A SO
LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A IN ACCORDANCE
WITH RULE 144A, (D) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN
ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 (AS APPLICABLE) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" WITHIN THE MEANING
OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS
SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL
ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR
OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE
SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY'S RIGHT
PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION
OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO IT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES,
REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE") (EACH
A "PLAN"), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE "PLAN ASSETS" BY REASON
OF ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING "PLAN ASSETS" OF
ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH
PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38,
90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF
THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE
CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE
SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS
PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF
THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF
ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH
PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA
OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR
ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.
B-1
THIS SECURITY WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING
AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000.00 AND MULTIPLES OF
$1,000.00 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN A BLOCK
HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000.00 SHALL BE DEEMED TO
BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING
RESTRICTIONS.
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR
AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY
THE INDENTURE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING
RESTRICTIONS.
Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture
of
Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc.
March 30, 2006
Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the "Company" which
term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to),
for value received promises to pay to Wilmington Trust Company, not in its
individual capacity but solely as Institutional Trustee for Four Oaks Statutory
Trust I (the "Holder") or registered assigns, the principal sum of twelve
million three hundred seventy-two thousand dollars ($12,372,000.00) on June 15,
2036, and to pay interest on said principal sum from March 30, 2006, or from the
most recent Interest Payment Date (as defined below) to which interest has been
paid or duly provided for, quarterly (subject to deferral as set forth herein)
in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year or if
such day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day (each such
date, an "Interest Payment Date") (it being understood that interest accrues for
any such non-Business Day), commencing on the Interest Payment Date in June
2006, at an annual rate equal to [RATE]% beginning on (and including) the date
of original issuance and ending on (but excluding) the Interest Payment Date in
June 2006 and at an annual rate for each successive period beginning on (and
including) the Interest Payment Date in June 2006, and each succeeding Interest
Payment Date, and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Interest Payment
Date (each a "Distribution Period"), equal to 3-Month LIBOR, determined as
described below, plus 1.35% (the "Coupon Rate"), applied to the principal amount
hereof, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for or made
available for payment, and on any overdue principal and (without duplication and
to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law)
on any overdue installment of interest (including Additional Interest) at the
Interest Rate in effect for each applicable period, compounded quarterly, from
the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for
payment. The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the
basis of the actual number of days in the Distribution Period concerned divided
by 360. The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly
provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture,
be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date
for such interest installment, which shall be fifteen Business Days prior to the
day on which the relevant Interest Payment Date occurs. Any such interest
installment not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to
be payable to the Holder on such regular record date and may be paid to the
Person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is
registered at the close of business on a special record date.
B-2
"3-Month LIBOR" as used herein, means the London interbank offered interest
rate for three-month U.S. dollar deposits determined by the Trustee in the
following order of priority: (i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum)
for U.S. dollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate
Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date
("Telerate Page 3750" means the display designated as "Page 3750" on the
Moneyline Telerate Service or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that
service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British
Bankers' Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying
London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits); (ii) if such rate
cannot be identified on the related Determination Date, the Trustee will request
the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London interbank
market to provide such banks' offered quotations (expressed as percentages per
annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. dollar deposits
having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such
Determination Date. If at least two quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will
be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; (iii) if fewer than two such
quotations are provided as requested in clause (ii) above, the Trustee will
request four major New York City banks to provide such banks' offered quotations
(expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European banks for loans in U.S.
dollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date. If at least
two such quotations are provided, 3-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of
such quotations; and (iv) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as
requested in clause (iii) above, 3-Month LIBOR will be a 3-Month LIBOR
determined with respect to the Distribution Period immediately preceding such
current Distribution Period. If the rate for U.S. dollar deposits having a
three-month maturity that initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00
a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is superseded on the
Telerate Page 3750 by a corrected rate by 12:00 noon (London time) on such
Determination Date, then the corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable
page will be the applicable 3-Month LIBOR for such Determination Date. As used
herein, "Determination Date" means the date that is two London Banking Days
(i.e., a business day in which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are
transacted in the London interbank market) preceding the commencement of the
relevant Distribution Period.
The Interest Rate for any Distribution Period will at no time be higher
than the maximum rate then permitted by New York law as the same may be modified
by United States law.
All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Debentures will be
rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage
point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g.,
9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655), and all dollar
amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the
nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward)).
The principal of and interest on this Debenture shall be payable at the
office or agency of the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company)
maintained for that purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of
America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and
private debts; provided, however, that payment of interest may be made by check
mailed to the registered holder at such address as shall appear in the Debenture
Register if a request for a wire transfer by such holder has not been received
by the Company or by wire transfer to an account appropriately designated by the
holder hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of this
Debenture is the Institutional Trustee, the payment of the principal of and
interest on this Debenture will be made in immediately available funds at such
place and to such account as may be designated by the Trustee.
B-3
So long as no Acceleration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
the Company shall have the right, from time to time, and without causing an
Event of Default, to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending
the interest payment period on the Debentures at any time and from time to time
during the term of the Debentures, for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods
(each such extended interest payment period, an "Extension Period"), during
which Extension Period no interest (including Additional Interest) shall be due
and payable (except any Additional Sums that may be due and payable). No
Extension Period may end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date. During
an Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue on the Debentures, and
interest on such accrued interest will accrue at an annual rate equal to the
Interest Rate in effect for such Extension Period, compounded quarterly from the
date such interest would have been payable were it not for the Extension Period,
to the extent permitted by law (such interest referred to herein as "Additional
Interest"). At the end of any such Extension Period the Company shall pay all
interest then accrued and unpaid on the Debentures (together with Additional
Interest thereon); provided, however, that no Extension Period may extend beyond
the Maturity Date; provided further, however, that during any such Extension
Period, the Company shall not and shall not permit any Affiliate to engage in
any of the activities or transactions described on the reverse side hereof and
in the Indenture. Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the Company
may further extend such period, provided that such period together with all such
previous and further consecutive extensions thereof shall not exceed 20
consecutive quarterly periods, or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the
termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and
unpaid interest and Additional Interest, the Company may commence a new
Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest or
Additional Interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except
at the end thereof, but each installment of interest that would otherwise have
been due and payable during such Extension Period shall bear Additional
Interest. The Company must give the Trustee notice of its election to begin or
extend an Extension Period by the close of business at least 15 Business Days
prior to the Interest Payment Date with respect to which interest on the
Debentures would have been payable except for the election to begin or extend
such Extension Period.
The indebtedness evidenced by this Debenture is, to the extent provided in
the Indenture, subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment
in full of all Senior Indebtedness, and this Debenture is issued subject to the
provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each holder of this Debenture,
by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b)
authorizes and directs the Trustee on his or her behalf to take such action as
may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination
so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his or her attorney-in-fact for any and
all such purposes. Each holder hereof, by his or her acceptance hereof, hereby
waives all notice of the acceptance of the subordination provisions contained
herein and in the Indenture by each holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether now
outstanding or hereafter incurred, and waives reliance by each such holder upon
said provisions.
This Debenture shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture
hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the
certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of
the Trustee.
The provisions of this Debenture are continued on the reverse side hereof
and such provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully
set forth at this place.
B-4
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has duly executed this certificate.
FOUR OAKS FINCORP, INC.
By
--------------------------
Name:
Title:
B-5
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
-----------------------------
This is one of the Debentures referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee
By:
---------------------------------
Authorized Officer
B-6
REVERSE OF DEBENTURE
This Debenture is one of the floating rate junior subordinated deferrable
interest debentures of the Company, all issued or to be issued under and
pursuant to the Indenture dated as of March 30, 2006 (the "Indenture"), duly
executed and delivered between the Company and the Trustee, to which Indenture
reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights,
obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and
the holders of the Debentures. The Debentures are limited in aggregate principal
amount as specified in the Indenture.
Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event prior to the
Interest Payment Date in June 2011, the Company shall have the right to redeem
the Debentures in whole, but not in part, at any Interest Payment Date, within
120 days following the occurrence of such Special Event, at the Special
Redemption Price.
In addition, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Debentures, in
whole or in part, but in all cases in a principal amount with integral multiples
of $1,000.00, on any Interest Payment Date on or after the Interest Payment Date
in June 2011, at the Redemption Price.
Prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the Redemption Date or Special
Redemption Date, as applicable, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or
with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the
Redemption Date or the Special Redemption Date, as applicable, all the
Debentures so called for redemption at the appropriate Redemption Price or
Special Redemption Price.
If all, or less than all, the Debentures are to be redeemed, the Company
will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 nor more than 60 days,
respectively, prior to the Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, as
applicable, as to the aggregate principal amount of Debentures to be redeemed
and the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall
deem appropriate and fair, the Debentures or portions thereof (in integral
multiples of $1,000.00) to be redeemed.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any redemption of Debentures by the Company
shall be subject to the receipt of any and all required regulatory approvals.
In case an Acceleration Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, upon demand of the Trustee, the principal of all of the Debentures
shall become due and payable in the manner, with the effect and subject to the
conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee,
with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding, to execute
supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing
in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any
supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders
of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall
without the consent of the holders of each Debenture then outstanding and
affected thereby (i) change the fixed maturity of any Debenture, or reduce the
principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or reduce the rate or extend
the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on
redemption thereof or make the principal thereof or any interest or premium
thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the
Debentures, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute
suit for payment thereof or impair the right of repayment, if any, at the option
of the holder, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debentures the holders
of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture.
The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding on
behalf of the holders of all of the Debentures to waive (or modify any
previously granted waiver of) any past default or Event of Default, and its
consequences, except a default (a) in the payment of principal of, premium, if
any, or interest on any of the Debentures, (b) in respect of covenants or
provisions hereof or of the Indenture which cannot be modified or amended
without the consent of the holder of each Debenture affected, or (c) in respect
of the covenants contained in Section 3.9 of the Indenture; provided, however,
that if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of such trust, such
waiver or modification to such waiver shall not be effective until the holders
of a majority in Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities of the Trust shall have
consented to such waiver or modification to such waiver, provided, further, that
if the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debenture is required, such
waiver shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities of the
Trust shall have consented to such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the default
covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of the Indenture
and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored
to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver
shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair
any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder
shall have been waived as permitted by the Indenture, said default or Event of
Default shall for all purposes of the Debentures and the Indenture be deemed to
have been cured and to be not continuing.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Debenture or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest, including Additional Interest, on this Debenture at the time and place
and at the rate and in the money herein prescribed.
The Company has agreed that if Debentures are initially issued to the Trust
or a trustee of such Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities
by the Trust (regardless of whether Debentures continue to be held by such
Trust) and (i) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default,
(ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any
obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee, or (iii) the Company shall
have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on the
Debentures by extending the interest payment period as provided herein and such
Extension Period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then the
Company shall not, and shall not allow any Affiliate of the Company to, (x)
declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire,
or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's capital
stock or its Affiliates' capital stock (other than payments of dividends or
distributions to the Company) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the
foregoing or (y) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if
any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company or any
Affiliate that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the
Debentures (other than, with respect to clauses (x) and (y) above, (1)
repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the
Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other
similar arrangement with or for the benefit of one or more employees, officers,
directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or
stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of capital
stock of the Company (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such
capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior
to the applicable Extension Period, if any, (2) as a result of any exchange or
conversion of any class or series of the Company's capital stock (or any capital
stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any class or series of the Company's
capital stock or of any class or series of the Company's indebtedness for any
class or series of the Company's capital stock, (3) the purchase of fractional
interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or
exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or
exchanged, (4) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any
stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property
under any stockholders' rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights
pursuant thereto, (5) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or
other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of
such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the
dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock and any
cash payments in lieu of fractional shares issued in connection therewith, or
(6) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee).
B-7
The Debentures are issuable only in registered, certificated form without
coupons and in minimum denominations of $100,000.00 and any multiple of
$1,000.00 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to the
transfer restrictions and limitations as may be contained herein and therein
from time to time, this Debenture is transferable by the holder hereof on the
Debenture Register of the Company. Upon due presentment for registration of
transfer of any Debenture at the Principal Office of the Trustee or at any
office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose as provided in
Section 3.2 of the Indenture, the Company shall execute, the Company or the
Trustee shall register and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall
authenticate and make available for delivery in the name of the transferee or
transferees a new Debenture for a like aggregate principal amount. All
Debentures presented for registration of transfer or for exchange or payment
shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent)
be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of
transfer in form satisfactory to, the Company and the Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent duly executed by the holder or his attorney duly authorized
in writing. No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of
transfer of Debentures, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a
sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be
imposed in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debenture, the
Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any transfer
agent and any Debenture registrar may deem the Person in whose name such
Debenture shall be registered upon the Debenture Register to be, and may treat
him as, the absolute owner of such Debenture (whether or not such Debenture
shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debenture and for all other
purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent
nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any Debenture registrar shall be
affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any holder
for the time being or upon his order shall be valid, and, to the extent of the
sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys
payable upon any such Debenture.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or
interest on any Debenture, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in
respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or
agreement of the Company in the Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or
in any such Debenture, or because of the creation of any indebtedness
represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder,
employee, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company
or of any successor Person of the Company, either directly or through the
Company or any successor Person of the Company, whether by virtue of any
constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or
penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood that all such liability is
hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration
for, the execution of the Indenture and the issue of the Debentures.
Capitalized terms used and not defined in this Debenture shall have the
meanings assigned in the Indenture dated as of the date of original issuance of
this Debenture between the Trustee and the Company.
THE INDENTURE AND THE DEBENTURES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF
LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
B-8
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF PLACEMENT AGREEMENT
FOUR OAKS FINCORP, INC.
12,000 Capital Securities
Floating Rate Capital Securities
(Liquidation Amount $1,000.00 per Capital Security)
PLACEMENT AGREEMENT
--------------------
March 29, 2006
FTN Financial Capital Markets
845 Crossover Lane, Suite 150
Memphis, Tennessee 38117
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
787 7th Avenue
4th Floor
New York, New York 10019
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the "Company"), and
its financing subsidiary, Four Oaks Statutory Trust I, a Delaware statutory
trust (the "Trust," and hereinafter together with the Company, the "Offerors"),
hereby confirm their agreement (this "Agreement") with you as placement agents
(the "Placement Agents"), as follows:
Section 1. Issuance and Sale of Securities.
--------------------------------
1.1. Introduction.
-------------
The Offerors propose to issue and sell at the Closing (as defined in
Section 2.3.1 hereof) 12,000 of the Trust's Floating Rate Capital Securities,
with a liquidation amount of $1,000.00 per capital security (the "Capital
Securities"), to KBW, Inc. (the "Purchaser") pursuant to the terms of a
Subscription Agreement entered into, or to be entered into on or prior to the
Closing Date (as defined in Section 2.3.1 hereof), between the Offerors and the
Purchaser (the "Subscription Agreement"), the form of which is attached hereto
as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by this reference.
1.2. Operative Agreements.
--------------------
The Capital Securities shall be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a
subordinated basis by the Company with respect to distributions and amounts
payable upon liquidation, redemption or repayment (the "Guarantee") pursuant and
subject to the Guarantee Agreement (the "Guarantee Agreement"), to be dated as
of the Closing Date and executed and delivered by the Company and Wilmington
Trust Company ("WTC"), as trustee (the "Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit
from time to time of the holders of the Capital Securities. The entire proceeds
from the sale by the Trust to the holders of the Capital Securities shall be
combined with the entire proceeds from the sale by the Trust to the Company of
its common securities (the "Common Securities"), and shall be used by the Trust
to purchase $12,372,000.00 in principal amount of the Floating Rate Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (the "Debentures") of the Company.
The Capital Securities and the Common Securities for the Trust shall be issued
pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust among WTC, as Delaware
trustee (the "Delaware Trustee"), WTC, as institutional trustee (the
"Institutional Trustee"), the Administrators named therein, and the Company, to
be dated as of the Closing Date and in substantially the form heretofore
delivered to the Placement Agents (the "Trust Agreement"). The Debentures shall
be issued pursuant to an Indenture (the "Indenture"), to be dated as of the
Closing Date, between the Company and WTC, as indenture trustee (the "Indenture
Trustee"). The documents identified in this Section 1.2 and in Section 1.1 are
referred to herein as the "Operative Documents."
1.3. Rights of Purchaser.
--------------------
The Capital Securities shall be offered and sold by the Trust directly to
the Purchaser without registration of any of the Capital Securities, the
Debentures or the Guarantee under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), or any other applicable securities laws in reliance upon
exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and other
applicable securities laws. The Offerors agree that this Agreement shall be
incorporated by reference into the Subscription Agreement and the Purchaser
shall be entitled to each of the benefits of the Placement Agents and the
Purchaser under this Agreement and shall be entitled to enforce obligations of
the Offerors under this Agreement as fully as if the Purchaser were a party to
this Agreement. The Offerors and the Placement Agents have entered into this
Agreement to set forth their understanding as to their relationship and their
respective rights, duties and obligations.
1.4. Legends.
--------
Upon original issuance thereof, and until such time as the same is no
longer required under the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the
Capital Securities and Debentures certificates shall each contain a legend as
required pursuant to any of the Operative Documents.
Section 2. Purchase of Capital Securities.
-------------------------------
2.1. Exclusive Rights; Purchase Price.
---------------------------------
From the date hereof until the Closing Date (which date may be extended by
mutual agreement of the Offerors and the Placement Agents), the Offerors hereby
grant to the Placement Agents the exclusive right to arrange for the sale of the
Capital Securities to the Purchaser at a purchase price of $1,000.00 per Capital
Security.
2.2. Subscription Agreement.
-----------------------
The Offerors hereby agree to evidence their acceptance of the subscription
by countersigning a copy of the Subscription Agreement and returning the same to
the Placement Agents.
2.3. Closing and Delivery of Payment.
--------------------------------
2.3.1. Closing; Closing Date.
----------------------
2
The sale and purchase of the Capital Securities by the Offerors to the
Purchaser shall take place at a closing (the "Closing") at the offices of Lewis,
Rice & Fingersh, L.C., at 10:00 a.m. (St. Louis time) on March 30, 2006, or such
other business day as may be agreed upon by the Offerors and the Placement
Agents (the "Closing Date"); provided, however, that in no event shall the
Closing Date occur later than March 31, 2006 unless consented to by the
Purchaser. Payment by the Purchaser shall be payable in the manner set forth in
the Subscription Agreement and shall be made prior to or on the Closing Date.
2.3.2. Delivery.
---------
The certificate for the Capital Securities shall be in definitive form,
registered in the name of the Purchaser, or the Purchaser's designee, and in the
aggregate amount of the Capital Securities purchased by the Purchaser.
2.3.3. Transfer Agent.
---------------
Not less than two full business days prior to the Closing Date, a global
Capital Securities certificate in definitive form shall be made available by or
on behalf of the Offerors to the Placement Agents and the Institutional Trustee
for inspection and delivery to the Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its
custodian.
2.4. Costs and Expenses.
-------------------
Whether or not this Agreement is terminated or the sale of the Capital
Securities is consummated, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that it shall
pay or cause to be paid (directly or by reimbursement) all reasonable costs and
expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Offerors under
this Agreement, including all fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel and
accountants for the Offerors; all reasonable expenses incurred by the Offerors
incident to the preparation, execution and delivery of the Trust Agreement, the
Indenture, and the Guarantee; and all other reasonable costs and expenses
incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder and
under the Trust Agreement.
2.5. Failure to Close.
-----------------
If any of the conditions to the Closing specified in this Agreement shall
not have been fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Placement Agents or if the
Closing shall not have occurred on or before 10:00 a.m. (St. Louis time) on
March 31, 2006, then each party hereto, notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Agreement, shall be relieved of all further obligations under this
Agreement without thereby waiving any rights it may have by reason of such
nonfulfillment or failure; provided, however, that the obligations of the
parties under Sections 2.4, 7.5 and 9 shall not be so relieved and shall
continue in full force and effect.
Section 3. Closing Conditions.
-------------------
The obligations of the Purchaser and the Placement Agents on the Closing
Date shall be subject to the accuracy, at and as of the Closing Date, of the
representations and warranties of the Offerors contained in this Agreement, to
the accuracy, at and as of the Closing Date, of the statements of the Offerors
made in any certificates pursuant to this Agreement, to the performance by the
Offerors of their respective obligations under this Agreement, to compliance, at
and as of the Closing Date, by the Offerors with their respective agreements
herein contained, and to the following further conditions:
3.1. Opinions of Counsel.
--------------------
3
On the Closing Date, the Placement Agents shall have received the following
favorable opinions, each dated as of the Closing Date: (a) from Smith, Anderson,
Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, L.L.P., counsel for the Offerors and
addressed to the Purchaser, the Placement Agents and WTC in substantially the
form set forth on Exhibit B-1 attached hereto and incorporated herein by this
reference, (b) from Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., special Delaware counsel to
the Offerors and addressed to the Purchaser, the Placement Agents and the
Offerors, in substantially the form set forth on Exhibit B-2 attached hereto and
incorporated herein by this reference and (c) from Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.,
special tax counsel to the Offerors, and addressed to the Placement Agents and
the Offerors, addressing the items set forth on Exhibit B-3 attached hereto and
incorporated herein by this reference, subject to the receipt by Lewis, Rice &
Fingersh, L.C. of a representation letter from the Company in the form set forth
in Exhibit B-3 completed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Lewis, Rice &
Fingersh, L.C. (collectively, the "Offerors' Counsel Opinions"). In rendering
the Offerors' Counsel Opinions, counsel to the Offerors may rely as to factual
matters upon certificates or other documents furnished by officers, directors
and trustees of the Offerors (copies of which shall be delivered to the
Placement Agents and the Purchaser) and by government officials, and upon such
other documents as counsel to the Offerors may, in their reasonable opinion,
deem appropriate as a basis for the Offerors' Counsel Opinions. Counsel to the
Offerors may specify the jurisdictions in which they are admitted to practice
and that they are not admitted to practice in any other jurisdiction and are not
experts in the law of any other jurisdiction. If the Offerors' counsel is not
admitted to practice in the State of New York, the opinion of Offerors' counsel
may assume, for purposes of the opinion, that the laws of the State of New York
are substantively identical, in all respects material to the opinion, to the
internal laws of the state in which such counsel is admitted to practice. Such
Offerors' Counsel Opinions shall not state that they are to be governed or
qualified by, or that they are otherwise subject to, any treatise, written
policy or other document relating to legal opinions, including, without
limitation, the Legal Opinion Accord of the ABA Section of Business Law (1991).
3.2. Officer's Certificate.
----------------------
At the Closing Date, the Purchaser and the Placement Agents shall have
received certificates from an authorized officer of the Company, dated as of the
Closing Date, stating that (i) the representations and warranties of the
Offerors set forth in Section 5 hereof are true and correct as of the Closing
Date and that the Offerors have complied with all agreements and satisfied all
conditions on their part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing
Date, (ii) since the date of this Agreement the Offerors have not incurred any
liability or obligation, direct or contingent, or entered into any material
transactions, other than in the ordinary course of business, which is material
to the Offerors, and (iii) covering such other matters as the Placement Agents
may reasonably request.
3.3. Administrator's Certificate.
----------------------------
At the Closing Date, the Purchaser and the Placement Agents shall have
received a certificate of one or more Administrators of the Trust, dated as of
the Closing Date, stating that the representations and warranties of the Trust
set forth in Section 5 are true and correct as of the Closing Date and that the
Trust has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part
to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date.
3.4. Purchase Permitted by Applicable Laws; Legal Investment.
--------------------------------------------------------
The purchase of and payment for the Capital Securities as described in this
Agreement and pursuant to the Subscription Agreement shall (a) not be prohibited
by any applicable law or governmental regulation, (b) not subject the Purchaser
or the Placement Agents to any penalty or, in the reasonable judgment of the
Purchaser and the Placement Agents, other onerous conditions under or pursuant
to any applicable law or governmental regulation, and (c) be permitted by the
laws and regulations of the jurisdictions to which the Purchaser and the
Placement Agents are subject.
4
3.5. Consents and Permits.
---------------------
The Company and the Trust shall have received all consents, permits and
other authorizations, and made all such filings and declarations, as may be
required from any person or entity pursuant to any law, statute, regulation or
rule (federal, state, local and foreign), or pursuant to any agreement, order or
decree to which the Company or the Trust is a party or to which either is
subject, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
3.6. Information.
------------
Prior to or on the Closing Date, the Offerors shall have furnished to the
Placement Agents such further information, certificates, opinions and documents
addressed to the Purchaser and the Placement Agents, which the Placement Agents
may reasonably request, including, without limitation, a complete set of the
Operative Documents or any other documents or certificates required by this
Section 3; and all proceedings taken by the Offerors in connection with the
issuance, offer and sale of the Capital Securities as herein contemplated shall
be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Placement Agents.
If any condition specified in this Section 3 shall not have been fulfilled
when and as required in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions or
certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be
reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Placement Agents, this
Agreement may be terminated by the Placement Agents by notice to the Offerors at
any time at or prior to the Closing Date. Notice of such termination shall be
given to the Offerors in writing or by telephone or facsimile confirmed in
writing.
Section 4. Conditions to the Offerors' Obligations.
----------------------------------------
The obligations of the Offerors to sell the Capital Securities to the
Purchaser and consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall
be subject to the accuracy, at and as of the Closing Date, of the
representations and warranties of the Placement Agents contained in this
Agreement and to the following further conditions:
4.1. Executed Agreement.
-------------------
The Offerors shall have received from the Placement Agents an executed copy
of this Agreement.
4.2. Fulfillment of Other Obligations.
---------------------------------
The Placement Agents shall have fulfilled all of their other obligations
and duties required to be fulfilled under this Agreement prior to or at the
Closing.
Section 5. Representations and Warranties of the Offerors.
Except as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule (as defined in Section 11.1)
attached hereto, if any, the Offerors jointly and severally represent and
warrant to the Placement Agents and the Purchaser as of the date hereof and as
of the Closing Date as follows:
5.1. Securities Law Matters.
-----------------------
(a)
5
Neither the Company nor the Trust, nor any of their "Affiliates" (as
defined in Rule 501(b) of Regulation D under the Securities Act ("Regulation
D")), nor any person acting on any of their behalf has, directly or indirectly,
made offers or sales of any security, or solicited offers to buy any security,
under circumstances that would require the registration under the Securities Act
of any of the Capital Securities, the Guarantee or the Debentures (collectively,
the "Securities") or any other securities to be issued, or which may be issued,
by the Purchaser.
(b)
Neither the Company nor the Trust, nor any of their Affiliates, nor any
person acting on its or their behalf has (i) other than the Placement Agents,
offered for sale or solicited offers to purchase the Securities, or (ii) engaged
in any form of offering, general solicitation or general advertising (within the
meaning of Regulation D) in connection with any offer or sale of any of the
Securities.
(c)
The Securities satisfy the eligibility requirements of Rule 144A(d)(3)
under the Securities Act.
(d)
Neither the Company nor the Trust is or, after giving effect to the
offering and sale of the Capital Securities and the consummation of the
transactions described in this Agreement, will be an "investment company" or an
entity "controlled" by an "investment company," in each case within the meaning
of Section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"Investment Company Act"), without regard to Section 3(c) of the Investment
Company Act.
(e)
Neither the Company nor the Trust has paid or agreed to pay to any person
or entity (other than the Placement Agents) any compensation for soliciting
another to purchase any of the Securities.
5.2. Organization, Standing and Qualification of the Trust.
------------------------------------------------------
The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in good standing as
a statutory trust under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act (the "Statutory Trust
Act") with the power and authority to own property and to conduct the business
it transacts and proposes to transact and to enter into and perform its
obligations under the Operative Documents. The Trust is duly qualified to
transact business as a foreign entity and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which such qualification is necessary, except where the failure
to so qualify or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on
the Trust. The Trust is not a party to or otherwise bound by any agreement other
than the Operative Documents. The Trust is and will, under current law, be
classified for federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust and not as an
association taxable as a corporation.
5.3. Trust Agreement.
----------------
The Trust Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company and, on the
Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the
Administrators of the Trust, and, assuming due authorization, execution and
delivery by the Delaware Trustee and the Institutional Trustee, will be a valid
and binding obligation of the Company and such Administrators, enforceable
against them in accordance with its terms, subject to (a) applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, moratorium, receivership, reorganization, liquidation and other laws
relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally, and (b) general principles
of equity (regardless of whether considered and applied in a proceeding in
equity or at law) ("Bankruptcy and Equity"). Each of the Administrators of the
Trust is an employee or a director of the Company or of a financial institution
subsidiary of the Company and has been duly authorized by the Company to execute
and deliver the Trust Agreement.
6
5.4. Guarantee Agreement and the Indenture.
--------------------------------------
Each of the Guarantee and the Indenture has been duly authorized by the
Company and, on the Closing Date will have been duly executed and delivered by
the Company, and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the
Guarantee Trustee, in the case of the Guarantee, and by the Indenture Trustee,
in the case of the Indenture, will be a valid and binding obligation of the
Company enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to
Bankruptcy and Equity.
5.5. Capital Securities and Common Securities.
-----------------------------------------
The Capital Securities and the Common Securities have been duly authorized
by the Trust Agreement and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor
on the Closing Date to the Purchaser, in the case of the Capital Securities, and
to the Company, in the case of the Common Securities, will be validly issued and
represent undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust. None of the
Capital Securities or the Common Securities is subject to preemptive or other
similar rights. On the Closing Date, all of the issued and outstanding Common
Securities will be directly owned by the Company free and clear of any pledge,
security interest, claim, lien or other encumbrance.
5.6. Debentures.
-----------
The Debentures have been duly authorized by the Company and, at the Closing
Date, will have been duly executed and delivered to the Indenture Trustee for
authentication in accordance with the Indenture, and, when authenticated in the
manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor by
the Trust, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled
to the benefits of the Indenture enforceable against the Company in accordance
with their terms, subject to Bankruptcy and Equity.
5.7. Power and Authority.
--------------------
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Company and the Trust and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the
Company and the Trust, enforceable against the Company and the Trust in
accordance with its terms, subject to Bankruptcy and Equity.
5.8. No Defaults.
------------
The Trust is not in violation of the Trust Agreement or, to the knowledge
of the Administrators, any provision of the Statutory Trust Act. The execution,
delivery and performance by the Company or the Trust of this Agreement or the
Operative Documents to which it is a party, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated herein or therein and the use of the proceeds
therefrom, will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or a default under,
or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or other encumbrance
upon any property or assets of the Trust, the Company or any of the Company's
Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 5.11 hereof) pursuant to any contract,
indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other instrument to which
the Trust, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or
any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of any of
them is subject, except for a conflict, breach, default, lien, charge or
encumbrance which could not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect nor will such action result in any violation
of the Trust Agreement or the Statutory Trust Act or require the consent,
approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental agency or body. As
used herein, the term "Material Adverse Effect" means any one or more effects
that individually or in the aggregate are material and adverse to the Offerors'
ability to consummate the transactions contemplated herein or in the Operative
Documents or any one or more effects that individually or in the aggregate are
material and adverse to the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings,
affairs, business, prospects or results of operations of the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as whole, whether or not occurring in the ordinary course of
business.
7
5.9. Organization, Standing and Qualification of the Company.
--------------------------------------------------------
The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a
corporation in good standing under the laws of North Carolina, with all
requisite corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct the
business it transacts and proposes to transact, and is duly qualified to
transact business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each
jurisdiction where the nature of its activities requires such qualification,
except where the failure of the Company to be so qualified would not, singly or
in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.10. Subsidiaries of the Company.
----------------------------
Each of the Company's significant subsidiaries (as defined in Section
1-02(w) of Regulation S-X to the Securities Act (the "Significant
Subsidiaries")) is listed in Exhibit C attached hereto and incorporated herein
by this reference. Each Significant Subsidiary has been duly organized and is
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in
which it is chartered or organized, with all requisite power and authority to
own its properties and conduct the business it transacts and proposes to
transact, and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing as
a foreign entity in each jurisdiction where the nature of its activities
requires such qualification, except where the failure of any such Significant
Subsidiary to be so qualified would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital
stock of the Significant Subsidiaries (a) have been duly authorized and are
validly issued, (b) are fully paid and nonassessable, and (c) are wholly owned,
directly or indirectly, by the Company free and clear of any security interest,
mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, restriction upon voting or transfer,
preemptive rights, claim, equity or other defect.
5.11. Permits.
--------
The Company and each of its subsidiaries (as defined in Section 1-02(x) of
Regulation S-X to the Securities Act) (the "Subsidiaries") have all requisite
power and authority, and all necessary authorizations, approvals, orders,
licenses, certificates and permits of and from regulatory or governmental
officials, bodies and tribunals, to own or lease their respective properties and
to conduct their respective businesses as now being conducted, except such
authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates and permits which, if
not obtained and maintained, would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of
any such authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates or permits
which, singly or in the aggregate, if the failure to be so licensed or approved
is the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would, singly or
in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company and its
Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and
orders and consents, the violation of which would, singly or in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.12. Conflicts, Authorizations and Approvals.
----------------------------------------
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of its
respective articles or certificate of incorporation, charter or by-laws or
similar organizational documents or in default in the performance or observance
of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract,
indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other agreement or
instrument to which either the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or
by which it or any of them may be bound or to which any of the property or
assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, the effect of which
violation or default in performance or observance would have, singly or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
8
5.13. Holding Company Registration and Deposit Insurance.
---------------------------------------------------
The Company is duly registered (i) as a bank holding company or financial
holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and the
regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the
"Federal Reserve") or (ii) as a savings and loan holding company under the Home
Owners' Loan Act of 1933, as amended, and the regulations of the Office of
Thrift Supervision (the "OTS"), and the deposit accounts of the Company's
Subsidiary depository institutions are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation ("FDIC") to the fullest extent permitted by law and the rules and
regulations of the FDIC, and no proceedings for the termination of such
insurance are pending or threatened.
5.14. Financial Statements.
---------------------
(a)
The consolidated balance sheets of the Company and all of its Subsidiaries
as of December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 and related consolidated income
statements and statements of changes in shareholders' equity for the three years
ended December 31, 2005 together with the notes thereto, copies of each of which
have been provided to the Placement Agents (together, the "Financial
Statements"), have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a consistent basis (except as may be disclosed
therein) and fairly present in all material respects the financial position and
the results of operations and changes in shareholders' equity of the Company and
all of its Subsidiaries as of the dates and for the periods indicated. The books
and records of the Company and all of its Subsidiaries have been, and are being,
maintained in all material respects in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and any other applicable legal and accounting requirements
and reflect only actual transactions.
(b)
The information in the Company's most recently filed (i) FR Y-9C filed with
the Federal Reserve if the Company is a bank holding company, (ii) FR Y-9SP
filed with the Federal Reserve if the Company is a small bank holding company or
(iii) H-(b)11 filed with the OTS if the Company is a savings and loan holding
company (the "Regulatory Report"), previously provided to the Placement Agents
fairly presents in all material respects the financial position of the Company
and, where applicable, all of its Subsidiaries as of the end of the period
represented by such Regulatory Report.
(c)
Since the respective dates of the Financial Statements and the Regulatory
Report, there has been no material adverse change or development with respect to
the financial condition or earnings of the Company and all of its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole.
(d)
9
The accountants of the Company who certified the Financial Statements are
independent public accountants of the Company and its Subsidiaries within the
meaning of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
5.15. Exchange Act Reporting.
-----------------------
The reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") by the Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "1934 Act") and the regulations thereunder at the time they were
filed with the Commission complied as to form in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1934 Act and such reports did not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
5.16. Regulatory Enforcement Matters.
-------------------------------
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject or is party to,
or has received any notice or advice that any of them may become subject or
party to, any investigation with respect to, any cease-and-desist order,
agreement, consent agreement, memorandum of understanding or other regulatory
enforcement action, proceeding or order with or by, or is a party to any
commitment letter or similar undertaking to, or is subject to any directive by,
or has been since January 1, 2003, a recipient of any supervisory letter from,
or since January 1, 2003, has adopted any board resolutions at the request of,
any Regulatory Agency (as defined below) that currently restricts in any
material respect the conduct of their business or that in any material manner
relates to their capital adequacy, their credit policies, their ability or
authority to pay dividends or make distributions to their shareholders or make
payments of principal or interest on their debt obligations, their management or
their business (each, a "Regulatory Agreement"), nor has the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries been advised since January 1, 2003, by any Regulatory Agency
that it is considering issuing or requesting any such Regulatory Agreement.
There is no material unresolved violation, criticism or exception by any
Regulatory Agency with respect to any report or statement relating to any
examinations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. As used herein, the term
"Regulatory Agency" means any federal or state agency charged with the
supervision or regulation of depository institutions, bank, financial or savings
and loan holding companies, or engaged in the insurance of depository
institution deposits, or any court, administrative agency or commission or other
governmental agency, authority or instrumentality having supervisory or
regulatory authority with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is currently unable to pay
dividends or make distributions to its shareholders with respect to any class of
its equity securities, or prohibited from paying principal or interest on its
debt obligations, due to a restriction or limitation, whether by statute,
contract or otherwise, and, in the reasonable judgment of the Company's
management, neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries will be unable in
the foreseeable future to pay dividends or make distributions with respect to
any class of equity securities, or be prohibited from paying principal or
interest on its debt obligations, due to a restriction or limitation, whether by
statute, contract or otherwise.
5.17. No Material Change.
-------------------
Since December 31, 2005, there has been no material adverse change or
development with respect to the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings,
affairs, business, prospects or results of operations of the Company or its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, whether or not arising in the ordinary
course of business.
5.18. No Undisclosed Liabilities.
---------------------------
10
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any material liability,
whether known or unknown, whether asserted or unasserted, whether absolute or
contingent, whether accrued or unaccrued, whether liquidated or unliquidated,
and whether due or to become due, including any liability for taxes (and there
is no past or present fact, situation, circumstance, condition or other basis
for any present or future action, suit, proceeding, hearing, charge, complaint,
claim or demand against the Company or its Subsidiaries giving rise to any such
liability), except (i) for liabilities set forth in the Financial Statements and
(ii) normal fluctuation in the amount of the liabilities referred to in clause
(i) above occurring in the ordinary course of business of the Company and all of
its Subsidiaries since the date of the most recent balance sheet included in the
Financial Statements.
5.19. Litigation.
-----------
No charge, investigation, action, suit or proceeding is pending or, to the
knowledge of the Offerors, threatened against or affecting the Company or its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties before or by any courts or
any regulatory, administrative or governmental official, commission, board,
agency or other authority or body, or any arbitrator, wherein an unfavorable
decision, ruling or finding could have, singly or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect.
5.20. Deferral of Interest Payments on Debentures.
--------------------------------------------
The Company has no present intention to exercise its option to defer
payments of interest on the Debentures as provided in the Indenture. The Company
believes that the likelihood that it would exercise its right to defer payments
of interest on the Debentures as provided in the Indenture at any time during
which the Debentures are outstanding is remote because of the restrictions that
would be imposed on the Company's ability to declare or pay dividends or
distributions on, or to redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment
with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock and on the Company's ability
to make any payments of principal, interest or premium on, or repay, repurchase
or redeem, any of its debt securities that rank pari passu in all respects with,
or junior in interest to, the Debentures.
Section 6. Representations and Warranties of the Placement Agents.
Each Placement Agent represents and warrants to the Offerors as to itself
(but not as to the other Placement Agent) as follows:
6.1. Organization, Standing and Qualification.
-----------------------------------------
(a)
FTN Financial Capital Markets is a division of First Tennessee Bank
National Association, a national banking association duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the United States, with full
power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its
business as currently being conducted. FTN Financial Capital Markets is duly
qualified to transact business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing
in each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases property or conducts its
business so as to require such qualification and in which the failure to so
qualify would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect
on the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business, prospects or
results of operations of FTN Financial Capital Markets.
(b)
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of New York, with full
power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its
business as currently being conducted. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. is duly
qualified to transact business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing
in each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases property or conducts its
business so as to require such qualification and in which the failure to so
qualify would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect
on the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business, prospects or
results of operations of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
11
6.2. Power and Authority.
--------------------
The Placement Agent has all requisite power and authority to enter into
this Agreement, and this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized,
executed and delivered by the Placement Agent and constitutes the legal, valid
and binding agreement of the Placement Agent, enforceable against the Placement
Agent in accordance with its terms, subject to Bankruptcy and Equity and except
as any indemnification or contribution provisions thereof may be limited under
applicable securities laws.
6.3. General Solicitation.
---------------------
In the case of the offer and sale of the Capital Securities, no form of
general solicitation or general advertising was used by the Placement Agent or
its representatives including, but not limited to, advertisements, articles,
notices or other communications published in any newspaper, magazine or similar
medium or broadcast over television or radio or any seminar or meeting whose
attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or general advertising.
6.4. Purchaser.
----------
The Placement Agent has made such reasonable inquiry as is necessary to
determine that the Purchaser is acquiring the Capital Securities for its own
account, except as contemplated in Section 7.8 hereto, and that the Purchaser
does not intend to distribute the Capital Securities in contravention of the
Securities Act or any other applicable securities laws.
6.5. Qualified Purchasers.
---------------------
The Placement Agent has not offered or sold and will not arrange for the
offer or sale of the Capital Securities except (i) to those the Placement Agent
reasonably believes are "accredited investors" (as defined in Rule 501 of
Regulation D), or (ii) in any other manner that does not require registration of
the Capital Securities under the Securities Act. In connection with each such
sale, the Placement Agent has taken or will take reasonable steps to ensure that
the Purchaser is aware that (a) such sale is being made in reliance on an
exemption under the Securities Act and (b) future transfers of the Capital
Securities will not be made except in compliance with applicable securities
laws.
6.6. Offering Circulars.
-------------------
Neither the Placement Agent nor its representatives will include any
non-public information about the Company, the Trust or any of their Affiliates
in any registration statement, prospectus, offering circular or private
placement memorandum used in connection with any purchase of Capital Securities
without the prior written consent of the Trust and the Company. Section 7.
Covenants of the Offerors.
The Offerors covenant and agree with the Placement Agents and the Purchaser
as follows:
7.1. Compliance with Representations and Warranties.
-----------------------------------------------
12
During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Closing Date, the
Offerors shall use their best efforts and take all action necessary or
appropriate to cause their representations and warranties contained in Section 5
hereof to be true as of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as if made on and as of the Closing
Date.
7.2. Sale and Registration of Securities.
------------------------------------
The Offerors and their Affiliates shall not nor shall any of them permit
any person acting on their behalf (other than the Placement Agents), to directly
or indirectly (i) sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise
negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in the Securities Act) that
would or could be integrated with the sale of the Capital Securities in a manner
that would require the registration under the Securities Act of the Securities
or (ii) make offers or sales of any such Security, or solicit offers to buy any
such Security, under circumstances that would require the registration of any of
such Securities under the Securities Act.
7.3. Use of Proceeds.
----------------
The Trust shall use the proceeds from the sale of the Capital Securities
and the Common Securities to purchase the Debentures from the Company.
7.4. Investment Company.
-------------------
The Offerors shall not engage, or permit any Subsidiary to engage, in any
activity which would cause it or any Subsidiary to be an "investment company"
under the provisions of the Investment Company Act.
7.5. Reimbursement of Expenses.
--------------------------
If the sale of the Capital Securities provided for herein is not
consummated (i) because any condition set forth in Section 3 hereof is not
satisfied, or (ii) because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of
the Company or the Trust to perform any agreement herein or comply with any
provision hereof other than by reason of a breach by the Placement Agents, the
Company shall reimburse the Placement Agents upon demand for all of their pro
rata share of out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel) in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00 that shall have
been incurred by them in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the
Capital Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no
obligation to reimburse the Placement Agents for their out-of-pocket expenses if
the sale of the Capital Securities fails to occur because the Placement Agents
fail to fulfill a condition set forth in Section 4.
7.6. Solicitation and Advertising.
-----------------------------
In connection with any offer or sale of any of the Securities, the Offerors
shall not, nor shall either of them permit any of their Affiliates or any person
acting on their behalf, other than the Placement Agents, to engage in any form
of general solicitation or general advertising (as defined in Regulation D).
7.7. Compliance with Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
---------------------------------------------------------
So long as any of the Securities are outstanding and are "restricted
securities" within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, the
Offerors will, during any period in which they are not subject to and in
compliance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), or the Offerors are not exempt from such reporting
requirements pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
Exchange Act, provide to each holder of such restricted securities and to each
prospective purchaser (as designated by such holder) of such restricted
securities, upon the request of such holder or prospective purchaser in
connection with any proposed transfer, any information required to be provided
by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act, if applicable. This covenant is
intended to be for the benefit of the holders, and the prospective purchasers
designated by such holders, from time to time of such restricted securities. The
information provided by the Offerors pursuant to this Section 7.7 will not, at
the date thereof, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
13
7.8. Quarterly Reports.
------------------
Within 50 days of the end of each calendar year quarter and within 100 days
of the end of each calendar year during which the Debentures are issued and
outstanding and Purchaser holds any of the Capital Securities, the Offerors
shall submit to Purchaser a completed quarterly report in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit D as well as a copy of the applicable Regulatory Report for
the Company.
7.9. Book-Entry Registration.
------------------------
Each Offeror will cooperate with the Placement Agents and use all
commercially reasonable efforts to make the Capital Securities, and in the event
the Debentures are distributed to holders of the Capital Securities, to make the
Debentures, eligible for clearance and settlement as book-entry securities
through the facilities of DTC, and will execute, deliver and comply with all
representations made to, and agreements with, DTC and Nasdaq's PORTAL system.
Section 8. Covenants of the Placement Agents.
----------------------------------
The Placement Agents covenant and agree with the Offerors that, during the
period from the date of this Agreement to the Closing Date, the Placement Agents
shall use their best efforts and take all action necessary or appropriate to
cause their representations and warranties contained in Section 6 to be true as
of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, as if made on and as of the Closing Date. The Placement Agents
further covenant and agree not to engage in hedging transactions with respect to
the Capital Securities unless such transactions are conducted in compliance with
the Securities Act.
Section 9. Indemnification.
----------------
9.1. Indemnification Obligation.
---------------------------
The Offerors shall jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless the
Placement Agents and the Purchaser and each of their respective agents,
employees, officers and directors and each person that controls either of the
Placement Agents or the Purchaser within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and agents, employees,
officers and directors or any such controlling person of either of the Placement
Agents or the Purchaser (each such person or entity, an "Indemnified Party")
from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, judgments, liabilities or
expenses, joint or several, to which such Indemnified Party may become subject
under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory
law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any
litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the
Offerors), insofar as such losses, claims, damages, judgments, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of, or are based upon, or
relate to, in whole or in part, (a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any information (whether written or
oral) or documents executed in favor of, furnished or made available to the
Placement Agents or the Purchaser by the Offerors, or (b) any omission or
alleged omission to state in any information (whether written or oral) or
documents executed in favor of, furnished or made available to the Placement
Agents or the Purchaser by the Offerors a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and shall
reimburse each Indemnified Party for any legal and other expenses as such
expenses are reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with
investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim,
damage, judgments, liability, expense or action described in this Section 9.1.
In addition to their other obligations under this Section 9, the Offerors hereby
agree that, as an interim measure during the pendency of any claim, action,
investigation, inquiry or other proceeding arising out of, or based upon, or
related to the matters described above in this Section 9.1, they shall reimburse
each Indemnified Party on a quarterly basis for all reasonable legal or other
expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such claim,
action, investigation, inquiry or other proceeding, notwithstanding the absence
of a judicial determination as to the propriety and enforceability of the
possibility that such payments might later be held to have been improper by a
court of competent jurisdiction. To the extent that any such interim
reimbursement payment is so held to have been improper, each Indemnified Party
shall promptly return such amounts to the Offerors together with interest,
determined on the basis of the prime rate (or other commercial lending rate for
borrowers of the highest credit standing) announced from time to time by First
Tennessee Bank National Association (the "Prime Rate"). Any such interim
reimbursement payments which are not made to an Indemnified Party within 30 days
of a request for reimbursement shall bear interest at the Prime Rate from the
date of such request.
14
9.2. Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings.
---------------------------------------
Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party under this Section 9 of
notice of the commencement of any action, such Indemnified Party shall, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Offerors under this Section
9, notify the Offerors in writing of the commencement thereof; but, subject to
Section 9.4, the omission to so notify the Offerors shall not relieve them from
any liability pursuant to Section 9.1 which the Offerors may have to any
Indemnified Party unless and to the extent that the Offerors did not otherwise
learn of such action and such failure by the Indemnified Party results in the
forfeiture by the Offerors of substantial rights and defenses. In case any such
action is brought against any Indemnified Party and such Indemnified Party seeks
or intends to seek indemnity from the Offerors, the Offerors shall be entitled
to participate in, and, to the extent that they may wish, to assume the defense
thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party;
provided, however, if the defendants in any such action include both the
Indemnified Party and the Offerors and the Indemnified Party shall have
reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict between the positions of the
Offerors and the Indemnified Party in conducting the defense of any such action
or that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other Indemnified
Parties which are different from or additional to those available to the
Offerors, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to select separate counsel
to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of
such action on behalf of such Indemnified Party. Upon receipt of notice from the
Offerors to such Indemnified Party of their election to so assume the defense of
such action and approval by the Indemnified Party of counsel, the Offerors shall
not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Section 9 for any legal or
other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection
with the defense thereof unless (i) the Indemnified Party shall have employed
such counsel in connection with the assumption of legal defenses in accordance
with the proviso in the preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that
the Offerors shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate
counsel representing the Indemnified Parties who are parties to such action), or
(ii) the Offerors shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Party to represent the Indemnified Party within a reasonable time
after notice of commencement of the action, in each of which cases the fees and
expenses of counsel of such Indemnified Party shall be at the expense of the
Offerors.
9.3. Contribution.
-------------
15
If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 is required by its
terms, but is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient
to hold harmless an Indemnified Party under Section 9.1 in respect of any
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to herein or therein,
then the Offerors shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
Indemnified Party as a result of any losses, claims, damages, judgments,
liabilities or expenses referred to herein (i) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Offerors, on the
one hand, and the Indemnified Party, on the other hand, from the offering of
such Capital Securities, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above
is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also
the relative fault of the Offerors, on the one hand, and the Placement Agents,
on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions or
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties herein or other breaches
which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, judgments, liabilities or
expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The respective
relative benefits received by the Offerors, on the one hand, and the Placement
Agents, on the other hand, shall be deemed to be in the same proportion, in the
case of the Offerors, as the total price paid to the Offerors for the Capital
Securities sold by the Offerors to the Purchaser (net of the compensation paid
to the Placement Agents hereunder, but before deducting expenses), and in the
case of the Placement Agents, as the compensation received by them, bears to the
total of such amounts paid to the Offerors and received by the Placement Agents
as compensation. The relative fault of the Offerors and the Placement Agents
shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or
alleged omission of a material fact or the inaccurate or the alleged inaccurate
representation and/or warranty relates to information supplied by the Offerors
or the Placement Agents and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The provisions set forth in Section 9.2 with respect to notice of commencement
of any action shall apply if a claim for contribution is made under this Section
9.3; provided, however, that no additional notice shall be required with respect
to any action for which notice has been given under Section 9.2 for purposes of
indemnification. The Offerors and the Placement Agents agree that it would not
be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9.3 were
determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does
not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section
9.3. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of the
losses, claims, damages, judgments, liabilities or expenses referred to in this
Section 9.3 shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth
above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party
in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. In no
event shall the liability of the Placement Agents hereunder be greater in amount
than the dollar amount of the compensation (net of payment of all expenses)
received by the Placement Agents upon the sale of the Capital Securities giving
rise to such obligation. No person found guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not found guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.
9.4. Additional Remedies.
--------------------
The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 9 are
in addition to any liability that the Offerors may otherwise have to any
Indemnified Party.
9.5. Additional Indemnification.
---------------------------
The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust against all loss,
liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as due from the Trust under
Sections 9.1 through 9.4 hereof.
Section 10. Rights and Responsibilities of Placement Agents.
------------------------------------------------
10.1. Reliance.
---------
16
In performing their duties under this Agreement, the Placement Agents shall
be entitled to rely upon any notice, signature or writing which they shall in
good faith believe to be genuine and to be signed or presented by a proper party
or parties. The Placement Agents may rely upon any opinions or certificates or
other documents delivered by the Offerors or their counsel or designees to
either the Placement Agents or the Purchaser.
10.2. Rights of Placement Agents.
---------------------------
In connection with the performance of their duties under this Agreement,
the Placement Agents shall not be liable for any error of judgment or any action
taken or omitted to be taken unless the Placement Agents were grossly negligent
or engaged in willful misconduct in connection with such performance or
non-performance. No provision of this Agreement shall require the Placement
Agents to expend or risk their own funds or otherwise incur any financial
liability on behalf of the Purchaser in connection with the performance of any
of their duties hereunder. The Placement Agents shall be under no obligation to
exercise any of the rights or powers vested in them by this Agreement.
Section 11. Miscellaneous.
--------------
11.1. Disclosure Schedule.
--------------------
The term "Disclosure Schedule," as used herein, means the schedule, if any,
attached to this Agreement that sets forth items the disclosure of which is
necessary or appropriate as an exception to one or more representations or
warranties contained in Section 5 hereof; provided, that any item set forth in
the Disclosure Schedule as an exception to a representation or warranty shall be
deemed an admission by the Offerors that such item represents an exception,
fact, event or circumstance that is reasonably likely to result in a Material
Adverse Effect. The Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in paragraphs
corresponding to the section numbers contained in Section 5. Nothing in the
Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed adequate to disclose an exception to a
representation or warranty made herein unless the Disclosure Schedule identifies
the exception with reasonable particularity and describes the relevant facts in
reasonable detail. Without limiting the generality of the immediately preceding
sentence, the mere listing (or inclusion of a copy) of a document or other item
in the Disclosure Schedule shall not be deemed adequate to disclose an exception
to a representation or warranty made herein unless the representation or
warranty has to do with the existence of the document or other item itself.
Information provided by the Company in response to any due diligence
questionnaire shall not be deemed part of the Disclosure Schedule and shall not
be deemed to be an exception to one or more representations or warranties
contained in Section 5 hereof unless such information is specifically included
on the Disclosure Schedule in accordance with the provisions of this Section
11.1.
11.2. Legal Expenses.
---------------
At Closing, the Placement Agents shall provide a credit for the Offerors'
transaction-related legal expenses in the amount of $10,000.00.
11.3. Non-Disclosure.
Except as required by applicable law, including without limitation
securities laws and regulations promulgated thereunder, (i) the Offerors shall
not, and will cause their advisors and representatives not to, issue any press
release or other public statement regarding the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or the Operative Documents prior to or on the Closing Date and
(ii) following the Closing Date, the Offerors shall not include in any press
release, other public statement or other communication regarding the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Operative Documents, any
reference to the Placement Agents, WTC, the Purchaser, the term "PreTS" or any
derivations thereof, or the terms and conditions of this Agreement or the
Operative Documents. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Offerors may
(1) consult any tax advisor regarding U.S. federal income tax treatment or tax
structure of the transaction contemplated under this Agreement and the Operative
Documents and (2) disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any
kind, the U.S. Federal income tax structure (in each case, within the meaning of
Treasury Regulation ss. 1.6011-4) of the transaction contemplated under this
Agreement and the Operative Documents and all materials of any kind (including
opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to you relating to such tax
treatment and tax structure. For this purpose, "tax structure" is limited to any
facts relevant to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the transaction and
does not include information relating to identity of the parties.
17
11.4. Notices.
--------
Prior to the Closing, and thereafter with respect to matters pertaining to
this Agreement only, all notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail,
telex, telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery:
if to the Placement Agents, to:
FTN Financial Capital Markets
845 Crossover Lane, Suite 150
Memphis, Tennessee 38117
Telecopier: 901-435-4706
Telephone: 800-456-5460
Attention: James D. Wingett
and
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
787 7th Avenue
4th Floor
New York, New York 10019
Telecopier: 212-403-2000
Telephone: 212-403-1004
Attention: Mitchell Kleinman, General Counsel
with a copy to:
Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.
500 North Broadway, Suite 2000
St. Louis, Missouri 63102
Telecopier: 314-241-6056
Telephone: 314-444-7600
Attention: Thomas C. Erb, Esq.
and
Sidley Austin LLP
787 7th Avenue
New York, New York 10019
Telecopier: 212-839-5599
Telephone: 212-839-5300
Attention: Renwick Martin, Esq.
18
if to the Offerors, to:
Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc.
6144 U.S. 301 South
Four Oaks, North Carolina 27524
Telecopier: 919-963-2278
Telephone: 919-963-1130
Attention: Nancy S. Wise
with a copy to:
Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, L.L.P.
2500 Wachovia Capitol Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27602
Telecopier: 919-821-6800
Telephone: 919-821-6772
Attention: Michael P. Saber, Esq.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given
(i) at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered, (ii) five business
days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed, (iii) when
answered back, if telexed, (iv) the next business day after being telecopied, or
(v) the next business day after timely delivery to a courier, if sent by
overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery. From and after the
Closing, the foregoing notice provisions shall be superseded by any notice
provisions of the Operative Documents under which notice is given. The Placement
Agents, the Offerors, and their respective counsel, may change their respective
notice addresses from time to time by written notice to all of the foregoing
persons.
11.5. Parties in Interest, Successors and Assigns.
--------------------------------------------
Except as expressly set forth herein, this Agreement is made solely for
the benefit of the Placement Agents, the Purchaser and the Offerors and any
person controlling the Placement Agents, the Purchaser or the Offerors and their
respective successors and assigns; and no other person shall acquire or have any
right under or by virtue of this Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the
parties.
11.6. Counterparts.
-------------
This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original
and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
11.7. Headings.
---------
The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and
shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
11.8. Governing Law.
--------------
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
INTERNAL LAWS (AND NOT THE LAWS PERTAINING TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS) OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK.
19
11.9. Entire Agreement.
-----------------
This Agreement, together with the Operative Documents and the other
documents delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement
and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and
understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained
herein and therein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or
undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This
Agreement, together with the Operative Documents and the other documents
delivered in connection with the transaction contemplated by this Agreement,
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with
respect to such subject matter.
11.10. Severability.
-------------
In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or
the application thereof in any circumstances, is held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining
provisions hereof shall not be in any way impaired or affected, it being
intended that all of the Placement Agents' and the Purchaser's rights and
privileges shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
11.11. Survival.
---------
The Placement Agents and the Offerors, respectively, agree that the
representations, warranties and agreements made by each of them in this
Agreement and in any certificate or other instrument delivered pursuant hereto
shall remain in full force and effect and shall survive the delivery of, and
payment for, the Capital Securities.
Signatures appear on the following page
20
If this Agreement is satisfactory to you, please so indicate by signing the
acceptance of this Agreement and deliver such counterpart to the Offerors
whereupon this Agreement will become binding between us in accordance with its
terms.
Very truly yours,
FOUR OAKS FINCORP, INC.
By:
------------------------
Name:
----------------------
Title:
---------------------
FOUR OAKS STATUTORY TRUST I
By:
------------------------
Name:
----------------------
Title: Administrator
CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
as of the date first set forth above
FTN FINANCIAL CAPITAL MARKETS,
a division of First Tennessee Bank National Association,
as a Placement Agent
By:
-----------------------------------------------------
Name:
---------------------------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------------------------
KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.,
a New York corporation, as a Placement Agent
By:
-----------------------------------------------------
Name:
---------------------------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------------------------
21
EXHIBIT A
---------
FORM OF SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
------------------------------
FOUR OAKS STATUTORY TRUST I
FOUR OAKS FINCORP, INC.
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
March 30, 2006
THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") made among Four Oaks
Statutory Trust I (the "Trust"), a statutory trust created under the Delaware
Statutory Trust Act (Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del. C.
ss.ss. 3801, et seq.), Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc., a North Carolina corporation,
with its principal offices located at 6144 U.S. 301 South, Four Oaks, North
Carolina 27524 (the "Company" and, collectively with the Trust, the "Offerors"),
and KBW, Inc. (the "Purchaser").
RECITALS:
A. The Trust desires to issue 12,000 of its Floating Rate Capital
Securities (the "Capital Securities"), liquidation amount $1,000.00 per Capital
Security, representing an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the
Trust (the "Offering"), to be issued pursuant to an Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration") by and among the Company, Wilmington
Trust Company ("WTC"), the administrators named therein, and the holders (as
defined therein), which Capital Securities are to be guaranteed by the Company
with respect to distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and
otherwise pursuant to the terms of a Guarantee Agreement between the Company and
WTC, as trustee (the "Guarantee"); and
B. The proceeds from the sale of the Capital Securities will be combined
with the proceeds from the sale by the Trust to the Company of its common
securities, and will be used by the Trust to purchase an equivalent amount of
Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures of the Company
(the "Debentures") to be issued by the Company pursuant to an indenture to be
executed by the Company and WTC, as trustee (the "Indenture"); and
C. In consideration of the premises and the mutual representations and
covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
PURCHASE AND SALE OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
1.1 Upon the execution of this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby agrees to
purchase from the Trust 12,000 Capital Securities at a price equal to $1,000.00
per Capital Security (the "Purchase Price") and the Trust agrees to sell such
Capital Securities to the Purchaser for said Purchase Price. The rights and
preferences of the Capital Securities are set forth in the Declaration. The
Purchase Price is payable in immediately available funds on March 30, 2006, or
such other business day as may be designated by the Purchaser, but in no event
later than March 31, 2006 (the "Closing Date"). The Offerors shall provide the
Purchaser wire transfer instructions no later than 1 day following the date
hereof.
1.2 The Placement Agreement, dated March 29, 2006 (the "Placement
Agreement"), among the Offerors and the placement agents identified therein (the
"Placement Agents") includes certain representations and warranties, covenants
and conditions to closing and certain other matters governing the Offering. The
Placement Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference into this Agreement and
the Purchaser shall be entitled to each of the benefits of the Placement Agents
and the Purchaser under the Placement Agreement and shall be entitled to enforce
the obligations of the Offerors under such Placement Agreement as fully as if
the Purchaser were a party to such Placement Agreement.
A-1
1.3 Anything herein or in the Placement Agreement notwithstanding, the
Offerors acknowledge and agree that, so long as Purchaser holds some or all of
the Capital Securities, the Purchaser may in its discretion from time to time
transfer or sell, or sell or grant participation interests in, some or all of
such Capital Securities to one or more parties, provided that any such
transaction complies, as applicable, with the registration requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and any other
applicable securities laws, is pursuant to an exemption therefrom, or is
otherwise not subject thereto.
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER
2.1. The Purchaser understands and acknowledges that none of the Capital
Securities, the Debentures or the Guarantee have been registered under the
Securities Act or any other applicable securities law, are being offered for
sale by the Trust in transactions not requiring registration under the
Securities Act, and may not be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred
by the Purchaser except in compliance with the registration requirements of the
Securities Act or any other applicable securities laws, pursuant to an exemption
therefrom or in a transaction not subject thereto.
2.2. The Purchaser represents and warrants that, except as contemplated
under Section 1.3 hereof, it is purchasing the Capital Securities for its own
account, for investment, and not with a view to, or for offer or sale in
connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act or
other applicable securities laws, subject to any requirement of law that the
disposition of its property be at all times within its control and subject to
its ability to resell such Capital Securities pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act or under Rule 144A or any other
exemption from registration available under the Securities Act or any other
applicable securities law.
2.3. The Purchaser represents and warrants that neither the Offerors nor
the Placement Agents are acting as a fiduciary or financial or investment
adviser for the Purchaser.
2.4. The Purchaser represents and warrants that it is not relying (for
purposes of making any investment decision or otherwise) upon any advice,
counsel or representations (whether written or oral) of the Offerors or of the
Placement Agents.
2.5. The Purchaser represents and warrants that (a) it has consulted with
its own legal, regulatory, tax, business, investment, financial and accounting
advisers in connection herewith to the extent it has deemed necessary, (b) it
has had a reasonable opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from
officers and representatives of the Offerors concerning their respective
financial condition and results of operations and the purchase of the Capital
Securities, and any such questions have been answered to its satisfaction, (c)
it has had the opportunity to review all publicly available records and filings
concerning the Offerors and it has carefully reviewed such records and filings
that it considers relevant to making an investment decision, and (d) it has made
its own investment decisions based upon its own judgment, due diligence and
advice from such advisers as it has deemed necessary and not upon any view
expressed by the Offerors or the Placement Agents.
2.6. The Purchaser represents and warrants that it is a "qualified
institutional buyer" as defined under Rule 144A under the Securities Act. If the
Purchaser is a dealer of the type described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of Rule 144A
under the Securities Act, it owns and invests on a discretionary basis not less
than U.S. $25,000,000.00 in securities of issuers that are not affiliated with
it. The Purchaser is not a participant-directed employee plan, such as a 401(k)
plan, or any other type of plan referred to in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) or
(a)(1)(i)(E) of Rule 144A, or a trust fund referred to in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(F)
of Rule 144A that holds the assets of such a plan, unless investment decisions
with respect to the plan are made solely by the fiduciary, trustee or sponsor of
such plan.
A-2
2.7. The Purchaser represents and warrants that on each day from the date
on which it acquires the Capital Securities through and including the date on
which it disposes of its interests in the Capital Securities, either (i) it is
not (a) an "employee benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(3) of the United
States Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"))
which is subject to the provisions of Part 4 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA,
or any entity whose underlying assets include the assets of any such plan (an
"ERISA Plan"), (b) any other "plan" (as defined in Section 4975(e)(1) of the
United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")) which is
subject to the provisions of Section 4975 of the Code or any entity whose
underlying assets include the assets of any such plan (a "Plan"), (c) an entity
whose underlying assets include the assets of any such ERISA Plan or other Plan
by reason of Department of Labor regulation section 2510.3-101 or otherwise, or
(d) a governmental or church plan that is subject to any federal, state or local
law which is substantially similar to the provisions of Section 406 of ERISA or
Section 4975 of the Code (a "Similar Law"); or (ii) the purchase, holding and
disposition of the Capital Securities by it will satisfy the requirements for
exemptive relief under Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption ("PTCE") 84-14,
PTCE 90-1, PTCE 91-38, PTCE 95-60, PTCE 96-23 or a similar exemption, or, in the
case of a plan subject to a Similar Law, will not result in a non-exempt
violation of such Similar Law.
2.8. The Purchaser represents and warrants that it is acquiring the Capital
Securities as principal for its own account for investment and, except as
contemplated under Section 1.3 hereof, not for sale in connection with any
distribution thereof. It was not formed solely for the purpose of investing in
the Capital Securities, and additional capital or similar contributions were not
specifically solicited from any person owning a beneficial interest in it for
the purpose of enabling it to purchase any Capital Securities. The Purchaser is
not a (i) partnership, (ii) common trust fund or (iii) special trust, pension,
profit sharing or other retirement trust fund or plan in which the partners,
beneficiaries or participants, as applicable, may designate the particular
investments to be made or the allocation of any investment among such partners,
beneficiaries or participants, and except as contemplated under Section 1.3
hereof, it agrees that it shall not hold the Capital Securities for the benefit
of any other person and shall be the sole beneficial owner thereof for all
purposes and that it shall not sell participation interests in the Capital
Securities or enter into any other arrangement pursuant to which any other
person shall be entitled to a beneficial interest in the distribution on the
Capital Securities. The Capital Securities purchased directly or indirectly by
the Purchaser constitute an investment of no more than 40% of its assets. The
Purchaser understands and agrees that any purported transfer of the Capital
Securities to a purchaser which would cause the representations and warranties
of Section 2.6 and this Section 2.8 to be inaccurate shall be null and void ab
initio and the Offerors retain the right to resell any Capital Securities sold
to non-permitted transferees.
2.9. The Purchaser represents and warrants that it has full power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to make the representations and
warranties specified herein, and to consummate the transactions contemplated
herein and it has full right and power to subscribe for Capital Securities and
perform its obligations pursuant to this Agreement.
2.10. The Purchaser represents and warrants that no filing with, or
authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or
decree of, any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the
Purchaser, other than those that have been made or obtained, is necessary or
required for the performance by the Purchaser of its obligations under this
Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated herein.
A-3
2.11. The Purchaser represents and warrants that this Agreement has been
duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Purchaser.
2.12. The Purchaser understands and acknowledges that the Company will rely
upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing acknowledgments, representations,
warranties and agreements and agrees that, if any of the acknowledgments,
representations, warranties or agreements deemed to have been made by it by its
purchase of the Capital Securities are no longer accurate, it shall promptly
notify the Company.
2.13. The Purchaser understands that no public market exists for any of the
Capital Securities, and that it is unlikely that a public market will ever exist
for the Capital Securities.
ARTICLE II
MISCELLANEOUS
3.1. Any notice or other communication given hereunder shall be deemed
sufficient if in writing and sent by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, international courier or delivered by hand against written
receipt therefor, or by facsimile transmission and confirmed by telephone, to
the following addresses, or such other address as may be furnished to the other
parties as herein provided:
To the Offerors: Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc.
6144 U.S. 301 South
Four Oaks, North Carolina 27524
Attention: Nancy S. Wise
Fax: 919-963-2278
To the Purchaser: KBW, Inc.
787 7th Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Mitchell Kleinman, General Counsel
Fax: 212-403-2000
Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, notices shall be deemed to have
been given on the date of mailing, except notice of change of address, which
shall be deemed to have been given when received.
3.2. This Agreement shall not be changed, modified or amended except by a
writing signed by the parties to be charged, and this Agreement may not be
discharged except by performance in accordance with its terms or by a writing
signed by the party to be charged.
3.3. Upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Purchaser,
this Agreement shall become a binding obligation of the Purchaser with respect
to the purchase of Capital Securities as herein provided.
3.4. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY
OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT ALL THE TERMS AND
PROVISIONS HEREOF SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.
A-4
3.5. The parties agree to execute and deliver all such further documents,
agreements and instruments and take such other and further action as may be
necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.
3.6. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute
one and the same instrument.
3.7. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein,
or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining
provisions hereof shall not be in any way impaired or affected, it being
intended that all of the Offerors' and the Purchaser's rights and privileges
shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Signatures appear on the following page
A-5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is agreed to and accepted as of the day
and year first written above.
KBW, INC.
By:
-------------------------------------------------
Print Name:
-----------------------------------------
Title:
----------------------------------------------
FOUR OAKS FINCORP, INC.
By:
--------------------------
Name:
------------------------
Title:
-----------------------
FOUR OAKS STATUTORY TRUST I
By:
--------------------------
Name:
------------------------
Title: Administrator
A-6
EXHIBIT B-1
FORM OF COMPANY COUNSEL OPINION
March 30, 2006
KBW, Inc. FTN Financial Capital Markets
787 7th Avenue, 4th Floor 845 Crossover Lane, Suite 150
New York, New York 10019 Memphis, Tennessee 38117
Wilmington Trust Company Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
Rodney Square North 787 7th Avenue, 4th Floor
1100 North Market Street New York, New York 10019
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-1600
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc. (the "Company"), a
North Carolina corporation in connection with a certain Placement Agreement,
dated March 29, 2006, (the "Placement Agreement"), between the Company and Four
Oaks Statutory Trust I (the "Trust"), on one hand, and FTN Financial Capital
Markets and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. (the "Placement Agents"), on the other
hand. Pursuant to the Placement Agreement, and subject to the terms and
conditions stated therein, the Trust will issue and sell to KBW, Inc. (the
"Purchaser"), $12,000,000.00 aggregate principal amount of Floating Rate Capital
Securities (liquidation amount $1,000.00 per capital security) (the "Capital
Securities").
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the same
meanings ascribed to them in the Placement Agreement.
The law covered by the opinions expressed herein is limited to the law of
the United States of America and of the State of North Carolina.
We have made such investigations of law as, in our judgment, were necessary
to render the following opinions. We have also reviewed (a) the Company's
Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and its By-Laws, as amended; and (b) such
corporate documents, records, information and certificates of the Company and
the Subsidiaries, certificates of public officials or government authorities and
other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the
opinions hereinafter expressed. As to certain facts material to our opinions, we
have relied, with your permission, upon statements, certificates or
representations, including those delivered or made in connection with the
above-referenced transaction, of officers and other representatives of the
Company and the Subsidiaries and the Trust.
As used herein, the phrases "to the best of our knowledge" or "known to us"
or other similar phrases mean the actual knowledge of the attorneys who have had
active involvement in the transactions described above or who have prepared or
signed this opinion letter, or who otherwise have devoted substantial attention
to legal matters for the Company.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing and the further qualifications set
forth below, we are of the opinion as of the date hereof that:
1. The Company is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the State of North Carolina and is duly registered as a bank holding company
under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. Each of the Significant
Subsidiaries is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of organization. Each of the Company and the Significant
Subsidiaries has full corporate power and authority to own or lease its
properties and to conduct its business as such business is currently conducted
in all material respects. To the best of our knowledge, all outstanding shares
of capital stock of the Significant Subsidiaries have been duly authorized and
validly issued, and are fully paid and nonassessable except to the extent such
shares may be deemed assessable under 12 U.S.C. Section 1831o or 12 U.S.C.
Section 55, and are owned of record and beneficially, directly or indirectly, by
the Company.
2. The issuance, sale and delivery of the Debentures in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Placement Agreement and the Operative Documents have
been duly authorized by all necessary actions of the Company. The issuance, sale
and delivery of the Debentures by the Company and the issuance, sale and
delivery of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities by the Trust do not
give rise to any preemptive or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase any
shares of capital stock or equity securities of the Company or the Significant
Subsidiaries pursuant to the corporate Articles of Incorporation or Charter,
By-Laws or other governing documents of the Company or the Significant
Subsidiaries, or, to the best of our knowledge, any agreement or other
instrument to which either the Company or the Subsidiaries is a party or by
which the Company or the Significant Subsidiaries may be bound.
3. The Company has all requisite corporate power to enter into and perform
its obligations under the Placement Agreement and the Subscription Agreement,
and the Placement Agreement and the Subscription Agreement have been duly and
validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and constitute the
legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance
with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by general
principles of equity and by bankruptcy or other laws affecting creditors' rights
generally, and except as the indemnification and contribution provisions thereof
may be limited under applicable laws and certain remedies may not be available
in the case of a non-material breach.
4. Each of the Indenture, the Trust Agreement and the Guarantee Agreement
has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and is a valid
and legally binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its
terms, subject to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
receivership, moratorium and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of
creditors generally and of general principles of equity.
5. The Debentures have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Company, are entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and are legal, valid and
binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance
with their terms, subject to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, receivership, moratorium and other laws affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors generally and of general principles of equity.
6. To the best of our knowledge, neither the Company, the Trust, nor any of
the Subsidiaries is in breach or violation of, or default under, with or without
notice or lapse of time or both, its Articles of Incorporation or Charter,
By-Laws or other governing documents (including without limitation, the Trust
Agreement). The execution, delivery and performance of the Placement Agreement
and the Operative Documents and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Placement Agreement and the Operative Documents do not and
will not (i) result in the creation or imposition of any material lien, claim,
charge, encumbrance or restriction upon any property or assets of the Company or
the Subsidiaries, or (ii) conflict with, constitute a material breach or
violation of, or constitute a material default under, with or without notice or
lapse of time or both, any of the terms, provisions or conditions of (A) the
Articles of Incorporation or Charter, By-Laws or other governing documents of
the Company or the Subsidiaries, or (B) to the best of our knowledge, any
material contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement,
note, lease, franchise, license or any other agreement or instrument to which
the Company or the Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of
their respective properties may be bound or (C) any order, decree, judgment,
franchise, license, permit, rule or regulation of any court, arbitrator,
government, or governmental agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign,
known to us having jurisdiction over the Company or the Subsidiaries or any of
their respective properties which, in the case of each of (i) or (ii) above, is
material to the Company and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
A-8
7. Except for filings, registrations or qualifications that may be required
by applicable securities laws, no authorization, approval, consent or order of,
or filing, registration or qualification with, any person (including, without
limitation, any court, governmental body or authority) is required under the
laws of the State of North Carolina in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Placement Agreement and the Operative Documents in
connection with the offer and sale of the Capital Securities as contemplated by
the Placement Agreement and the Operative Documents.
8. To the best of our knowledge (i) no action, suit or proceeding at law or
in equity is pending or threatened to which the Company, the Trust or the
Subsidiaries are or may be a party, and (ii) no action, suit or proceeding is
pending or threatened against or affecting the Company, the Trust or the
Subsidiaries or any of their properties, before or by any court or governmental
official, commission, board or other administrative agency, authority or body,
or any arbitrator, wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding could
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by the Placement Agreement and the Operative
Documents or the issuance and sale of the Capital Securities as contemplated
therein or the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, affairs, business,
or results of operations of the Company, the Trust and the Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis.
9. Assuming the truth and accuracy of the representations and warranties of
the Placement Agents in the Placement Agreement and the Purchaser in the
Subscription Agreement, it is not necessary in connection with the offering,
sale and delivery of the Capital Securities, the Debentures and the Guarantee
Agreement (or the Guarantee) to register the same under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, under the circumstances contemplated in the Placement
Agreement and the Subscription Agreement.
10. Neither the Company nor the Trust is or after giving effect to the
offering and sale of the Capital Securities and the consummation of the
transactions described in the Placement Agreement will be, an "investment
company" or an entity "controlled" by an "investment company," in each case
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, without
regard to Section 3(c) of such Act.
The opinion expressed in the first two sentences of numbered paragraph 1 of
this opinion is based solely upon certain certificates and confirmations issued
by the applicable governmental officer or authority with respect to each of the
Company and the Significant Subsidiaries.
With respect to the foregoing opinions, since no member of this firm is
actively engaged in the practice of law in the States of Delaware or New York,
we do not express any opinions as to the laws of such states and have (i)
relied, with your approval, upon the opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
with respect to matters of Delaware law and (ii) assumed, with your approval and
without rendering any opinion to such effect, that the laws of the State of New
York, in all respects material to this opinion, are substantively identical to
the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to conflict of law
provisions.
A-9
The opinions expressed herein are rendered to you solely pursuant to
Section 3.1(a) of the Placement Agreement. As such, they may be relied upon by
you only and may not be used or relied upon by any other person for any purpose
whatsoever without our prior written consent.
A-10
EXHIBIT B-2
-----------
FORM OF DELAWARE COUNSEL OPINION
--------------------------------
To Each of the Persons
Listed on Schedule A Hereto
Re: Four Oaks Statutory Trust I
---------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Delaware counsel for Four Oaks Statutory Trust I,
a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust"), in connection with the matters set
forth herein. At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you.
For purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, our examination
of documents has been limited to the examination of originals or copies of the
following:
(a) The Certificate of Trust of the Trust (the "Certificate of Trust"), as
filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the
"Secretary of State") on March 22, 2006;
(b) The Declaration of Trust, dated as of March 22, 2006, among Four Oaks
Fincorp, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the "Company"), Wilmington Trust
Company, a Delaware banking corporation ("WTC"), as trustee and the
administrators named therein (the "Administrators");
(c) The Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, dated as of
March 30, 2006 (including the form of Capital Securities Certificate attached
thereto as Exhibit A-1 and the terms of the Capital Securities attached as Annex
I) (the "Declaration of Trust"), among the Company, as sponsor, WTC, as Delaware
trustee (the "Delaware Trustee") and institutional trustee (the "Institutional
Trustee"), the Administrators and the holders, from time to time, of undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust;
(d) The Placement Agreement, dated March 29, 2006 (the "Placement
Agreement"), among the Company, the Trust, and FTN Financial Capital Markets and
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., as placement agents;
(e) The Subscription Agreement, dated March 30, 2006 (the "Subscription
Agreement"), among the Trust, the Company and KBW, Inc. (the documents
identified in items (c) through (e) being collectively referred to as the
"Operative Documents");
(f) The Capital Securities being issued on the date hereof (the "Capital
Securities");
(g) The Common Securities being issued on the date hereof (the "Common
Securities") (the documents identified in items (f) and (g) being collectively
referred to as the "Trust Securities"); and
(h) A Certificate of Good Standing for the Trust, dated March 29, 2006,
obtained from the Secretary of State.
A-11
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined are used as defined
in the Declaration of Trust, except that reference herein to any document shall
mean such document as in effect on the date hereof. This opinion is being
delivered pursuant to Section 3.1 of the Placement Agreement.
For purposes of this opinion, we have not reviewed any documents other than
the documents listed in paragraphs (a) through (h) above. In particular, we have
not reviewed any document (other than the documents listed in paragraphs (a)
through (h) above) that is referred to in or incorporated by reference into the
documents reviewed by us. We have assumed that there exists no provision in any
document that we have not reviewed that is inconsistent with the opinions stated
herein. We have conducted no independent factual investigation of our own but
rather have relied solely upon the foregoing documents, the statements and
information set forth therein and the additional matters recited or assumed
herein, all of which we have assumed to be true, complete and accurate in all
material respects.
With respect to all documents examined by us, we have assumed (i) the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as authentic originals, (ii) the
conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies or
forms, and (iii) the genuineness of all signatures.
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) that the Declaration of
Trust constitutes the entire agreement among the parties thereto with respect to
the subject matter thereof, including with respect to the creation, operation,
and termination of the Trust, and that the Declaration of Trust and the
Certificate of Trust are in full force and effect and have not been amended
further, (ii) that there are no proceedings pending or contemplated, for the
merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution or termination of the Trust,
(iii) except to the extent provided in paragraph 1 below, the due creation, due
formation or due organization, as the case may be, and valid existence in good
standing of each party to the documents examined by us under the laws of the
jurisdiction governing its creation, formation or organization, (iv) that each
party to the documents examined by us is qualified to do business in each
jurisdiction where such qualification is required generally or necessary in
order for such party to enforce its rights under the documents examined by us,
(v) the legal capacity of each natural person who is a party to the documents
examined by us, (vi) except to the extent set forth in paragraph 2 below, that
each of the parties to the documents examined by us has the power and authority
to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, such documents,
(vii) except to the extent provided in paragraph 3 below, that each of the
parties to the documents examined by us has duly authorized, executed and
delivered such documents, (viii) the receipt by each Person to whom a Capital
Security is to be issued by the Trust (the "Capital Security Holders") of a
Capital Security Certificate for the Capital Security and the payment for the
Capital Securities acquired by it, in accordance with the Declaration of Trust
and the Subscription Agreement, (ix) that the Capital Securities are issued and
sold to the Holders of the Capital Securities in accordance with the Declaration
of Trust and the Subscription Agreement, (x) the receipt by the Person (the
"Common Securityholder") to whom the common securities of the Trust representing
common undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust (the "Common
Securities" and, together with the Capital Securities, the "Trust Securities")
are to be issued by the Trust of a Common Security Certificate for the Common
Securities and the payment for the Common Securities acquired by it, in
accordance with the Declaration of Trust, (xi) that the Common Securities are
issued and sold to the Common Securityholder in accordance with the Declaration
of Trust, (xii) that each of the parties to the documents reviewed by us has
agreed to and received the stated consideration for the incurrence of its
obligations under such documents, (xiii) that each of the documents reviewed by
us (other than the Declaration of Trust) is a legal, valid, binding and
enforceable obligation of the parties thereto in accordance with the terms
thereof and (xiv) that the Trust derives no income from or connected with
sources within the State of Delaware and has no assets, activities (other than
having a trustee and the filing of documents with the Secretary of State) or
employees in the State of Delaware. We have not participated in the preparation
of any offering materials with respect to the Trust Securities and assume no
responsibility for its contents.
A-12
This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding the
securities laws of the State of Delaware), and we have not considered and
express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction, including federal laws
and rules and regulations relating thereto. Our opinions are rendered only with
respect to Delaware laws and rules, regulations and orders thereunder that are
currently in effect.
We express no opinion as to (i) the effect of suretyship defenses, or
defenses in the nature thereof, with respect to the obligations of any
applicable guarantor, joint obligor, surety, accommodation party, or other
secondary obligor or any provisions of the Declaration of Trust with respect to
indemnification or contribution and (ii) the accuracy or completeness of any
exhibits or schedules to the Operative Documents. No opinion is given herein as
to the choice of law or internal substantive rules of law that any court or
other tribunal may apply to the transactions contemplated by the Operative
Documents.
We express no opinion as to the enforceability of any particular provision
of the Declaration of Trust or the other Operative Documents relating to
remedies after default.
We express no opinion as to the enforceability of any particular provision
of any of the Operative Documents relating to (i) waivers of rights to object to
jurisdiction or venue, or consents to jurisdiction or venue, (ii) waivers of
rights to (or methods of) service of process, or rights to trial by jury, or
other rights or benefits bestowed by operation of law, (iii) waivers of any
applicable defenses, setoffs, recoupments, or counterclaims, (iv) waivers or
variations of provisions which are not capable of waiver or variation under the
Uniform Commercial Code ("UCC") of the State, (v) the grant of powers of
attorney to any person or entity, or (vi) exculpation or exoneration clauses,
indemnity clauses, and clauses relating to releases or waivers of unmatured
claims or rights.
We have made no examination of, and no opinion is given herein as to the
Trustee's or the Trust's title to or other ownership rights in, or the existence
of any liens, charges or encumbrances on, or adverse claims against, any asset
or property held by the Institutional Trustee or the Trust. We express no
opinion as to the creation, validity, attachment, perfection or priority of any
mortgage, security interest or lien in any asset or property held by the
Institutional Trustee or the Trust.
We express no opinion as to the effect of events occurring, circumstances
arising, or changes of law becoming effective or occurring, after the date
hereof on the matters addressed in this opinion letter, and we assume no
responsibility to inform you of additional or changed facts, or changes in law,
of which we may become aware.
We express no opinion as to any requirement that any party to the Operative
Documents (or any other persons or entities purportedly entitled to the benefits
thereof) qualify or register to do business in any jurisdiction in order to be
able to enforce its rights thereunder or obtain the benefits thereof.
Based upon the foregoing, and upon our examination of such questions of law
and statutes of the State of Delaware as we have considered necessary or
appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and
exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in good standing
as a statutory trust under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act (12 Del. C. ss.
3801, et seq.) (the "Act"). All filings required under the laws of the State of
Delaware with respect to the creation and valid existence of the Trust as a
statutory trust have been made.
A-13
2. Under the Declaration of Trust and the Act, the Trust has the trust
power and authority to (A) execute and deliver the Operative Documents, (B)
perform its obligations under such Operative Documents and (C) issue the Trust
Securities.
3. The execution and delivery by the Trust of the Operative Documents, and
the performance by the Trust of its obligations thereunder, have been duly
authorized by all necessary trust action on the part of the Trust.
4. The Declaration of Trust constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company, the Trustees and the Administrators, and is
enforceable against the Company, the Trustees and the Administrators, in
accordance with its terms.
5. Each of the Operative Documents constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Trust, enforceable against the Trust, in accordance with its
terms.
6. The Capital Securities have been duly authorized for issuance by the
Declaration of Trust, and, when duly executed and delivered to and paid for by
the purchasers thereof in accordance with the Declaration of Trust, the
Subscription Agreement and the Placement Agreement, the Capital Securities will
be validly issued, fully paid and, subject to the qualifications set forth in
paragraph 8 below, nonassessable undivided beneficial interests in the assets of
the Trust and will entitle the Capital Securities Holders to the benefits of the
Declaration of Trust. The issuance of the Capital Securities is not subject to
preemptive or other similar rights under the Act or the Declaration of Trust.
7. The Common Securities have been duly authorized for issuance by the
Declaration of Trust and, when duly executed and delivered to the Company as
Common Security Holder in accordance with the Declaration of Trust, will be
validly issued, fully paid and, subject to paragraph 8 below and Section 9.1(b)
of the Declaration of Trust (which provides that the Holder of the Common
Securities are liable for debts and obligations of Trust), nonassessable
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust and will entitle the
Common Security Holder to the benefits of the Declaration of Trust. The issuance
of the Common Securities is not subject to preemptive or other similar rights
under the Act or the Declaration of Trust.
8. Under the Declaration of Trust and the Act, the Holders of the Capital
Securities, as beneficial owners of the Trust, will 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. We note that the Holders of the Capital Securities and the Holder
of the Common Securities may be obligated, pursuant to the Declaration of Trust,
(A) to provide indemnity and/or security in connection with and pay taxes or
governmental charges arising from transfers or exchanges of Capital Security
Certificates and the issuance of replacement Capital Security Certificates, and
(B) to provide security or indemnity in connection with requests of or
directions to the Institutional Trustee to exercise its rights and powers under
the Declaration of Trust.
9. Neither the execution, delivery and performance by the Trust of the
Operative Documents, nor the consummation by the Trust of any of the
transactions contemplated thereby, requires the consent or approval of, the
authorization of, the withholding of objection on the part of, the giving of
notice to, the filing, registration or qualification with, or the taking of any
other action in respect of, any governmental authority or agency of the State of
Delaware, other than the filing of the Certificate of Trust with the Secretary
of State (which Certificate of Trust has been duly filed).
A-14
10. Neither the execution, delivery and performance by the Trust of the
Trust Documents, nor the consummation by the Trust of the transactions
contemplated thereby, (i) is in violation of the Declaration of Trust or of any
law, rule or regulation of the State of Delaware applicable to the Trust or (ii)
to the best of our knowledge, without independent investigation, violates,
contravenes or constitutes a default under, or results in a breach of or in the
creation of any lien (other than as permitted by the Operative Documents) upon
any property of the Trust under any indenture, mortgage, chattel mortgage, deed
of trust, conditional sales contract, bank loan or credit agreement, license or
other agreement or instrument to which the Trust is a party or by which it is
bound.
11. Assuming that the Trust will not be taxable as a corporation for
federal income tax purposes, but rather will be classified for such purposes as
a grantor trust under Subpart E, Part I of Subchapter J of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, the Trust will not be subject to any tax, fee or
governmental charge under the laws of the State of Delaware.
The opinions expressed in paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 above are subject, as
to enforcement, to the effect upon the Declaration of Trust of (i) bankruptcy,
insolvency, moratorium, receivership, reorganization, liquidation, fraudulent
conveyance and transfer, and other similar laws relating to or affecting the
rights and remedies of creditors generally, (ii) principles of equity, including
applicable law relating to fiduciary duties (regardless of whether considered
and applied in a proceeding in equity or at law), and (iii) the effect of
applicable public policy on the enforceability of provisions relating to
indemnification or contribution.
Circular 230 Notice. Any advice contained in this communication with
respect to any federal tax matter was not intended or written to be used, and it
cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that the
Internal Revenue Service may impose on the taxpayer. If any such advice is made
to any person other than to our client for whom the advice was prepared, the
advice expressed above is being delivered to support the promotion or marketing
(by a person other than Richards, Layton & Finger) of the transaction or matter
discussed or referenced, and such taxpayer should seek advice based on the
taxpayer's particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.
In basing the opinions set forth herein on "our knowledge," the words "our
knowledge" signify that no information has come to the attention of the
attorneys in the firm who are directly involved in the representation of the
Trust in this transaction that would give us actual knowledge that any such
opinions are not accurate. Except as otherwise stated herein, we have undertaken
no independent investigation or verification of such matters.
We consent to your relying as to matters of Delaware law upon this opinion
in connection with the Placement Agreement. We also consent to Lewis, Rice &
Fingersh, L.C.'s and Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan,
L.L.P.'s relying as to matters of Delaware law upon this opinion in connection
with opinions to be rendered by them on the date hereof pursuant to the
Placement Agreement. Except as stated above, without our prior written consent,
this opinion may not be furnished or quoted to, or relied upon by, any other
Person for any purpose.
Very truly yours,
A-15
SCHEDULE A
----------
Wilmington Trust Company
FTN Financial Capital Markets
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
KBW, Inc.
Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc.
A-16
EXHIBIT B-3
-----------
TAX COUNSEL OPINION ITEMS
-------------------------
1. The Debentures will be classified as indebtedness of the Company for U.S.
federal income tax purposes.
2. The Trust will be characterized as a grantor trust and not as an
association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.
500 N. Broadway, Suite 2000
St. Louis, Missouri 63102
Re: Representations Concerning the Issuance of Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Debentures (the "Debentures") to Four Oaks
Statutory Trust I (the "Trust") and Sale of Trust Securities (the
"Trust Securities") of the Trust
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In accordance with your request, Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc. (the "Company")
hereby makes the following representations in connection with the preparation of
your opinion letter as to the United States federal income tax consequences of
the issuance by the Company of the Debentures to the Trust and the sale of the
Trust Securities.
Company hereby represents that:
1. The sole assets of the Trust will be the Debentures, any interest paid
on the Debentures to the extent not distributed, proceeds of the Debentures, or
any of the foregoing.
2. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the
Debentures for general corporate purposes.
3. The Trust was not formed to conduct any trade or business and is not
authorized to conduct any trade or business. The Trust exists for the exclusive
purposes of (i) issuing and selling the Trust Securities, (ii) using the
proceeds from the sale of Trust Securities to acquire the Debentures, and (iii)
engaging only in activities necessary or incidental thereto.
4. The Company has not entered into an agency agreement with the Trust or
authorized the trustee to act as its agent in dealing with third parties. To
Company's knowledge, after due inquiry, the Trust has not acted as the agent of
the Company or of anyone else in dealing with third parties.
5. The Trust was formed to facilitate direct investment in the assets of
the Trust, and the existence of multiple classes of ownership is incidental to
that purpose. There is no intent to provide holders of such interests in the
Trust with diverse interests in the assets of the Trust.
6. The Company intends to create a debtor-creditor relationship between the
Company, as debtor, and the Trust, as a creditor, upon the issuance and sale of
the Debentures to the Trust by the Company. The Company will (i) record and at
all times continue to reflect the Debentures as indebtedness on its separate
books and records for financial accounting purposes, and (ii) treat the
Debentures as indebtedness for all United States tax purposes.
7. During each year, the Trust's income will consist solely of payments
made by the Company with respect to the Debentures. Such payments will not be
derived from the active conduct of a financial business by the Trust. Both the
Company's obligation to make such payments and the measurement of the amounts
payable by the Company are defined by the terms of the Debentures. Neither the
Company's obligation to make such payments nor the measurement of the amounts
payable by the Company is dependent on income or profits of Company or any
affiliate of the Company.
B-3-2
8. The Company expects that it will be able to make, and will make, timely
payment of amounts identified by the Debentures as principal and interest in
accordance with the terms of the Debentures with available capital or
accumulated earnings.
9. The Company presently has no intention to defer interest payments on the
Debentures, and it considers the likelihood of such a deferral to be remote
because, if it were to exercise its right to defer payments of interest with
respect to the Debentures, it would not be permitted to declare or pay any
dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any capital stock of the Company or any
affiliate of the Company (other than payments of dividends or distributions to
the Company or payments of dividends from direct or indirect subsidiaries of the
Company to their parent corporations, which also shall be direct or indirect
subsidiaries of the Company) or make any payment of principal of or interest or
premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase, or redeem any debt securities of the
Company or any affiliate of the Company that rank pari passu in all respects
with or junior in interest to the Debentures, in each case subject to limited
exceptions stated in Section 2.11 of the Indenture to be entered into in
connection with the issuance of the Debentures.
10. The Company has no present intention (a) to take the position that a
deferral of interest payments on the Debentures is not a remote contingency, or
(b) to make an explicit disclosure on the Company's tax return, under Reg. ss.
1.1275-2(h)(5) that its determination as holder with respect to remote
contingency status is different from its determination as issuer.
11. Immediately after the issuance of the Debentures, the debt-to-equity
ratio of the Company (as determined for financial accounting purposes, but
excluding deposit liabilities from the Company's debt) will be within standard
depository institution industry norms and, in any event, will be no higher than
four to one (4 : 1).
12. To the best of our knowledge, the Company is currently in compliance
with all federal, state, and local capital requirements, except to the extent
that failure to comply with any such requirements would not have a material
adverse effect on the Company and its affiliates.
13. The Company will not issue any class of common stock or preferred stock
senior to the Debentures during their term.
14. The Internal Revenue Service has not challenged the interest deduction
on any class of the Company's subordinated debt in the last ten (10) years on
the basis that such debt constitutes equity for federal income tax purposes.
The above representations are accurate as of the date below and will
continue to be accurate through the issuance of the Trust Securities, unless you
are otherwise notified by us in writing. The undersigned understands that you
will rely on the foregoing in connection with rendering certain legal opinions,
and possesses the authority to make the representations set forth in this letter
on behalf of the Company.
Very truly yours,
FOUR OAKS FINCORP, INC.
Date: March 29, 2006 By: ______________________
Title: ______________________
B-3-3
EXHIBIT C
---------
SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES
------------------------
Four Oaks Bank & Trust Company
C-3-4
EXHIBIT D
---------
FORM OF QUARTERLY REPORT
------------------------
KBW, Inc.
787 7th Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Mitchell Kleinman, General Counsel
BANK HOLDING COMPANY
As of [March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31], 20__
Tier 1 to Risk Weighted Assets __________%
Ratio of Double Leverage __________%
Non-Performing Assets to Loans and OREO __________%
Ratio of Reserves to Non-Performing Loans __________%
Ratio of Net Charge-Offs to Loans __________%
Return on Average Assets (annualized)** __________%
Net Interest Margin (annualized)** __________%
Efficiency Ratio __________%
Ratio of Loans to Assets __________%
Ratio of Loans to Deposits __________%
Total Assets $__________
Year to Date Income $__________
- -------------------
*A table describing the quarterly report calculation procedures is provided on
page D-2
** To annualize Return on Average Assets and Net Interest Margin do the
following:
1st Quarter-multiply income statement item by 4, then divide by balance sheet
item(s)
2nd Quarter-multiply income statement item by 2,then divide by balance sheet
item(s)
3rd Quarter-divide income statement item by 3, then multiply by 4, then divide
by balance sheet item(s)
4th Quarter-should already be an annual number
NO ADJUSTMENT SHOULD BE MADE TO BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
C-3-5
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Report Item Corresponding FRY-9C or LP Line Description of Calculation
Items with Line Item corresponding
Schedules
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Tier 1 Capital" BHCK7206 Tier 1 Risk Ratio: Core Capital (Tier 1)/
to Risk Weighted Schedule HC-R Risk-Adjusted Assets
Assets
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of Double (BHCP0365)/(BHCP3210) Total equity investments in subsidiaries
Leverage Schedule PC in the LP divided by the total equity capital. This
field is calculated at the parent company
level. "Subsidiaries" include bank, bank
holding company, and nonbank subsidiaries.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-Performing (BHCK5525-BHCK3506+BHCK5526- Total Nonperforming Assets (NPLs+Foreclosed
Assets to Loans BHCK3507+BHCK2744)/(BHCK2122+BHCK Real Estate+Other Nonaccrual & Repossessed
and OREO 2744) Schedules HC-C, HC-M & HC-N Assets)/ Total Loans + Foreclosed Real Estate
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of Reserves (BHCK3123+BHCK3128)/(BHCK5525- Total Loan Loss and Allocated Transfer Risk
to Non-Performing BHCK3506+BHCK5526-BHCK3507) Reserves/ Total Nonperforming Loans
Loans Schedules HC & HC-N (Nonaccrual + Restructured)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of Net (BHCK4635-BHCK4605)/(BHCK3516) Net charge offs for the period as a
Charge-Offs to Schedules HI-B & HC-K percentage of average loans.
Loans
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return on Assets (BHCK4340/BHCK3368) Net Income as a percentage of Assets.
Schedules HI & HC-K
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest (BHCK4519)/(BHCK3515+BHCK3365+ (Net Interest Income Fully Taxable
Margin BHCK3516+BHCK3401+BHCKB985) Equivalent, if available / Average Earning
Schedules HI Memorandum and HC-K Assets)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Efficiency Ratio (BHCK4093)/(BHCK4519+BHCK4079) (Noninterest Expense)/ (Net Interest Income
Schedule HI Fully Taxable Equivalent, if available, plus
Noninterest Income)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of Loans to (BHCKB528+BHCK5369)/BHCK2170) Total Loans & Leases (Net of Unearned Income
Assets Schedule HC & Gross of Reserve)/ Total Assets
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of Loans to (BHCKB528+BHCK5369)/(BHDM6631+BHD Total Loans & Leases (Net of Unearned Income
Deposits M6636+BHFN6631+BHFN6636) & Gross of Reserve)/ Total Deposits (Includes
Schedule HC Domestic and Foreign Deposits)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Assets (BHCK2170) The sum of total assets. Includes cash and
Schedule HC balances due from depository institutions;
securities; federal funds sold and securities
purchased under agreements to resell; loans
and lease financing receivables; trading
assets; premises and fixed assets; other real
estate owned; investments in unconsolidated
subsidiaries and associated companies;
customer's liability on acceptances
outstanding; intangible assets; and other
assets.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income (BHCK4300) The sum of income (loss) before extraordinary
items and other adjustments and extraordinary
items; and other adjustments, net of income
taxes.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C-3-6