AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 4, 1997
REGISTRATION NOS. 333-28279
333-28279-01
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
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PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION
FIRST EMPIRE CAPITAL TRUST II
(Exact name of registrants specified in their charters)
NEW YORK 16-0968385
DELAWARE APPLIED FOR
State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation Identification No.)
or organization)
ONE M&T PLAZA
BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14240
(716) 842-5445
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrants' principal executive offices)
------------------------------
RICHARD A. LAMMERT, ESQ.
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION
ONE M&T PLAZA
BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14240
(716) 842-5390
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
------------------------------
WITH COPIES TO:
STEVEN KAPLAN, ESQ. WILLIAM P. ROGERS, JR., ESQ.
Arnold & Porter Cravath, Swaine & Moore
555 12th Street, N.W. Worldwide Plaza
Washington, D.C. 20004 825 Eighth Avenue
(202) 942-5998 New York, New York 10019
(212) 474-1270
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APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
------------------------
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. / /
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. / /
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. / /
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
------------------------
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
PROPOSED MAXIMUM
AMOUNT TO BE PROPOSED AGGREGATE OFFERING AMOUNT OF
REGISTERED OFFERING PRICE PRICE(1) REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Title of each of securities
to be registered.........................
% Capital Securities of First
Empire Capital Trust II.................. 100,000 $1,000 $100,000,000 $30,303(4)
% Junior Subordinated Debentures
of First Empire State Corporation(2).....
Guarantee of First Empire State
Corporation of certain obligations
under the Capital Securities(3)..........
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee,
exclusive of accrued interest and dividends, if any.
(2) The Junior Subordinated Debentures will be purchased by First Empire Capital
Trust II (the "Issuer Trust") with the proceeds of the sale of the Capital
Securities. Such securities may later be distributed for no additional
consideration to the holders of the Capital Securities upon the dissolution
of the Issuer Trust and the distribution of its assets.
(3) This Registration Statement is deemed to cover the Guarantee. Pursuant to
Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act, no separate registration fee is
payable for the Guarantee.
(4) The registration fee was previously paid in connection with the filing of
the original Registration Statement on Form S-3 on June 2, 1997.
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EXPLANATORY NOTE
The prospectus contained in this Registration Statement will be used in
connection with the offering of the following securities: (1) % Capital
Securities of First Empire Capital Trust II; (2) % Junior Subordinated
Debentures of First Empire State Corporation; and (3) a Guarantee of First
Empire State Corporation of certain obligations under the Capital Securities.
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 4, 1997
PROSPECTUS
$100,000,000
FIRST EMPIRE CAPITAL TRUST II
% CAPITAL SECURITIES
(LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED, TO THE EXTENT DESCRIBED HEREIN, BY
FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION
------------
THE CAPITAL SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY REPRESENT PREFERRED UNDIVIDED
BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN THE ASSETS OF FIRST EMPIRE CAPITAL TRUST II, A STATUTORY
BUSINESS TRUST CREATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (THE "ISSUER
TRUST"). FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION (THE "COMPANY") WILL INITIALLY BE THE
HOLDER OF ALL OF THE BENEFICIAL INTERESTS REPRESENTED BY COMMON SECURITIES OF
THE ISSUER TRUST (THE "COMMON SECURITIES" AND, TOGETHER WITH THE CAPITAL
SECURITIES, THE "TRUST SECURITIES"). THE ISSUER TRUST EXISTS FOR THE SOLE
PURPOSE OF ISSUING THE TRUST SECURITIES AND INVESTING THE PROCEEDS THEREOF IN
% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES (THE "JUNIOR
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES," AND TOGETHER WITH THE TRUST SECURITIES, THE
"SECURITIES") TO BE ISSUED BY THE COMPANY. THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
WILL MATURE ON JUNE , 2027 (THE "STATED MATURITY"). THE CAPITAL SECURITIES
WILL HAVE A PREFERENCE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES OVER THE COMMON SECURITIES
WITH RESPECT TO CASH DISTRIBUTIONS AND AMOUNTS PAYABLE ON LIQUIDATION,
REDEMPTION OR OTHERWISE. SEE "DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES--SUBORDINATION
OF COMMON SECURITIES."
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
-------------------
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 9 HEREOF FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION RELEVANT
TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE CAPITAL SECURITIES.
-----------------
THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF A BANK
AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION
OR ANY OTHER INSURER OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO
PRICE TO COMMISSIONS AND ISSUER
PUBLIC(1) DISCOUNT(2) TRUST(3)(4)
--------------- ---------------- -----------------
PER CAPITAL SECURITY.................................................... $ (3) $
TOTAL................................................................... $ (3) $
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(1) PLUS ACCRUED DISTRIBUTIONS, IF ANY, FROM JUNE , 1997.
(2) THE COMPANY AND THE ISSUER TRUST HAVE EACH AGREED TO INDEMNIFY THE
UNDERWRITERS AGAINST CERTAIN LIABILITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.
SEE "UNDERWRITING."
(3) IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALE OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES
WILL BE USED TO PURCHASE THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES, THE COMPANY HAS
AGREED TO PAY TO THE UNDERWRITERS, AS COMPENSATION FOR THEIR ARRANGING THE
INVESTMENT THEREIN OF SUCH PROCEEDS, $ PER CAPITAL SECURITY (OR
$ IN AGGREGATE). SEE "UNDERWRITING."
(4) BEFORE DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES PAYABLE TO THE COMPANY ESTIMATED AT $250,000.
THE CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE OFFERED, SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE, WHEN, AS AND IF
ISSUED TO AN ACCEPTED BY THE UNDERWRITERS NAMED HEREIN AND SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
OF CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS BY CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE, COUNSEL FOR THE
UNDERWRITERS. IT IS EXPECTED THAT DELIVERY OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES WILL BE
MADE IN BOOK-ENTRY FORM THROUGH THE BOOK-ENTRY FACILITIES OF THE DEPOSITORY
TRUST COMPANY ON OR ABOUT JUNE , 1997 AGAINST PAYMENT THEREFOR IN IMMEDIATELY
AVAILABLE FUNDS.
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.
JUNE , 1997
(COVER PAGE CONTINUED)
THE CAPITAL SECURITIES WILL BE REPRESENTED BY ONE OR MORE GLOBAL SECURITIES
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, AS
DEPOSITARY (THE "DEPOSITORY" OR "DTC"). BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL
SECURITIES WILL BE SHOWN ON, AND TRANSFER THEREOF WILL BE EFFECTED ONLY THROUGH,
RECORDS MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITORY AND ITS PARTICIPANTS. EXCEPT AS DESCRIBED
UNDER "DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES," CAPITAL SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE FORM
WILL NOT BE ISSUED AND OWNERS OF BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL SECURITIES
WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED HOLDERS OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES.
HOLDERS OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES WILL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE PREFERENTIAL
CUMULATIVE CASH DISTRIBUTIONS ACCUMULATING FROM JUNE , 1997 AND PAYABLE
SEMI-ANNUALLY IN ARREARS ON THE DAY OF AND OF EACH
YEAR, COMMENCING , 1997, AT THE ANNUAL RATE OF % OF THE LIQUIDATION AMOUNT
OF $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY ("DISTRIBUTIONS"). THE COMPANY HAS THE RIGHT TO
DEFER PAYMENT OF INTEREST ON THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AT ANY TIME OR
FROM TIME TO TIME FOR A PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING 10 CONSECUTIVE SEMI-ANNUAL PERIODS
WITH RESPECT TO EACH DEFERRAL PERIOD (EACH, AN "EXTENSION PERIOD"), PROVIDED
THAT NO EXTENSION PERIOD MAY EXTEND BEYOND THE STATED MATURITY OF THE JUNIOR
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES. NO INTEREST SHALL BE DUE AND PAYABLE DURING ANY
EXTENSION PERIOD, EXCEPT AT THE END THEREOF. UPON THE TERMINATION OF ANY SUCH
EXTENSION PERIOD AND THE PAYMENT OF ALL AMOUNTS THEN DUE, THE COMPANY MAY ELECT
TO BEGIN A NEW EXTENSION PERIOD SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH HEREIN. IF
INTEREST PAYMENTS ON THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES ARE SO DEFERRED,
DISTRIBUTIONS ON THE CAPITAL SECURITIES WILL ALSO BE DEFERRED AND THE COMPANY
WILL NOT BE PERMITTED, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS DESCRIBED HEREIN, TO
DECLARE OR PAY ANY CASH DISTRIBUTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE COMPANY'S CAPITAL
STOCK OR WITH RESPECT TO DEBT SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY THAT RANK PARI PASSU IN
ALL RESPECTS WITH OR JUNIOR TO THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES. DURING AN
EXTENSION PERIOD, INTEREST ON THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES WILL CONTINUE
TO ACCRUE (AND THE AMOUNT OF DISTRIBUTIONS TO WHICH HOLDERS OF THE CAPITAL
SECURITIES ARE ENTITLED WILL ACCUMULATE) AT THE RATE OF % PER ANNUM,
COMPOUNDED SEMI-ANNUALLY, AND HOLDERS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES WILL BE REQUIRED TO
ACCRUE INTEREST INCOME FOR UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. SEE
"DESCRIPTION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES--OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST
PAYMENT PERIOD" AND "CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES-- INTEREST INCOME
AND ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT."
THE COMPANY HAS, THROUGH THE GUARANTEE, THE TRUST AGREEMENT, THE JUNIOR
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE (EACH AS DEFINED
HEREIN), TAKEN TOGETHER, FULLY, IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED ALL
THE ISSUER TRUST'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE CAPITAL SECURITIES AS DESCRIBED BELOW.
SEE "RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE CAPITAL SECURITIES, THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED
DEBENTURES AND THE GUARANTEE--FULL AND UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE." THE GUARANTEE
OF THE COMPANY GUARANTEES THE PAYMENT OF DISTRIBUTIONS AND PAYMENTS ON
LIQUIDATION OR REDEMPTION OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES, BUT ONLY IN EACH CASE TO
THE EXTENT OF FUNDS HELD BY THE ISSUER TRUST, AS DESCRIBED HEREIN (THE
"GUARANTEE"). SEE "DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEE." IF THE COMPANY DOES NOT MAKE
PAYMENTS ON THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES HELD BY THE ISSUER TRUST, THE
ISSUER TRUST MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT FUNDS TO PAY DISTRIBUTIONS ON THE CAPITAL
SECURITIES. THE GUARANTEE DOES NOT COVER PAYMENT OF DISTRIBUTIONS WHEN THE
ISSUER TRUST DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO PAY SUCH DISTRIBUTIONS. IN SUCH
EVENT, A HOLDER OF CAPITAL SECURITIES MAY INSTITUTE A LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY
AGAINST THE COMPANY TO ENFORCE PAYMENT OF SUCH DISTRIBUTIONS TO SUCH HOLDER. SEE
"DESCRIPTION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES--ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY
HOLDERS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES." THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UNDER THE
GUARANTEE AND THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES ARE SUBORDINATE AND JUNIOR IN
RIGHT OF PAYMENT TO ALL SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS (AS DEFINED IN "DESCRIPTION OF
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES--SUBORDINATION") OF THE COMPANY, AND WILL BE PARI
PASSU WITH $150 MILLION OF OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY ASSOCIATED WITH THE 8.234%
CAPITAL SECURITIES ISSUED BY FIRST EMPIRE CAPITAL TRUST I (THE "OUTSTANDING
CAPITAL SECURITIES").
THE CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO MANDATORY REDEMPTION (I) IN WHOLE, BUT
NOT IN PART, UPON REPAYMENT OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AT STATED
MATURITY OR THEIR EARLIER REDEMPTION IN WHOLE UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF A TAX
EVENT, AN INVESTMENT COMPANY EVENT OR A CAPITAL TREATMENT EVENT (EACH AS DEFINED
HEREIN) AND (II) IN WHOLE OR IN PART AT ANY TIME ON OR AFTER JUNE , 2007
CONTEMPORANEOUSLY WITH THE OPTIONAL REDEMPTION BY THE COMPANY OF THE JUNIOR
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES IN WHOLE OR IN PART. THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
ARE REDEEMABLE PRIOR TO MATURITY AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY (I) ON OR AFTER
JUNE , 2007, IN WHOLE AT ANY TIME OR IN PART FROM TIME TO TIME, OR (II) IN
WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, AT ANY TIME WITHIN 90 DAYS FOLLOWING THE OCCURRENCE AND
CONTINUATION OF A TAX EVENT, INVESTMENT COMPANY EVENT OR CAPITAL TREATMENT
EVENT, IN EACH CASE AT A REDEMPTION PRICE SET FORTH HEREIN, WHICH INCLUDES THE
ACCRUED AND UNPAID INTEREST ON THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES SO REDEEMED TO
THE DATE FIXED FOR REDEMPTION. THE ABILITY OF THE COMPANY TO EXERCISE ITS RIGHTS
TO REDEEM THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES OR TO CAUSE THE
2
REDEMPTION OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES PRIOR TO THE STATED MATURITY MAY BE SUBJECT
TO PRIOR REGULATORY APPROVAL BY THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE
SYSTEM (THE "FEDERAL RESERVE"), IF THEN REQUIRED UNDER APPLICABLE FEDERAL
RESERVE CAPITAL GUIDELINES OR POLICIES. SEE "DESCRIPTION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED
DEBENTURES--REDEMPTION" AND "DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES--LIQUIDATION
DISTRIBUTION UPON DISSOLUTION."
THE HOLDERS OF THE OUTSTANDING COMMON SECURITIES HAVE THE RIGHT AT ANY TIME
TO DISSOLVE THE ISSUER TRUST AND, AFTER SATISFACTION OF LIABILITIES TO CREDITORS
OF THE ISSUER TRUST AS PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE LAW, TO CAUSE THE JUNIOR
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE HOLDERS OF THE CAPITAL
SECURITIES AND COMMON SECURITIES IN LIQUIDATION OF THE ISSUER TRUST. THE ABILITY
OF THE COMPANY TO DISSOLVE THE ISSUER TRUST MAY BE SUBJECT TO PRIOR REGULATORY
APPROVAL OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE, IF THEN REQUIRED UNDER APPLICABLE FEDERAL
RESERVE CAPITAL GUIDELINES OR POLICIES. SEE "DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL
SECURITIES--LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION UPON DISSOLUTION."
IN THE EVENT OF THE DISSOLUTION OF THE ISSUER TRUST, AFTER SATISFACTION OF
LIABILITIES TO CREDITORS OF THE ISSUER TRUST AS PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE
HOLDERS OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES WILL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A LIQUIDATION
AMOUNT OF $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY PLUS ACCUMULATED AND UNPAID DISTRIBUTIONS
THEREON TO THE DATE OF PAYMENT, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, WHICH MAY BE IN
THE FORM OF A DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH AMOUNT IN JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES. SEE
"DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES--LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION UPON DISSOLUTION."
THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES ARE UNSECURED AND SUBORDINATED TO ALL
SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS OF THE COMPANY. SEE "DESCRIPTION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED
DEBENTURES--SUBORDINATION."
IF THE PURCHASER IS USING FOR ITS PURCHASE OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES THE
ASSETS OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT
INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA") OR OF A PLAN OR INDIVIDUAL
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986,
AS AMENDED (THE "CODE" AND ANY SUCH EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN, PLAN OR INDIVIDUAL
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT, AN "ERISA PLAN"), THE PURCHASE SHALL CONSTITUTE A
REPRESENTATION BY SUCH PERSON AS TO CERTAIN MATTERS RELATING, GENERALLY, TO THE
RELATIONSHIP OF THE COMPANY TO THE ERISA PLAN AND THE AVAILABILITY OF AN
EXEMPTION FROM THE PROHIBITED TRANSACTION RULES UNDER ERISA AND THE CODE. SEE
"CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS."
THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES ARE DIRECT AND UNSECURED OBLIGATIONS OF
THE COMPANY, DO NOT EVIDENCE DEPOSITS AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT
INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER INSURER OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN, OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE CAPITAL
SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY, INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTTING CAPITAL SECURITIES AND
BIDDING FOR AND PURCHASING SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH
MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE
ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING." SUCH STABILIZING TRANSACTIONS, IF COMMENCED, MAY
BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE
BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY, THE ISSUER
TRUST OR THE UNDERWRITERS. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE
MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS
BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY OR THE ISSUER TRUST SINCE THE DATE
HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY ANYONE
IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN
WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR
TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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Available Information...................................................................................... 5
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............................................................ 5
Summary.................................................................................................... 6
Risk Factors............................................................................................... 9
First Empire State Corporation............................................................................. 15
Selected Consolidated Financial Data and Other Information................................................. 16
Recent Financial Results................................................................................... 17
First Empire Capital Trust II.............................................................................. 17
Use of Proceeds............................................................................................ 18
Capitalization............................................................................................. 19
Accounting Treatment....................................................................................... 20
Description of Capital Securities.......................................................................... 20
Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures.............................................................. 34
Description of Guarantee................................................................................... 43
Relationship Among the Capital Securities, the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee............ 45
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences.................................................................... 47
Supervision, Regulation and Other Matters.................................................................. 53
Certain ERISA Considerations...............................................................................
Underwriting............................................................................................... 55
Validity of Securities..................................................................................... 56
Experts.................................................................................................... 57
4
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities of the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the regional offices of the Commission located at
7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and Suite
1400, Citicorp Center, 14th Floor, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois
60661. Copies of such material can also be obtained at prescribed rates by
writing to the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Such material also may be accessed electronically
by means of the Commission's home page on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov. In
addition, such reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the
Company can be inspected at the offices of the American Stock Exchange, 86
Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006. This Prospectus does not contain all
the information set forth in the Registration Statement and exhibits thereto,
which the Company has filed with the Commission under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and to which reference is hereby made.
No separate financial statements of the Issuer Trust have been included or
incorporated by reference herein. The Company and the Issuer Trust do not
consider that such financial statements would be material to holders of the
Capital Securities because the Issuer Trust is a newly formed special purpose
entity, has no operating history or independent operations and is not engaged in
and does not propose to engage in any activity other than holding as trust
assets the Junior Subordinated Debentures and issuing the Trust Securities. See
"First Empire Capital Trust II," "Description of Capital Securities,"
"Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures" and "Description of Guarantee."
In addition, the Company does not expect that the Issuer Trust will be filing
reports under the Exchange Act with the Commission.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The Company hereby incorporates by reference in this Prospectus the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1996, the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1997, and the Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated as of January 9,
1997, January 31, 1997, February 19, 1997 and June 2, 1997 previously filed by
the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act.
In addition, all reports and definitive proxy or information statements
filed pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of any
offering of securities made by this Prospectus shall be deemed to be
incorporated herein by reference and to be a part hereof from the date of filing
of such documents. Any statement contained herein, or in any document all or a
portion of which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by
reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of the
Registration Statement and this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of the Registration
Statement or this Prospectus.
The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, on the written or oral
request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the foregoing documents
incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits to such documents).
Written requests should be directed to the Corporate Finance Department, First
Empire State Corporation, One M&T Plaza, Buffalo, New York 14240. Telephone
requests may be directed to (716) 842-5445 .
5
SUMMARY
THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
AS USED HEREIN, (I) THE "JUNIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE" MEANS THE JUNIOR
SUBORDINATED INDENTURE, AS AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, BETWEEN
THE COMPANY AND BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE (THE "DEBENTURE TRUSTEE"),
PURSUANT TO WHICH THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES ARE ISSUED, (II) THE "TRUST
AGREEMENT" MEANS THE AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE ISSUER
TRUST, AS AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, AMONG THE COMPANY, AS
DEPOSITOR, BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, AS PROPERTY TRUSTEE (THE "PROPERTY TRUSTEE")
AND BANKERS TRUST (DELAWARE), AS DELAWARE TRUSTEE (THE "DELAWARE TRUSTEE")
(COLLECTIVELY, THE "ISSUER TRUSTEES") AND (III) THE "GUARANTEE" MEANS THE
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE CAPITAL SECURITIES, AS AMENDED AND
SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
AS GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.
FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION
The Company is a New York corporation with its principal office in Buffalo,
New York. The Company is registered as a bank holding company under the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "Bank Holding Company Act"), and
engages directly and through its banking and nonbanking subsidiaries in
providing a wide range of commercial banking, retail banking, trust and
investment services to customers. As of March 31, 1997, the Company had
consolidated total assets of $13.1 billion, total deposits of $10.5 billion and
total stockholders' equity of $912 million. The Company's banking subsidiaries
are Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company ("M&T Bank") and M&T Bank, National
Association ("M&T Bank, N.A.," together with M&T Bank, the "Banks"). The Company
merged M&T Bank and The East New York Savings Bank ("East New York") effective
May 24, 1997. At March 31, 1997, M&T Bank would represent 97% of the
consolidated total assets of the Company, after giving effect to the merger of
M&T Bank and East New York. See "First Empire State Corporation--General."
FIRST EMPIRE CAPITAL TRUST II
The Issuer Trust is a statutory business trust created under Delaware law on
May 30, 1997. The Issuer Trust will be governed by the Trust Agreement. The
Issuer Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing and selling the
Trust Securities, (ii) using the proceeds from the sale of the Trust Securities
to acquire the Junior Subordinated Debentures and (iii) engaging in only those
other activities necessary, convenient or incidental thereto (such as
registering the transfer of the Trust Securities). Accordingly, the Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be the sole assets of the Issuer Trust, and
payments under the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be the sole source of
revenue of the Issuer Trust.
THE OFFERING
Securities Offered........... $100,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount of % Capital
Securities (Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security).
Offering Price............... $ per Capital Security (Liquidation Amount $1,000),
plus accumulated Distributions, if any, from June , 1997.
Distribution Dates........... and of each year, commencing , 1997.
Extension Periods............ Distributions on Capital Securities may be deferred for the
duration of any Extension Period selected by the Company
with respect to the payment of interest on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures. No Extension Period will exceed 10
consecutive semi-annual periods or extend beyond the Stated
Maturity. See "Description of Junior
6
Subordinated Debentures--Option to Extend Interest Payment
Period" and "Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences--Interest Income and Original Issue Discount."
Ranking...................... The Capital Securities will rank PARI PASSU and payments
thereon will be made pro rata, with the Common Securities
except as described under "Description of Capital
Securities--Subordination of Common Securities." The Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be unsecured and subordinate
and junior in right of payment to the extent and in the
manner set forth in the Junior Subordinated Indenture to all
Senior Indebtedness (as defined herein) and will be PARI
PASSU with the Company's obligations associated with the
Outstanding Capital Securities. See "Description of Junior
Subordinated Debentures." The Guarantee will constitute an
unsecured obligation of the Company and will rank
subordinate and junior in right of payment to the extent and
in the manner set forth in the Guarantee to all Senior
Indebtedness and will be PARI PASSU with the Company's
obligations associated with the Outstanding Capital
Securities. As of March 31, 1997, there was no Senior
Indebtedness of the Company outstanding. See "Description of
Guarantee."
Redemption................... The Trust Securities are subject to mandatory redemption (i)
in whole, but not in part, at the Stated Maturity upon
repayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) in
whole, but not in part, contemporaneously with the optional
redemption at any time by the Company of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures upon the occurrence and continuation
of a Tax Event, Investment Company Event or Capital
Treatment Event and (iii) in whole or in part, at any time
on or after June , 2007, contemporaneously with the
optional redemption by the Company of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures in whole or in part, in each case at
the applicable Redemption Price. See "Description of Capital
Securities--Redemption."
Rating....................... The Capital Securities have been rated "a3" by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. and "BBB-" by Standard & Poor's
Ratings Services. A security rating is not a recommendation
to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to
revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating
organization.
ERISA Considerations......... Prospective purchasers must carefully consider the
information set forth under "Certain ERISA Considerations."
Absence of Market for the
Capital Securities......... The Capital Securities will be a new issue of securities for
which there currently is no market. Although the
Underwriters have informed the Issuer Trust and the Company
that they each currently intend to make a market in the
Capital Securities, the Underwriters are not obligated to do
so, and any such market making may be discontinued at any
time without notice. Accordingly, there can be no assurance
as to the development or liquidity of any market for the
Capital Securities. See "Underwriting."
Use of Proceeds.............. All the proceeds to the Issuer Trust from the sale of the
Capital Securities will be invested by the Issuer Trust in
the Junior
7
Subordinated Debentures. All the net proceeds to be received
by the Company from the sale of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be used for general corporate purposes. See
"Use of Proceeds." The proceeds from the Capital Securities
will qualify as Tier 1 or core capital of the Company under
the current risk-based capital guidelines of the Federal
Reserve.
For additional information regarding the Capital Securities, see
"Description of Capital Securities," "Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures," "Description of Guarantee," "Relationship Among the Capital
Securities, the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee" and "Certain
Federal Income Tax Consequences."
RISK FACTORS
Prospective investors should carefully consider the matters set forth under
"Risk Factors" beginning on page 9.
8
RISK FACTORS
Prospective purchasers of the Capital Securities should carefully review the
information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus and should particularly
consider the following matters. Certain statements in this Prospectus and
documents incorporated herein by reference are forward-looking and are
identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "intended,"
"will be positioned," "expects," is or are "expected," "anticipates," and
"anticipated." These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's
current expectations. To the extent any of the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus constitutes a "forward-looking
statement" as defined in Section 21A(i)(1) of the Securities Act, the risk
factors set forth below are cautionary statements identifying important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statement.
RANKING OF SUBORDINATED OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GUARANTEE AND THE JUNIOR
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
The obligations of the Company under the Guarantee issued by the Company for
the benefit of the holders of Capital Securities and under the Junior
Subordinated Debentures are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all
Senior Indebtedness and PARI PASSU with the Company's obligations associated
with the Outstanding Capital Securities. At March 31, 1997, there was no Senior
Indebtedness of the Company. None of the Junior Subordinated Indenture, the
Guarantee or the Trust Agreement places any limitation on the amount of secured
or unsecured debt, including Senior Indebtedness, that may be incurred by the
Company. Because the Company is a holding company, the Junior Subordinated
Debentures and the Guarantee are effectively subordinated to all indebtedness
and other liabilities of its subsidiaries. See "Description of Guarantee--Status
of the Guarantee" and "Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures--Subordination."
The ability of the Issuer Trust to pay amounts due on the Capital Securities
is solely dependent upon the Company's making payments on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures as and when required.
STATUS OF THE COMPANY AS A BANK HOLDING COMPANY
The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Banks and its
other subsidiaries, although the principal source of the Company's cash revenues
is dividends from the Banks. The right of the Company to participate in the
assets of any subsidiary upon the latter's liquidation, reorganization or
otherwise (and thus the ability of the holders of Capital Securities to benefit
indirectly from any such distribution) will be subject to the claims of the
subsidiaries' creditors, which will take priority except to the extent to which
the Company may itself be a creditor with a recognized claim. As of March 31,
1997, the Company's subsidiaries had indebtedness and other liabilities of
approximately $12.2 billion.
Payment of dividends by the Company's banking subsidiaries is restricted by
various legal and regulatory limitations. At March 31, 1997, approximately
$121,741,000 was available for payment of dividends to the Company from banking
subsidiaries without prior regulatory approval.
The Banks are also subject to restrictions under federal law which limit the
transfer of funds by any of the Banks to the Company and its nonbanking
subsidiaries, whether in the form of loans, extensions of credit, investments,
asset purchases or otherwise. Such transfers by any Bank to the Company or any
of the Company's nonbanking subsidiaries are limited in amount to 10% of such
Bank's capital and surplus and, with respect to the Company and all such
nonbanking subsidiaries, to an aggregate of 20% of such Bank's capital and
surplus. Furthermore, such loans and extensions of credit are required to be
secured in specified amounts.
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD; TAX CONSEQUENCES
So long as no Event of Default (as defined in the Junior Subordinated
Indenture) has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Junior
Subordinated Debentures (a "Debenture Event of Default"), the
9
Company has the right under the Junior Subordinated Indenture to defer the
payment of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures at any time or from
time to time for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual periods with
respect to each Extension Period, provided that no Extension Period may extend
beyond the Stated Maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. See
"Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures--Debenture Events of Default." As
a consequence of any such deferral, semi-annual Distributions on the Capital
Securities by the Issuer Trust will be deferred during any such Extension
Period. Distributions to which holders of the Capital Securities are entitled
will accumulate additional Distributions thereon during any Extension Period at
the rate of % per annum, compounded semi-annually from the relevant payment
date for such Distributions, computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in such period.
Additional Distributions payable for each full Distribution period will be
computed by dividing the rate per annum by two. The term "Distribution" as used
herein shall include any such additional Distributions. During any such
Extension Period, the Company may 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 Company's capital stock 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 Company that rank PARI PASSU in all respects with or
junior in interest to the Junior Subordinated Debentures, including the
Company's obligations associated with the Outstanding Capital Securities (other
than (a) 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 any 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, (b) as a result of an 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, (c) 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,
(d) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholder's rights
plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholder's
rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, or (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). Prior to the termination of any
such Extension Period, the Company may further defer the payment of interest,
provided that no Extension Period may exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods
or extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Upon
the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all interest then
accrued and unpaid (together with interest thereon at the annual rate of %,
compounded semi-annually, to the extent permitted by applicable law), the
Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period subject to the above
conditions. No interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period,
except at the end thereof. The Company must give the Issuer Trustees notice of
its election of such Extension Period at least one Business Day prior to the
earlier of (i) the date the Distributions on the Capital Securities would have
been payable but for the election to begin such Extension Period and (ii) the
date the Property Trustee is required to give notice to holders of the Capital
Securities of the record date or the date such Distributions are payable, but in
any event not less than one Business Day prior to such record date. The Property
Trustee will give notice of the Company's election to begin a new Extension
Period to the holders of the Capital Securities. Subject to the foregoing, there
is no limitation on the number of times that the Company may elect to begin an
Extension Period. See "Description of Capital Securities--Distributions" and
"Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures--Option to Extend Interest
Payment Period."
10
Should an Extension Period occur, a holder of Capital Securities will
continue to accrue income (in the form of original issue discount) in respect of
its pro rata share of the Junior Subordinated Debentures held by the Issuer
Trust for United States federal income tax purposes. As a result, a holder of
Capital Securities will include such income in gross income for United States
federal income tax purposes in advance of the receipt of cash, and will not
receive the cash related to such income from the Issuer Trust if the holder
disposes of the Capital Securities prior to the record date for the payment of
Distributions. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences--Interest Income and
Original Issue Discount" and "--Sales of Capital Securities."
The Company has no current intention of exercising its right to defer
payments of interest by extending the interest payment period on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures. However, should the Company elect to exercise such
right in the future, the market price of the Capital Securities is likely to be
affected. A holder that disposes of its Capital Securities during an Extension
Period, therefore, might not receive the same return on its investment as a
holder that continues to hold its Capital Securities. In addition, as a result
of the existence of the Company's right to defer interest payments, the market
price of the Capital Securities (which represent preferred undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Issuer Trust) may be more volatile than the
market prices of other securities on which original issue discount or interest
accrues that are not subject to such deferrals.
TAX EVENT, INVESTMENT COMPANY EVENT OR CAPITAL TREATMENT EVENT REDEMPTION
Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of a Tax Event, Investment
Company Event or Capital Treatment Event, the Company has the right to redeem
the Junior Subordinated Debentures in whole, but not in part, at any time within
90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event, Investment Company Event or
Capital Treatment Event and thereby cause a mandatory redemption of the Capital
Securities. Any such redemption shall be at a price equal to the liquidation
amount of the Capital Securities, together with accumulated Distributions to but
excluding the date fixed for redemption. The ability of the Company to exercise
its rights to redeem the Junior Subordinated Debentures prior to the stated
maturity may be subject to prior regulatory approval by the Federal Reserve, if
then required under applicable Federal Reserve capital guidelines or policies.
See "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures--Redemption" and "Description
of Capital Securities--Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution."
A "Tax Event" means the receipt by the Issuer Trust of an opinion of counsel
to the Company 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 or administrative pronouncement or action or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is
effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date
of issuance of the Capital Securities, there is more than an insubstantial risk
that (i) the Issuer Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the delivery of such
opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income
received or accrued on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) interest payable
by the Company on the Junior Subordinated Debentures is not, or within 90 days
of the delivery of such opinion will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole
or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes or (iii) the Issuer
Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the delivery of the opinion, subject to
more than a DE MINIMIS amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental
charges.
See "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences--Possible Tax Law Changes
Affecting the Capital Securities" for a discussion of certain legislative
proposals that, if adopted, could give rise to a Tax Event, which may permit the
Company to cause a redemption of the Capital Securities prior to June , 2007.
"Investment Company Event" means the receipt by the Issuer Trust of an
opinion of counsel to the Company experienced in such matters to the effect
that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or
11
regulation or a 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 Issuer Trust is or will be considered an "investment
company" that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (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 Capital Securities.
A "Capital Treatment Event" means the reasonable determination by the
Company that, as a result of the occurrence of any amendment to, or change
(including any announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any rules or
regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision
thereof or therein, or as a result of any official or administrative
pronouncement or action or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws
or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or such pronouncement,
action or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of the Capital
Securities, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Company will not
be entitled to treat an amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities as "Tier 1 Capital" (or the then equivalent thereof) for purposes of
the risk-based capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in
effect and applicable to the Company.
EXCHANGE OF CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
The holders of all the outstanding Common Securities have the right at any
time to dissolve the Issuer Trust and, after satisfaction of liabilities to
creditors of the Issuer Trust as provided by applicable law, cause the Junior
Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the Capital
Securities and Common Securities in liquidation of the Issuer Trust. The ability
of the Company to dissolve the Issuer Trust may be subject to prior regulatory
approval of the Federal Reserve, if then required under applicable Federal
Reserve capital guidelines or policies. See "Description of Capital
Securities--Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution."
Under current United States federal income tax law and interpretations and
assuming, as expected, that the Issuer Trust will not be taxable as a
corporation, a distribution of the Junior Subordinated Debentures upon a
liquidation of the Issuer Trust will not be a taxable event to holders of the
Capital Securities. However, if a Tax Event were to occur that would cause the
Issuer Trust to be subject to United States federal income tax with respect to
income received or accrued on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, a distribution
of the Junior Subordinated Debentures by the Issuer Trust would be a taxable
event to the Issuer Trust and the holders of the Capital Securities. See
"Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences."
RIGHTS UNDER THE GUARANTEE
Bankers Trust Company will act as the trustee under the Guarantee and will
hold the Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the Capital Securities.
Bankers Trust Company will also act as Debenture Trustee for the Junior
Subordinated Debentures and as Property Trustee under the Trust Agreement.
Bankers Trust (Delaware) will act as Delaware Trustee under the Trust Agreement.
The Guarantee guarantees to the holders of the Capital Securities the following
payments, to the extent not paid by or on behalf of the Issuer Trust: (i) any
accumulated and unpaid Distributions required to be paid on the Capital
Securities, to the extent that the Issuer Trust has funds on hand available
therefor at such time, (ii) the Redemption Price with respect to any Capital
Securities called for redemption, to the extent that the Issuer Trust has funds
on hand available therefor at such time, and (iii) upon a voluntary or
involuntary dissolution, winding up or liquidation of the Issuer Trust (unless
the Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed to holders of the Capital
Securities), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount and all
accumulated and unpaid Distributions to the date of payment, to the extent that
the Issuer Trust has funds on hand available therefor at such time, and (b) the
amount of assets of the Issuer Trust remaining available for distribution to
holders of the Capital Securities on liquidation of the Issuer Trust.
12
The Guarantee is subordinated as described under "--Ranking of Subordinated
Obligations Under the Guarantee and the Junior Subordinated Debentures" and
"Description of Guarantee--Status of the Guarantee." The holders of not less
than a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Capital
Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of the
Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust power conferred upon the
Guarantee Trustee under the Guarantee. Any holder of the Capital Securities may
institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce its rights
under the Guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the
Issuer Trust, the Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity.
If the Company were to default on its obligation to pay amounts payable
under the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Issuer Trust may lack funds for
the payment of Distributions or amounts payable on redemption of the Capital
Securities or otherwise, and, in such event, holders of the Capital Securities
would not be able to rely upon the Guarantee for payment of such amounts.
Instead, if a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such
event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay any amounts payable
in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures on the payment date on which
such payment is due and payable, then a holder of Capital Securities may
institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company for enforcement of
payment to such holder of any amounts payable in respect of such Junior
Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities of such holder (a "Direct Action").
In connection with such Direct Action, the Company will have a right of set-off
under the Junior Subordinated Indenture to the extent of any payment made by the
Company to such holder of Capital Securities in the Direct Action. Except as
described herein, holders of Capital Securities will not be able to exercise
directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures or assert directly any other rights in respect of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures. See "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures--
Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of Capital Securities," "--Debenture
Events of Default" and "Description of Guarantee." The Trust Agreement provides
that each holder of Capital Securities by acceptance thereof agrees to the
provisions of the Guarantee and the Junior Subordinated Indenture.
LIMITED VOTING RIGHTS
Holders of Capital Securities will have limited voting rights relating
generally to the modification of the Capital Securities and the Guarantee and
the exercise of the Issuer Trust's rights as holder of Junior Subordinated
Debentures. Holders of Capital Securities will not be entitled to appoint,
remove or replace the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee except upon the
occurrence of certain events specified in the Trust Agreement and described
herein. The Property Trustee and the holders of all the Common Securities may,
subject to certain conditions, amend the Trust Agreement without the consent of
holders of Capital Securities to cure any ambiguity or make other provisions not
inconsistent with other provisions under the Trust Agreement or to ensure that
the Issuer Trust (i) will not be taxable as a corporation for United States
federal income tax purposes, or (ii) will not be required to register as an
"investment company" under the Investment Company Act. See "Description of
Capital Securities--Voting Rights; Amendment of Trust Agreement" and "--Removal
of Issuer Trustees; Appointment of Successors."
MARKET PRICES
There can be no assurance as to the market prices for Capital Securities, or
the market prices for Junior Subordinated Debentures that may be distributed in
exchange for Capital Securities if a liquidation of the Issuer Trust occurs.
Accordingly, the Capital Securities or the Junior Subordinated Debentures that a
holder of Capital Securities may receive on liquidation of the Issuer Trust may
trade at a discount to the price that the investor paid to purchase the Capital
Securities offered hereby. Because holders of Capital Securities may receive
Junior Subordinated Debentures on dissolution of the Issuer Trust, prospective
purchasers of Capital Securities are also making an investment decision with
regard to the Junior
13
Subordinated Debentures and should carefully review all the information
regarding the Junior Subordinated Debentures contained herein. See "Description
of Junior Subordinated Debentures."
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET
There is no existing market for the Capital Securities and there can be no
assurance as to the liquidity of any markets that may develop for the Capital
Securities, the ability of the holders to sell their Capital Securities or at
what price holders of the Capital Securities will be able to sell their Capital
Securities. Future trading prices of the Capital Securities will depend on many
factors including, among other things, prevailing interest rates, the Company's
operating results, and the market for similar securities. The Underwriters have
informed the Issuer Trust and the Company that the Underwriters intend to make a
market in the Capital Securities offered hereby; however, the Underwriters are
not obligated to do so and any such market making activity will be subject to
the limits imposed by applicable law and may be discontinued at any time without
notice. Therefore, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for
the Capital Securities or the new Capital Securities will develop. If a trading
market for the Capital Securities does develop, the Capital Securities may trade
at a discount from their initial offering price depending upon prevailing
interest rates, the market for similar securities, the performance of the
Company and other factors.
POSSIBLE TAX LAW CHANGES AFFECTING THE CAPITAL SECURITIES
On February 6, 1997, President Clinton proposed certain tax law changes (the
"Tax Proposal") that would, among other things, generally deny corporate issuers
a deduction for interest on certain debt obligations that have a maximum term in
excess of 15 years and are not shown as indebtedness on the separate balance
sheet of the issuer or, where the instrument is issued to a related party (other
than a corporation), where the holder or some other related party issues a
related instrument that is not shown as indebtedness on the issuer's
consolidated balance sheet. As currently drafted, the Tax Proposal would be
effective generally for instruments issued on or after the date of first
Congressional committee action. Although it is not clear from the President's
proposals as to what constitutes Congressional "committee action" with respect
to the Tax Proposal, it appears that, as drafted, the Tax Proposal would not
apply retroactively to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. However, if the Tax
Proposal (or similar legislation) is enacted with retroactive effect with
respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Company would not be entitled
to an interest deduction with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures.
There can be no assurance that the Tax Proposal, if enacted, will not apply
retroactively to the Junior Subordinated Debentures or that other legislation
enacted after the date hereof will not otherwise adversely affect the ability of
the Company to deduct the interest payable on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a Tax Event will not
occur. See "Description of the Capital Securities--Redemption" and "Description
of the Junior Subordinated Debentures--Proposed Tax Law Changes."
14
FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION
GENERAL
The Company is a New York corporation incorporated in 1969 and is registered
as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act. As of March 31,
1997, the Company had consolidated total assets of $13.1 billion, total deposits
of $10.5 billion and total stockholders' equity of $912 million. At that date,
the Company's banking subsidiaries were M&T Bank, East New York and M&T Bank,
N.A. The Company merged M&T Bank and East New York effective May 24, 1997. At
March 31, 1997, M&T Bank represented 97% of the total consolidated assets of the
Company after giving effect to the merger of M&T Bank and East New York.
As of May 30, 1997, M&T Bank had 173 banking offices throughout the State of
New York, plus an offices in Nassau, The Bahamas. As of June 30, 1996, the most
recent date for which comparative deposit data have been published by the FDIC,
M&T Bank held approximately 30% of total deposits of commercial banks and thrift
institutions in the Buffalo Banking Market. M&T Bank, N.A. conducts its
operations out of a single office in Oakfield, New York.
Collectively, the Banks offer a wide range of commercial banking, retail
banking, trust and investment services to their customers. M&T Mortgage
Corporation, a subsidiary of M&T Bank, conducts residential mortgage origination
operations in New York, Arizona, Massachusetts, Ohio, Colorado, Utah, Oregon and
Washington. Another subsidiary of M&T Bank, M&T Securities, Inc., is a
registered broker-dealer and provides general securities brokerage and
investment advisory services. M&T Bank, N.A. currently offers consumer banking
products, primarily credit cards, home equity loans and lines of credit, and
markets certificates of deposits nationwide.
The Company maintains its principal executive offices at One M&T Plaza,
Buffalo, New York 14240, telephone (716) 842-5445.
NEITHER THE CAPITAL SECURITIES NOR THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES ARE
OBLIGATIONS OF OR GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK.
CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following unaudited table presents the consolidated ratios of earnings
to fixed charges and earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock
dividends of the Company. The consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges
has been computed by dividing income before income taxes and fixed charges by
fixed charges. The consolidated ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and
preferred stock dividends has been computed by dividing income before income
taxes and fixed charges by fixed charges and preferred stock dividends. Fixed
charges represent all interest expense (ratios are presented both excluding and
including interest on deposits) and the portion of net rental expense which is
deemed to be equivalent to interest on debt. Preferred stock dividends are
increased to an amount representing the pretax earnings which would be required
to cover such dividend requirements. Interest expense (other than on deposits)
includes interest on notes and debentures, federal funds purchased and
securities sold under agreements to repurchase, mortgages, and other funds
borrowed.
QUARTER ENDED MARCH
31, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------- -------------------------------
1997 1996 1996 1995 1994
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Earnings to Fixed Charges:
Excluding interest on deposits.................................... 4.35x 3.46x 4.19x 3.22x 3.30x
Including interest on deposits.................................... 1.56 1.52 1.53 1.50 1.69
Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends:
Excluding interest on deposits.................................... 4.35 3.26 4.11 3.03 3.08
Including interest on deposits.................................... 1.56 1.50 1.52 1.48 1.65
1993 1992
--------- ---------
Earnings to Fixed Charges:
Excluding interest on deposits.................................... 3.53x 4.80x
Including interest on deposits.................................... 1.63 1.50
Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends:
Excluding interest on deposits.................................... 3.24 4.21
Including interest on deposits.................................... 1.60 1.47
15
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION
Presented below is selected unaudited consolidated financial information for
the Company for the periods specified. The consolidated financial information is
not necessarily indicative of the results for any future period and is qualified
in its entirety by the detailed information available in the Company's reports
as described under "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference."
FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS
Consolidated Income
Statement:
Interest income.......... $ 255,766 $ 243,777 $ 997,432 $ 928,154 $ 747,346 $ 740,629 $ 756,477
Interest expense......... 119,321 114,185 466,408 441,730 279,206 269,873 323,598
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
Net interest income...... 136,445 129,592 531,024 486,424 468,140 470,756 432,879
Provision for possible
credit losses.......... 11,000 9,675 43,325 40,350 60,536 79,958 84,989
Net interest income after
provision.............. 125,445 119,917 487,699 446,074 407,604 390,798 347,890
Noninterest income....... 45,923 36,251 170,248 149,538 123,739 110,544 126,226
Noninterest expense...... 104,284 96,317 408,978 374,439 336,862 327,819 311,338
Income before income
taxes.................. 67,084 59,851 248,969 221,173 194,481 173,523 162,778
Applicable income
taxes.................. 25,825 23,698 97,866 90,137 77,186 71,531 64,841
Net income............... $ 41,259 $ 36,153 $ 151,103 $ 131,036 $ 117,295 $ 101,992 $ 97,937
Dividends declared on
preferred stock.......... -- $ 900 $ 900 $ 3,600 $ 3,600 $ 3,600 $ 3,600
Consolidated Average
Balances:
Total assets............. $12,866,278 $12,140,991 $12,478,666 $11,484,754 $10,025,421 $10,390,030 $9,553,875
Loans, net of unearned
discount............... 10,715,345 9,672,172 10,113,947 8,857,222 7,427,021 6,982,289 6,571,259
Deposits................. 10,453,977 9,495,774 10,160,112 9,020,992 7,365,879 7,591,473 7,695,328
Long-term debt........... 277,985 192,293 189,316 146,019 77,297 75,639 7,086
Common stockholders'
equity................. 917,197 810,051 853,515 742,520 683,202 630,449 542,569
Stockholders' equity..... 917,197 848,732 863,133 782,520 723,202 670,449 582,569
Consolidated Ratios:
Return on average assets
(1).................... 1.30% 1.20% 1.21% 1.14% 1.17% 0.98% 1.03%
Return on average common
stockholders' equity
(1).................... 18.24% 17.50% 17.60% 17.16% 16.64% 15.61% 17.39%
Return on average total
stockholders' equity
(1).................... 18.24% 17.13% 17.51% 16.75% 16.22% 15.21% 16.81%
Average total
stockholders' equity to
average total assets... 7.13% 6.99% 6.92% 6.81% 7.21% 6.45% 6.10%
Period end capital to
risk adjusted assets:
Tier 1................. 9.76% 8.36% 8.40% 8.53% 8.91% 9.33% 8.58%
Total.................. 12.66% 11.39% 11.32% 11.62% 11.07% 11.58% 10.87%
Period end leverage
ratio.................. 8.15% 6.83% 6.99% 6.91% 7.31% 6.63% 6.06%
Net interest margin
(taxable equivalent
basis) (1)............. 4.48% 4.49% 4.45% 4.43% 4.89% 4.76% 4.79%
Net charge-offs to
average loans and
leases net of unearned
discount (1)........... 0.30% 0.21% 0.35% 0.24% 0.22% 0.51% 0.70%
Period end nonperforming
assets to period end
loans, net of unearned
discount and other real
estate (2)............. 0.98% 0.91% 0.99% 1.05% 1.06% 1.30% 1.86%
Period end allowance to
period end loans, net
of unearned discount... 2.53% 2.69% 2.52% 2.75% 2.96% 2.70% 2.17%
Period end allowance to
period end
nonperforming loans
(2).................... 282% 323% 276% 282% 314% 238% 134%
- ------------------------
(1) Ratios for the three month periods are annualized.
(2) Nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets include loans past due 90 days
or more but still accruing.
16
RECENT FINANCIAL RESULTS
Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, totaled $41.3 million, up
14% from $36.2 million in the year-earlier quarter.
Taxable-equivalent net interest income rose to $137.7 million in the first
quarter of 1997 from $130.5 million in the corresponding 1996 quarter. Average
loans outstanding totaled $10.7 billion in the first quarter of 1997, an 11%
increase from $9.7 billion in 1996's first quarter. The Company's net interest
margin, or taxable-equivalent net interest income expressed as an annualized
percentage of average earning assets, was 4.48% in 1997's first quarter,
compared with 4.49% in the year-earlier quarter.
The provision for possible credit losses was $11.0 million in the first
quarter of 1997, compared with $9.7 million in the corresponding 1996 quarter.
Net charge-offs for the first quarter were $7.9 million or 0.30% of average
loans compared with $5.1 million or 0.21% in the year-earlier quarter. As a
result, the allowance for possible credit losses was $273.6 million or 2.53% of
loans outstanding at March 31, 1997, compared with $266.9 million or 2.69% at
the end of the prior year's first quarter. Nonaccrual loans totaled $57.4
million or 0.53% of loans outstanding at the recent quarter-end, compared with
$67.1 million or 0.68% at March 31, 1996. Loans past due ninety days or more and
accruing interest totaled $36.9 million at March 31, 1997, up from $15.5 million
a year earlier. The increase was mainly due to the inclusion at March 31, 1997,
of $13.9 million of one-to-four family residential mortgage loans serviced by
First Empire and repurchased during 1996 from the Government National Mortgage
Association. These loans are covered by guarantees of government agencies. Total
nonperforming loans were $97.0 million at March 31, 1997, compared with $82.6
million at March 31, 1996. The ratio of the allowance for possible credit losses
to nonperforming loans was 282% and 323% at March 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Assets taken in foreclosure of defaulted loans were $8.7 million
and $7.5 million at March 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Non-interest income in the first quarter of 1997 totaled $45.9 million, up
27% from $36.3 million in the year-earlier quarter. Higher revenues from
mortgage banking, credit card and trading account and foreign exchange
activities contributed to this increase. Non-interest expense increased 8% to
$104.3 million in the recent quarter from $96.3 million in 1996's initial
quarter. Contributing to this increase were expenses associated with
incentive-based compensation arrangements and expansion of First Empire's credit
card business.
The annual rates of return on average total assets and average common
stockholders' equity were 1.30% and 18.24%, respectively, for the first quarter
of 1997, compared with 1.20% and 17.50%, respectively, in the year-earlier
quarter.
At March 31, 1997, the Company had total assets of $13.1 billion, compared
with $12.7 billion a year earlier. Loans and leases, net of unearned discount,
increased 9% to $10.8 billion from $9.9 billion a year earlier. Deposits were
$10.5 billion at the recent quarter-end, compared with $9.7 billion at March 31,
1996. Total stockholders' equity was $912 million at March 31, 1997, up 8% from
$847 million a year earlier.
FIRST EMPIRE CAPITAL TRUST II
The Issuer Trust is a statutory business trust created under Delaware law
pursuant to the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of
State on May 30, 1997. The Issuer Trust will be governed by the Trust Agreement
among the Company, as Depositor, Bankers Trust (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee,
and Bankers Trust Company, as Property Trustee. Two individuals will be selected
by the holders of the Common Securities to act as administrators with respect to
the Issuer Trust (the "Administrators"). The Company, while holder of the Common
Securities, intends to select two individuals who are employees or officers of
or affiliated with the Company to serve as the Administrators. See "Description
of Capital Securities--Miscellaneous." The Issuer Trust exists for the exclusive
purposes of (i) issuing and selling the Trust Securities, (ii) using the
proceeds from the sale of the Trust Securities to acquire the
17
Junior Subordinated Debentures and (iii) engaging in only those other activities
necessary, convenient or incidental thereto (such as registering the transfer of
the Trust Securities). Accordingly, the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be
the sole assets of the Issuer Trust, and payments under the Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be the sole source of revenue of the Issuer Trust.
All of the Common Securities will initially be owned by the Company. The
Common Securities will rank PARI PASSU, and payments will be made thereon pro
rata, with the Capital Securities, except that upon the occurrence and during
the continuation of a Debenture Event of Default arising as a result of any
failure by the Company to pay any amounts in respect of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures when due, the rights of the holders of the Common Securities to
payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption or
otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the Capital
Securities. See "Description of Capital Securities--Subordination of Common
Securities." The Company will acquire Common Securities in an aggregate
liquidation amount equal to 3% of the total capital of the Issuer Trust. The
Issuer Trust has a term of 31 years, but may terminate earlier as provided in
the Trust Agreement. The address of the Delaware Trustee is Bankers Trust
(Delaware), 1001 Jefferson Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, telephone number
(302) 576-3301. The address of the Property Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee and
the Debenture Trustee is Bankers Trust Company, Four Albany Street, 4th Floor,
New York, New York 10006, telephone number (212) 250-2500.
USE OF PROCEEDS
All the proceeds to the Issuer Trust from the sale of the Capital Securities
will be invested by the Issuer Trust in the Junior Subordinated Debentures. The
proceeds from the Capital Securities will qualify as Tier 1 or core capital with
respect to the Company under the current risk-based capital guidelines
established by the Federal Reserve. All the net proceeds to be received by the
Company from the sale of the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be used for
general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of indebtedness,
repurchase of outstanding common stock of the Company, investments in or
extensions of credit to its subsidiaries and the financing of possible
acquisitions. Pending such use, the net proceeds may be temporarily invested.
The precise amounts and timing of the application of proceeds will depend upon
the funding requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries and the
availability of other funds. In view of anticipated funding requirements, the
Company may from time to time engage in additional financings of a character and
in amounts to be determined.
18
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the unaudited consolidated capitalization of
the Company as of March 31, 1997 and as adjusted to give effect to the
consummation of the offering of the Capital Securities. The following data
should be read in conjunction with the Company's reports filed with the
Commission under the Exchange Act. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference."
MARCH 31, 1997
------------------------
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED
----------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
Long-term debt:
Subordinated notes of M&T Bank:
8 1/8% due 2002.................................................................... $ 75,000 $ 75,000
7% due 2005........................................................................ 100,000 100,000
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank of New York..................................... 2,371 2,371
Other................................................................................ 589 589
Existing Guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in Company's 8.234% junior
subordinated debentures held by First Empire Capital Trust I (1)..................... 150,000 150,000
Additional Guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in Company's Junior Subordinated
Debentures to be held by First Empire Capital Trust II (2)........................... -- 100,000
----------- -----------
327,960 427,960
----------- -----------
Stockholders Equity:
Common stock, $5 par; authorized 15,000,000, 8,097,472 shares issued................. 40,487 40,487
Additional paid-in capital........................................................... 98,150 98,150
Retained earnings.................................................................... 972,978 972,978
Unrealized investment losses, net.................................................... (8,486) (8,486)
Treasury stock, at cost--1,455,170 shares............................................ (190,946) (190,946)
----------- -----------
Total stockholders' equity....................................................... 912,183 912,183
----------- -----------
Total Capitalization......................................................... 1,240,143 1,340,143
----------- -----------
Risk-based capital ratios:
Tier 1 capital to risk-adjusted assets (3)........................................... 9.76% 10.60%
Regulatory minimum................................................................... 4.00 4.00
Total capital to risk-adjusted assets (3)............................................ 12.66 13.48
Regulatory minimum................................................................... 8.00 8.00
Leverage ratio....................................................................... 8.15 8.86
Regulatory minimum................................................................... 3.00 3.00
- ------------------------
(1) On January 31, 1997, the Company issued $154,640,000 principal amount of
8.234% junior subordinated debentures to First Empire Capital Trust I in
connection with the issuance by First Empire Capital Trust I of the
Outstanding Capital Securities. The 8.234% junior subordinated debentures
will mature on February 1, 2027. The Company owns all of the Common
Securities of First Empire Capital Trust I.
(2) As described herein, the sole assets of the Issuer Trust will be
$103,093,000 principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures issued by
the Company to the Issuer Trust. The Junior Subordinated Debentures will
bear interest at a fixed rate of % and will mature on June , 2027. The
Company will own all the Common Securities of the Issuer Trust. The Junior
Subordinated Debentures will rank PARI PASSU with the outstanding 8.234%
junior subordinated debentures referred to in footnote (1).
(3) Assumes net proceeds of the offering of the Capital Securities are invested
in assets with a 100% risk weighting under the risk-based capital rules of
the Federal Reserve.
19
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
For financial reporting purposes, the Issuer Trust will be treated as a
subsidiary of the Company and, accordingly, the accounts of the Issuer Trust
will be included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The
Capital Securities will be included in the consolidated balance sheets of the
Company and appropriate disclosures about the Capital Securities, the Guarantee
and the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be included in the notes to the
consolidated financial statements of the Company. For financial reporting
purposes, Distributions on the Capital Securities will be recorded in the
consolidated statements of income of the Company.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
Pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement, the Issuer Trustees on behalf
of the Issuer Trust will issue the Capital Securities and the Common Securities.
The Capital Securities will represent preferred undivided beneficial interests
in the assets of the Issuer Trust and the holders thereof will be entitled to a
preference in certain circumstances with respect to Distributions and amounts
payable on redemption or liquidation over the Common Securities, as well as
other benefits as described in the Trust Agreement. This summary of certain
provisions of the Capital Securities and the Trust Agreement does not purport to
be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to,
all the provisions of the Trust Agreement, including the definitions therein of
certain terms. Wherever particular defined terms of the Trust Agreement are
referred to herein, such defined terms are incorporated herein by reference. A
copy of the form of the Trust Agreement is available upon request from the
Issuer Trustees.
GENERAL
The Capital Securities will be limited to $100,000,000 aggregate Liquidation
Amount outstanding. The Capital Securities will rank PARI PASSU, and payments
will be made thereon pro rata, with the Common Securities except as described
under "--Subordination of Common Securities." The Junior Subordinated Debentures
will be registered in the name of the Issuer Trust and held by the Property
Trustee in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Capital Securities and
Common Securities. The Guarantee will be a guarantee on a subordinated basis
with respect to the Capital Securities but will not guarantee payment of
Distributions or amounts payable on redemption or liquidation of such Capital
Securities when the Issuer Trust does not have funds on hand available to make
such payments. See "Description of Guarantee."
DISTRIBUTIONS
The Capital Securities represent preferred undivided beneficial interests in
the assets of the Issuer Trust, and Distributions on each Capital Security will
be payable at the annual rate of % of the stated Liquidation Amount of $1,000,
payable semi-annually in arrears on the day of and of
each year (each a "Distribution Date"), to the holders of the Capital Securities
at the close of business on the day of and (whether
or not a Business Day (as defined below)) next preceding the relevant
Distribution Date. Distributions on the Capital Securities will be cumulative.
Distributions will accumulate from June , 1997. The first Distribution Date
for the Capital Securities will be , 1997. The amount of Distributions
payable for any period less than a full Distribution period will be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the actual days elapsed
in a partial month in such period. Distributions payable for each full
Distribution period will be computed by dividing the rate per annum by two. If
any date on which Distributions are payable on the Capital Securities is not a
Business Day, then payment of the Distributions payable on such date will be
made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (without any additional
Distributions or other payment in respect of any such delay), with the same
force and effect as if made on the date such payment was originally payable.
So long as no Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Company has the right under the Junior Subordinated Indenture to defer the
payment of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures at any time or from
time to time for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual
20
periods with respect to each Extension Period, provided that no Extension Period
may extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. As
a consequence of any such deferral, semi-annual Distributions on the Capital
Securities by the Issuer Trust will be deferred during any such Extension
Period. Distributions to which holders of the Capital Securities are entitled
will accumulate additional Distributions thereon at the rate of % per annum,
compounded semi-annually from the relevant payment date for such Distributions,
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the actual
days elapsed in a partial month in such period. Additional Distributions payable
for each full Distribution period will be computed by dividing the rate per
annum by two. The term "Distributions" as used herein shall include any such
additional Distributions. During any such Extension Period, the Company may 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 Company's
capital stock 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 Company
that rank PARI PASSU in all respects with or junior in interest to the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, including the Company's obligations associated with the
Outstanding Capital Securities (other than (a) 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 any 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,
(b) as a result of an 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, (c) 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, (d) any declaration of a
dividend in connection with any stockholder's rights plan, or the issuance of
rights, stock or other property under any stockholder's rights plan, or the
redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, or (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). Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period,
the Company may further defer the payment of interest, provided that no
Extension Period may exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods or extend beyond
the Stated Maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Upon the termination
of any such Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the
Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period. No interest shall be due and
payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof. The Company must
give the Issuer Trustees notice of its election of such Extension Period at
least one Business Day prior to the earlier of (i) the date the Distributions on
the Capital Securities would have been payable but for the election to begin
such Extension Period and (ii) the date the Property Trustee is required to give
notice to holders of the Capital Securities of the record date or the date such
Distributions are payable, but in any event not less than one Business Day prior
to such record date. The Property Trustee will give notice of the Company's
election to begin a new Extension Period to the holders of the Capital
Securities. Subject to the foregoing, there is no limitation on the number of
times that the Company may elect to begin an Extension Period. See "Description
of Junior Subordinated Debentures--Option To Extend Interest Payment Period" and
"Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences--Interest Income and Original Issue
Discount."
The Company has no current intention of exercising its right to defer
payments of interest by extending the interest payment period on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures.
The revenue of the Issuer Trust available for distribution to holders of the
Capital Securities will be limited to payments under the Junior Subordinated
Debentures in which the Issuer Trust will invest the proceeds from the issuance
and sale of the Capital Securities. See "Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures." If the Company does not make payments on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, the Issuer
21
Trust may not have funds available to pay Distributions or other amounts payable
on the Capital Securities. The payment of Distributions and other amounts
payable on the Capital Securities (if and to the extent the Issuer Trust has
funds legally available for and cash sufficient to make such payments) is
guaranteed by the Company on a limited basis as set forth herein under
"Description of Guarantee."
REDEMPTION
Upon the repayment or redemption, in whole or in part, of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, whether at maturity or upon earlier redemption as
provided in the Junior Subordinated Indenture, the proceeds from such repayment
or redemption shall be applied by the Property Trustee to redeem a Like Amount
(as defined below) of the Capital Securities, upon not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days' notice, at a redemption price (the "Redemption Price") equal to
the aggregate Liquidation Amount of such Capital Securities plus accumulated but
unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of redemption (the "Redemption Date")
and the related amount of the premium, if any, paid by the Company upon the
concurrent redemption of such Junior Subordinated Debentures. See "Description
of Junior Subordinated Debentures--Redemption." If less than all the Junior
Subordinated Debentures are to be repaid or redeemed on a Redemption Date, then
the proceeds from such repayment or redemption shall be allocated to the
redemption pro rata of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities.
The Company has the right to redeem the Junior Subordinated Debentures (i)
on or after June,
2007, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, or (ii) in whole, but
not in part, at any time within 90 days following the occurrence and during the
continuation of a Tax Event, Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment Event
(each as defined below), in each case subject to possible regulatory approval.
See "--Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution." A redemption of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures would cause a mandatory redemption of a Like Amount of
the Capital Securities and Common Securities at the Redemption Price.
The Redemption Price, in the case of a redemption under (i) above, shall
equal the following prices, expressed in percentages of the Liquidation Amount
(as defined below), together with accumulated Distributions to but excluding the
date fixed for redemption, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning June
:
YEAR REDEMPTION PRICE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------
2007........................................................................ %
2008........................................................................
2009........................................................................
2010........................................................................
2011........................................................................
2012........................................................................
2013........................................................................
2014........................................................................
2015........................................................................
2016........................................................................
and at 100% on or after June , 2017.
The Redemption Price, in the case of a redemption on or after June , 2007
following a Tax Event, Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment Event shall
equal the Redemption Price then applicable to a redemption under (i) above. The
Redemption Price, in the case of a redemption prior to June , 2007 following a
Tax Event, Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment Event as described
under (ii) above, will equal for each Capital Security the Make-Whole Amount for
a corresponding $1,000 principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures
together with accumulated Distributions to but excluding the date fixed for
redemption. The "Make-Whole Amount" will be equal to the greater of (i) 100% of
the principal amount of such Junior Subordinated Debentures and (ii) as
determined by a Quotation Agent (as defined below), the sum of the present value
of 100% of the principal amount that would be payable
22
with respect to such Junior Subordinated Debentures on June , 2027, together
with the present values of scheduled payments of interest from the Redemption
Date to June , 2027 (the "Remaining Life"), in each case discounted to the
Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of
30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate.
"Adjusted Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the
Treasury Rate plus (i) basis points if such Redemption Date occurs on
or before June , 1998 or (ii) basis points if such Redemption Date
occurs after June , 1998.
"Treasury Rate" means (i) the yield, under the heading which represents the
average for the week immediately prior to the calculation date, appearing in the
most recently published statistical release designated "H.15(519)" or any
successor publication which is published weekly by the Federal Reserve and which
establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted
to constant maturity under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities," for the
maturity corresponding to the Remaining Life (if no maturity is within three
months before or after the Remaining Life, yields for the two published
maturities most closely corresponding to the Remaining Life shall be determined
and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on
a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (ii) if such release
(or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the
calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to
the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue,
calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a
percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for
such Redemption Date. The Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third
Business Day preceding the Redemption Date.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means with respect to any Redemption Date the
United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a
maturity comparable to the Remaining Life that would be utilized, at the time of
selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new
issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining
Life. If no United States Treasury security has a maturity which is within a
period from three months before to three months after June , 2027, the two
most closely corresponding United States Treasury securities shall be used as
the Comparable Treasury Issue, and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or
extrapolated on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month using such
securities.
"Quotation Agent" means Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and its
successors; provided, however, that if the foregoing shall cease to be a primary
U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a "Primary Treasury
Dealer"), the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means (i) the Quotation Agent and (ii) any other
Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Debenture Trustee after consultation
with the Company.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means (A) the average of five Reference Treasury
Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and
lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the Debenture
Trustee obtains fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the
average of all such Quotations.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each Reference
Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the
Debenture Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in
writing to the Debenture Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.
"Business Day" means a day other than (a) a Saturday or Sunday, (b) a day on
which banking institutions in the City of New York or the City of Buffalo, New
York are authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed, or
(c) a day on which the Property Trustee's Corporate Trust Office or the
Corporate Trust Office of the Debenture Trustee is closed for business.
23
"Like Amount" means (i) with respect to a redemption of Trust Securities,
Trust Securities having a Liquidation Amount (as defined below) equal to that
portion of the principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures to be
contemporaneously redeemed in accordance with the Junior Subordinated Indenture,
allocated to the Common Securities and to the Capital Securities based upon the
relative Liquidation Amounts of such classes and (ii) with respect to a
distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures to holders of Trust Securities in
connection with a dissolution or liquidation of the Issuer Trust, Junior
Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation
Amount of the Trust Securities of the holder to whom such Junior Subordinated
Debentures are distributed.
"Liquidation Amount" means the stated amount of $1,000 per Trust Security.
"Tax Event" means the receipt by the Issuer Trust of an opinion of counsel
to the Company 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 or administrative pronouncement or action or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is
effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date
of issuance of the Capital Securities, there is more than an insubstantial risk
that (i) the Issuer Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the delivery of such
opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income
received or accrued on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) interest payable
by the Company on the Junior Subordinated Debentures is not, or within 90 days
of the delivery of such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Company, in
whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes or (iii) the
Issuer Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the delivery of such opinion,
subject to more than a DE MINIMIS amount of other taxes, duties or other
governmental charges.
"Investment Company Event" means the receipt by the Issuer Trust of an
opinion of counsel to the Company experienced in such matters to the effect
that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a
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 Issuer Trust is or 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 Capital Securities.
"Capital Treatment Event" means the reasonable determination by the Company
that, as a result of the occurrence of any amendment to, or change (including
any announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any rules or regulations
thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or
therein, or as a result of any official or administrative pronouncement or
action or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations,
which amendment or change is effective or such pronouncement, action or decision
is announced on or after the date of issuance of the Capital Securities, there
is more than an insubstantial risk that the Company will not be entitled to
treat an amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities as
"Tier 1 Capital" (or the then equivalent thereof) for purposes of the risk-based
capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and
applicable to the Company.
PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL SUMS. If a Tax Event described in clause (i) or (iii)
of the definition of Tax Event above has occurred and is continuing and the
Issuer Trust is the holder of all the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the
Company will pay Additional Sums (as defined below), if any, on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures.
"Additional Sums" means the additional amounts as may be necessary in order
that the amount of Distributions then due and payable by the Issuer Trust on the
outstanding Capital Securities and Common Securities of the Issuer Trust will
not be reduced as a result of any additional taxes, duties and other
governmental charges to which the Issuer Trust has become subject as a result of
a Tax Event.
24
REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
Capital Securities redeemed on each Redemption Date shall be redeemed at the
Redemption Price with the applicable proceeds from the contemporaneous
redemption of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Redemptions of the Capital
Securities shall be made and the Redemption Price shall be payable on each
Redemption Date only to the extent that the Issuer Trust has funds on hand
available for the payment of such Redemption Price. See also "--Subordination of
Common Securities."
If the Issuer Trust gives a notice of redemption in respect of the Capital
Securities, then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Redemption Date, to
the extent funds are available, in the case of Capital Securities held in
book-entry form, the Property Trustee will deposit irrevocably with DTC funds
sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price and will give DTC irrevocable
instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the holders of the
Capital Securities. With respect to Capital Securities not held in book-entry
form, the Property Trustee, to the extent funds are available, will irrevocably
deposit with the paying agent for the Capital Securities funds sufficient to pay
the applicable Redemption Price and will give such paying agent irrevocable
instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the holders thereof
upon surrender of their certificates evidencing the Capital Securities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Distributions payable on or prior to the
Redemption Date for any Capital Securities called for redemption shall be
payable to the holders of the Capital Securities on the relevant record dates
for the related Distribution Dates. If notice of redemption shall have been
given and funds deposited as required, then upon the date of such deposit all
rights of the holders of such Capital Securities so called for redemption will
cease, except the right of the holders of such Capital Securities to receive the
Redemption Price, but without interest on such Redemption Price, and such
Capital Securities will cease to be outstanding. If any date fixed for
redemption of Capital Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the
Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day
which is a Business Day (without any interest or other payment in respect of any
such delay), except that, if such Business Day falls in the next calendar year,
such payment will be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In the
event that payment of the Redemption Price in respect of Capital Securities
called for redemption is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by
the Issuer Trust or by the Company pursuant to the Guarantee as described under
"Description of Guarantee," Distributions on such Capital Securities will
continue to accumulate at the then applicable rate, from the Redemption Date
originally established by the Issuer Trust for such Capital Securities to the
date such Redemption Price is actually paid, in which case the actual payment
date will be the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the
Redemption Price.
Subject to applicable law (including, without limitation, United States
federal securities laws), the Company or its affiliates may at any time and from
time to time purchase outstanding Capital Securities by tender, in the open
market or by private agreement, and may resell such securities.
If less than all the Capital Securities and Common Securities are to be
redeemed on a Redemption Date, then the aggregate Liquidation Amount of such
Capital Securities and Common Securities to be redeemed shall be allocated pro
rata to the Capital Securities and the Common Securities based upon the relative
Liquidation Amounts of such classes. The particular Capital Securities to be
redeemed shall be selected on a pro rata basis not more than 60 days prior to
the Redemption Date by the Property Trustee from the outstanding Capital
Securities not previously called for redemption, or if the Capital Securities
are then held in the form of a Global Capital Security (as defined below), in
accordance with DTC's customary procedures, provided, in each case, that each
holder of any Capital Securities has at least 100 Capital Securities remaining
after the redemption. The Property Trustee shall promptly notify the securities
registrar for the Trust Securities in writing of the Capital Securities selected
for redemption and, in the case of any Capital Securities selected for partial
redemption, the Liquidation Amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of
the Trust Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions
relating to the redemption of Capital Securities shall relate, in the case of
any Capital Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion
of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of Capital Securities which has been or is
to be redeemed.
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Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the Redemption Date to each registered holder of Capital
Securities to be redeemed at its address appearing on the securities register
for the Trust Securities. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the
Redemption Price on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, on and after the
Redemption Date interest will cease to accrue on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures or portions thereof (and, unless payment of the Redemption Price in
respect of the Capital Securities is withheld or refused and not paid either by
the Issuer Trust or the Company pursuant to the Guarantee, Distributions will
cease to accumulate on the Capital Securities or portions thereof) called for
redemption.
SUBORDINATION OF COMMON SECURITIES
Payment of Distributions on, and the Redemption Price of, the Capital
Securities and Common Securities, as applicable, shall be made pro rata based on
the Liquidation Amount of such Capital Securities and Common Securities.
However, if on any Distribution Date or Redemption Date a Debenture Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing as a result of any failure by the Company
to pay any amounts in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures when due, no
payment of any Distribution on, or Redemption Price of, any of the Common
Securities, and no other payment on account of the redemption, liquidation or
other acquisition of such Common Securities, shall be made unless payment in
full in cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions on all the outstanding
Capital Securities for all Distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto,
or in the case of payment of the Redemption Price the full amount of such
Redemption Price on all the outstanding Capital Securities then called for
redemption, shall have been made or provided for, and all funds available to the
Property Trustee shall first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all
Distributions on, or Redemption Price of, the Capital Securities then due and
payable.
In the case of any Event of Default (as defined below) resulting from a
Debenture Event of Default, the holders of the Common Securities will be deemed
to have waived any right to act with respect to any such Event of Default under
the Trust Agreement until the effects of all such Events of Default with respect
to such Capital Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. See
"--Events of Default; Notice" and "Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures--Debenture Events of Default." Until all such Events of Default under
the Trust Agreement with respect to the Capital Securities have been so cured,
waived or otherwise eliminated, the Property Trustee will act solely on behalf
of the holders of the Capital Securities and not on behalf of the holders of the
Common Securities, and only the holders of the Capital Securities will have the
right to direct the Property Trustee to act on their behalf.
LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION UPON DISSOLUTION
The amount payable on the Capital Securities in the event of any liquidation
of the Issuer Trust is $1,000 per Capital Security plus accumulated and unpaid
Distributions, subject to certain exceptions, which may be in the form of a
distribution of such amount in Junior Subordinated Debentures.
The holders of all the outstanding Common Securities have the right at any
time to dissolve the Issuer Trust and, after satisfaction of liabilities to
creditors of the Issuer Trust as provided by applicable law, cause the Junior
Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the Capital
Securities and Common Securities in liquidation of the Issuer Trust.
The Federal Reserve's risk-based capital guidelines currently provide that
redemptions of permanent equity or other capital instruments before stated
maturity could have a significant impact on a bank holding company's overall
capital structure and that any organization considering such a redemption should
consult with the Federal Reserve before redeeming any equity or capital
instrument prior to maturity if such redemption could have a material effect on
the level or composition of the organization's capital base (unless the equity
or capital instrument were redeemed with the proceeds of, or replaced by, a like
amount of a similar or higher quality capital instrument and the Federal Reserve
considers the organization's capital position to be fully adequate after the
redemption).
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In the event the Company, while a holder of Common Securities, dissolves the
Issuer Trust prior to the stated maturity of the Capital Securities and the
dissolution of the Issuer Trust is deemed to constitute the redemption of
capital instruments by the Federal Reserve under its risk-based capital
guidelines or policies, the dissolution of the Issuer Trust by the Company may
be subject to the prior approval of the Federal Reserve. Moreover, any changes
in applicable law or changes in the Federal Reserve's risk-based capital
guidelines or policies could impose a requirement on the Company that it obtain
the prior approval of the Federal Reserve to dissolve the Issuer Trust.
Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, the Issuer Trust will automatically
dissolve upon expiration of its term or, if earlier, will dissolve on the first
to occur of: (i) certain events of bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation of the
Company or the holder of the Common Securities, (ii) the distribution of a Like
Amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures to the holders of the Trust
Securities, if the holders of Common Securities have given written direction to
the Property Trustee to dissolve the Issuer Trust (which direction, subject to
the foregoing restrictions, is optional and wholly within the discretion of the
holders of Common Securities), (iii) the repayment of all the Capital Securities
in connection with the redemption of all the Trust Securities as described under
"--Redemption" and (iv) the entry of an order for the dissolution of the Issuer
Trust by a court of competent jurisdiction.
If dissolution of the Issuer Trust occurs as described in clause (i), (ii)
or (iv) above, the Issuer Trust will be liquidated by the Property Trustee as
expeditiously as the Property Trustee determines to be possible by distributing,
after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Issuer Trust as provided
by applicable law, to the holders of such Trust Securities a Like Amount of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures, unless such distribution is not practical, in
which event such holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the
Issuer Trust available for distribution to holders, after satisfaction of
liabilities to creditors of the Issuer Trust as provided by applicable law, an
amount equal to, in the case of holders of Capital Securities, the aggregate of
the Liquidation Amount plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to the
date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"). If such
Liquidation Distribution can be paid only in part because the Issuer Trust has
insufficient assets available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation
Distribution, then the amounts payable directly by the Issuer Trust on its
Capital Securities shall be paid on a pro rata basis. The holders of the Common
Securities will be entitled to receive distributions upon any such liquidation
pro rata with the holders of the Capital Securities, except that if a Debenture
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as a result of any failure by
the Company to pay any amounts in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures
when due, the Capital Securities shall have a priority over the Common
Securities. See "--Subordination of Common Securities."
After the liquidation date fixed for any distribution of Junior Subordinated
Debentures (i) the Capital Securities will no longer be deemed to be
outstanding, (ii) DTC or its nominee, as the registered holder of Capital
Securities, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates
representing the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be delivered upon such
distribution with respect to Capital Securities held by DTC or its nominee and
(iii) any certificates representing the Capital Securities not held by DTC or
its nominee will be deemed to represent the Junior Subordinated Debentures
having a principal amount equal to the stated Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the
accumulated and unpaid Distributions on the Capital Securities until such
certificates are presented to the security registrar for the Trust Securities
for transfer or reissuance.
If the Company does not redeem the Junior Subordinated Debentures prior to
maturity and the Issuer Trust is not liquidated and the Junior Subordinated
Debentures are not distributed to holders of the Capital Securities, the Capital
Securities will remain outstanding until the repayment of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures and the distribution of the Liquidation Distribution to
the holders of the Capital Securities.
27
There can be no assurance as to the market prices for the Capital Securities
or the Junior Subordinated Debentures that may be distributed in exchange for
Capital Securities if a dissolution and liquidation of the Issuer Trust were to
occur. Accordingly, the Capital Securities that an investor may purchase, or the
Junior Subordinated Debentures that the investor may receive on dissolution and
liquidation of the Issuer Trust, may trade at a discount to the price that the
investor paid to purchase the Capital Securities offered hereby.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; NOTICE
Any one of the following events constitutes an "Event of Default" under the
Trust Agreement (an "Event of Default") with respect to the Capital Securities
(whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it is 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):
(i) the occurrence of a Debenture Event of Default (see "Description of
Junior Subordinated Debentures--Debenture Events of Default"); or
(ii) default by the Issuer Trust in the payment of any Distribution when
it becomes due and payable, and continuation of such default for a period of
30 days; or
(iii) default by the Issuer Trust in the payment of any Redemption Price
of any Trust Security when it becomes due and payable; or
(iv) default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of
any covenant or warranty of the Issuer Trustees in the Trust Agreement
(other than a covenant or warranty a default in the performance of which or
the breach of which is dealt with in clause (ii) or (iii) 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 Issuer Trustees and
the Company 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" under the Trust Agreement; or
(v) the occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with
respect to the Property Trustee if a successor Property Trustee has not been
appointed within 90 days thereof.
Within five Business Days after the occurrence of any Event of Default
actually known to the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee will transmit
notice of such Event of Default to the holders of Trust Securities and the
Administrators, unless such Event of Default has been cured or waived. The
Company, as Depositor, and the Administrators are required to file annually with
the Property Trustee a certificate as to whether or not they are in compliance
with all the conditions and covenants applicable to them under the Trust
Agreement.
If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as a result
of any failure by the Company to pay any amounts in respect of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures when due, the Capital Securities will have a preference
over the Common Securities with respect to payments of any amounts in respect of
the Capital Securities as described above. See "--Subordination of Common
Securities," "-- Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution" and "Description of
Junior Subordinated Debentures-- Debenture Events of Default."
REMOVAL OF ISSUER TRUSTEES; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSORS
The holders of at least a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the
outstanding Capital Securities may remove an Issuer Trustee for cause or, if a
Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, with or without
cause. If an Issuer Trustee is removed by the holders of the outstanding Capital
Securities, the successor may be appointed by the holders of at least 25% in
Liquidation Amount of Capital Securities. If an Issuer Trustee resigns, such
Trustee will appoint its successor. If an Issuer Trustee fails to appoint a
successor, the holders of at least 25% in Liquidation Amount of the outstanding
Capital
28
Securities may appoint a successor. If a successor has not been appointed by the
holders, any holder of Capital Securities or Common Securities or the other
Issuer Trustee may petition a court in the State of Delaware to appoint a
successor. Any Delaware Trustee must meet the applicable requirements of
Delaware law. Any Property Trustee must be a national or state-chartered bank,
and at the time of appointment have securities rated in one of the three highest
rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization and
have capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. No resignation or removal of
an Issuer Trustee and no appointment of a successor trustee shall be effective
until the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee in accordance with
the provisions of the Trust Agreement.
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OF ISSUER TRUSTEES
Any entity into which the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee may be
merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any entity
resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Issuer
Trustee is a party, or any entity succeeding to all or substantially all the
corporate trust business of such Issuer Trustee, will be the successor of such
Issuer Trustee under the Trust Agreement, provided such entity is otherwise
qualified and eligible.
MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, AMALGAMATIONS OR REPLACEMENTS OF THE ISSUER TRUST
The Issuer Trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be
replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to, any entity, except as described below or as
otherwise set forth in the Trust Agreement. The Issuer Trust may, at the request
of the holders of the Common Securities and with the consent of the holders of
at least a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Capital
Securities, merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety
to a trust organized as such under the laws of any State, so long as (i) such
successor entity either (a) expressly assumes all the obligations of the Issuer
Trust with respect to the Capital Securities or (b) substitutes for the Capital
Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Capital
Securities (the "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities have
the same priority as the Capital Securities with respect to distributions and
payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise, (ii) a trustee of such
successor entity, possessing the same powers and duties as the Property Trustee,
is appointed to hold the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (iii) such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not
cause the Capital Securities (including any Successor Securities) to be
downgraded by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, (iv)
such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or
lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the
holders of the Capital Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any
material respect, (v) such successor entity has a purpose substantially
identical to that of the Issuer Trust, (vi) prior to such merger, consolidation,
amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, the Issuer Trust has
received an opinion from independent counsel experienced in such matters to the
effect that (a) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences
and privileges of the holders of the Capital Securities (including any Successor
Securities) in any material respect and (b) following such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, neither
the Issuer Trust nor such successor entity will be required to register as an
investment company under the Investment Company Act, and (vii) the Company or
any permitted successor or assignee owns all the common securities of such
successor entity and guarantees the obligations of such successor entity under
the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the Guarantee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer Trust may not, except with the consent
of holders of 100% in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities,
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
other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with
or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease would cause the
29
Issuer Trust or the successor entity to be taxable as a corporation for United
States federal income tax purposes.
VOTING RIGHTS; AMENDMENT OF TRUST AGREEMENT
Except as provided below and under "--Removal of Issuer Trustees;
Appointment of Successors" and "Description of Guarantee--Amendments and
Assignment" and as otherwise required by law and the Trust Agreement, the
holders of the Capital Securities will have no voting rights.
The Trust Agreement may be amended from time to time by the holders of a
majority of the Common Securities and the Property Trustee, without the consent
of the holders of the Capital Securities, (i) to cure any ambiguity, correct or
supplement any provisions in the Trust Agreement that may be inconsistent with
any other provision, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or
questions arising under the Trust Agreement, provided that any such amendment
does not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any holder of
Trust Securities, or (ii) to modify, eliminate or add to any provisions of the
Trust Agreement to such extent as may be necessary to ensure that the Issuer
Trust will not be taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax
purposes at any time that any Trust Securities are outstanding or to ensure that
the Issuer Trust will not be required to register as an "investment company"
under the Investment Company Act, and any amendments of the Trust Agreement will
become effective when notice of such amendment is given to the holders of Trust
Securities. The Trust Agreement may be amended by the holders of a majority of
the Common Securities and the Property Trustee with (i) the consent of holders
representing not less than a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the
outstanding Capital Securities and (ii) receipt by the Issuer Trustees of an
opinion of counsel to the effect that such amendment or the exercise of any
power granted to the Issuer Trustees in accordance with such amendment will not
affect the Issuer Trust's not being taxable as a corporation for United States
federal income tax purposes or the Issuer Trust's exemption from status as an
"investment company" under the Investment Company Act, except that, without the
consent of each holder of Trust Securities affected thereby, the Trust Agreement
may not be amended to (i) change the amount or timing of any Distribution on the
Trust Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any Distribution
required to be made in respect of the Trust Securities as of a specified date or
(ii) restrict the right of a holder of Trust Securities to institute suit for
the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date.
So long as any Junior Subordinated Debentures are held by the Issuer Trust,
the Property Trustee will not (i) direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or
execute any trust or power conferred on the Property Trustee with respect to the
Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) waive any past default that is waivable
under Section 513 of the Junior Subordinated Indenture, (iii) exercise any right
to rescind or annul a declaration that the Junior Subordinated Debentures shall
be due and payable or (iv) consent to any amendment, modification or termination
of the Junior Subordinated Indenture or the Junior Subordinated Debentures,
where such consent shall be required, without, in each case, obtaining the prior
approval of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount
of the outstanding Capital Securities, except that, if a consent under the
Junior Subordinated Indenture would require the consent of each holder of Junior
Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, no such consent will be given by the
Property Trustee without the prior consent of each holder of the Capital
Securities. The Property Trustee may not revoke any action previously authorized
or approved by a vote of the holders of the Capital Securities except by
subsequent vote of the holders of the Capital Securities. The Property Trustee
will notify each holder of Capital Securities of any notice of default with
respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. In addition to obtaining the
foregoing approvals of the holders of the Capital Securities, before taking any
of the foregoing actions, the Property Trustee will obtain an opinion of counsel
experienced in such matters to the effect that the Issuer Trust will not be
taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes on
account of such action.
Any required approval of holders of Capital Securities may be given at a
meeting of holders of Capital Securities convened for such purpose or pursuant
to written consent. The Property Trustee will cause a
30
notice of any meeting at which holders of 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 given to each registered holder of Capital Securities in the
manner set forth in the Trust Agreement.
No vote or consent of the holders of Capital Securities will be required to
redeem and cancel Capital Securities in accordance with the Trust Agreement.
Notwithstanding that holders of 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 Company, the Issuer Trustees or any affiliate
of the Company or any Issuer Trustees, will, for purposes of such vote or
consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.
EXPENSES AND TAXES
In the Indenture, the Company, as borrower, has agreed to pay all debts and
other obligations (other than with respect to the Capital Securities) and all
costs and expenses of the Issuer Trust (including costs and expenses relating to
the organization of the Issuer Trust, the fees and expenses of the Trustees and
the costs and expenses relating to the operation of the Issuer Trust) and to pay
any and all taxes and all costs and expenses with respect thereto (other than
United States withholding taxes) to which the Issuer Trust might become subject.
The foregoing obligations of the Company under the Indenture are for the benefit
of, and shall be enforceable by, any person to whom any such debts, obligations,
costs, expenses and taxes are owed (a "Creditor") whether or not such Creditor
has received notice thereof. Any such Creditor may enforce such obligations of
the Company directly against the Company, and the Company has irrevocably waived
any right or remedy to require that any such Creditor take any action against
the Issuer Trust or any other person before proceeding against the Company. The
Company has also agreed in the Indenture to execute such additional agreements
as may be necessary or desirable to give full effect to the foregoing.
BOOK ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM
The Capital Securities will be issued in the form of one or more fully
registered global securities which will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the
Depository and registered in the name of the Depository's nominee. Unless and
until it is exchangeable in whole or in part for the Capital Securities in
definitive form, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by
the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository
to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or
any such nominee to a successor of such Depository or a nominee of such
successor.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to
persons that have accounts with the Depository or its nominee ("Participants")
or persons that may hold interests through Participants. The Company expects
that, upon the issuance of a global security, the Depository will credit, on its
book-entry registration and transfer system, the Participants' accounts with
their respective principal amounts of the Capital Securities represented by such
global security. Ownership of beneficial interests in such global security will
be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only
through, records maintained by the Depository (with respect to interests of
Participants) and on the records of Participants (with respect to interests of
Persons held through Participants). Beneficial owners will not receive written
confirmation from the Depository of their purchase, but are expected to receive
written confirmations from the Participants through which the beneficial owner
entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests will be
accomplished by entries on the books of Participants acting on behalf of the
beneficial owners.
So long as the Depository, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a
global security, the Depository or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner or holder of the Capital Securities represented by
such global security for all purposes under the Junior Subordinated Indenture.
Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security
will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of the Capital Securities in
definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under
the Junior Subordinated Indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial
interest in
31
such a global security must rely on the procedures of the Depository and, if
such person is not a Participant, on the procedures of the participant through
which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under
the Junior Subordinated Indenture. The Company understands that, under the
Depository's existing practices, in the event that the Company requests any
action of holders, or an owner of a beneficial interest in such a global
security desires to take any action which a holder is entitled to take under the
Junior Subordinated Indenture, the Depository would authorize the Participants
holding the relevant beneficial interests to take such action, and such
Participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such Participants
to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial
owners owning through them. Redemption notices will also be sent to the
Depository. If less than all of the Capital Securities are being redeemed, the
Company understands that it is the Depository's existing practice to determine
by lot the amount of the interest of each Participant to be redeemed.
Distributions on the Capital Securities registered in the name of the
Depository or its nominee will be made to the Depository or its nominee, as the
case may be, as the registered owner of the global security representing such
Capital Securities. None of the Company, the Trustees, any Paying Agent or any
other agent of the Company or the Trustees will have any responsibility or
liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account
of beneficial ownership interests in the global security for such Capital
Securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to
such beneficial ownership interests. Disbursements of Distributions to
Participants shall be the responsibility of the Depository. The Depository's
practice is to credit Participants' accounts on a payable date in accordance
with their respective holdings shown on the Depository's records unless the
Depository has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on such
payable date. Payments by Participants to beneficial owners will be governed by
standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities
held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street
name," and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of the
Depository, the Company, the Trustees, the Paying Agent or any other agent of
the Company, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in
effect from time to time.
The Depository may discontinue providing its services as securities
depository with respect to the Capital Securities at any time by giving
reasonable notice to the Company or the Trustee. If the Depository notifies the
Company that it is unwilling to continue as such, or if it is unable to continue
or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and a
successor depository is not appointed by the Company within ninety days after
receiving such notice or becoming aware that the Depository is no longer so
registered, the Company will issue the Capital Securities in definitive form
upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, such global security. In
addition, the Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine not
to have the Capital Securities represented by one or more global securities and,
in such event, will issue Capital Securities in definitive form in exchange for
all of the global securities representing such Capital Securities.
DTC has advised the Company and the Issuer Trust as follows: DTC is a
limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York,
a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered
pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created
to hold securities for its Participants and to facilitate the clearance and
settlement of securities transactions between Participants through electronic
book entry changes to accounts of its Participants, thereby eliminating the need
for physical movement of certificates. Participants include securities brokers
and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations and may include
certain other organizations such as the Underwriters. Certain of such
Participants (or their representatives), together with other entities, own DTC.
Indirect access to the DTC system is available to others such as banks, brokers,
dealers and trust companies that clear through, or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly.
32
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENCY
Payments in respect of the Capital Securities will be made to DTC, which
will credit the relevant accounts at DTC on the applicable Distribution Dates
or, if the Capital Securities are not held by DTC, such payments will be made by
check mailed to the address of the holder entitled thereto as such address
appears on the securities register for the Trust Securities. The paying agent
(the "Paying Agent") will initially be the Property Trustee and any co-paying
agent chosen by the Property Trustee and acceptable to the Administrators. The
Paying Agent will be permitted to resign as Paying Agent upon 30 days' written
notice to the Property Trustee and the Administrators. If the Property Trustee
is no longer the Paying Agent, the Property Trustee will appoint a successor
(which must be a bank or trust company reasonably acceptable to the
Administrators) to act as Paying Agent.
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT
The Property Trustee will act as registrar and transfer agent for the
Capital Securities.
Registration of transfers of Capital Securities will be effected without
charge by or on behalf of the Issuer Trust, but upon payment of any tax or other
governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or
exchange. The Issuer Trust will not be required to register or cause to be
registered the transfer of the Capital Securities after the Capital Securities
have been called for redemption.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE
The Property Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an
Event of Default, undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically set
forth in the Trust Agreement and, after such Event of Default, must exercise the
same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the
conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the Property
Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the
Trust Agreement at the request of any holder of Capital Securities unless it is
offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that
might be incurred thereby.
For information concerning the relationships between Bankers Trust Company,
the Property Trustee, and the Company, see "Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures--Information Concerning the Debenture Trustee."
MISCELLANEOUS
The Administrators and the Property Trustee are authorized and directed to
conduct the affairs of and to operate the Issuer Trust in such a way that the
Issuer Trust will not be deemed to be an "investment company" required to be
registered under the Investment Company Act or taxable as a corporation for
United States federal income tax purposes and so that the Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Company for United States
federal income tax purposes. In this connection, the Property Trustee and the
holders of Common Securities are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent
with applicable law, the certificate of trust of the Issuer Trust or the Trust
Agreement, that the Property Trustee and the holders of Common Securities
determine in their discretion to be necessary or desirable for such purposes, as
long as such action does not materially adversely affect the interests of the
holders of the Capital Securities.
Holders of the Capital Securities have no preemptive or similar rights.
The Issuer Trust may not borrow money or issue debt or mortgage or pledge
any of its assets.
GOVERNING LAW
The Trust Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Delaware.
33
DESCRIPTION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
The Junior Subordinated Debentures are to be issued under the Junior
Subordinated Indenture, under which Bankers Trust Company is acting as Debenture
Trustee. This summary of certain terms and provisions of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures and the Junior Subordinated Indenture does not purport to be complete
and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the
provisions of the Junior Subordinated Indenture, including the definitions
therein of certain terms. Whenever particular defined terms of the Junior
Subordinated Indenture (as amended or supplemented from time to time) are
referred to herein, such defined terms are incorporated herein by reference. A
copy of the form of Junior Subordinated Indenture is available from the
Debenture Trustee upon request.
GENERAL
Concurrently with the issuance of the Capital Securities, the Issuer Trust
will invest the proceeds thereof, together with the consideration paid by the
Company for the Common Securities, in the Junior Subordinated Debentures issued
by the Company. The Junior Subordinated Debentures will bear interest, accruing
from June , 1997, at the annual rate of % of the principal amount thereof,
payable semi-annually in arrears on the day of and of each
year (each, an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing , 1997, to the person
in whose name each Junior Subordinated Debenture is registered at the close of
business on the day of or (whether or not a Business Day) next
preceding such Interest Payment Date. It is anticipated that, until the
liquidation, if any, of the Issuer Trust, each Junior Subordinated Debenture
will be registered in the name of the Issuer Trust and held by the Property
Trustee in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Trust Securities. The
amount of interest payable for any period less than a full interest period will
be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the
actual days elapsed in a partial month in such period. The amount of interest
payable for any full interest period will be computed by dividing the rate per
annum by two. If any date on which interest is payable on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures is not a Business Day, then payment of the interest
payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business
Day (without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), with
the same force and effect as if made on the date such payment was originally
payable. Accrued interest that is not paid on the applicable Interest Payment
Date will bear additional interest on the amount thereof (to the extent
permitted by law) at the rate per annum of %, compounded semi-annually and
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the actual
days elapsed in a partial month in such period. The amount of additional
interest payable for any full interest period will be computed by dividing the
rate per annum by two. The term "interest" as used herein includes semi-annual
interest payments, interest on semi-annual interest payments not paid on the
applicable Interest Payment Date and Additional Sums (as defined below), as
applicable.
The Junior Subordinated Debentures will mature on June , 2027.
The Junior Subordinated Debentures will be unsecured and will rank junior
and be subordinate in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness of the Company
and PARI PASSU with the Company's obligations associated with the Outstanding
Capital Securities. The Junior Subordinated Debentures will not be subject to a
sinking fund and will not be eligible as collateral for any loan made by the
Company. The Junior Subordinated Indenture does not limit the incurrence or
issuance of other secured or unsecured debt by the Company, including Senior
Indebtedness, whether under the Junior Subordinated Indenture or any existing or
other indenture that the Company may enter into in the future or otherwise. See
"-- Subordination."
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
So long as no Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Company has the right at any time during the term of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures to defer the payment of interest at any
34
time or from time to time for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual
periods with respect to each Extension Period, provided that no Extension Period
may extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. At
the end of such Extension Period, the Company must pay all interest then accrued
and unpaid (together with interest thereon at the annual rate of %,
compounded semi-annually and computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in such period, to
the extent permitted by applicable law). The amount of additional interest
payable for any full interest period will be computed by dividing the rate per
annum by two. During an Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue and
holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures (or holders of Capital Securities
while outstanding) will be required to accrue interest income for United States
federal income tax purposes. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences--Interest Income and Original Issue Discount."
During any such Extension Period, the Company may 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 Company's capital stock 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 Company that rank PARI PASSU in
all respects with or junior in interest to the Junior Subordinated Debentures,
including the Company's obligations associated with the Outstanding Capital
Securities (other than (a) 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
any 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, (b) as a
result of an 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,
(c) 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, (d) any declaration of a dividend in
connection with any stockholder's 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, or (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). Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Company
may further defer the payment of interest, provided that no Extension Period may
exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods or extend beyond the Stated Maturity
of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Upon the termination of any such
Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Company may elect
to begin a new Extension Period subject to the above conditions. No interest
shall be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof.
The Company must give the Issuer Trustees notice of its election of such
Extension Period at least one Business Day prior to the earlier of (i) the date
the Distributions on the Capital Securities would have been payable but for the
election to begin such Extension Period and (ii) the date the Property Trustee
is required to give notice to holders of the Capital Securities of the record
date or the date such Distributions are payable, but in any event not less than
one Business Day prior to such record date. The Property Trustee will give
notice of the Company's election to begin a new Extension Period to the holders
of the Capital Securities. There is no limitation on the number of times that
the Company may elect to begin an Extension Period.
REDEMPTION
The Junior Subordinated Debentures are redeemable prior to maturity at the
option of the Company (i) on or after June , 2007, in whole at any time or in
part from time to time, or (ii) in whole, but not in part, at any time within 90
days following the occurrence and during the continuation of a Tax Event,
35
Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment Event (each as defined under
"Description of Capital Securities--Redemption"), in each case at the redemption
price described below. The proceeds of any such redemption will be used by the
Issuer Trust to redeem the Capital Securities.
The Federal Reserve's risk-based capital guidelines, which are subject to
change, currently provide that redemptions of permanent equity or other capital
instruments before stated maturity could have a significant impact on a bank
holding company's overall capital structure and that any organization
considering such a redemption should consult with the Federal Reserve before
redeeming any equity or capital instrument prior to maturity if such redemption
could have a material effect on the level or composition of the organization's
capital base (unless the equity or capital instrument were redeemed with the
proceeds of, or replaced by, a like amount of a similar or higher quality
capital instrument and the Federal Reserve considers the organization's capital
position to be fully adequate after the redemption).
The redemption of the Junior Subordinated Debentures by the Company prior to
their Stated Maturity would constitute the redemption of capital instruments
under the Federal Reserve's current risk-based capital guidelines and may be
subject to the prior approval of the Federal Reserve. The redemption of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures also could be subject to the additional prior
approval of the Federal Reserve under its current risk-based capital guidelines.
The Redemption Price for Junior Subordinated Debentures in the case of a
redemption under (i) above shall equal the following prices, expressed in
percentages of the principal amount, together with accrued interest to but
excluding the date fixed for redemption, if redeemed during the 12-month period
beginning June :
YEAR REDEMPTION PRICE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------
2007........................................................................ %
2008........................................................................
2009........................................................................
2010........................................................................
2011........................................................................
2012........................................................................
2013........................................................................
2014........................................................................
2015........................................................................
2016........................................................................
and at 100% on or after June , 2017.
The Redemption Price in the case of a redemption on or after June , 2007
following a Tax Event, Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment Event shall
equal the Redemption Price then applicable to a redemption under (i) above. The
Redemption Price for Junior Subordinated Debentures, in the case of a redemption
prior to June , 2007 following a Tax Event, Investment Company Event or
Capital Treatment Event, as described under (ii) above, will equal the
Make-Whole Amount (as defined under "Description of Capital
Securities--Redemption"), together with accrued interest to but excluding the
date fixed for redemption.
ADDITIONAL SUMS
The Company has covenanted in the Junior Subordinated Indenture that, if and
for so long as (i) the Issuer Trust is the holder of all Junior Subordinated
Debentures and (ii) the Issuer Trust is required to pay any additional taxes,
duties or other governmental charges as a result of a Tax Event, the Company
will pay as additional sums on the Junior Subordinated Debentures such amounts
as may be required so that the Distributions payable by the Issuer Trust will
not be reduced as a result of any such additional taxes, duties or other
governmental charges. See "Description of Capital Securities--Redemption."
36
REGISTRATION, DENOMINATION AND TRANSFER
The Junior Subordinated Debentures will initially be registered in the name
of the Issuer Trust. If the Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed to
holders of Capital Securities, it is anticipated that the depositary
arrangements for the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be substantially
identical to those in effect for the Capital Securities. See "Description of
Capital Securities--Book Entry, Delivery and Form."
Although DTC has agreed to the procedures described above, it is under no
obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such
procedures may be discontinued at any time. If DTC is at any time unwilling or
unable to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by
the Company within 90 days of receipt of notice from DTC to such effect, the
Company will cause the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be issued in definitive
form.
Payments on Junior Subordinated Debentures represented by a global security
will be made to Cede & Co., the nominee for DTC, as the registered holder of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures, as described under "Description of the Capital
Securities--Book Entry, Delivery and Form." If Junior Subordinated Debentures
are issued in certificated form, principal and interest will be payable, the
transfer of the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be registrable, and Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be exchangeable for Junior Subordinated Debentures
of other authorized denominations of a like aggregate principal amount, at the
corporate trust office of the Debenture Trustee in New York, New York or at the
offices of any Paying Agent or transfer agent appointed by the Company, provided
that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by check
mailed to the address of the persons entitled thereto. However, a holder of $1
million or more in aggregate principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures
may receive payments of interest (other than interest payable at the Stated
Maturity) by wire transfer of immediately available funds upon written request
to the Debenture Trustee not later than 15 calendar days prior to the date on
which the interest is payable.
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be exchangeable for other Junior
Subordinated Debentures of like tenor, of any authorized denominations, and of a
like aggregate principal amount.
Junior Subordinated Debentures may be presented for exchange as provided
above, and may be presented for registration of transfer (with the form of
transfer endorsed thereon, or a satisfactory written instrument of transfer,
duly executed), at the office of the securities registrar appointed under the
Junior Subordinated Debenture or at the office of any transfer agent designated
by the Company for such purpose without service charge and upon payment of any
taxes and other governmental charges as described in the Junior Subordinated
Indenture. The Company will appoint the Debenture Trustee as securities
registrar under the Junior Subordinated Indenture. The Company may at any time
designate additional transfer agents with respect to the Junior Subordinated
Debentures.
In the event of any redemption, neither the Company nor the Debenture
Trustee shall be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange
Junior Subordinated Debentures during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of selection for redemption of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on
the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption or (ii) transfer or
exchange any Junior Subordinated Debentures so selected for redemption, except,
in the case of any Junior Subordinated Debentures being redeemed in part, any
portion thereof not to be redeemed.
Any monies deposited with the Debenture Trustee or any paying agent, or then
held by the Company in trust, for the payment of the principal of (and premium,
if any) or interest on any Junior Subordinated Debenture and remaining unclaimed
for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become
due and payable shall, at the request of the Company, be repaid to the Company
and the holder of such Junior Subordinated Debenture shall thereafter look, as a
general unsecured creditor, only to the Company for payment thereof.
37
RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN PAYMENTS; CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has covenanted that it will 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 Company's capital stock 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 Company that rank PARI PASSU in all respects with or
junior in interest to the Junior Subordinated Debentures including the Company's
obligations associated with the Outstanding Capital Securities (other than (a)
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 any 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 or other event referred to below, (b) as a
result of an 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,
(c) 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, (d) any declaration of a dividend in
connection with any stockholder's rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock
or other property under any stockholder's rights plan, or the redemption or
repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, or (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), if at such time (i) there has occurred any event (a) of which the
Company has actual knowledge that with the giving of notice or the lapse of
time, or both, would constitute a Debenture Event of Default and (b) that the
Company has not taken reasonable steps to cure, (ii) if the Junior Subordinated
Debentures are held by the Issuer Trust, the Company is in default with respect
to its payment of any obligations under the Guarantee or (iii) the Company has
given notice of its election of an Extension Period as provided in the Junior
Subordinated Indenture and has not rescinded such notice, or such Extension
Period, or any extension thereof, is continuing.
The Company has covenanted in the Junior Subordinated Indenture (i) to
continue to hold, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Common Securities,
provided that certain successors that are permitted pursuant to the Junior
Subordinated Indenture may succeed to the Company's ownership of the Common
Securities, (ii) as holder of the Common Securities, not to voluntarily
dissolve, windup or liquidate the Issuer Trust, other than (a) in connection
with a distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures to the holders of the
Capital Securities in liquidation of the Issuer Trust or (b) in connection with
certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations permitted by the Trust
Agreement and (iii) to use its reasonable efforts, consistent with the terms and
provisions of the Trust Agreement, to cause the Issuer Trust to continue not to
be taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.
MODIFICATION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE
From time to time, the Company and the Debenture Trustee may, without the
consent of any of the holders of the outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures,
amend, waive or supplement the provisions of the Junior Subordinated Indenture
to: (1) evidence succession of another corporation or association to the Company
and the assumption by such person of the obligations of the Company under the
Junior Subordinated Debentures, (2) add further covenants, restrictions or
conditions for the protection of holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures,
(3) cure ambiguities or correct the Junior Subordinated Debentures in the case
of defects or inconsistencies in the provisions thereof, so long as any such
cure or correction does not adversely affect the interest of the holders of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures in any material respect, (4) change the terms of
the Junior Subordinated Debentures to facilitate the issuance
38
of the Junior Subordinated Debentures in certificated or other definitive form,
(5) evidence or provide for the appointment of a successor Debenture Trustee, or
(6) qualify, or maintain the qualification of, the Junior Subordinated
Indentures under the Trust Indenture Act. The Junior Subordinated Indenture
contains provisions permitting the Company and the Debenture Trustee, with the
consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures, to modify the Junior Subordinated Indenture in a
manner affecting the rights of the holders of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, except that no such modification may, without the consent of the
holder of each outstanding Junior Subordinated Debenture so affected, (i) change
the Stated Maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, or reduce the
principal amount thereof, the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable
upon the redemption thereof, or change the place of payment where, or the
currency in which, any such amount is payable or impair the right to institute
suit for the enforcement of any Junior Subordinated Debenture or (ii) reduce the
percentage of principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures, the holders of
which are required to consent to any such modification of the Junior
Subordinated Indenture. Furthermore, so long as any of the Capital Securities
remain outstanding, no such modification may be made that adversely affects the
holders of such Capital Securities in any material respect, and no termination
of the Junior Subordinated Indenture may occur, and no waiver of any Debenture
Event of Default or compliance with any covenant under the Junior Subordinated
Indenture may be effective, without the prior consent of the holders of at least
a majority of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Capital
Securities unless and until the principal of (and premium, if any, on) the
Junior Subordinated Debentures and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon have
been paid in full and certain other conditions are satisfied.
DEBENTURE EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The Junior Subordinated Indenture provides that any one or more of the
following described events with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures
that has occurred and is continuing constitutes an "Event of Default" with
respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures:
(i) failure for 30 days to pay any interest on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures when due (subject to the deferral of any due date in the case of
an Extension Period); or
(ii) failure to pay any principal of or premium, if any, on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures when due whether at maturity, upon redemption, by
declaration of acceleration or otherwise; or
(iii) failure to observe or perform in any material respect certain other
covenants contained in the Junior Subordinated Indenture for 90 days after
written notice to the Company from the Debenture Trustee or the holders of
at least 25% in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the outstanding
Junior Subordinated Debentures; or
(iv) the Company consents to the appointment of a receiver or other
similar official in any liquidation, insolvency or similar proceeding with
respect to the Company or all or substantially all its property.
For purposes of the Trust Agreement and this Prospectus, each such Event of
Default under the Junior Subordinated Debenture is referred to as a "Debenture
Event of Default." As described in "Description of Capital Securities--Events of
Default; Notice," the occurrence of a Debenture Event of Default will also
constitute an Event of Default in respect of the Trust Securities.
The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures have the right to direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Debenture Trustee. The Debenture Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures may
declare the principal due and payable immediately upon a Debenture Event of
Default, and, should the Debenture Trustee or such holders of Junior
Subordinated Debentures fail to make such declaration, the holders of at least
25% in
39
aggregate Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Capital Securities shall have
such right. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures may annul such declaration and waive
the default if all defaults (other than the non-payment of the principal of
Junior Subordinated Debentures which has become due solely by such acceleration)
have 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. Should the holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures fail to
annul such declaration and waive such default, the holders of a majority in
aggregate Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Capital Securities shall have
such right.
The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby may, on behalf of
the holders of all the Junior Subordinated Debentures, waive any past default,
except a default in the payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest
(unless such 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 in respect of a covenant
or provision which under the Junior Subordinated Indenture cannot be modified or
amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Junior
Subordinated Debenture affected thereby. See "--Modification of Junior
Subordinated Indenture." The Company is required to file annually with the
Debenture Trustee a certificate as to whether or not the Company is in
compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to it under the
Junior Subordinated Indenture.
If a Debenture Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Property
Trustee will have the right to declare the principal of and the interest on the
Junior Subordinated Debentures, and any other amounts payable under the Junior
Subordinated Indenture, to be forthwith due and payable and to enforce its other
rights as a creditor with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures.
ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such
event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay any amounts payable
in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures on the date such amounts are
otherwise payable, a registered holder of Capital Securities may institute a
legal proceeding directly against the Company for enforcement of payment to such
holder of an amount equal to the amount payable in respect of Junior
Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities held by such holder. The Company
may not amend the Junior Subordinated Indenture to remove the foregoing right to
bring a Direct Action without the prior written consent of the holders of all
the Capital Securities. The Company will have the right under the Junior
Subordinated Indenture to set-off any payment made to such holder of Capital
Securities by the Company in connection with a Direct Action.
The holders of the Capital Securities would not be able to exercise directly
any remedies available to the holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures
except under the circumstances described in the preceding paragraph. See
"Description of Capital Securities--Events of Default; Notice."
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
The Junior Subordinated Indenture provides that the Company may not
consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease its
properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, and no Person
may consolidate with or merge into the Company or convey, transfer or lease its
properties and assets substantially as an entirety to the Company, unless (i) if
the Company consolidates with or merges into another Person or conveys or
transfers its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person,
the successor Person is organized under the laws of the United States or any
state or the District of Columbia, and such successor Person expressly assumes
the Company's obligations in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures; (ii)
immediately after giving effect thereto, no Debenture Event of Default, and no
event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a Debenture
40
Event of Default, has occurred and is continuing; and (iii) certain other
conditions as prescribed in the Junior Subordinated Indenture are satisfied.
The provisions of the Junior Subordinated Indenture do not afford holders of
the Junior Subordinated Debentures protection in the event of a highly leveraged
or other transaction involving the Company that may adversely affect holders of
the Junior Subordinated Debentures.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
The Junior Subordinated Indenture provides that when, among other things,
all Junior Subordinated Debentures not previously delivered to the Debenture
Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable or (ii) will become due
and payable at the Stated Maturity within one year, and the Company deposits or
causes to be deposited with the Debenture Trustee funds, in trust, for the
purpose and in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness
on the Junior Subordinated Debentures not previously delivered to the Debenture
Trustee for cancellation, for the principal (and premium, if any) and interest
to the date of the deposit or to the Stated Maturity, as the case may be, then
the Junior Subordinated Indenture will cease to be of further effect (except as
to the Company's obligations to pay all other sums due pursuant to the Junior
Subordinated Indenture and to provide the officers' certificates and opinions of
counsel described therein), and the Company will be deemed to have satisfied and
discharged the Junior Subordinated Indenture.
SUBORDINATION
The Junior Subordinated Debentures will be subordinate and junior in right
of payment, to the extent set forth in the Junior Subordinated Indenture, to all
Senior Indebtedness (as defined below) of the Company. If the Company defaults
in the payment of any principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, or any
other amount payable on any Senior Indebtedness when the same becomes due and
payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for redemption or by declaration
of acceleration or otherwise, then, unless and until such default has been cured
or waived or has ceased to exist or all Senior Indebtedness has been paid, no
direct or indirect payment (in cash, property, securities, by setoff or
otherwise) may be made or agreed to be made on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, or in respect of any redemption, repayment, retirement, purchase or
other acquisition of any of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Because the
Company is a holding company, the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the
Guarantee are effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities
of its subsidiaries. As of March 31, 1997, the Company's subsidiaries had
indebtedness and other liabilities of approximately $12.2 billion.
As used herein, "Senior Indebtedness" means, whether recourse is to all or a
portion of the assets of the Company and whether or not contingent, (i) every
obligation of the Company for money borrowed; (ii) every obligation of the
Company evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments,
including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property,
assets or businesses; (iii) every reimbursement obligation of the Company with
respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued
for the account of the Company; (iv) every obligation of the Company issued or
assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (but excluding
trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business); (v) every capital lease obligation of the Company; (vi) every
obligation of the Company for claims (as defined in Section 101(4) of the United
States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended) in respect of derivative products
such as interest and foreign exchange rate contracts, commodity contracts and
similar arrangements; and (vii) every obligation of the type referred to in
clauses (i) through (vi) of another person and all dividends of another person
the payment of which, in either case, the Company has guaranteed or is
responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor or otherwise; provided
that "Senior Indebtedness" shall not include (i) any obligations which, by their
terms, are expressly stated to rank PARI PASSU in right of payment with, or to
not be superior in right of payment to, the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii)
any Senior Indebtedness of the Company which when incurred and without respect
to any election under Section 1111(b) of the United
41
States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, was without recourse to the Company,
(iii) any indebtedness of the Company to any of its subsidiaries, (iv)
indebtedness to any employee of the Company, or (v) any indebtedness in respect
of debt securities issued to any trust, or a trustee of such trust, partnership
or other entity affiliated with the Company that is a financing entity of the
Company in connection with the issuance of such financing entity of securities
that are similar to the Capital Securities including the Outstanding Capital
Securities.
In the event of (i) certain events of bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation
of the Company or the holder of the Common Securities, (ii) any proceeding for
the liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the Company, voluntary or
involuntary, whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings,
(iii) any assignment by the Company for the benefit of creditors or (iv) any
other marshalling of the assets of the Company, all Senior Indebtedness
(including any interest thereon accruing after the commencement of any such
proceedings) shall first be paid in full before any payment or distribution,
whether in cash, securities or other property, shall be made on account of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures. In such event, any payment or distribution on
account of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, whether in cash, securities or
other property, that would otherwise (but for the subordination provisions) be
payable or deliverable in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be
paid or delivered directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness in accordance
with the priorities then existing among such holders until all Senior
Indebtedness (including any interest thereon accruing after the commencement of
any such proceedings) has been paid in full.
In the event of any such proceeding, after payment in full of all sums owing
with respect to Senior Indebtedness, the holders of Junior Subordinated
Debentures, together with the holders of any obligations of the Company ranking
on a parity with the Junior Subordinated Debentures, will be entitled to be paid
from the remaining assets of the Company the amounts at the time due and owing
on the Junior Subordinated Debentures and such other obligations before any
payment or other distribution, whether in cash, property or otherwise, will be
made on account of any capital stock or obligations of the Company ranking
junior to the Junior Subordinated Debentures and such other obligations. If any
payment or distribution on account of the Junior Subordinated Debentures of any
character or any security, whether in cash, securities or other property is
received by any holder of any Junior Subordinated Debentures in contravention of
any of the terms hereof and before all the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in
full, such payment or distribution or security will be received in trust for the
benefit of, and must be paid over or delivered and transferred to, the holders
of the Senior Indebtedness at the time outstanding in accordance with the
priorities then existing among such holders for application to the payment of
all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all such
Senior Indebtedness in full. By reason of such subordination, in the event of
the insolvency of the Company, holders of Senior Indebtedness may receive more,
ratably, and holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures may receive less,
ratably, than the other creditors of the Company. Such subordination will not
prevent the occurrence of any Event of Default in respect of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures.
The Junior Subordinated Indenture places no limitation on the amount of
additional Senior Indebtedness that may be incurred by the Company. The Company
expects from time to time to incur additional indebtedness constituting Senior
Indebtedness.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE
The Debenture Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of a
default by the Company in performance of its obligations under the Junior
Subordinated Debenture, is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers
vested in it by the Junior Subordinated Indenture at the request of any holder
of Junior Subordinated Debentures, unless offered reasonable indemnity by such
holder against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred
thereby. The Debenture Trustee is not required to expend or risk its own funds
or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of its duties
if the Debenture Trustee reasonably believes that repayment or adequate
indemnity is not reasonably assured to it.
42
Bankers Trust Company, the Debenture Trustee, may serve from time to time as
trustee under other indentures or trust agreements with the Company or its
subsidiaries relating to other issues of their securities. In addition, the
Company and certain of its affiliates may have other banking relationships with
Bankers Trust Company and its affiliates.
GOVERNING LAW
The Junior Subordinated Indenture and the Junior Subordinated Debentures
will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
New York.
DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEE
The Guarantee will be executed and delivered by the Company concurrently
with the issuance of Capital Securities by the Issuer Trust for the benefit of
the holders from time to time of the Capital Securities. Bankers Trust Company
will act as Guarantee Trustee under the Guarantee. This summary of certain
provisions of the Guarantee does not purport to be complete and is subject to,
and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the
Guarantee, including the definitions therein of certain terms. A copy of the
form of the Guarantee is available upon request from the Guarantee Trustee. The
Guarantee Trustee will hold the Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the
Capital Securities.
GENERAL
The Company will irrevocably agree to pay in full on a subordinated basis,
to the extent set forth herein, the Guarantee Payments (as defined below) to the
holders of the Capital Securities, as and when due, regardless of any defense,
right of set-off or counterclaim that the Issuer Trust may have or assert other
than the defense of payment. The following payments with respect to the Capital
Securities, to the extent not paid by or on behalf of the Issuer Trust (the
"Guarantee Payments"), will be subject to the Guarantee: (i) any accumulated and
unpaid Distributions required to be paid on such Capital Securities, to the
extent that the Issuer Trust has funds on hand available therefor at such time,
(ii) the Redemption Price with respect to any Capital Securities called for
redemption, to the extent that the Issuer Trust has funds on hand available
therefor at such time, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution,
winding-up or liquidation of the Issuer Trust (unless the Junior Subordinated
Debentures are distributed to holders of the Capital Securities), the lesser of
(a) the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount and all accumulated and unpaid
Distributions to the date of payment, to the extent that the Issuer Trust has
funds on hand available therefor at such time, and (b) the amount of assets of
the Issuer Trust remaining available for distribution to holders of the Capital
Securities on liquidation of the Issuer Trust. The Company's obligation to make
a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts
by the Company to the holders of the Capital Securities or by causing the Issuer
Trust to pay such amounts to such holders.
The Guarantee will be an irrevocable guarantee on a subordinated basis of
the Issuer Trust's obligations under the Capital Securities, but will apply only
to the extent that the Issuer Trust has funds sufficient to make such payments,
and is not a guarantee of collection.
If the Company does not make payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures
held by the Issuer Trust, the Issuer Trust will not be able to pay any amounts
payable in respect of the Capital Securities and will not have funds legally
available therefor. The Guarantee will rank subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all Senior Indebtedness of the Company. See "--Status of the
Guarantee." The Guarantee does not limit the incurrence or issuance of other
secured or unsecured debt of the Company, including Senior Indebtedness, whether
under the Junior Subordinated Indenture, any other indenture that the Company
may enter into in the future or otherwise.
The Company has, through the Guarantee, the Trust Agreement, the Junior
Subordinated Debentures and the Junior Subordinated Indenture, taken together,
fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed
43
all the Issuer Trust's obligations under the Capital Securities. No single
document standing alone or operating in conjunction with fewer than all the
other documents constitutes such guarantee. It is only the combined operation of
these documents that has the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and
unconditional guarantee of the Issuer Trust's obligations in respect of the
Capital Securities. See "Relationship Among the Capital Securities, the Junior
Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee."
STATUS OF THE GUARANTEE
The Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Company and
will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness
of the Company in the same manner as the Junior Subordinated Debentures.
The Guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of collection
(i.e., the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding directly against
the Guarantor to enforce its rights under the Guarantee without first
instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity). The
Guarantee will be held by the Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the holders
of the Capital Securities. The Guarantee will not be discharged except by
payment of the Guarantee Payments in full to the extent not paid by the Issuer
Trust or distribution to the holders of the Capital Securities of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures.
AMENDMENTS AND ASSIGNMENT
Except with respect to any changes which do not materially adversely affect
the rights of holders of the Capital Securities (in which case no vote will be
required), the Guarantee may not be amended without the prior approval of the
holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the
outstanding Capital Securities. The manner of obtaining any such approval will
be as set forth under "Description of the Capital Securities--Voting Rights;
Amendment of Trust Agreement." All guarantees and agreements contained in the
Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Company and shall inure to the benefit of the holders of
the Capital Securities then outstanding.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
An event of default under the Guarantee will occur upon the failure of the
Company to perform any of its payment or other obligations thereunder, or to
perform any non-payment obligation if such non-payment default remains
unremedied for 30 days. The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Capital Securities have the right to
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of the Guarantee or to direct the
exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under the
Guarantee.
Any registered holder of Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Company to enforce its rights under the Guarantee without
first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer Trust, the Guarantee
Trustee or any other person or entity.
The Company, as guarantor, is required to file annually with the Guarantee
Trustee a certificate as to whether or not the Company is in compliance with all
the conditions and covenants applicable to it under the Guarantee.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
The Guarantee Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of a
default by the Company in performance of the Guarantee, undertakes to perform
only such duties as are specifically set forth in the Guarantee and, after the
occurrence of an event of default with respect to the Guarantee, must exercise
the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in
the conduct of his
44
or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the Guarantee Trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Guarantee at the
request of any holder of the Capital Securities unless it is offered reasonable
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred
thereby.
For information concerning the relationship between Bankers Trust Company,
the Guarantee Trustee, and the Company, see "Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures--Information Concerning the Debenture Trustee."
TERMINATION OF THE GUARANTEE
The Guarantee will terminate and be of no further force and effect upon full
payment of the Redemption Price of the Capital Securities, upon full payment of
the amounts payable with respect to the Capital Securities upon liquidation of
the Issuer Trust or upon distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures to the
holders of the Capital Securities. The Guarantee will continue to be effective
or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of the
Capital Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the Capital
Securities or the Guarantee.
GOVERNING LAW
The Guarantee will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of New York.
RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE CAPITAL SECURITIES, THE JUNIOR
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE GUARANTEE
FULL AND UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE
Payments of Distributions and other amounts due on the Capital Securities
(to the extent the Issuer Trust has funds available for such payment) are
irrevocably guaranteed by the Company as and to the extent set forth under
"Description of Guarantee." Taken together, the Company's obligations under the
Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Junior Subordinated Indenture, the Trust
Agreement and the Guarantee provide, in the aggregate, a full, irrevocable and
unconditional guarantee of payments of Distributions and other amounts due on
the Capital Securities. No single document standing alone or operating in
conjunction with fewer than all the other documents constitutes such guarantee.
It is only the combined operation of these documents that has the effect of
providing a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the Issuer Trust's
obligations in respect of the Capital Securities. If and to the extent that the
Company does not make payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Issuer
Trust will not have sufficient funds to pay Distributions or other amounts due
on the Capital Securities. The Guarantee does not cover payment of amounts
payable with respect to the Capital Securities when the Issuer Trust does not
have sufficient funds to pay such amounts. In such event, the remedy of a holder
of the Capital Securities is to institute a legal proceeding directly against
the Company for enforcement of payment of the Company's obligations under Junior
Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation
Amount of the Capital Securities held by such holder.
The obligations of the Company under the Junior Subordinated Debentures and
the Guarantee are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior
Indebtedness.
SUFFICIENCY OF PAYMENTS
As long as payments are made when due on the Junior Subordinated Debentures,
such payments will be sufficient to cover Distributions and other payments
distributable on the Capital Securities, primarily because (i) the aggregate
principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be equal to the sum
of the aggregate stated Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities and Common
Securities; (ii) the interest rate and interest and other payment dates on the
Junior Subordinated Debentures will match the
45
Distribution rate, Distribution Dates and other payment dates for the Capital
Securities; (iii) the Company will pay for all and any costs, expenses and
liabilities of the Issuer Trust except the Issuer Trust's obligations to holders
of the Trust Securities; and (iv) the Trust Agreement further provides that the
Issuer Trust will not engage in any activity that is not consistent with the
limited purposes of the Issuer Trust.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Junior Subordinated
Indenture, the Company has the right to set-off any payment it is otherwise
required to make thereunder against and to the extent the Company has
theretofore made, or is concurrently on the date of such payment making, a
payment under the Guarantee.
ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
A holder of any Capital Security may institute a legal proceeding directly
against the Company to enforce its rights under the Guarantee without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee, the Issuer Trust
or any other person or entity. See "Description of Guarantee."
A default or event of default under any Senior Indebtedness of the Company
would not constitute a default or Event of Default in respect of the Capital
Securities. However, in the event of payment defaults under, or acceleration of,
Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the subordination provisions of the Junior
Subordinated Indenture provide that no payments may be made in respect of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures until such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in
full or any payment default thereunder has been cured or waived. See
"Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures--Subordination."
LIMITED PURPOSE OF ISSUER TRUST
The Capital Securities represent preferred undivided beneficial interests in
the assets of the Issuer Trust, and the Issuer Trust exists for the sole purpose
of issuing its Capital Securities and Common Securities and investing the
proceeds thereof in Junior Subordinated Debentures. A principal difference
between the rights of a holder of a Capital Security and a holder of a Junior
Subordinated Debenture is that a holder of a Junior Subordinated Debenture is
entitled to receive from the Company payments on Junior Subordinated Debentures
held, while a holder of Capital Securities is entitled to receive Distributions
or other amounts distributable with respect to the Capital Securities from the
Issuer Trust (or from the Company under the Guarantee) only if and to the extent
the Issuer Trust has funds available for the payment of such Distributions.
RIGHTS UPON DISSOLUTION
Upon any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of
the Issuer Trust, other than any such dissolution, winding-up or liquidation
involving the distribution of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, after
satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Issuer Trust as required by
applicable law, the holders of the Capital Securities will be entitled to
receive, out of assets held by the Issuer Trust, the Liquidation Distribution in
cash. See "Description of Capital Securities--Liquidation Distribution Upon
Dissolution." Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or bankruptcy of the
Company, the Issuer Trust, as registered holder of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, would be a subordinated creditor of the Company, subordinated and
junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness as set forth in the Junior
Subordinated Indenture, but entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts
payable with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures before any
stockholders of the Company receive payments or distributions. Since the Company
is the guarantor under the Guarantee and has agreed under the Junior
Subordinated Indenture to pay for all costs, expenses and liabilities of the
Issuer Trust (other than the Issuer Trust's obligations to the holders of the
Trust Securities), the positions of a holder of the Capital Securities and a
holder of such Junior Subordinated Debentures relative to other creditors and to
stockholders of the Company in the event of liquidation or bankruptcy of the
Company are expected to be substantially the same.
46
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
GENERAL
In the opinion of Arnold & Porter, Washington, D.C., in its capacity as
special tax counsel to the Company ("Tax Counsel"), the following discussion
summarizes the material United States federal income tax consequences of the
purchase, ownership and disposition of the Capital Securities.
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), Treasury regulations thereunder, and administrative and judicial
interpretations thereof, each as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to
change, possibly on a retroactive basis. The authorities on which this summary
is based are subject to various interpretations, and the opinions of Tax Counsel
are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") or the courts,
either of which could take a contrary position. Moreover, no rulings have been
or will be sought from the IRS with respect to the transactions described
herein. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge
the opinions expressed herein or that a court would not sustain such a
challenge.
Except as otherwise stated, this summary deals only with the Capital
Securities held as a capital asset by a holder who or which (i) purchased the
Capital Securities upon original issuance (an "Initial Holder") at their
original offering price and (ii) is a US Holder (as defined below). This summary
does not address all the tax consequences that may be relevant to a US Holder,
nor does it address the tax consequences, except as stated below, to holders
that are not US Holders ("Non-US Holders") or to holders that may be subject to
special tax treatment (such as banks, thrift institutions, real estate
investment trusts, regulated investment companies, insurance companies, brokers
and dealers in securities or currencies, other financial institutions,
tax-exempt organizations, persons holding the Capital Securities as a position
in a "straddle," as part of a "synthetic security," "hedging," "conversion" or
other integrated investment, persons having a functional currency other than the
U.S. Dollar and certain United States expatriates). Further, this summary does
not address (a) the income tax consequences to shareholders in, or partners or
beneficiaries of, a holder of the Capital Securities, (b) the United States
federal alternative minimum tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or
disposition of the Capital Securities, or (c) any state, local or foreign tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Capital Securities.
A "US Holder" is a holder of the Capital Securities who or which is (i) a
citizen or individual resident (or is treated as a citizen or individual
resident) of the United States for income tax purposes, (ii) a corporation or
partnership created or organized (or treated as created or organized for income
tax purposes) in or under the laws of the United States or any political
subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate the income of which is includible in its
gross income for United States federal income tax purposes without regard to its
source, or (iv) a trust if (a) a court within the United States is able to
exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and (b) one or
more United States trustees have the authority to control all substantial
decisions of the trust.
HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX
CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE CAPITAL
SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER
TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR OTHER
TAX LAWS.
47
US HOLDERS
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ISSUER TRUST. In connection with the issuance of
the Capital Securities, Tax Counsel will render its opinion generally to the
effect that, under then current law and based on the representations, facts and
assumptions set forth in this Prospectus, and assuming full compliance with the
terms of the Trust Agreement (and other relevant documents), and based on
certain assumptions and qualifications referenced in the opinion, the Issuer
Trust will be characterized for United States federal income tax purposes as a
grantor trust and will not be characterized as an association taxable as a
corporation. Accordingly, for United States federal income tax purposes, each
holder of the Capital Securities generally will be considered the owner of an
undivided interest in the Junior Subordinated Debentures owned by the Issuer
Trust, and each US Holder will be required to include all income or gain
recognized for United States federal income tax purposes with respect to its
allocable share of the Junior Subordinated Debentures on its own income tax
return.
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES. The Company and the
Issuer Trust will agree to treat the Junior Subordinated Debentures as
indebtedness for all United States federal income tax purposes. In connection
with the issuance of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, Tax Counsel will render
its opinion generally to the effect that, under then current law and based on
the representations, facts and assumptions set forth in this Prospectus, and
assuming full compliance with the terms of the Junior Subordinated Indenture
(and other relevant documents), and based on certain assumptions and
qualifications referenced in the opinion, the Junior Subordinated Debentures
will be characterized for United States federal income tax purposes as debt of
the Company.
INTEREST INCOME AND ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT. Under the terms of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures the Company has the ability to defer payments of
interest from time to time by extending the interest payment period for a period
not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, but not beyond the maturity of
the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Recently issued Treasury regulations under
Section 1273 of the Code provide that debt instruments like the Junior
Subordinated Debentures will not be considered issued with original issue
discount ("OID") by reason of the Company's ability to defer payments of
interest if the likelihood of such deferral is "remote."
The Company has concluded, and this discussion assumes, that, as of the date
of this Prospectus, the likelihood of deferring payments of interest under the
terms of the Junior Subordinated Debentures is "remote" within the meaning of
the applicable Treasury regulations, in part because exercising that option
would prevent the Company from declaring dividends on its stock and would
prevent the Company from making any payments with respect to debt securities
that rank PARI PASSU with or junior to the Junior Subordinated Debentures.
Therefore, the Junior Subordinated Debentures should not be treated as issued
with OID by reason of the Company's deferral option. Rather, stated interest on
the Junior Subordinated Debentures will generally be taxable to a US Holder as
ordinary income when paid or accrued in accordance with that holder's method of
accounting for income tax purposes. It should be noted, however, that these
Treasury regulations have not yet been interpreted in any rulings or any other
published authorities of the IRS. Accordingly, it is possible that the IRS could
take a position contrary to the interpretation described herein.
In the event the Company exercises its option to defer payments of interest,
the Junior Subordinated Debentures would be treated as redeemed and reissued for
OID purposes and the sum of the remaining interest payments (and any DE MINIMIS
OID) on the Junior Subordinated Debentures would thereafter be treated as OID,
which would accrue, and be includible in a US Holder's taxable income, on an
economic accrual basis (regardless of the US Holder's method of accounting for
income tax purposes) over the remaining term of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures (including any period of interest deferral), without regard to the
timing of payments under the Junior Subordinated Debentures. (Subsequent
distributions of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures generally would
not be taxable.) The amount of OID that
48
would accrue in any period would generally equal the amount of interest that
accrued on the Junior Subordinated Debentures in that period at the stated
interest rate. Consequently, during any period of interest deferral, US Holders
will include OID in gross income in advance of the receipt of cash, and a US
Holder which disposes of a Capital Security prior to the record date for payment
of distributions on the Junior Subordinated Debentures following that period
will be subject to income tax on OID accrued through the date of disposition
(and not previously included in income), but will not receive cash from the
Issuer Trust with respect to the OID.
If the possibility of the Company's exercise of its option to defer payments
of interest is not treated as remote, the Junior Subordinated Debentures would
be treated as initially issued with OID in an amount equal to the aggregate
stated interest (plus any DE MINIMIS OID) over the term of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures. That OID would generally be includible in a US Holder's
taxable income, over the term of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, on an
economic accrual basis.
CHARACTERIZATION OF INCOME. Because the income underlying the Capital
Securities will not be characterized as dividends for income tax purposes,
corporate holders of the Capital Securities will not be entitled to a
dividends-received deduction for any income recognized with respect to the
Capital Securities.
MARKET DISCOUNT AND BOND PREMIUM. Holders of the Capital Securities other
than Initial Holders may be considered to have acquired their undivided
interests in the Junior Subordinated Debentures with market discount or
acquisition premium (as each phrase is defined for United States federal income
tax purposes).
RECEIPT OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES OR CASH UPON LIQUIDATION OF THE
ISSUER TRUST. Under certain circumstances described herein (See "Description of
the Capital Securities--Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution"), the Issuer
Trust may distribute the Junior Subordinated Debentures to holders in exchange
for the Capital Securities and in liquidation of the Issuer Trust. Except as
discussed below, such a distribution would not be a taxable event for United
States federal income tax purposes, and each US Holder would have an aggregate
adjusted basis in its Junior Subordinated Debentures for United States federal
income tax purposes equal to such holder's aggregate adjusted basis in its
Capital Securities. For United States federal income tax purposes, a US Holder's
holding period in the Junior Subordinated Debentures received in such a
liquidation of the Issuer Trust would include the period during which the
Capital Securities were held by the holder. If, however, the relevant event is a
Tax Event which results in the Issuer Trust being treated as an association
taxable as a corporation, the distribution would likely constitute a taxable
event to US Holders of the Capital Securities for United States federal income
tax purposes.
Under certain circumstances described herein (see "Description of the
Capital Securities"), the Junior Subordinated Debentures may be redeemed for
cash and the proceeds of such redemption distributed to holders in redemption of
their Capital Securities. Such a redemption would be taxable for United States
federal income tax purposes, and a US Holder would recognize gain or loss as if
it had sold the Capital Securities for cash. See "--Sales of Capital Securities"
below.
SALES OF CAPITAL SECURITIES. A US Holder that sells Capital Securities will
recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between its adjusted basis in the
Capital Securities and the amount realized on the sale of such Capital
Securities. A US Holder's adjusted basis in the Capital Securities generally
will be its initial purchase price, increased by OID previously included (or
currently includible) in such holder's gross income to the date of disposition,
and decreased by payments received on the Capital Securities (other than any
interest received with respect to the period prior to the effective date of the
Company's first exercise of its option to defer payments of interest). Any such
gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss, and generally will be a
long-term capital gain or loss if the Capital Securities have been held for more
than one year prior to the date of disposition.
A holder who disposes of its Capital Securities between record dates for
payments of Distributions
49
thereon will be required to include accrued but unpaid interest (or OID) on the
Junior Subordinated Debentures through the date of disposition in its taxable
income for United States federal income tax purposes (notwithstanding that the
holder may receive a separate payment from the purchaser with respect to accrued
interest), and to deduct that amount from the sales proceeds received (including
the separate payment, if any, with respect to accrued interest) for the Capital
Securities (or as to OID only, to add such amount to such holder's adjusted tax
basis in its Capital Securities). To the extent the selling price is less than
the holder's adjusted tax basis (which will include accrued but unpaid OID, if
any), a holder will recognize a capital loss. Subject to certain limited
exceptions, capital losses cannot be applied to offset ordinary income for
United States federal income tax purposes.
PROPOSED TAX LAW CHANGES
On February 6, 1997, President Clinton proposed certain tax law changes (the
"Tax Proposal") that would, among other things, generally deny corporate issuers
a deduction for interest on certain debt obligations that have a maximum term in
excess of 15 years and are not shown as indebtedness on the separate balance
sheet of the issuer or, where the instrument is issued to a related party (other
than a corporation), where the holder or some other related party issues a
related instrument that is not shown as indebtedness on the issuer's
consolidated balance sheet. As currently drafted, the Tax Proposal would be
effective generally for instruments issued on or after the date of first
Congressional committee action. Although it is not clear from the President's
proposals as to what constitutes Congressional "committee action" with respect
to the Tax Proposal, it appears that, as drafted, the Tax Proposal would not
apply retroactively to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. However, if the Tax
Proposal (or similar legislation) is enacted with retroactive effect with
respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Company would not be entitled
to an interest deduction with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures.
There can be no assurance that the Tax Proposal, if enacted, will not apply
retroactively to the Junior Subordinated Debentures or that other legislation
enacted after the date hereof will not otherwise adversely affect the ability of
the Company to deduct the interest payable on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a Tax Event will not
occur. See "Description of the Capital Securities--Redemption."
NON-US HOLDERS
The following discussion applies to a Non-US Holder.
Payments to a holder of a Capital Security which is a Non-US Holder will
generally not be subject to withholding of income tax, provided that (a) the
beneficial owner of the Capital Security does not (directly or indirectly,
actually or constructively) own 10% or more of the total combined voting power
of all classes of stock of the Company entitled to vote, (b) the beneficial
owner of the Capital Security is not a controlled foreign corporation that is
related to the Company through stock ownership, and (c) either (i) the
beneficial owner of the Capital Securities certifies to the Issuer Trust or its
agent, under penalties of perjury, that it is a Non-US Holder and provides its
name and address, or (ii) a securities clearing organization, bank or other
financial institution that holds customers' securities in the ordinary course of
its trade or business (a "Financial Institution"), and holds the Capital
Security in such capacity, certifies to the Issuer Trust or its agent, under
penalties of perjury, that such a statement has been received from the
beneficial owner by it or by another Financial Institution between it and the
beneficial owner in the chain of ownership, and furnishes the Issuer Trust or
its agent with a copy thereof.
As discussed above (see "--Proposed Tax Law Changes"), changes in
legislation affecting the income tax consequences of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures are possible, and could adversely affect the ability of the Company
to deduct the interest payable on the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Moreover,
any such legislation could adversely affect Non-US Holders by characterizing
income derived from the Junior Subordinated Debentures as dividends, generally
subject to a 30% income tax (on a withholding
50
basis) when paid to a Non-US Holder, rather than as interest which, as discussed
above, is generally exempt from income tax in the hands of a Non-US Holder.
A Non-US Holder of a Capital Security will generally not be subject to
withholding of income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other
disposition of a Capital Security.
A Non-US Holder which holds the Capital Securities in connection with the
active conduct of a United States trade or business will be subject to income
tax on all income and gains recognized with respect to its proportionate share
of the Junior Subordinated Debentures.
INFORMATION REPORTING
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments made
on, and proceeds from the sale of, the Capital Securities held by a noncorporate
US Holder within the United States. In addition, payments made on, and payments
of the proceeds from the sale of, the Capital Securities to or through the
United States office of a broker are subject to information reporting unless the
holder thereof certifies as to its Non-United States status or otherwise
establishes an exemption from information reporting and backup withholding. See
"--Backup Withholding." Taxable income on the Capital Securities for a calendar
year should be reported to US Holders on the appropriate form by the following
January 31st.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Payments made on, and proceeds from the sale of, the Capital Securities may
be subject to a "backup" withholding tax of 31% unless the holder complies with
certain identification or exemption requirements. Any amounts so withheld will
be allowed as a credit against the holder's income tax liability, or refunded,
provided the required information is provided to the IRS.
THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION IS ONLY A SUMMARY AND DOES NOT ADDRESS THE
CONSEQUENCES TO A PARTICULAR HOLDER OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION
OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES. POTENTIAL HOLDERS OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE URGED
TO CONTACT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THEIR PARTICULAR TAX
CONSEQUENCES.
CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
Before authorizing an investment in the Capital Securities, fiduciaries of
pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit plans subject to ERISA
("Plans") should consider, among other matters, (a) ERISA's fiduciary standards
(including its prudence and diversification requirements), (b) whether such
fiduciaries have authority to make such investment in the Capital Securities
under the applicable Plan investment policies and governing instruments, and (c)
rules under ERISA and the Code that prohibit Plan fiduciaries from causing a
Plan to engage in a "prohibited transaction."
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit Plans, as well as
individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans subject to Section 4975 of the
Code (also "Plans"), from, among other things, engaging in certain transactions
involving "plan assets" with persons who are "parties in interest" under ERISA
or "disqualified persons" under the Code ("Parties in Interest") with respect to
such Plan. A violation of these "prohibited transaction" rules may result in an
excise tax or other liabilities under ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code for
such persons, unless exemptive relief is available under an applicable statutory
or administrative exemption. Employee benefit plans that are governmental plans
(as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in
Section 3(33) of ERISA) and foreign plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of
ERISA) are not subject to the requirements of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
The Department of Labor (the "DOL") has issued a regulation (29 C.F.R.
section 2510.3-101) (the "Plan Assets Regulation") concerning the definition of
what constitutes the assets of a Plan. The Plan
51
Assets Regulation provides that, as a general rule, the underlying assets and
properties of corporations, partnerships, trusts and certain other entities in
which a Plan makes an "equity" investment will be deemed, for purposes of ERISA,
to be assets of the investing Plan unless certain exceptions apply.
Pursuant to an exception contained in the Plan Assets Regulation, the assets
of the Trust would not be deemed to be "plan assets" of investing Plans if,
immediately after the most recent acquisition of any equity interest in the
Trust,less than 25% of the value of each class of equity interests in the Trust
were held by Plans, other employee benefit plans not subject to ERISA or Section
4975 of the Code (such as governmental, church or foreign plans), and entities
holding assets deemed to be "plan assets" of any Plan (collectively, "Benefit
Plan Investors"). No assurance can be given that the value of the Capital
Securities held by Benefit Plan Investors will be less than 25% of the total
value of such Capital Securities at the completion of the initial offering or
thereafter, and no monitoring or other measures will be taken with respect to
the satisfaction of the conditions to this exception. All the Common Securities
will be purchased and held directly by the Company.
Under another exception contained in the Plan Assets Regulation, if the
Capital Securities were to qualify as "publicly offered securities" under the
Plan Assets Regulation, the assets of the Trust would not be deemed to be "plan
assets" by reason of a Plan's acquisition or holding of such securities. The
Capital Securities would qualify as "publicly offered securities" if, among
other things, they are offered pursuant to an effective registration statement,
are owned by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and each other at
the time of the offering, and are subsequently registered under the Exchange
Act. It is expected that the 100 investor requirement will not be satisfied and
that the Capital Securities will not be registered under the Exchange Act.
There can be no assurance that any of the exceptions set forth in the Plan
Assets Regulation will apply to the purchase of Capital Securities offered
hereby and, as a result, an investing Plan's assets could be considered to
include an undivided interest in the Junior Subordinated Debentures held by the
Trust. In the event that assets of the Trust are considered assets of an
investing Plan, the Trustees, the Company and/ or other persons, in providing
services with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures, could be considered
fiduciaries to such Plan and subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions
of Title I of ERISA. In addition, certain transactions involving the Trust
and/or the Capital Securities could be deemed to constitute direct or indirect
prohibited transactions under ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code with respect to
a Plan. For example, if the Company is a Party in Interest with respect to an
investing Plan (either directly or by reason of its ownership of the Banks or
other subsidiaries), extensions of credit between the Company and the Trust (as
represented by the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee) would
likely be prohibited by Section 406(a)(1)(B) of ERISA and Section 4975(c)(1)(B)
of the Code.
The DOL has issued five prohibited transaction class exemptions ("PTCEs")
that may provide exemptive relief for direct or indirect prohibited transactions
resulting from the purchase or holding of the Capital Securities, assuming that
assets of the Trust were deemed to be "plan assets" of Plans investing in the
Trust (see above). Those class exemptions are PTCE 96-23 (for certain
transactions determined by in-house asset managers), PTCE 91-38 (for certain
transactions involving bank collective investment funds), PTCE 95-60 (for
certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTCE 90-1
(for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts),
and PTCE 84-14 (for certain transactions determined by independent qualified
asset managers).
Because of ERISA's prohibitions and those of Section 4975 of the Code, the
Capital Securities may not be purchased or held by any Plan, any entity whose
underlying assets include "plan assets" by reason of any Plan's investment in
the entity (a "Plan Asset Entity") or any other person investing "plan assets"
of any Plan, unless such purchase or holding is covered by the exemptive relief
provided by PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14 or another applicable
exemption. If a purchaser or holder of the Capital Securities that is a Plan or
a Plan Asset Entity elects to rely on an exemption other than PTCE 96-23,
52
95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14, the Company and the Trust may require a
satisfactory opinion of counsel or other evidence with respect to the
availability of such exemption for such purchase and holding. Any purchaser or
holder of the Capital Securities that is a Plan or a Plan Assets Entity or is
purchasing such securities on behalf of or with "plan assets" will be deemed to
have represented by its purchase and holding thereof that (a) the purchase and
holding of the Capital Securities is covered by the exemptive relief provided by
PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14 or another applicable exemption, (b) the
Company and the Administrators are not "fiduciaries," within the meaning of
Section 3(21) of ERISA and the regulations thereunder, with respect to such
person's interest in the Capital Securities, and (c) such person approves the
purchase of the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the appointment of the Issuer
Trustees.
Any plans or other entities whose assets include Plan assets subject to
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code proposing to acquire Capital Securities should
consult with their own counsel.
Governmental Plans and certain church plans are not subject to ERISA, and
are also not subject to the prohibited transaction provisions of Section 4975 of
the Code. However, state laws or regulations governing the investment and
management of the assets of such plans may contain fiduciary and prohibited
transaction provisions similar to those under ERISA and the Code discussed
above. Accordingly, fiduciaries of governmental and church plans, in
consultation with their advisers, should consider the impact of their respective
state laws on investments in the Capital Securities and the considerations
discussed above to the extent applicable.
SUPERVISION, REGULATION AND OTHER MATTERS
The following information is not intended to be an exhaustive description of
the statutes and regulations applicable to the Company. The discussion is
qualified in its entirety by reference to all particular statutory or regulatory
provisions. Additional information regarding supervision and regulation is
included in the documents incorporated herein by reference. See "Incorporation
of Certain Documents by Reference."
The business of the Company is influenced by prevailing economic conditions
and governmental policies, both foreign and domestic. The actions and policy
directives of the Federal Reserve determine to a significant degree the cost and
the availability of funds obtained from money market sources for lending and
investing. The Federal Reserve's policies and regulations also influence,
directly and indirectly, the rates of interest paid by commercial banks on their
time and savings deposits. The nature and impact on the Company of future
changes in economic conditions and monetary and fiscal policies, both foreign
and domestic, are not predictable.
The Company is subject to supervision and examination by federal bank
regulatory authorities. The Company's primary bank regulatory authority is the
Federal Reserve. Bank holding companies are expected to serve as a source of
strength to their subsidiary banks under the Federal Reserve's regulations and
policies.
The federal bank regulatory authorities have each adopted risk-based capital
guidelines to which the Company is subject. These guidelines are based on an
international agreement developed by the Basle Committee on Banking Regulations
and Supervisory Practices, which consists of representatives of central banks
and supervisory authorities in 12 countries including the United States of
America. The guidelines establish a systematic analytical framework that makes
regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles
among banking organizations, takes off-balance sheet exposures into explicit
account in assessing capital adequacy and minimizes disincentives to holding
liquid, low-risk assets. Risk-based assets are determined by allocating assets
and specified off-balance sheet commitments and exposures into four weighted
categories, with higher levels of capital being required for the categories
perceived as representing greater risk.
53
Each of the Company's subsidiary banks are required to maintain a minimum
total risk-based ratio of 8%, of which half (4%) must be "Tier 1" capital. In
addition, the federal bank regulators established leverage ratio (Tier 1 capital
to total adjusted average assets) guidelines providing for a minimum leverage
ratio of 3% for banks meeting certain specified criteria, including excellent
asset quality, high liquidity, low interest rate exposure and the highest
regulatory rating. Institutions not meeting these criteria are expected to
maintain a ratio which exceeds the 3% minimum by at least 100 to 200 basis
points. The federal bank regulatory authorities may, however, set higher capital
requirements when a bank's particular circumstances warrant.
Effective January 17, 1995, the federal bank regulatory agencies, including
the Federal Reserve, amended their respective agency risked-based capital
standards to include concentration of credit risk and the risks of
non-traditional activities. Those agencies, including the Federal Reserve, also
issued a joint policy statement, effective June 26, 1996, that provides guidance
on sound practices for interest rate risk management. The policy describes
critical factors affecting the agencies' evaluation of a bank's interest rate
risk when making a determination of capital adequacy.
The federal banking agencies possess broad powers to take corrective action
as deemed appropriate for an insured depository institution and its holding
companies. The extent of these powers depends upon whether the institution in
question is considered "well capitalized," "adequately capitalized,"
"undercapitalized," "significantly undercapitalized" or "critically
undercapitalized." Generally, as an institution is deemed to be less well
capitalized, the scope and severity of the agencies' powers increase. The
agencies' corrective powers can include, among other things, requiring an
insured financial institution to adopt a capital restoration plan which cannot
be approved unless guaranteed by the institution's parent holding company;
placing limits on asset growth and restrictions on activities; placing
restrictions on transactions with affiliates; restricting the interest rates the
institution may pay on deposits; prohibiting the institution from accepting
deposits from correspondent banks; prohibiting the payment of principal or
interest on subordinated debt; prohibiting the holding company from making
capital distributions without prior regulatory approval; and, ultimately,
appointing a receiver for the institution. Business activities may also be
influenced by an institution's capital classification. For instance, only a
"well capitalized" depository institution may accept brokered deposits without
prior regulatory approval and only an "adequately capitalized" depository
institution may accept brokered deposits with prior regulatory approval. At
March 31, 1997, the Company, on a consolidated basis, exceeded the required
capital ratios for classification as a "well capitalized" bank holding company.
The deposits of the Company's subsidiary banks are insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") and are subject to FDIC insurance
assessments. The amount of FDIC assessments paid by individual insured
depository institutions is based on their relative risk as measured by
regulatory capital ratios and certain other factors. During 1995, the FDIC's
Board of Directors significantly reduced premium rates assessed for deposits
insured by the Bank Insurance Fund (the "BIF"), resulting in the Company not
currently being assessed a premium on its BIF-insured deposits. With respect to
deposits insured by the Savings Association Insurance Fund ("SAIF"), on
September 30, 1996, President Clinton signed into law legislation that mandated
a one-time assessment on SAIF-insured deposits to recapitalize the SAIF. As a
result, for the quarter ended September 30, 1996, the Company recorded a pre-tax
charge of $7.0 million for this SAIF assessment. The legislation also mandates
reductions in deposit premium rates on SAIF-insured deposits.
Under federal law, a financial institution insured by the FDIC under common
ownership with a failed institution can be required to indemnify the FDIC for
its losses resulting from the insolvency of the failed institution, even if such
indemnification causes the affiliated institution also to become insolvent. As a
result, the Company could, under certain circumstances, be obligated for the
liabilities of its affiliates that are FDIC-insured institutions. In addition,
if any insured depository institution becomes insolvent and the FDIC is
appointed its conservator or receiver, the FDIC may disaffirm or repudiate any
contract or lease to which such institution is a party, the performance of which
is determined to be burdensome and the
54
disaffirmance or repudiation of which is determined to promote the orderly
administration of the institution's affairs. If Federal law were construed to
permit the FDIC to apply these provisions to debt obligations of an insured
depository institution, the result could be that such obligations would be
prepaid without premium. Federal law also accords the claims of a receiver of an
insured depository institution for administrative expenses and the claims of
holders of deposit liabilities of such an institution priority over the claims
of general unsecured creditors of such an institution in the event of a
liquidation or other resolution of such institution.
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement
dated June , 1997 (the "Underwriting Agreement") among the Company, the Issuer
Trust, and each of the underwriters named therein (the "Underwriters"), the
Issuer Trust has agreed to sell to the Underwriters, and the Underwriters have
agreed to purchase, severally but not jointly, the Liquidation Amount of the
Capital Securities set forth opposite their names below:
LIQUIDATION AMOUNT
OF CAPITAL
UNDERWRITERS: SECURITIES:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated........................................ $
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.......................
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.............................................
-------------------
Total................................................................ $ 100,000,000
-------------------
-------------------
Under the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, in the event
of a default by an Underwriter, in certain circumstances, the purchase
commitments of non-defaulting Underwriters may be increased or the Underwriting
Agreement may be terminated.
The initial purchase price for the Capital Securities will be the initial
offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus (the "Capital
Securities Offering Price"). The Underwriters propose to offer the Capital
Securities at the Capital Securities Offering Price, and all or part to certain
dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $ per
Capital Security. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a
concession not in excess of $ per Capital Security to certain other
dealers. After the Capital Securities are released for sale, the Capital
Securities Offering Price and other selling terms may from time to time be
varied by the Underwriters.
In connection with the offering of the Capital Securities, the Underwriters
and any selling group members and their respective affiliates may engage in
transactions effected in accordance with Rule 104 of the Securities and Exchange
Commission's Regulation M that are intended to stabilize, maintain or otherwise
affect the market price of the Capital Securities. Such transactions may include
over-allotment transactions in which an Underwriter creates a short position for
its own account by selling more Capital Securities than it is committed to
purchase from the Issuer Trust. In such a case, to cover all or part of the
short position, such Underwriter may purchase Capital Securities in the open
market following completion of the initial offering of the Capital Securities.
The Underwriters also may engage in stabilizing transactions in which they bid
for, and purchase, Capital Securities at a level above that which might
otherwise prevail in the open market for the purpose of preventing or retarding
a decline in the market price of the Capital Securities. The Underwriters also
may reclaim any selling concessions allowed to a dealer if an Underwriter
repurchases shares distributed by that dealer. Any of the foregoing transactions
may result in the maintenance of a price for the Capital Securities at a level
above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Neither the Company
nor any Underwriter makes any representation or prediction as to the direction
or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the
price of the Capital Securities. The Underwriters are not required to engage in
any of the foregoing transactions and, if commenced, such transactions may be
discontinued at any time without notice.
55
In view of the fact that the proceeds from the sale of the Capital
Securities will be used to purchase the Junior Subordinated Debentures issued by
the Company, the Underwriting Agreement provides that the Company will pay as
compensation for the Underwriters arranging the investment therein of such
proceeds an amount of $ per Capital Security (or $ in the
aggregate) for the accounts of the Underwriters.
Because the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") is
expected to view the Capital Securities offered hereby as interests in a direct
participation program, the offering of the Capital Securities is being made in
compliance with the applicable provisions of Rule 2810 of the NASD's Conduct
Rules.
The Company and the Issuer Trust have agreed that, during the period
beginning on the date of the Underwriting Agreement and continuing to and
including the closing date, they will not offer, sell, contract to sell or
otherwise dispose of (other than in an offering made exclusively outside the
United States) any securities of the Company or the Issuer Trust substantially
similar to the Capital Securities, or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable for the Capital Securities, without the prior written consent of
the Underwriters.
The Capital Securities are a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. The Company and the Issuer Trust do not intend to apply for
listing of the Capital Securities on any national securities exchange, but the
Company and the Issuer Trust have been advised by the Underwriters that they
intend to make a market in the Capital Securities. However, the Underwriters are
not obligated to do so and such market making may be interrupted or discontinued
at any time without notice at the sole discretion of any Underwriter.
Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the development or liquidity of any
market for the Capital Securities.
The Company and the Issuer Trust have agreed to indemnify the Underwriters
and certain other persons against, or contribute to payments that the
Underwriters may be required to make in respect of, certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Certain of the Underwriters or their affiliates have provided from time to
time, and expect to provide in the future, investment or commercial banking
services to the Company and its affiliates, for which such Underwriters or their
affiliates have received or will receive customary fees and commissions.
VALIDITY OF SECURITIES
Certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the Capital
Securities, the enforceability of the Trust Agreement and the creation of the
Issuer Trust will be passed upon by Richards, Layton & Finger, Wilmington,
Delaware, special Delaware counsel to the Company and the Issuer Trust. The
validity of the Guarantee and the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be passed
upon for the Company by Arnold & Porter, Washington, D.C. and New York, New
York, special counsel to the Company, and Richard A. Lammert, Esquire, Senior
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, and for the
Underwriters by Cravath, Swaine & Moore, New York, New York. As of March 31,
1997, Mr. Lammert was the beneficial owner of 5,650 shares of common stock, par
value $5 per share, of the Company. Mr. Lammert also holds unexercised options
granted under the Company's 1983 Stock Option Plan to purchase 10,000 shares of
such common stock.
56
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 (included in the
Company's Annual Report to Stockholders), are incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus (and elsewhere in the Registration Statement) in reliance upon the
report of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent public accountants, given on the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Documents incorporated herein by reference in the future will include
financial statements, related schedules (if required) and auditors' reports,
which financial statements and schedules will have been audited to the extent
and for the periods set forth in such reports by the firm or firms rendering
such reports, and, to the extent so audited and consent to incorporation by
reference is given, will be incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon
such reports given upon the authority of such firms as experts in accounting and
auditing.
57
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The following expenses will be incurred in connection with the issuance and
distribution of the Securities being registered, other than underwriting
discounts and commissions.
To be borne by the Company:
Registration Fee.................................................. $ 30,303
Legal Services.................................................... 100,000*
Printing and Engraving............................................ 50,000*
Accounting Fees................................................... 25,000*
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses........................................ 15,000*
Miscellaneous..................................................... 29,697*
---------
Total........................................................... $ 250,000
- ------------------------
* Estimated.
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Sections 722-725 of the New York Business Corporation Law permit the
indemnification of any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action
or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, other than an action brought by or in
the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
director or officer of the corporation or was serving in any capacity for
another enterprise at the request of the corporation, against judgments, fines,
amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred as a result of such action or proceeding,
provided such person acted in good faith and for a purpose he or she reasonably
believed to be in, or in the case of service for another enterprise, not opposed
to, the best interests of the corporation.
With respect to a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, such
person may be indemnified against amounts paid in settlement and reasonable
expenses (including attorneys' fees) if he or she acted in good faith and for a
purpose he or she reasonably believed to be in, or in the case of service for
another enterprise, not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation. The
statute provides, however, that no indemnification is allowed with respect to a
threatened action, pending action which is settled or otherwise disposed of, or
as to any person who is adjudged liable to the corporation, unless and only to
the extent that the court, upon application, determines that such person is
entitled to indemnification under the circumstances.
The Bylaws of the Company provide that directors and officers shall be
indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by the New York Business Corporation
Law or any other applicable law; provided, however, that a director or officer
shall be indemnified with respect to any action or proceeding (or part thereof)
initiated by any such director or officer only if such action or proceeding (or
part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
The Company has purchased insurance insuring officers and directors of the
Company against certain liabilities incurred in their capacities as such to
insure the Company against payments which it is obligated to make to such
persons under the foregoing indemnification provisions. Such liabilities could
include liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
II-1
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index on page II-6 of this Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement were previously filed or are filed
herewith.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
1. That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933 as amended (the "Securities Act"), each filing of the Registrant's
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
2. That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.
3. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions set forth in Item 15 hereof, or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("Commission") such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceedings) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered and the Commission remains of
the same opinion, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by
the final adjudication of such issue.
II-2
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Buffalo, New York, on
this 4th day of June, 1997.
FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION
By /s/ MICHAEL P. PINTO
-----------------------------------------
Michael P. Pinto
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed
below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on June 4, 1997:
SIGNATURE TITLE
- ------------------------------ ---------------------------
Chairman of the Board,
*ROBERT G. WILMERS President, Chief
- ------------------------------ Executive Officer and
Robert G. Wilmers Director (Principal
Executive Officer)
Executive Vice President
/s/ MICHAEL P. PINTO and Chief Financial Officer
- ------------------------------ (Principal Financial and
Michael P. Pinto Accounting Officer)
Director
- ------------------------------
Brent D. Baird
*JOHN H. BENISCH Director
- ------------------------------
John H. Benisch
*C. ANGELA BONTEMPO Director
- ------------------------------
C. Angela Bontempo
*ROBERT T. BRADY Director
- ------------------------------
Robert T. Brady
*PATRICK J. CALLAN Director
- ------------------------------
Patrick J. Callan
*RICHARD E. GARMAN Director
- ------------------------------
Richard E. Garman
*JAMES V. GLYNN Director
- ------------------------------
James V. Glynn
*ROY M. GOODMAN Director
- ------------------------------
Roy M. Goodman
II-3
*PATRICK W.E. HODGSON Director
- ------------------------------
Patrick W.E. Hodgson
*SAMUEL T. HUBBARD, JR. Director
- ------------------------------
Samuel T. Hubbard, Jr.
*LAMBROS J. LAMBROS Director
- ------------------------------
Lambros J. Lambros
Director
- ------------------------------
Wilfred J. Larson
*JORGE G. PEREIRA Director
- ------------------------------
Jorge G. Pereira
*RAYMOND D. STEVENS, JR. Director
- ------------------------------
Raymond D. Stevens, Jr.
*HERBERT L. WASHINGTON Director
- ------------------------------
Herbert L. Washington
*JOHN L. WEHLE, JR. Director
- ------------------------------
John L. Wehle, Jr.
*By /s/ MICHAEL P. PINTO
-------------------------
Michael P. Pinto
(ATTORNEY-IN-FACT)
II-4
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Trust has
duly caused this Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of Buffalo, State of New York on June 4, 1997.
FIRST EMPIRE CAPITAL TRUST II
By FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION,
as Depositor
By /s/ MICHAEL P. PINTO
-----------------------------------------
Michael P. Pinto
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
II-5
EXHIBIT INDEX
1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement, filed herewith.
4.1 Form of Junior Subordinated Indenture, filed herewith.
4.2 Form of Trust Agreement, previously filed.
4.3 Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, filed herewith.
4.4 Form of Guarantee, filed herewith.
5.1 Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, previously filed.
5.2 Opinion of Arnold & Porter, filed herewith.
8.1 Tax opinion of Arnold & Porter, previously filed.
23.1 Consent of Price Waterhouse, previously filed.
23.2 Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, previously filed.
23.3 Consent of Arnold & Porter, included in Exhibit 5.2.
23.4 Consent of Arnold & Porter, previously filed.
24.1 Powers of Attorney of certain directors and officers of First Empire State
Corporation, previously filed.
25.1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Bankers
Trust Company, as Trustee under the Junior Subordinated Indenture, the Amended and
Restated Trust Agreement and the Guarantee Agreement relating to First Empire Capital
Trust II, previously filed.
II-6
Exhibit 1.1
FIRST EMPIRE CAPITAL TRUST II
$100,000,000
_____% Capital Securities
(Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security)
by
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
June ____, 1997
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
1585 Broadway, 2nd Floor
New York, New York 10036
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
First Empire Capital Trust II (the "Trust"), a statutory business trust
organized under the Business Trust Act (the "Delaware Act") of the State of
Delaware (Chapter 38, Title 12, of the Delaware Business Code, 12 Del. C.
Section 3801 et seq.), and First Empire State Corporation, a New York
corporation (the "Corporation"), as depositor of the Trust and as guarantor,
propose, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein to issue and sell _____%
Capital Securities with an aggregate liquidation amount equal to $100,000,000
(the "Capital Securities") to Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
(collectively, the "Underwriters"), for whom you (the "Representative") are
acting as representative.
The Capital Securities and Common Securities (as defined herein) are to be
issued pursuant to the terms of an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement dated as
of June ____, 1997 (the "Trust Agreement"), among First Empire State
Corporation, a New York corporation (the "Corporation" and, together with the
Trust, the "Offerors"), as depositor, and Bankers Trust Company ("Trust
Company"), a New York banking corporation, as property trustee ("Property
Trustee") and Bankers Trust (Delaware) ("Trust Delaware"), a Delaware banking
corporation, as Delaware trustee ("Delaware Trustee") and the holders from time
to time
of undivided interests in the assets of the Trust. The Capital Securities will
be guaranteed by the Corporation on a subordinated basis and subject to certain
limitations with respect to distributions and payments upon liquidation,
redemption or otherwise (the "Guarantee") pursuant to a Guarantee Agreement
dated as of June ____, 1997 (the "Guarantee Agreement"), between the Corporation
and the Trust Company, as Trustee (the "Guarantee Trustee"). The assets of the
Trust will consist of _____% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures,
due June ____, 2027 (the "Subordinated Debentures") of the Corporation which
will be issued under a Junior Subordinated Indenture dated as of June ____, 1997
(the "Indenture"), between the Corporation and the Trust Company, as Trustee
(the "Indenture Trustee"). Under certain circumstances, the Subordinated
Debentures will be distributable to the holders of undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust.
The Corporation and the Trust have filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement on Form S-3 (No.
333-_______) and a related preliminary prospectus for the registration of the
Capital Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), and the rules and regulations thereunder (the "Securities Act
Regulations"). The Corporation and the Trust have prepared and filed such
amendments thereto, if any, and such amended preliminary prospectuses, if any,
as may have been required to the date hereof, and will file such additional
amendments thereto and such amended prospectuses as may hereafter be required.
The registration statement has been declared effective under the Securities Act
by the Commission. The registration statement as amended at the time it became
effective (including the Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference
therein pursuant to the section therein entitled "Incorporation of Certain
Documents by Reference" and all information deemed to be a part of the
registration statement at the time it became effective pursuant to Rule 430A(b)
of the Securities Act Regulations) is hereinafter called the "Registration
Statement," except that, if the Corporation files a post-effective amendment to
such registration statement which becomes effective prior to the Closing Date
(as defined below), "Registration Statement" shall refer to such registration
statement as so amended. Each prospectus included in the Registration Statement,
or amendments thereof, before it became effective under the Securities Act and
any prospectus filed with the Commission by the Corporation with the consent of
the Underwriters pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the Securities Act Regulations
(including the documents incorporated by reference therein) is hereinafter
called the "Preliminary Prospectus." The term "Prospectus"
- 2 -
means the final prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference
therein), as first filed with the Commission pursuant to paragraph (1) or (4) of
Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act Regulations. The Commission has not issued any
order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus. The
Corporation hereby agrees with the Underwriters as follows:
1. Representations and Warranties. Each of the Offerors represents and
warrants to the Underwriters that as of the date hereof and on the Closing Date
(as hereinafter defined):
(a) The Registration Statement conforms, and the Prospectus and any
further amendments or supplements thereto will, when they become effective or
are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, conform, in all material
respects with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), with respect to the documents
incorporated by reference, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the
"Trust Indenture Act"), and the applicable rules and regulations under said
acts; the Trust Agreement, the Guarantee Agreement, and the Indenture conform
with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act, and the applicable rules and
regulations thereunder; the Registration Statement did not, and any amendment
thereto will not, in each case as of the applicable effective date, contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
in order to make the statements made, not misleading; and the Prospectus and any
amendment or supplement thereto will not, as of the applicable filing date and
at the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined), contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements made in the light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading; provided, however, that the representations and warranties in
this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the
Registration Statement or Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished to the Trust or the Corporation by or on behalf of
any Underwriter in writing expressly for use in the Registration Statement or
Prospectus.
(b) The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus
pursuant to the section therein entitled "Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference," at the time they were filed with the Commission, complied in all
material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Securities
Act Regulations, and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact
- 3 -
necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(c) Neither the Corporation nor the Trust is an open-end investment
company, unit investment trust or face-amount certificate company that is, or is
required to be, registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"), nor is either a closed-end
investment company required to be registered but not registered thereunder.
(d) Each report filed by the Corporation with the Commission under
the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, complied when filed
with the Commission as to form in all material respects with the requirements of
the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder.
(e) The Trust and the Corporation meet the requirements for the use
of Form S-3 under the Securities Act.
(f) The Commission has not issued an order preventing or suspending
the use of the Prospectus, nor instituted proceedings for that purpose.
2. Offering. The Representative has advised the Corporation that the
Underwriters will make an offering of the Capital Securities purchased by such
Underwriters hereunder on the terms and conditions set forth in the Registration
Statement as soon as practicable after this Agreement is entered into, as in the
Representative's sole judgment is advisable. The entire proceeds from the sale
of the Capital Securities will be combined with the entire proceeds from the
sale by the Trust to the Corporation of the Trust's common securities (the
"Common Securities"), and will be used by the Trust to purchase an equivalent
amount of the Subordinated Debentures. Solely for purposes of complying with
Rule 2810 of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.'s Conduct
Rules, each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, hereby represents and
warrants to, and agrees with, the Corporation that it has not solicited any
offer to buy, or offered or sold the Capital Securities, except from or to (i)
persons that it reasonably believes are "qualified institutional buyers" as
defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, (ii) institutions which it
reasonably believes are institutional "accredited investors" as defined in Rule
501(a)(1)-(3) of Regulation D under the Securities Act, or (iii) individual
investors for whom it reasonably believes an
- 4 -
investment in non-convertible investment grade preferred securities is
appropriate.
3. Purchase and Delivery; Commission. The Trust hereby agrees to sell to
the Underwriters and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, upon the basis
of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the
conditions hereinafter stated, agrees to purchase from the Trust the aggregate
liquidation amount of Capital Securities set forth opposite such Underwriter's
name on Schedule I hereto.
As compensation to the Underwriters for their commitments hereunder, and
in view of the fact that the proceeds of the sale of the Capital Securities will
be used by the Trust to purchase the Subordinated Debentures of the Corporation,
the Corporation hereby agrees to pay at the Time of Delivery (as defined below)
to the Representative, for the accounts of the several Underwriters, an amount
equal to $____ per Capital Security for the Capital Securities to be delivered
at the Time of Delivery.
Except as set forth in the next paragraph, the Capital Securities to be
purchased by each Underwriter hereunder will be represented by one or more
definitive global Capital Securities in book entry form which will be deposited
by or on behalf of the Trust with The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its
designated custodian. The Trust will deliver the Capital Securities to the
Representative, for the account of each Underwriter, against payment by or on
behalf of such Underwriter of the purchase price therefor by certified or
official bank check or checks or fedwire, payable to the order of the Trust in
Federal (same day) funds, by causing DTC to credit the Capital Securities to the
account of the Representative at DTC. The Trust will cause the certificates
representing the Securities to be made available to the Representative for
checking at least 24 hours prior to the Time of Delivery (as defined below) at
the office of DTC or its designated custodian (the "Designated Office"). The
time and date of such delivery and payment shall be at the offices of Cravath,
Swaine & Moore, Worldwide Plaza, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10019, at
9:30 a.m, New York time, on June ____, 1997 (the "Closing Date") or such other
time and date as the Representative, the Corporation and the Trust may agree
upon in writing. Such time and date are herein called the "Time of Delivery".
Such Capital Securities, if any, as the Representative may request upon at
least 48 hours' prior notice to the Trust (such request to include the
authorized denominations and the names
- 5 -
in which they are to be registered), shall be delivered in definitive
certificated form, by and on behalf of the Trust to the Representative for the
account of certain of the Underwriters, against payment by or on behalf of such
Underwriter of the purchase price therefor by fedwire, payable to the order of
the Trust in Federal (same day) funds. The Trust will cause the certificates
representing the Capital Securities to be made available for checking and
packaging at least 24 hours prior to the Time of Delivery at the office of the
Trust Company, 4 Albany Street, New York, New York 10006.
4. Conditions to Closing. The several obligations of the Underwriters to
purchase and pay for the Capital Securities will be subject to the following
conditions:
(a) The Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission
in accordance with Rule 430A of the Securities Act Regulations; and at the
Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued under the Securities Act or
proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission; and any request
of the Commission for inclusion of additional information in the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus shall have been complied with and there shall not
have come to the attention of the Underwriters any fact that would cause the
Underwriters to believe that the Prospectus, at the time it was required to be
delivered to a purchaser of the Capital Securities, contained any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances existing at
such time, not misleading.
(b) The Underwriters shall have received, on the Closing Date, a
certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the President, a Vice Chairman
of the Board or any Executive or Senior Vice President and the principal
financial or accounting officer of the Corporation, dated the Closing Date, to
the effect that the signers of such certificate have carefully examined the
Registration Statement and this Agreement and that:
(i) the representations and warranties of the Corporation in
this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the
Closing Date with the same effect as if made on the Closing Date and the
Corporation has complied in all material respects with all the agreements and
satisfied in all material respects all the conditions on its part to be
performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date; and
- 6 -
(ii) since the date of the most recent financial statements
included in the Registration Statement (exclusive of any supplement thereto),
there has been no material adverse change in the condition (financial or other),
earnings, business or properties of the Corporation and its subsidiaries taken
as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of
business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement
(exclusive of any supplement thereto).
(c) Subsequent to the date hereof or, if earlier, the dates as of
which information is given in the Registration Statement (exclusive of any
amendment thereof), there shall not have been any change, or any development
involving a prospective change, in or affecting the business or properties of
the Corporation and its subsidiaries the effect of which is, in the judgment of
the Underwriters, so material and adverse as to make it impractical or
inadvisable to proceed with the offering or the delivery of the Capital
Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement (exclusive of any
amendment thereof).
(d) The Underwriters shall have received an opinion, dated the
Closing Date, of Arnold & Porter, substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit A.
In rendering such opinion, counsel may state that they are passing only on
matters of New York and United States Federal law. In rendering such opinion,
counsel may rely upon an opinion or opinions, each dated the Closing Date, of
other counsel retained by them or the Corporation as to laws of any jurisdiction
other than the United States or the State of New York, provided that (A) such
reliance is expressly authorized by each opinion so relied upon and a copy of
each such opinion is delivered to the Underwriters, and (B) counsel shall state
in their opinion that they and the Underwriters are justified in relying
thereon. Insofar as such opinions involve factual matters, such counsel may
rely, to the extent such counsel deems proper, upon certificates of officers of
the Corporation, its subsidiaries and the Trust and certificates of public
officials.
(e) The Underwriters shall have received an opinion, dated the
Closing Date, of Richard A. Lammert, General Counsel to the Corporation,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.
In rendering such opinion, such counsel may state that he is passing only
on matters of New York and United States Federal law. Insofar as such opinions
involve factual matters,
- 7 -
such counsel may rely, to the extent such counsel deems proper, upon
certificates of officers of the Corporation, its subsidiaries and the Trust, and
certificates of public officials.
(f) The Underwriters shall have received an opinion, dated the
Closing Date, of White & Case, counsel to the Trust Company and Trust Delaware,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.
(g) The Underwriters shall have received an opinion, dated the
Closing Date, of Cravath, Swaine & Moore, counsel to the Underwriters as to such
matters as the Underwriters shall reasonably request.
In rendering such opinion, counsel may rely upon an opinion or opinions,
each dated the Closing Date, of other counsel retained by them or the
Corporation as to laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States or the
State of New York, provided that (A) such reliance is expressly authorized by
each opinion so relied upon and a copy of each such opinion is delivered to the
Underwriters, and (B) counsel shall state in their opinion that they believe
that they and the Underwriters are justified in relying thereon. Insofar as such
opinions involve factual matters, such counsel may rely, to the extent such
counsel deems proper, upon certificates of officers of the Corporation, its
subsidiaries and the Trust and certificates of public officials.
(h) The Underwriters shall have received an opinion, dated the
Closing Date, of Richards, Layton & Finger, special Delaware counsel to the
Corporation and the Trust, substantially to the effect and in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit D.
(i) The Capital Securities shall have received a rating from each of
Moody's Investor Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Rating Services, each such
rating to be not less than the rating set forth in the Registration Statement.
(j) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a
letter, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
them, from Price Waterhouse LLP independent public accountants, containing
statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants'
"comfort letters" to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and
certain financial information, including the financial information contained or
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement as identified by the
Representative.
- 8 -
(k) Prior to the Closing Date, the Corporation shall have furnished
to the Underwriters such further information, certificates and documents as the
Underwriters may reasonably request in connection with the offering of the
Capital Securities.
(l) No downgrading in the rating accorded the Capital Securities or
any other debt securities of the Corporation by any "nationally recognized
statistical rating organization" (as that term is defined by the Commission for
the purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act) shall have occurred, or
any public announcement that any such organization has under surveillance or
review their ratings of the Capital Securities or any other debt securities of
the Corporation (other than an announcement with positive implications of a
possible upgrading, and no implication of a possible downgrading, of such
rating), and if, in any such case, the effect thereof in the reasonable judgment
of the Underwriters makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the
purchase of the Capital Securities.
5. Covenants of the Offerors. In further consideration of the agreements
of the Underwriters herein contained, the Offerors covenant as follows:
(a) The Trust and the Corporation will prepare the Prospectus in a
form approved by the Underwriters and will file such Prospectus with the
Commission pursuant to subparagraph (1) or (4) of Rule 424(b) not later than the
Commission's close of business on the second business day following the
execution and delivery of this Agreement. The Trust and the Corporation will
notify the Underwriters immediately, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) of
the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto
(including any post-effective amendment), and of the filing of the Prospectus
pursuant to Rule 424(b), (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the
Commission, (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the
Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for
additional information, and (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop
order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order
preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the
Prospectus, of the suspension of the qualification of the securities for
offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any
proceeding for such purpose. The Trust and the Corporation will make every
reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order or of any order
preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus
or suspending
- 9 -
any such qualification and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting
thereof at the earliest possible moment.
(b) The Trust and the Corporation will deliver to the Underwriters
one manually executed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and
of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by
reference therein and documents incorporated by reference into the Prospectus),
such number of conformed copies of the Registration Statement as originally
filed and of each amendment thereto (including documents incorporated by
reference into the Prospectus but without exhibits) as such Underwriters may
reasonably request and copies of each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and
any amended or supplemented Prospectus.
(c) The Trust and the Corporation will furnish to the Underwriters,
from time to time during the period when the Prospectus is required to be
delivered under the Securities Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus (as
amended or supplemented, if applicable) as they may reasonably request for the
purposes contemplated by the Securities Act or the Securities Act Regulations.
(d) The Trust and the Corporation will deliver to the Underwriters
notice of their intention to prepare or file any amendment to the Registration
Statement relating to the Capital Securities (including any post-effective
amendment) or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus (other than
documents deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Prospectus) which the
Trust and the Corporation propose for use by the Underwriters in connection with
the offering of the Capital Securities and which differs from the prospectus on
file at the Commission at the time the Registration Statement becomes effective,
whether or not such revised prospectus is required to be filed pursuant to Rule
424(b) of the Securities Act Regulations), will furnish the Underwriters and
counsel for the Underwriters with copies of any such amendment or supplement a
reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may
be, and will not file any such amendment or supplement or use any such
prospectus to which the Underwriters or counsel for the Underwriters shall
reasonably object.
(e) If, during such period after the Closing Date and prior to the
date on which the distribution of Capital Securities by the Underwriters is
completed, any event shall occur as a result of which it is necessary, in the
opinion of the Offerors' counsel, to amend or supplement the Prospectus (as then
amended or supplemented) in order to ensure that the
- 10 -
Prospectus does not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or it is necessary
to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with law, forthwith to prepare
and furnish, at the Corporation's own expense, to the Underwriters, either
amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the
Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, be misleading or so that the
Prospectus will comply with law, as the case may be.
(f) The Trust and the Corporation, during the period when the
Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, will file
promptly all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to
Section 13, 14 or 15 of the Exchange Act subsequent to the time the Registration
Statement becomes effective.
(g) To endeavor to qualify the Capital Securities for offer and sale
under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Underwriter
shall reasonably request and to pay all reasonable expenses (including
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) in connection with such
qualification and the printing of any memoranda concerning the aforesaid
qualification; provided, however, that neither Offeror shall be required to
qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now qualified or to
take any action which would subject it to general or unlimited service of
process in any jurisdiction where they are not now subject.
(h) During the period beginning on the date hereof and continuing to
and including the Closing Date, not to offer, sell, contract to sell or
otherwise dispose of (other than in an offering made exclusively outside the
United States) any securities of the Corporation or the Trust substantially
similar to the Capital Securities or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable for the Capital Securities without the prior written consent of the
Underwriters.
(i) During the period when the Capital Securities are outstanding,
the Corporation will not be or become an open-end investment company, unit
investment trust or face-amount certificate company that is or is required to be
registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act.
(j) Neither the Corporation nor the Trust shall enter into any
contractual agreement with respect to the distribution of the Capital Securities
except for the arrangements with the Underwriters.
- 11 -
(k) The Corporation will make generally available to its security
holders, as soon as it is practicable to do so, but in any event not later than
15 months after the effective date of the Registration Statement, an earnings
statement (which need not be audited) in reasonable detail, covering a period of
at least 12 consecutive months beginning on the first day of the first full
fiscal quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement, which
earnings statement shall satisfy the requirements of Section 11(a) of the
Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Securities Act Regulations and will advise
you in writing when such statement has been so made available. If such fiscal
quarter is the last fiscal quarter of the Corporation's fiscal year, such
earnings statement shall be made available not later than 90 days after the
close of the period covered thereby and in all other cases shall be made
available not later than 45 days after the close of the period covered thereby.
(l) For a period of five years (but not beyond any such date on
which no Securities shall be outstanding) after the Closing Date, the Trust and
the Corporation will furnish to the Underwriters copies of all reports and
communications delivered to the Trust's shareholders or to holders of the
Capital Securities and will also furnish copies of all reports (excluding
exhibits) filed with the Commission on Forms 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K, and all other
reports and information furnished to its shareholders generally, not later than
the time such reports are first furnished to its shareholders generally.
6. Expenses. The Corporation covenants and agrees with the Underwriters
that the Corporation will, whether or not any sale of the Capital Securities is
consummated, pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) costs of preparation and
printing (including reasonable word processing and duplication costs) of the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and all amendments and supplements
thereto, (ii) all expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel to the Corporation and the Trust) payable pursuant to Section 5(g) of
this Agreement, (iii) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
preparation, issuance and delivery of the Capital Securities, (iv) the fees and
disbursements of the Corporation's accountants, (v) all costs and expenses
incurred in the preparation and the printing (including word processing and
duplication costs) of the Capital Securities, the Indenture, the Guarantee
Agreement, the Trust Agreement and all other documents relating to the issuance,
purchase and initial resale of the Capital Securities, and (vi) all other costs
and expenses incident to the performance by the Corporation of its obligations
hereunder which are not otherwise specifically
- 12 -
provided in this Section. The Underwriters shall be responsible for all of their
own expenses, including the fees of the Underwriters' counsel, any taxes on
resales of the Capital Securities by the Underwriters and the costs of assigning
a rating or ratings to the Capital Securities.
7. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) Each of the Corporation and the
Trust jointly and severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls each such Underwriter within
the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and
liabilities caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary
Prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or caused by
any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement
or omission based upon information furnished in writing to the Corporation by
the Underwriters expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the
foregoing indemnity agreement with respect to the Registration Statement, any
Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto
shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter from whom the person asserting
any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities purchased Capital Securities, or
any person controlling such Underwriter, if a copy of the Registration Statement
(as then amended or supplemented if the Corporation shall have furnished any
amendments or supplements thereto) was not sent or given by or on behalf of such
Underwriter to such person at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale
of the Capital Securities to such persons, and if the Registration Statement (as
so amended or supplemented) would have cured the defect giving rise to such
loss, claim, damage or liability. This indemnity agreement shall be in addition
to any liability that the Corporation or Trust may otherwise have.
(b) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify
and hold harmless the Corporation, the Trust, any authorized representative of
the Corporation or the Trust and any person controlling the Corporation, to the
same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Corporation and the Trust to the
Underwriters, but only with reference to information furnished in writing by
such Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement and any
amendments or supplements thereto. The Corporation and the Trust each
- 13 -
acknowledge that the statements set forth in the penultimate paragraph of the
fourth page of the Prospectus, and in the third, fourth, sixth and eighth
paragraphs under the caption "Underwriting" in the Prospectus constitute the
only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Underwriters for
use in the Registration Statement, and the Representative confirms that such
statements are correct. This indemnity agreement shall be in addition to any
liability that any Underwriter may otherwise have.
(c) In case any proceeding (including any governmental
investigation) shall be threatened or instituted involving any person in respect
of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this
Section 7, such person (the "indemnified party") shall promptly notify the
person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "indemnifying party") in
writing (but the omission to so notify the indemnifying party will not relieve
it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party other than
under this Section 7) and the indemnifying party, upon request of the
indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the
indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and pay the reasonable fees
and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such
proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own
counsel, but fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the
indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party
shall have mutually agreed to retention of such counsel or (ii) the named
parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both
the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and the representation of both
parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying party
shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same
jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one
separate firm for all such indemnified parties. In the case of parties
indemnified pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 7, such separate firm
shall be designated in writing by the Representative. In the case of parties
indemnified pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 8, such separate firm
shall be designated in writing by the Corporation. The indemnifying party shall
not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written
consent but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the
plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from
and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
- 14 -
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is
unavailable to an indemnified party under paragraphs (a) or (b) hereof or
insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred
to therein, then each indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such
indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i)
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received
by the Corporation and the Trust on the one hand and the Underwriters on the
other from the offering of the 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 Corporation and the
Trust on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other in connection with
the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative benefits received by the Corporation and the Trust on the one hand and
the Underwriters on the other in connection with the offering of such Capital
Securities shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net
proceeds (before deducting expenses) from the offering of such Capital
Securities received by the Corporation bear to the total discounts and
commissions received by such Underwriter in respect thereof. The relative fault
of the Corporation and the Trust on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the
other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the
untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
Corporation and the Trust or by the Underwriters and the parties' relative
intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
such statements or omissions.
(e) The Corporation, the Trust and the Underwriters agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were
determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does
not take account of the considerations referred to in paragraph (d) of this
Section 7. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the
losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) of this
Section 7 shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth
above, any reasonable legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action
or claim.
- 15 -
(f) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this
Section 7 and the representations and warranties of the Corporation, the Trust
and the Underwriters in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force
and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any
investigation made by or on behalf of a Underwriter or any person controlling
such Underwriter, or by or on behalf of the Trust or the Corporation, its
directors or officers, any authorized representative of the Corporation or the
Trust or any person controlling the Corporation or the Trust, and (iii)
acceptance of and payment for any of the Capital Securities.
8. Termination.
(a) This Agreement shall be subject to termination in the absolute
discretion of the Representative, by notice to the Corporation, if prior to the
Closing Date (i) trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange
shall have been suspended or materially limited, (ii) a general moratorium on
commercial banking activities in New York shall have been declared by either
Federal or New York State authorities, or (iii) there shall have occurred any
material outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other calamity or crisis the
effect of which on the financial markets of the United States is such as to make
it, in the reasonable judgment of the Representative, impracticable to market
the Capital Securities or to enforce contracts for the resale of Capital
Securities.
(b) The Corporation may terminate this Agreement upon written notice
to the Representative at any time at or prior to the Closing Date if the
Corporation shall receive the reasonable opinion of Arnold & Porter, its special
tax counsel, following consultation with the Representative and its counsel,
that there is more than an insubstantial risk that interest payable by the
Corporation on the Subordinated Debentures will not be deductible by the
Corporation for federal income tax purposes as a result of action taken on any
federal legislative tax proposal. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to
this Section 8(b), such termination shall be without liability of any party to
any other party and each party shall bear its own out-of-pocket expenses, except
as provided in Section 7.
9. Pro Rata Purchase in Certain Events. If on the Closing Date any one or
more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Capital Securities
that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder and the aggregate liquidation
amount of Capital Securities that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters
agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not
- 16 -
more than one-tenth of the aggregate liquidation amount of Capital Securities to
be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated severally
in the proportions which the aggregate liquidation amount of Capital Securities
set forth opposite their names in Schedule I to this Agreement bears to the
aggregate liquidation amount of Capital Securities set forth opposite the names
of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as the
Representative may specify, to purchase the Capital Securities that such
defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase
on such date. If on the Closing Date any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail
or refuse to purchase Capital Securities and the aggregate liquidation amount of
Capital Securities with respect to which such default occurs is more than
one-tenth of the aggregate liquidation amount of Capital Securities to be
purchased on such date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Representative and
the Corporation for the purchase of such Capital Securities are not made within
36 hours after such default, this Agreement shall thereupon terminate without
liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriters or of the Corporation
or the Trust. In any such case either the Representative or the Corporation
shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer
than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration
Statement or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. An action
taken under this Section 9 shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from
liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.
10. Reimbursement upon Termination in Certain Circumstances. If this
Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters or any of them, because of any
failure or refusal on the part of the Corporation to comply in any material
respect with the terms or to fulfill in any material respect any of the
conditions of this Agreement, or if for any reason the Corporation shall be
unable to perform in any material respect its obligations under this Agreement,
the Corporation shall reimburse the Underwriters or such Underwriters as have so
terminated the Agreement, with respect to themselves, severally, for all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriters in
connection with the offering of the Capital Securities.
11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the
signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
- 17 -
12. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
- 18 -
Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement among the
Trust, the Corporation and the several Underwriters by having an authorized
officer sign a copy of this Agreement in the space set forth below and by
returning the signed copy to us.
Very truly yours,
FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION
By:
-------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
FIRST EMPIRE CAPITAL TRUST II
By: FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION,
on behalf of First Empire Capital
Trust II
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Accepted by:
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED,
as representative of the several
Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto
By:
-------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
- 19 -
SCHEDULE I
Underwriter Amount
- ----------- ------
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated $
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated $
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. $
Total $100,000,000
============
- 20 -
EXHIBIT A
The opinion of special counsel to the Corporation to be delivered pursuant
to Section 4(d) of the Underwriting Agreement shall be substantially to the
effect that:
1. The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Corporation.
2. The Trust Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
the Corporation, and is a valid and binding obligation of the Corporation,
enforceable against the Corporation in accordance with its terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, receivership, readjustment of debt, moratorium, fraudulent
conveyance or similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally,
general equity principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at
law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
3. The Guarantee Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Corporation and is a valid and binding obligation of the
Corporation enforceable against the Corporation in accordance with its terms,
except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, receivership, readjustment of debt, moratorium,
fraudulent conveyance or similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights
generally, general equity principles (whether considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
4. The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Corporation, has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, and is a
valid and binding agreement of the Corporation, enforceable against the
Corporation in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership,
readjustment of debt, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws relating
to or affecting creditors' rights generally, general equity principles (whether
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good
faith and fair dealing.
5. The Subordinated Debentures have been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Corporation and when duly authenticated in accordance with the
Indenture and
- 21 -
delivered and paid for in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement, will be
valid and binding obligations of the Corporation, entitled to the benefits of
the Indenture and enforceable against the Corporation in accordance with their
terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, receivership, readjustment of debt, moratorium,
fraudulent conveyance or similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights
generally, general equity principles (whether considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
6. The Trust is not an "investment company" or an entity "controlled" by
an "investment company," as such terms are defined in Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended.
7. The statements set forth in the Registration Statement under the
captions "Description of Capital Securities," "Description of Junior
Subordinated Debentures," "Description of Guarantee" and "Relationship Among the
Capital Securities, the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee,"
insofar as they purport to describe the provisions of the laws and documents
referred to therein, fairly summarize the matters described therein.
8. The Registration Statement was declared effective under the Securities
Act as of the date and time specified in such opinion and, to the best of such
counsel's knowledge and information without independent investigation, no stop
order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued
under the Securities Act and no proceedings therefor have been initiated or
threatened by the Commission.
9. The statements of law or legal conclusions and opinions set forth in
the Registration Statement under the caption "Certain United States Federal
Income Tax Consequences," subject to the assumptions and conditions described
therein, accurately reflect our opinion in all material respects.
10. The Registration Statement and the Prospectus (other than the
financial statements and other financial and statistical information contained
therein and other than documents incorporated therein by reference, as to all of
which such counsel need express no opinion) comply as to form in all material
respects with the applicable requirements of the Act and the Trust Indenture Act
and the respective rules thereunder.
- 22 -
EXHIBIT B
The opinion of counsel to be delivered by the Corporation pursuant to
Section 4(e) of the Underwriting Agreement shall be substantially to the effect
that:
1. Each of the Corporation and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company is
a corporation validly organized and presently subsisting under the laws of the
State of New York, with requisite corporate power and authority to own its
properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement,
except for such power and authority the absence of which would not have a
material adverse effect on the Corporation on a consolidated basis, and the
Corporation is duly registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended.
2. No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or
governmental agency, authority, or body is required for the consummation by the
Corporation of the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement,
except those that have been obtained; it being understood that he expresses no
opinion as to the securities or Blue Sky laws of any jurisdiction.
3. The issuance and sale of the Capital Securities and the Subordinated
Debentures and the execution, delivery and performance by the Corporation and
the Trust of the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture, the Guarantee Agreement
and the Trust Agreement will not violate the Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws of the Corporation, as amended to date, or any material agreement or
other instrument known to him to which the Corporation or the Trust is a party
or any material order or regulation known to him to be applicable to the
Corporation or the Trust of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency,
governmental body or arbitrator having jurisdiction over the Corporation or the
Trust.
4. To the best of his knowledge, there is no pending or threatened action,
suit or proceeding before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or
any arbitrator involving the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries of a
character required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement which is not
adequately disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and there
is no franchise, contract or other document of a character required to be
described in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or to be filed as an
exhibit, which is not described or filed
- 23 -
as required; and the statements included or incorporated in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus describing any legal proceedings or material
contracts or agreements relating to the Corporation fairly summarize such
matters.
5. The reports filed by the Corporation with the Commission under the
Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, which are
incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
(other than the financial statements and schedules and other financial and
statistical information or data contained or incorporated therein, as to which
he need express no opinion), complied as of their respective dates as to form in
all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Such counsel shall further state that nothing has come to his attention
that has caused him to believe that the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
(except, in either case, for the financial statements and schedules and other
financial or statistical data contained or incorporated therein, as to which he
need express no belief), including the documents incorporated by reference
therein, as of the effective date of the Registration Statement or the date of
the Prospectus and as of the date hereof, contained, and as of the date of such
opinion, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
- 24 -
EXHIBIT C
The opinion of counsel to the Trust Company and Trust Delaware to be
delivered pursuant to Section 4(f) of the Underwriting Agreement shall be
substantially to the effect that:
1. The Trust Company is duly incorporated and is validly existing in good
standing as a banking corporation with trust powers under the laws of the State
of New York.
2. Trust Delaware is duly incorporated and is validly existing in good
standing as a banking corporation with trust powers under the laws of the State
of Delaware.
3. The Indenture Trustee has the requisite power and authority to execute,
deliver and perform its obligations under the Indenture, and has taken all
necessary corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance
by it of the Indenture.
4. The Guarantee Trustee has the requisite power and authority to execute,
deliver and perform its obligations under the Guarantee Agreement, and has taken
all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and
performance by it of the Guarantee Agreement.
5. The Property Trustee has the requisite power and authority to execute
and deliver the Trust Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to
authorize the execution and delivery of the Trust Agreement.
6. The Delaware Trustee has the requisite power and authority to execute
and deliver the Trust Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to
authorize the execution and delivery of the Trust Agreement.
7. Each of the Indenture and the Guarantee Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by the Indenture Trustee and the Guarantee Trustee,
respectively, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Indenture Trustee and the Guarantee Trustee, respectively, enforceable against
the Indenture Trustee and the Guarantee Trustee, respectively in accordance with
its respective terms, except that certain payment obligations may be enforceable
solely against the assets of the Trust and except that such enforcement may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation,
fraudulent conveyance and transfer or other similar laws applicable to Delaware
banking
- 25 -
corporations affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and by
general principles of equity, including, without limitation, concepts of
materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether
such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
8. The Subordinated Debentures delivered on the date hereof have been duly
authenticated by the Indenture Trustee in accordance with the terms of the
Indenture.
- 26 -
EXHIBIT D
The opinion of special Delaware counsel to the Corporation and the Trust
to be delivered pursuant to Section 4(h) of the Underwriting Agreement shall be
substantially to the effect that:
1. The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in good
standing as a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act, 12 Del. C.
ss. 3801 et seq. (the "Delaware Act"), with the business trust power and
authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the
Registration Statement and to execute and deliver, and to perform its
obligations under, the Underwriting Agreement, and issue and perform its
obligations under the Capital Securities and the Common Securities.
2. The Common Securities have been duly authorized for issuance by the
Trust Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Trust to the Corporation
against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement and
as described in the Registration Statement, will be validly issued and (subject
to the terms of the Trust Agreement) fully paid and non-assessable undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust. Under the Delaware Act and the
Trust Agreement, the issuance of the Common Securities is not subject to
preemptive or other similar rights. We note that the Holders of Common
Securities will be liable for the debts and obligations of the Trust to the
extent provided in Section 4.8 of the Trust Agreement and will be required to
make payment or provide indemnity or security as set forth in the Trust
Agreement.
3. The Capital Securities have been duly authorized for issuance by the
Trust Agreement and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of
the Trust Agreement, against payment of the consideration as set forth in the
Underwriting Agreement, the Capital Securities will be validly issued and
(subject to the terms of the Trust Agreement) fully paid and non-assessable
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust. The Holders of the
Capital Securities will be entitled to the benefits of the Trust Agreement
(subject to the limitations set forth in Paragraph 5 below) and will be entitled
to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private
corporations for profit organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law;
provided that we express no opinion as to any Holder of a Capital Security that
is, was, or becomes a named Trustee of the Trust. We note that the
- 27 -
Holders of Capital Securities will be required to make payment or provide
indemnity or security as set forth in the Trust Agreement.
4. All necessary trust action has been taken to duly authorize the
execution, delivery and performance by the Trust of the Underwriting Agreement.
5. The Trust Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the
Corporation and the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, enforceable
against the Corporation and the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee in
accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be
limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, liquidation, fraudulent
conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability
relating to or affecting creditors' rights and remedies, (ii) general principles
of equity (regardless of whether considered and applied in a proceeding in
equity or at law) and (iii) considerations of public policy and the effect of
applicable law relating to fiduciary duties.
6. The issuance and sale by the Trust of the Capital Securities and the
Common Securities, the purchase by the Trust of the Subordinated Debentures, the
execution, delivery and performance by the Trust of the Underwriting Agreement,
the consummation by the Trust of the transactions contemplated by the
Underwriting Agreement and the compliance by the Trust with its obligations
thereunder will not violate (i) any of the provisions of the Certificate of
Trust or the Trust Agreement or (ii) any applicable Delaware law or
administrative regulation.
7. Assuming that the Trust derives no income from or connected with
services provided within the State of Delaware and has no assets, activities
(other than having a Delaware Trustee as required by the Delaware Act and the
filing of documents with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware) or
employees in the State of Delaware, no filing with, or authorization, approval,
consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any Delaware
court or Delaware governmental authority or agency (other than as may be
required under the securities or blue sky laws of the State of Delaware as to
which we express no opinion) is required to be obtained by the Trust in
connection with the issuance and sale or delivery of the Capital Securities.
- 28 -
Exhibit 4.1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE
Between
FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION
and
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
(as Trustee)
dated as of
June ___, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF
GENERAL APPLICATION....................... 2
SECTION 1.1. Definitions............................... 2
SECTION 1.2. Compliance Certificate and Opinions....... 14
SECTION 1.3. Forms of Documents Delivered to
Trustee................................... 14
SECTION 1.4. Acts of Holders........................... 15
SECTION 1.5. Notices, Etc. to Trustee and Company...... 18
SECTION 1.6. Notice to Holders; Waiver................. 18
SECTION 1.7. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act......... 19
SECTION 1.8. Effect of Headings and Table of
Contents.................................. 19
SECTION 1.9. Successors and Assigns.................... 19
SECTION 1.10. Separability Clause....................... 19
SECTION 1.11. Benefits of Indenture..................... 20
SECTION 1.12. Governing Law............................. 20
SECTION 1.13. Non-Business Days......................... 20
ARTICLE II SECURITY FORMS............................ 20
SECTION 2.1. Forms Generally........................... 20
SECTION 2.2. Form of Face of Security.................. 21
SECTION 2.3. Form of Reverse of Security............... 26
SECTION 2.4. Additional Provisions Required in
Global Security........................... 31
SECTION 2.5. Form of Trustee's Certificate of
Authentication............................ 32
ARTICLE III THE SECURITIES............................ 32
SECTION 3.1. Title and Terms........................... 32
SECTION 3.2. Denominations............................. 36
SECTION 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery
and Dating................................ 36
SECTION 3.4. Temporary Securities...................... 38
SECTION 3.5. Global Securities......................... 39
SECTION 3.6. Registration, Transfer and Exchange
Generally; Certain Transfers and
Exchanges; Securities Act Legends......... 40
SECTION 3.7. Mutilated, Lost and Stolen Securities..... 42
SECTION 3.8. Payment of Interest and Additional
Interest; Interest Rights Preserved....... 43
SECTION 3.9. Persons Deemed Owners..................... 45
SECTION 3.10. Cancellation.............................. 46
SECTION 3.11. Computation of Interest................... 46
SECTION 3.12. Deferrals of Interest Payment Dates....... 46
SECTION 3.13. Right of Set-Off.......................... 48
SECTION 3.14. Agreed Tax Treatment...................... 48
SECTION 3.15. Shortening or Extension of Stated
Maturity.................................. 49
SECTION 3.16. CUSIP Numbers............................. 48
ARTICLE IV SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE................ 49
SECTION 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture... 49
SECTION 4.2. Application of Trust Money................ 51
ARTICLE V REMEDIES.................................. 51
SECTION 5.1. Events of Default......................... 51
SECTION 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission
and Annulment............................. 52
SECTION 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits
for Enforcement by Trustee................ 54
SECTION 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.......... 55
SECTION 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claim Without
Possession of Securities.................. 56
SECTION 5.6. Application of Money Collected............ 56
SECTION 5.7. Limitation on Suits....................... 57
SECTION 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to
Receive Principal, Premium and
Interest; Direct Action by Holders
of Capital Securities..................... 57
SECTION 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies........ 58
SECTION 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative............ 58
SECTION 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.............. 59
SECTION 5.12. Control by Holders........................ 59
SECTION 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults................... 59
SECTION 5.14. Undertaking for Costs..................... 60
SECTION 5.15. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws... 61
ARTICLE VI THE TRUSTEE............................... 61
SECTION 6.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities....... 61
SECTION 6.2. Notice of Defaults........................ 62
SECTION 6.3. Certain Rights of Trustee................. 63
SECTION 6.4. Not Responsible for Recitals or
Issuance of Securities.................... 64
SECTION 6.5. May Hold Securities....................... 64
SECTION 6.6. Money Held in Trust....................... 65
SECTION 6.7. Compensation and Reimbursement............ 65
SECTION 6.8. Disqualification; Conflicting
Interests................................. 66
SECTION 6.9. Corporate Trustee Required;
Eligibility............................... 66
SECTION 6.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment
of Successor.............................. 67
SECTION 6.11. Acceptance of Appointment by
- ii -
Successor................................. 69
SECTION 6.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or
Succession to Business.................... 70
SECTION 6.13. Preferential Collection of Claims
Against Company........................... 71
SECTION 6.14. Appointment of Authenticating Agent....... 71
ARTICLE VII HOLDER'S LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE,
PAYING AGENT AND COMPANY.................. 73
SECTION 7.1. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and
Addresses of Holders...................... 73
SECTION 7.2. Preservation of Information,
Communications to Holders................. 73
SECTION 7.3. Reports by Trustee and Paying Agent....... 74
SECTION 7.4. Reports by Company........................ 74
ARTICLE VIII CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE,
TRANSFER OR LEASE......................... 75
SECTION 8.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only
on Certain Terms.......................... 75
SECTION 8.2. Successor Company Substituted............. 76
ARTICLE IX SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES................... 77
SECTION 9.1. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent
of Holders................................ 77
SECTION 9.2. Supplemental Indentures With Consent
of Holders................................ 78
SECTION 9.3. Execution of Supplemental Indentures...... 80
SECTION 9.4. Effect of Supplemental Indentures......... 80
SECTION 9.5. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act....... 81
SECTION 9.6. Reference in Securities to
Supplemental Indentures................... 81
ARTICLE X COVENANTS................................. 81
SECTION 10.1. Payment of Principal, Premium and
Interest.................................. 81
SECTION 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency........... 81
SECTION 10.3. Money for Security Payments to be
Held in Trust............................. 82
SECTION 10.4. Statement as to Compliance................ 84
SECTION 10.5. Waiver of Certain Covenants............... 84
SECTION 10.6. Additional Sums........................... 84
SECTION 10.7. Additional Covenants...................... 85
SECTION 10.8. Original Issue Discount................... 87
ARTICLE XI REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES.................. 87
SECTION 11.1. Applicability of This Article............. 87
SECTION 11.2 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee..... 87
SECTION 11.3. Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.... 88
SECTION 11.4. Notice of Redemption...................... 89
- iii -
SECTION 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price............... 89
SECTION 11.6. Payment of Securities Called for
Redemption................................ 90
SECTION 11.7. Right of Redemption of Securities
Initially Issued to an Issuer Trust....... 90
ARTICLE XII SINKING FUNDS............................. 91
ARTICLE XIII SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES............... 91
SECTION 13.1. Securities Subordinate to Senior
Indebtedness.............................. 91
SECTION 13.2. No Payment When Senior Indebtedness
in Default; Payment Over of Proceeds
Upon Dissolution, Etc..................... 91
SECTION 13.3. Payment Permitted If No Default........... 94
SECTION 13.4. Subrogation to Rights of Holders of
Senior Indebtedness....................... 94
SECTION 13.5. Provisions Solely to Define Relative
Rights.................................... 95
SECTION 13.6. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination....... 95
SECTION 13.7. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions..... 95
SECTION 13.8. Notice to Trustee......................... 96
SECTION 13.9. Reliance on Judicial Order or
Certificate of Liquidating Agent.......... 97
SECTION 13.10. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of
Senior Indebtedness....................... 97
SECTION 13.11. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior
Indebtedness; Preservation of
Trustee's Rights.......................... 98
SECTION 13.12. Article Applicable to Paying Agents....... 98
SECTION 13.13. Certain Conversions or Exchanges
Deemed Payment............................ 98
ANNEX A FORM OF RESTRICTED SECURITIES
CERTIFICATE
- iv -
Certain Sections of this Junior Subordinated Indenture relating
to Sections 310 through 318 of the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939:
Trust Indenture Junior Subordinated
Act Section Indenture Section
- ----------- -----------------
(ss.) 310(a)(1)................................. 6.9
(a)(2).................................. 6.9
(a)(3).................................. Not Applicable
(a)(4).................................. Not Applicable
(a)(5).................................. 6.9
(b)..................................... 6.8, 6.10
(ss.) 311(a).................................... 6.13
(b)..................................... 6.13
(b)(2).................................. 7.3(a)
(ss.) 312(a).................................... 7.1, 7.2(a)
(b)..................................... 7.2(b)
(c)..................................... 7.2(c)
(ss.) 313(a).................................... 7.3(a)
(a)(4).................................. 7.3(a)
(b)..................................... 7.3(b)
(c)..................................... 7.3(a)
(d)..................................... 7.3(c)
(ss.) 314(a).................................... 7.4
(b)..................................... 7.4
(c)(1).................................. 1.2
(c)(2).................................. 1.2
(c)(3).................................. Not Applicable
(e)..................................... 1.2
(ss.) 315(a).................................... 6.1(a)
(b)..................................... 6.2, 7.3
(c)..................................... 6.1(b)
(d)..................................... 6.1(c)
(e)..................................... 5.14
(ss.) 316(a).................................... 5.12
(a)(1)(A)............................... 5.12
(a)(1)(B)............................... 5.13
(a)(2).................................. Not Applicable
(b)..................................... 5.8
(c)..................................... 1.4(f)
(ss.) 317(a)(1)................................. 5.3
(a)(2).................................. 5.4
(b)..................................... 10.3
(ss.) 318(a).................................... 1.7
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be
deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
- v -
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE
THIS JUNIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE, dated as of June ___, 1997, between
FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION, a New York corporation (the "Company"), having
its principal office at One M&T Plaza, Buffalo, New York 14240, and BANKERS
TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee, having its principal office at Four Albany Street,
4th Floor, New York, New York 10006 (the "Trustee").
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured junior
subordinated debt securities in series (hereinafter called the "Securities") of
substantially the tenor hereinafter provided, including Securities issued to
evidence loans made to the Company from the proceeds from the issuance from time
to time by one or more business trusts (each an "Issuer Trust") of undivided
preferred beneficial interests in the assets of such Issuer Trusts (the "Capital
Securities") and common undivided interests in the assets of such Issuer Trusts
(the "Common Securities" and, collectively with the Capital Securities, the
"Trust Securities"), and to provide the terms and conditions upon which the
Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of
the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities
by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and
proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof,
and intending to be legally bound hereby, as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
OF GENERAL APPLICATION
SECTION 1.1. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided
or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) The terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in
this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) All other terms used herein that are defined in the Trust Indenture
Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them
therein;
(3) The words "include", "includes" and "including" shall be deemed to be
followed by the phrase "without limitation";
(4) All accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings
assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as
in effect at the time of computation;
(5) Whenever the context may require, any gender shall be deemed to include
the other;
(6) Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an "Article" or
a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this
Indenture; and
(7) The words "hereby", "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words
of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular
Article, Section or other subdivision.
"Act" when used with respect to any Holder has the meaning specified in
Section 1.4.
"Additional Interest" means the interest, if any, that shall accrue on any
interest on the Securities of any series the payment of which has not been made
on the applicable Interest Payment Date and which shall accrue at the rate per
annum specified or determined as specified in such Security.
"Additional Sums" has the meaning specified in Section 10.6.
- 2 -
"Additional Taxes" means any additional taxes, duties and other
governmental charges to which an Issuer Trust has become subject from time to
time as a result of a Tax Event.
"Administrator" means, in respect of any Issuer Trust, each Person
appointed in accordance with the related Trust Agreement, solely in such
Person's capacity as Administrator of such Issuer Trust and not in such Person's
individual capacity, or any successor Administrator appointed as therein
provided.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
"Agent Member" means any member of, or participant in, the Depositary.
"Applicable Procedures" means, with respect to any transfer or transaction
involving a Global Security or beneficial interest therein, the rules and
procedures of the Depositary for such Global Security, in each case to the
extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.
"Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant
to Section 6.14 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of
one or more series.
"Board of Directors" means the board of directors of the Company or the
Executive Committee of the board of directors of the Company (or any other
committee of the board of directors of the Company performing similar functions)
or, for purposes of this Indenture, a committee designated by the board of
directors of the Company (or such committee), comprised of two or more members
of the board of directors of the Company or officers of the Company, or both.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary
or any Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board
of Directors, or such committee of the Board of Directors or officers of the
Company to which authority to act on behalf of the Board of Directors
- 3 -
has been delegated, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
"Business Day" means any day other than (i) a Saturday or Sunday, (ii) a
day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or the City of
Buffalo, New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to remain
closed, or (iii) a day on which the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, or,
with respect to the Securities of a series initially issued to an Issuer Trust,
the "Corporate Trust Office" (as defined in the related Trust Agreement) of the
Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee under the related Trust Agreement, is
closed for business.
"Capital Securities" has the meaning specified in the first recital of this
Indenture.
"Capital Treatment Event" means, in respect of any Issuer Trust, the
reasonable determination by the Company that, as a result of the occurrence of
any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the
laws (or any rules or regulations thereunder) of the United States or any
political subdivision thereof or therein, or as a result of any official or
administrative pronouncement or action or judicial decision interpreting or
applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or
such pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or after the date of the
issuance of the Capital Securities of such Issuer Trust, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that the Company will not be entitled to treat an amount
equal to the Liquidation Amount (as such term is defined in the related Trust
Agreement) of such Capital Securities as "Tier 1 Capital" (or the then
equivalent thereof) for purposes of the risk-based capital adequacy guidelines
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the New York State
Banking Department, as then in effect and applicable to the Company.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to
time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the
execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the
duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body
performing such duties on such date.
"Common Securities" has the meaning specified in the first recital of this
Indenture.
"Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $5.00 per share, of the
Company.
- 4 -
"Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of
this instrument until a successor entity shall have become such pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean
such successor entity.
"Company Request" and "Company Order" mean, respectively, the written
request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board
of Directors, its Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, its President or a
Vice President, and by its Cashier or an Assistant Cashier, its Controller or an
Assistant Controller, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to
the Trustee.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Trustee at which
at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered.
"Creditor" has the meaning specified in Section 6.7.
"Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 3.8.
"Delaware Trustee" means, with respect to any Issuer Trust, the Person
identified as the "Delaware Trustee" in the related Trust Agreement, solely in
its capacity as Delaware Trustee of such Issuer Trust under such Trust Agreement
and not in its individual capacity, or its successor in interest in such
capacity, or any successor Delaware trustee appointed as therein provided.
"Depositary" means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable
or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the
Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section 3.1 with
respect to such series (or any successor thereto).
"Discount Security" means any security that provides for an amount less
than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of
acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2.
"Dollar" or "$" means the currency of the United States of America that, as
at the time of payment, is legal tender for the payment of public and private
debts.
The term "entity" includes a bank, corporation, association, company,
limited liability company, joint-stock company or business trust.
- 5 -
"Event of Default," unless otherwise specified in the supplemental
indenture creating a series of Securities, has the meaning specified in Article
V.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute
successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 1.4.
"Extension Period" has the meaning specified in Section 3.12.
"Global Security" means a Security in the form prescribed in Section 2.4
evidencing all or part of a series of Securities, issued to the Depositary or
its nominee for such series, and registered in the name of such Depositary or
its nominee.
"Guarantee" means, with respect to any Issuer Trust, the Guarantee
Agreement executed by the Company for the benefit of the Holders of the Capital
Securities issued by such Issuer Trust as modified, amended or supplemented from
time to time.
"Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the
Securities Register.
"Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from
time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental
hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall
include the terms of each particular series of Securities established as
contemplated by Section 3.1.
"Institutional Accredited Investor" means an institutional accredited
investor within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D
under the Securities Act.
"Interest Payment Date" means, as to each series of Securities, the Stated
Maturity of an installment of interest on such Securities.
"Investment Company Event" means the receipt by an Issuer Trust of an
Opinion of Counsel (as defined in the relevant Trust Agreement) experienced in
such matters to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in
law or regulation or a written change (including any announced
- 6 -
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 such Issuer Trust is or 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 Capital Securities of such Issuer Trust.
"Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any
statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Issuer Trust" has the meaning specified in the first recital of this
Indenture.
"Maturity" when used with respect to any Security means the date on which
the principal of such Security becomes due and payable as therein or herein
provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call
for redemption or otherwise.
"Notice of Default" means a written notice of the kind specified in Section
5.1(3).
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer, President or a Vice President, and by the
Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of
the Depositor, and delivered to the party provided herein. Any Officers'
Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant
provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(a) a statement by each officer signing the Officers' Certificate that such
officer 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 such officer in rendering the Officers' Certificate;
(c) a statement that 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
- 7 -
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such
condition or covenant has been complied with.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel
for or an employee of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company.
"Original Issue Date" means the date of issuance specified as such in each
Security.
"Other Securities" means Securities transferred, upon exchange or
otherwise, to holders of "Other Capital Securities" as defined in the related
Trust Agreement.
"Outstanding" means, when used in reference to any Securities, as of the
date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered
under this Indenture, except:
(i) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation;
(ii) Securities for whose payment money in the necessary amount has been
theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust for the
Holders of such Securities; and
(iii) Securities in substitution for or in lieu of which other Securities
have been authenticated and delivered or that have been paid pursuant to Section
3.6, unless proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that any such
Securities are held by Holders in whose hands such Securities are valid, binding
and legal obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Securities owned
by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the
Company or such other obligor (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, the
Issuer Trust to which Securities of the applicable series were initially issued)
shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in
determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only
Securities that the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded.
Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as
Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the
pledgee's right so to act with respect to such
- 8 -
Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the
Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor (other than,
for the avoidance of doubt, such Issuer Trust). Upon the written request of the
Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers'
Certificate listing and identifying all Securities, if any, known by the Company
to be owned or held by or for the account of the Company, or any other obligor
on the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such obligor (other than,
for the avoidance of doubt, such Issuer Trust), and, subject to the provisions
of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers'
Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the
fact that all Securities not listed therein are Outstanding for the purpose of
any such determination.
"Outstanding Capital Securities" means the $150,000,000 aggregate
liquidation amount of 8.234% Capital Securities issued by First Empire Capital
Trust I.
"Paying Agent" means the Trustee or any Person authorized by the Company to
pay the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on, or other amounts in
respect of any Securities on behalf of the Company.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.
"Place of Payment" means, with respect to the Securities of any series, the
place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the
Securities of such series are payable pursuant to Section 3.1.
"Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous
Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Security. For the purposes of this definition, any security
authenticated and delivered under Section 3.7 in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed,
lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
"Principal Subsidiary Bank" means (i) any banking subsidiary of the Company
the consolidated assets of which constitute 20% or more of the consolidated
assets of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, (ii) any other banking
subsidiary designated as a Principal Subsidiary Bank pursuant to a Board
Resolution and set forth in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee,
and (iii) any banking
- 9 -
subsidiary of the Company that owns, directly or indirectly, any voting
securities, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase voting
securities, of any Principal Subsidiary Bank under clause (i) or (ii), and in
the case of clause (i), (ii) or (iii) their respective successors (whether by
consolidation, merger, conversion, transfer of substantially all their assets
and business or otherwise) so long as any such successor is a banking subsidiary
(in the case of clause (i) or (ii)) or a subsidiary (in the case of clause
(iii)) of the Company.
"Proceeding" has the meaning specified in Section 13.2.
"Property Trustee" means, with respect to any Issuer Trust, the Person
identified as the "Property Trustee" in the related Trust Agreement, solely in
its capacity as Property Trustee of such Issuer Trust under such Trust Agreement
and not in its individual capacity, or its successor in interest in such
capacity, or any successor property trustee appointed as therein provided.
"Redemption Date", when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed,
means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture or the
terms of such Security.
"Redemption Price", when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed,
means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.
"Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date
with respect to the Securities of a series means, unless otherwise provided
pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to Securities of such series, the date that
is the January 15 or July 15 next preceding such Interest Payment Date (whether
or not a Business Day).
"Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Property Trustee means
any officer assigned to the Corporate Trust Office, including any managing
director, vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer,
assistant secretary or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing
functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and
having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, and also,
with respect to a particular matter, any other officer to whom such matter is
referred because of such officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the
particular subject.
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"Restricted Security" means each Security required pursuant to Section
3.6(c) to bear a Restricted Securities Legend.
"Restricted Securities Certificate" means a certificate substantially in
the form set forth in Annex A.
"Restricted Securities Legend" means a legend substantially in the form of
the legend required in the form of Security set forth in Section 2.2 to be
placed upon a Restricted Security.
"Rights Plan" means any plan of the Company providing for the issuance by
the Company to all holders of its Common Stock, par value $5.00 per share, of
rights entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of any
class or series of capital stock of the Company which rights (i) are deemed to
be transferred with such shares of such Common Stock, (ii) are not exercisable,
and (iii) are also issued in respect of future issuances of such Common Stock,
in each case until the occurrence of a specified event or events.
"Securities" or "Security" means any debt securities or debt security, as
the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as modified, amended or
supplemented from time to time.
"Securities Register" and "Securities Registrar" have the respective
meanings specified in Section 3.6.
"Senior Indebtedness" means, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the
assets of the Company and whether or not contingent, (i) every obligation of the
Company for money borrowed, (ii) every obligation of the Company evidenced by
bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, including obligations
incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses,
(iii) every reimbursement obligation of the Company with respect to letters of
credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of the
Company, (iv) every obligation of the Company issued or assumed as the deferred
purchase price of property or services (but excluding trade accounts payable or
accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business), (v) every
capital lease obligation of the Company, (vi) every obligation of the Company
for claims (as defined in Section 101(4) of the United States Bankruptcy Code of
1978, as amended) in respect of derivative products such as interest and foreign
exchange rate contracts, commodity
- 11 -
contracts and similar arrangements, and (vii) every obligation of the type
referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) of another person and all dividends of
another person the payment of which, in either case, the Company has guaranteed
or is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor or otherwise;
provided that "Senior Indebtedness" shall not include (i) any obligations which,
by their terms, are expressly stated to rank pari passu in right of payment
with, or to not be superior in right of payment to, the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, (ii) any Senior Indebtedness of the Company which when incurred and
without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of the United States
Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, was without recourse to the Company, (iii)
any indebtedness of the Company to any of its subsidiaries, (iv) indebtedness to
any employee of the Company, or (v) any indebtedness in respect of debt
securities issued to any trust, or a trustee of such trust, partnership or other
entity affiliated with the Company that is a financing entity of the Company in
connection with the issuance of such financing entity of securities that are
similar to the Capital Securities.
"Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a
date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.8.
"Stated Maturity", when used with respect to any Security or any
installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified
pursuant to the terms of such Security as the fixed date on which the principal
of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and
payable, as such date may, in the case of such principal, be shortened or
extended as provided pursuant to the terms of such Security and this Indenture.
"Subsidiary" means an entity more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock
of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more
other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For
purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means stock that ordinarily has
voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long
as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
"Successor Security" of any particular Security means every Security issued
after, and evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by,
such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security
authenticated and delivered under Section 3.7 in
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exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall
be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
Security.
"Tax Event" means the receipt by an Issuer Trust of an Opinion of Counsel
(as defined in the relevant Trust Agreement) 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 or administrative pronouncement or action or
judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which
amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced
on or after the date of issuance of the Capital Securities of such Issuer Trust,
there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) such Issuer Trust is, or will
be within 90 days of the delivery of such Opinion of Counsel, subject to United
States Federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the
corresponding series of Securities issued by the Company to such Issuer Trust,
(ii) interest payable by the Company on such corresponding series of Securities
is not, or within 90 days of the delivery of such Opinion of Counsel will not
be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States Federal
income tax purposes, or (iii) such Issuer Trust is, or will be within 90 days of
the delivery of such Opinion of Counsel, subject to more than a de minimis
amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.
"Trust Agreement" means, with respect to any Issuer Trust, the trust
agreement or other governing instrument of such Issuer Trust.
"Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of
this Indenture, solely in its capacity as such and not in its individual
capacity, until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or
include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder and, if at any time there is
more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of
any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as modified,
amended or supplemented from time to time, except as provided in Section 9.5.
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"Trust Securities" has the meaning specified in the first recital of this
Indenture.
"Vice President," when used with respect to the Company, means any duly
appointed vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or
words added before or after the title "vice president."
SECTION 1.2. Compliance Certificate and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent
(including covenants compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent),
if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been
complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such
counsel, all such conditions precedent (including covenants compliance with
which constitutes a condition precedent), if any, have been complied with,
except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the
furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this
Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional
certificate or opinion need be furnished.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the certificates provided
pursuant to Section 10.4) shall include:
(1) a statement by each individual signing such certificate or opinion that
such individual has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein
relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions of such individual contained
in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he or she has made
such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to
express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has
been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of such individual, such
condition or covenant has been complied with.
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SECTION 1.3. Forms of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or
covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one
or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify
or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based,
insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations
with respect to matters upon which his or her certificate or opinion is based
are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar
as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the
information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the
Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should
know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such
matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions, or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.
SECTION 1.4. Acts of Holders.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action provided by this Indenture to be given to or taken by Holders
may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially
similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in
writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall
become effective when such instrument or instruments is or are delivered to the
Trustee, and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such
instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced
thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing
such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of
a writing appointing any such agent shall be
- 15 -
sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 6.1)
conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner
provided in this Section.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument
or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by
the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take
acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument
or writing acknowledged to him or her the execution thereof. Where such
execution is by a Person acting in other than his or her individual capacity,
such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his or
her authority.
(c) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument
or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be
provided in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient and in accordance
with such reasonable rules as the Trustee may determine.
(d) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Securities Register.
(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of
the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the transfer
thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done
or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon,
whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.
(f) The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of
determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to
give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be
given, made or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, provided that the
Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph
shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice,
declaration, request or direction referred to in the next succeeding paragraph.
If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding
Securities of the relevant series on such record date, and no other Holders,
shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders
remain Holders after such record date, provided that no such action shall be
effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date
(as defined below) by Holders of
- 16 -
the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such
record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company
from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has
previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date
previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled
and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render
ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of
Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken.
Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company,
at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action
by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in
writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner
set forth in Section 1.6.
The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining
the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to join in the
giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of
acceleration referred to in Section 5.2, (iii) any request to institute
proceedings referred to in Section 5.7(2), or (iv) any direction referred to in
Section 5.12, in each case with respect to Securities of such series. If any
record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding
Securities of such series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be
entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or
not such Holders remain Holders after such record date, provided that no such
action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable
Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding
Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall
be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any
action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this
paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with
no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect) and nothing in this
paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders
of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant
series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set
pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company's expense, shall cause
notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable
Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of
Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 1.6.
- 17 -
With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party
hereto that sets such record date may designate any day as the "Expiration Date"
and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later
day, provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the
proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and
to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in
Section 1.6 on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date
is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section,
the party hereto that set such record date shall be deemed to have initially
designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with
respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided
in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be
later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.
(g) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any
action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to
all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly
appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with
regard to all or any part of such principal amount.
SECTION 1.5. Notices, Etc. to Trustee and Company.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be
made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,
(1) the Trustee by any Holder, any holder of Capital Securities or the
Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given,
furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust
Office, or
(2) the Company by the Trustee, any Holder or any holder of Capital
Securities shall be sufficient for every purpose (except as otherwise provided
in Section 5.1) hereunder if in writing and mailed, first class, postage
prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office
specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address
previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.
- 18 -
SECTION 1.6. Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such
notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided)
if in writing and mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected
by such event, at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Securities
Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest
date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. If, by reason of the suspension
of or irregularities in regular mail services or for any other reason, it shall
be impossible or impracticable to mail notice of any event to Holders when said
notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture or of
the relevant Securities, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be
satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such
notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the
failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any
particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to
other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such
notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice,
either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of
such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but
such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action
taken in reliance upon such waiver.
SECTION 1.7. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of
the Trust Indenture Act that is required under such Act to be a part of and
govern this Indenture, the provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall control.
If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the
Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision
shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as
the case may be.
SECTION 1.8. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
- 19 -
SECTION 1.9. Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind
its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
SECTION 1.10. Separability Clause.
If any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 1.11. Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall
give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors and
assigns, the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the Securities and,
to the extent expressly provided in Sections 5.2, 5.8, 5.9, 5.11, 5.13, 9.1 and
9.2, the holders of Capital Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable
right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
SECTION 1.12. Governing Law.
THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SECTION 1.13. Non-Business Days.
If any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any
Security shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision
of this Indenture or the Securities) payment of interest or principal (and
premium, if any) or other amounts in respect of such Security need not be made
on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day (and no
interest shall accrue in respect of the amounts whose payment is so delayed for
the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated
Maturity, as the case may be, until such next succeeding Business Day) except
that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment
shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day (in each case with the
same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date
or at the Stated Maturity).
- 20 -
ARTICLE II
SECURITY FORMS
SECTION 2.1. Forms Generally.
The Securities of each series and the Trustee's certificate of
authentication shall be in substantially the forms set forth in this Article, or
in such other form or forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board
Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with
such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as
are required or permitted by this Indenture and may have such letters, numbers
or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon
as may be required to comply with applicable tax laws or the rules of any
securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the
officers executing such securities, as evidenced by their execution of the
Securities. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action
taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such
action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company
Order contemplated by Section 3.3 with respect to the authentication and
delivery of such Securities.
The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be substantially in the
form set forth in this Article.
The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or
produced by any combination of these methods, if required by any securities
exchange on which the Securities may be listed, on a steel engraved border or
steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner permitted by the
rules of any securities exchange on which the Securities may be listed, all as
determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their
execution of such Securities.
Securities distributed to holders of Global Capital Securities (as defined
in the applicable Trust Agreement) upon the dissolution of an Issuer Trust shall
be distributed in the form of one or more Global Securities registered in the
name of a Depositary or its nominee, and deposited with the Securities
Registrar, as custodian for such Depositary, or with such Depositary, for credit
by the Depositary to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of the
Securities represented thereby (or such other accounts as they may direct).
Securities distributed to holders of Capital Securities other than Global
Capital Securities upon the
- 21 -
dissolution of an Issuer Trust shall not be issued in the form of a Global
Security or any other form intended to facilitate book-entry trading in
beneficial interests in such Securities.
SECTION 2.2. Form of Face of Security.
FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION
[Title of Security]
[If the Security is a Restricted Security, insert -- THE SECURITIES
EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (A) BY ANY INITIAL INVESTOR THAT IS NOT A QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,
(I) TO A PERSON WHO THE TRANSFEROR REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A
QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE
144A, (II) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS OF RULE 903
OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144
THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), OR (B) BY AN INITIAL INVESTOR THAT IS A QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER OR BY ANY SUBSEQUENT INVESTOR, AS SET FORTH IN (A) ABOVE
AND, IN ADDITION, TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR IN A TRANSACTION
EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, AND, IN EACH
CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES AND OTHER
JURISDICTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT
WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS. SECURITIES OWNED BY AN INITIAL
INVESTOR THAT IS NOT A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER MAY NOT BE HELD IN GLOBAL
FORM AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED WITHOUT CERTIFICATION THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES
WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO BELOW.
NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED
BY RULE 144 FOR RESALES OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES.]
No. $
FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION, a New York corporation (hereinafter called
the "Company", which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture
hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
_______________________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of
_____________Dollars on __________, [if the Security is a Global Security, then
insert, if applicable--, or such other principal amount represented hereby as
may be set forth in the
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records of the Securities Registrar hereinafter referred to in accordance with
the Indenture,] [; provided that the Company may (i) shorten the Stated Maturity
of the principal of this Security to a date not earlier than ____________ , and
(ii) extend the Stated Maturity of the principal of this Security at any time on
one or more occasions, subject to certain conditions specified in Section 3.15
of the Indenture, but in no event to a date later than ____________ ]. The
Company further promises to pay interest on said principal from ___________, or
from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or
duly provided for, [monthly] [quarterly] [semi-annually] [if applicable,
insert-- (subject to deferral as set forth herein)] in arrears on [insert
applicable Interest Payment Dates] of each year, commencing ___________ at the
rate of ______ % per annum, [if applicable insert--together with Additional
Sums, if any, as provided in Section 10.6 of the Indenture,] until the principal
hereof is paid or duly provided for or made available for payment [if
applicable, insert--; provided that any overdue principal, premium or Additional
Sums and any overdue installment of interest shall bear Additional Interest at
the rate of % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall
be legally enforceable), compounded [monthly] [quarterly] [semi-annually], from
the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for
payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand]. The amount of interest
payable for any period less than a full interest period shall be computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the actual days elapsed in a
partial month in such period. The amount of interest payable for any full
interest period shall be computed by dividing the applicable rate per annum by
[twelve/four/two]. The interest 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 Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities)
is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such
interest installment [if applicable, insert--, which shall be the [ ____________
or _______________] (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next
preceding such Interest Payment Date]. Any such interest not so punctually paid
or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such
Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this
Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of
business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to
be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities
of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be
paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the
requirements of any
- 23 -
securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and
upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided
in said Indenture.
[If applicable, insert--So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Company shall have the right, at any time during the term of
this Security, from time to time to defer the payment of interest on this
Security for up to _______________ consecutive [monthly] [quarterly]
[semi-annual] interest payment periods with respect to each deferral period
(each an "Extension Period") [if applicable, insert--, during which Extension
Periods the Company shall have the right to make partial payments of interest on
any Interest Payment Date, and] at the end of which the Company shall pay all
interest then accrued and unpaid including Additional Interest, as provided
below; provided, however, that no Extension Period shall extend beyond the
Stated Maturity of the principal of this Security [If Stated Maturity can be
shortened or extended, insert--, as then in effect,] and no such Extension
Period may end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date; and provided,
further, however, that during any such Extension Period, the Company 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 Company's
capital stock, 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 Company
that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to this Security
including the Company's obligations associated with the Outstanding Capital
Securities (other than (a) 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
any 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, (b) as a
result of an 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,
(c) 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, (d) any declaration of a dividend in
connection with any Rights Plan, or the
- 24 -
issuance of rights, stock or other property under any Rights Plan, or the
redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, or (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). Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period,
the Company may further defer the payment of interest, provided that no
Extension Period shall exceed ________________consecutive [monthly] [quarterly]
[semi-annual] interest payment periods, extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the
principal of this Security or end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date.
Upon the termination of any such Extension Period and upon the payment of all
accrued and unpaid interest and any Additional Interest then due on any Interest
Payment Date, the Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period, subject to
the above conditions. No 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 (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be
legally enforceable) at the rate of % per annum, compounded [monthly]
[quarterly] [semi-annually] and calculated as set forth in the first paragraph
of this Security, from the date on which such amounts would otherwise have been
due and payable until paid or made available for payment. The Company shall give
the Holder of this Security and the Trustee notice of its election to begin any
Extension Period at least one Business Day prior to the next succeeding Interest
Payment Date on which interest on this Security would be payable but for such
deferral [if applicable, insert--or so long as such securities are held by
[insert name of applicable Issuer Trust], at least one Business Day prior to the
earlier of (i) the next succeeding date on which Distributions on the Capital
Securities of such Issuer Trust would be payable but for such deferral, and (ii)
the date on which the Property Trustee of such Issuer Trust is required to give
notice to holders of such Capital Securities of the record date or the date such
Distributions are payable, but in any event not less than one Business Day prior
to such record date.]
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this
Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that
purpose in the United States, in such coin or currency of the United States of
America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and
private debts [if applicable, insert--; provided, however that at the option of
the Company payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address
of the
- 25 -
Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Securities Register,
or (ii) if to a Holder of $1,000,000 or more in aggregate principal amount of
this Security, by wire transfer in immediately available funds upon written
request to the Trustee not later than 15 calendar days prior to the date on
which the interest is payable].
The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent provided in
the Indenture, subordinate and subject in right of payments to the prior payment
in full of all Senior Indebtedness, and this Security is issued subject to the
provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each Holder of this Security,
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 actions as
may be necessary or appropriate to 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, 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.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set
forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.
FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION
By:
--------------------------
Name:
Title:
Attest:
- 26 -
- --------------------------------
Secretary or Assistant Secretary
SECTION 2.3. Form of Reverse of Security.
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the
Company (herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or more
series under the Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of June ___, 1997
(herein called the "Indenture"), between the Company and Bankers Trust Company,
as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any successor
trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental
thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights,
limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the
Trustee, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of the Securities,
and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and
delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [if
applicable, insert--, limited in aggregate principal amount to $ ___________ ].
All terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture [if
applicable, insert-- or in [insert name of trust agreement], dated as of
___________ (as modified, amended or supplemented from time to time the "Trust
Agreement"), relating to [insert name of Issuer Trust] [the ("Issuer Trust")
among the Company, as Depositor, the Trustees named therein and the Holders from
time to time of the Trust Securities issued pursuant thereto] shall have the
meanings assigned to them in the Indenture [if applicable, insert--or the Trust
Agreement, as the case may be].
[If applicable, insert--The Company has the right to redeem this Security
(i) on or after _________, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, or
(ii) in whole (but not in part), at any time within 90 days following the
occurrence and during the continuation of a Tax Event, Investment Company Event,
or Capital Treatment Event, in each case at a Redemption Price described below,
and subject to possible regulatory approval.
[If applicable, insert--In the case of a redemption on or after __________,
the Redemption Price shall equal the following prices, expressed in percentages
of the principal amount hereof, together with accrued interest to but excluding
the date fixed for redemption, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning
__________:
- 27 -
Redemption
Year Price
---- ----------
and 100% on or after __________.
In the case of a redemption on or after __________ following a Tax Event,
Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment Event, the Redemption Price shall
equal the Redemption Price then applicable to a redemption under the preceding
paragraph.
In the case of a redemption prior to __________ following a Tax Event,
Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment Event in respect of the Issuer
Trust, the Redemption Price shall equal the Make-Whole Amount for a
corresponding $__________ principal amount hereof, together with accrued
interest to but excluding the date fixed for redemption, which Make-Whole Amount
will be equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount hereof, and
(ii) as determined by a Quotation Agent (as defined in the Trust Agreement), the
sum of the present value of 100% of the principal amount that would be payable
with respect hereto on __________, together with the present values of scheduled
payments of interest from the date fixed for redemption to __________, in each
case discounted to the date fixed for redemption on a [monthly] [quarterly]
[semi-annual] basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of 30-day months) at the
Adjusted Treasury Rate (as defined in the Trust Agreement).]
[If the Security is subject to redemption of any kind, insert--In the event
of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of
this series for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the
Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]
[If applicable, insert--The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at
any time [of the entire indebtedness of this Security] [or] [certain restrictive
covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security] [, in each case]
upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth in the
Indenture.]
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
Company and the Trustee at any time to enter into a supplemental indenture or
indentures for the purpose of modifying in any manner the rights and obligations
of the
- 28 -
Company and of the Holders of the Securities, with the consent of the Holders of
not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of
each series to be affected by such supplemental indenture. The Indenture also
contains provisions permitting Holders of specified percentages in principal
amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of
the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company
with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the
Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of
this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all
future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration
of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not
notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
[If the Security is not a Discount Security, insert--As provided in and
subject to the provisions of the Indenture, if an Event of Default with respect
to the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding occurs and is
continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less
than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of this
series may declare the principal amount of all the Securities of this series to
be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to
the Trustee if given by Holders) [if applicable, insert--, provided that, if
upon an Event of Default, the Trustee or such Holders fail to declare the
principal of all the outstanding Securities of this series to be immediately due
and payable, the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the
Capital Securities then outstanding shall have the right to make such
declaration by a notice in writing to the Company and the Trustee]; and upon any
such declaration the principal amount of and the accrued interest (including any
Additional Interest) on all the Securities of this series shall become
immediately due and payable, provided that the payment of principal and interest
(including any Additional Interest) on such Securities shall remain subordinated
to the extent provided in Article XIII of the Indenture.]
[If the Security is a Discount Security, insert--As provided in and subject
to the provisions of the Indenture, if an Event of Default with respect to the
Securities of this series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then
and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of this series may
declare an amount of principal of the Securities of this series to be due and
payable
- 29 -
immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given
by Holders) [if applicable, insert--, provided that, if upon an Event of
Default, the Trustee or such Holders fail to declare such principal amount of
the Outstanding Securities of this series to be immediately due and payable, the
holders of at least 25% in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities then outstanding shall have the right to make such declaration by a
notice in writing to the Company and the Trustee. The principal amount payable
upon such acceleration shall be equal to--insert formula for determining the
amount]. Upon any such declaration, such amount of the principal of and the
accrued interest (including any Additional Interest) on all the Securities of
this series shall become immediately due and payable, provided that the payment
of such principal and interest (including any Additional Interest) on all the
Securities of this series shall remain subordinated to the extent provided in
Article XIII of the Indenture. Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so
declared due and payable and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal, premium
and interest (in each case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall
be legally enforceable), all of the Company's obligations in respect of the
payment of the principal of and premium and interest, if any, on this Security
shall terminate.]
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security 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 Security at the times, place
and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set
forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Securities Register,
upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or
agency of the Company maintained under Section 10.2 of the Indenture for such
purpose, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in
form satisfactory to the Company and the Securities Registrar duly executed by,
the Holder hereof or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing, and
thereupon one or more new Securities of this series, of like tenor, of
authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be
issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without
coupons in denominations of $ _____________
- 30 -
and any integral multiple of $___________ in excess thereof. As provided in the
Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of
this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities
of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as
requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or
exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all
purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
The Company and, by its acceptance of this Security or a beneficial
interest therein, the Holder of, and any Person that acquires a beneficial
interest in, this Security agrees that for United States Federal, state and
local tax purposes it is intended that this Security constitute indebtedness.
THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
THIS SECURITY IS A DIRECT AND UNSECURED OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY, DOES NOT
EVIDENCE DEPOSITS AND IS NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER INSURER OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY. THIS SECURITY WILL BE
SUBORDINATE TO THE CLAIMS OF DEPOSITORS AND GENERAL CREDITORS OF THE COMPANY AND
WILL BE INELIGIBLE AS COLLATERAL TO SECURE A LOAN FROM THE COMPANY.
SECTION 2.4. Additional Provisions Required in Global
Security.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, any Global
Security issued hereunder shall, in addition to the provisions contained in
Sections 2.2 and 2.3, bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING
OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED
IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY.
THIS
- 31 -
SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE
NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE
ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE
AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE
DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF
THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITARY, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN
THE INDENTURE.
SECTION 2.5. Form of Trustee's Certificate of
Authentication.
The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the
following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated: ___________________ BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
as Trustee
By:
-----------------------------
Authorized Officer
ARTICLE III
THE SECURITIES
SECTION 3.1. Title and Terms.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be
established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 3.3,
set forth or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers' Certificate, or
established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance
of Securities as a series:
(a) the title of the securities of such series, which shall distinguish the
Securities of the series from all other Securities;
- 32 -
(b) the limit, if any, upon the aggregate principal amount of the
Securities of such series that may be authenticated and delivered under this
Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration
of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the
series pursuant to Section 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 9.6 or 11.6 and except for any
Securities that, pursuant to Section 3.3, are deemed never to have been
authenticated and delivered hereunder); provided, however, that the authorized
aggregate principal amount of such series may be increased above such amount by
a Board Resolution to such effect;
(c) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be
payable, if other than the Person in whose name that security (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular
Record Date for such interest;
(d) the Stated Maturity or Maturities on which the principal of the
Securities of such series is payable or the method of determination thereof, and
any dates on which or circumstances under which, the Company shall have the
right to extend or shorten such Stated Maturity or Maturities;
(e) the rate or rates, if any, at which the Securities of such series shall
bear interest, if any, the rate or rates and extent to which Additional
Interest, if any, shall be payable with respect to any Securities of such
series, the date or dates from which any such interest or Additional Interest
shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be
payable, the right, pursuant to Section 3.12 or as otherwise set forth therein,
of the Company to defer or extend an Interest Payment Date, and the Regular
Record Date for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date or the method
by which any of the foregoing shall be determined;
(f) the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest or Additional Interest on the Securities of such series shall be
payable, the place or places where the Securities of such series may be
presented for registration of transfer or exchange, any restrictions that may be
applicable to any such transfer or exchange in addition to or in lieu of those
set forth herein and the place or places where notices and demands to or upon
the Company in respect of the Securities of such series may be made;
(g) the period or periods within or the date or dates on which, if any, the
price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities
of such series may be
- 33 -
redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, and if other than
by a Board of Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to
redeem such Securities shall be evidenced;
(h) the obligation or the right, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or
purchase the Securities of such series pursuant to any sinking fund,
amortization or analogous provisions, or at the option of a Holder thereof, and
the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency
or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which and the other terms
and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, repaid or
purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(i) the denominations in which any Securities of such series shall be
issuable;
(j) if other than Dollars, the currency or currencies (including any
currency unit or units) in which the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall
be payable, or in which the Securities of the series shall be denominated and
the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in Dollars for purposes of the
definition of Outstanding;
(k) the additions, modifications or deletions, if any, in the Events of
Default or covenants of the Company set forth herein with respect to the
Securities of such series;
(l) if, other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the
principal amount of Securities of such series that shall be payable upon
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof;
(m) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any
Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates
prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the
principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose
thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be
due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall
be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in
any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount
shall be determined);
(n) if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or in any
specified part, shall be defeasible and, if other than by a Board Resolution,
the manner in which any
- 34 -
election by the Company to defease such Securities shall be evidenced;
(o) the additions or changes, if any, to this Indenture with respect to the
Securities of such series as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the
issuance of the Securities of such series in bearer form, registrable or not
registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons;
(p) any index or indices used to determine the amount of payments of
principal of and premium, if any, on the Securities of such series or the manner
in which such amounts will be determined;
(q) if applicable, that any Securities of the series shall be issuable in
whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case,
the respective Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend
or legends that shall be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in
lieu of that set forth in Section 2.4 and any circumstances in addition to or in
lieu of those set forth in Section 3.5 in which any such Global Security may be
exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and any transfer of
such Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names
of Persons other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee
thereof;
(r) the appointment of any Paying Agent or agents for the Securities of
such series;
(s) the terms of any right to convert or exchange Securities of such series
into any other securities or property of the Company, and the additions or
changes, if any, to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series
to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange;
(t) if such Securities are to be issued to an Issuer Trust, the form or
forms of the Trust Agreement and Guarantee relating thereto;
(u) if, other than as set forth herein, the relative degree, if any, to
which the Securities or the series shall be senior to or be subordinated to
other series of Securities in right of payment, whether such other series of
Securities are Outstanding or not;
(v) any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any
Securities of the series and any change
- 35 -
in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to
declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 5.2;
(w) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article X which
applies to Securities of the series; and
(x) any other terms of the Securities of such series (which terms shall not
be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by
Section 9.1(6)).
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as
to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided herein or in or pursuant
to such Board Resolution and set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in
such Officers' Certificate or in any indenture supplemental hereto.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant
to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and
delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers'
Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.
The securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to Senior
Indebtedness as provided in Article XIII.
SECTION 3.2. Denominations.
The Securities of each series shall be in registered form without coupons
and shall be issuable in denominations specified as contemplated by Section
3.1(i).
SECTION 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and
Dating.
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman
of the Board, its Vice Chairman of the Board, its President or one of its Vice
Presidents, under its corporate seal reproduced or impressed thereon and
attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of
any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.
Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who
were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company,
notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such
offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or
- 36 -
did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities. At any time and from
time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may
deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for
authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and
delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company
Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If the form or terms of
the Securities of the series have been established by or pursuant to one or more
Board Resolutions as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1, in authenticating such
Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture
in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and
(subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of
Counsel stating,
(1) if the form of such Securities has been established by or
pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 2.1, that
such form has been established in conformity with the provisions
of this Indenture;
(2) if the terms of such Securities have been established by
or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 3.1, that
such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions
of this Indenture; and
(3) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by
the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to
any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will
constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company
enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and
similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors' rights and to general equity principles.
If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be
required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities
pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or
immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner that
is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1 and the preceding paragraph,
if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it
shall not be necessary to deliver the Officers' Certificate otherwise required
pursuant
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to Section 3.1 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required
pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the authentication of each
Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the
authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be
issued.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Security a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein
executed by the Trustee by the manual signature of one of its authorized
officers, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence,
and the only evidence, that such security has been duly authenticated and
delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have
been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the
Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for
cancellation as provided in Section 3.10, for all purposes of this Indenture
such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered
hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
SECTION 3.4. Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company
may execute, and upon receipt of a Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate
and deliver, temporary Securities that are printed, lithographed, typewritten,
mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any denomination, substantially of the
tenor of the definitive Securities of such series in lieu of which they are
issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other
variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced
by their execution of such Securities.
If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause
definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay.
After the preparation of definitive Securities, the temporary Securities shall
be exchangeable for definitive Securities upon surrender of the temporary
Securities at the office or agency of the Company designated for that purpose
without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more
temporary Securities, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor one or more
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definitive securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations having
the same Original Issue Date and Stated Maturity and having the same terms as
such temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any
series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this
Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.
SECTION 3.5. Global Securities.
(a) Each Global Security issued under this Indenture shall be registered in
the name of the Depositary designated by the Company for such Global Security or
a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or a nominee thereof or
custodian therefor, and each such Global Security shall constitute a single
Security for all purposes of this Indenture.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, no Global
Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and no
transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name
of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee
thereof unless (i) such Depositary advises the Trustee in writing that such
Depositary is no longer willing or able to properly discharge its
responsibilities as Depositary with respect to such Global Security, and the
Company is unable to locate a qualified successor, (ii) the Company executes and
delivers to the Trustee a Company Order stating that the Company elects to
terminate the book-entry system through the Depositary, or (iii) there shall
have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default.
(c) If any Global Security is to be exchanged for other Securities or
cancelled in whole, it shall be surrendered by or on behalf of the Depositary or
its nominee to the Securities Registrar for exchange or cancellation as provided
in this Article III. If any Global Security is to be exchanged for other
Securities or cancelled in part, or if another Security is to be exchanged in
whole or in part for a beneficial interest in any Global Security, then either
(i) such Global Security shall be so surrendered for exchange or cancellation as
provided in this Article III or (ii) the principal amount thereof shall be
reduced, subject to Section 3.6(b)(v), or increased by an amount equal to the
portion thereof to be so exchanged or cancelled, or equal to the principal
amount of such other Security to be so exchanged for a beneficial interest
therein, as the case may be, by means of an appropriate adjustment made on the
records of the Securities Registrar, whereupon the Trustee, in accordance
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with the Applicable Procedures, shall instruct the Depositary or its authorized
representative to make a corresponding adjustment to its records. Upon any such
surrender or adjustment of a Global Security by the Depositary, accompanied by
registration instructions, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 3.6(b) and as
otherwise provided in this Article III, authenticate and deliver any Securities
issuable in exchange for such Global Security (or any portion thereof) in
accordance with the instructions of the Depositary. The Trustee shall not 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.
(d) Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of
transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security or any portion
thereof, whether pursuant to this Article III, Section 9.6 or 11.6 or otherwise,
shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global
Security, unless such Security is registered in the name of a Person other than
the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof.
(e) The Depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of a Global
Security, shall be the Holder of such Global Security for all purposes under
this Indenture and the Securities, and owners of beneficial interests in a
Global Security shall hold such interests pursuant to the Applicable Procedures.
Accordingly, any such owner's beneficial interest in a Global Security shall be
shown only on, and the transfer of such interest shall be effected only through,
records maintained by the Depositary or its nominee or agent. Neither the
Trustee nor the Securities Registrar shall have any liability in respect of any
transfers effected by the Depositary.
(f) The rights of owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security shall
be exercised only through the Depositary and shall be limited to those
established by law and agreements between such owners and the Depositary and/or
its Agent Members.
SECTION 3.6. Registration, Transfer and Exchange
Generally; Certain Transfers and
Exchanges; Securities Act Legends.
(a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee a register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may
prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and
transfers of Securities. Such register is herein sometimes referred to
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as the "Securities Register." The Trustee is hereby appointed "Securities
Registrar" for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities
as herein provided.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security at the offices
or agencies of the Company designated for that purpose, the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the
designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same
series of any authorized denominations of like tenor and aggregate principal
amount.
At the option of the Holder, Securities may be exchanged for other
Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations, of like tenor and
aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at
such office or agency. Whenever any securities are so surrendered for exchange,
the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the
Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Securities shall be
the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to
the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such
transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for transfer or exchange shall (if
so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied
by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the
Securities Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or such Holder's
attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any transfer or exchange of
Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any
transfer or exchange of Securities.
Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be required, pursuant to the
provisions of this Section, (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange
any Security of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business
15 days before the day of selection for redemption of Securities of that series
pursuant to Article XI and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing
of the notice of redemption, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any
Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the
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case of any such Security to be redeemed in part, any portion thereof not to be
redeemed.
(b) Certain Transfers and Exchanges. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Indenture, transfers and exchanges of Securities and beneficial interests
in a Global Security shall be made only in accordance with this Section 3.6(b).
(i) Non-Global Security to Non-Global Security. A Security that is not
a Global Security may be transferred, in whole or in part, to a Person who
takes delivery in the form of another Security that is not a Global
Security as provided in Section 3.6(a), provided that if the Security to be
transferred in whole or in part is a Restricted Security, the Securities
Registrar shall have received a Restricted Securities Certificate duly
executed by the transferor Holder or such Holder's attorney duly authorized
in writing.
(ii) Exchanges Between Global Security and Non- Global Security. A
beneficial interest in a Global Security may be exchanged for a Security
that is not a Global Security as provided in Section 3.5.
(iii) Certain Initial Transfers of Non-Global Securities. In the case
of Securities initially issued other than in global form, an initial
transfer or exchange of such Securities that does not involve any change in
beneficial ownership may be made to an Institutional Accredited Investor or
Investors as if such transfer or exchange were not an initial transfer or
exchange; provided that written certification shall be provided by the
transferee and transferor of such Securities to the Securities Registrar
that such transfer or exchange does not involve a change in beneficial
ownership.
SECTION 3.7. Mutilated, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee together with such
security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save
each of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series,
of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, bearing the same legends, and
bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence
to their satisfaction of the destruction,
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loss or theft of any Security, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be
required by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice
to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona
fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen
Security, a new Security of the same series, of like tenor and aggregate
principal amount and bearing the same legends as such destroyed, lost or stolen
Security, and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is
about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of
issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 3.7, the Company
may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other
expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any
destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional
contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or
stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be
entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with
any and all other Securities of such series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
SECTION 3.8. Payment of Interest and Additional
Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Interest and Additional Interest on any Security of any series that is
payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment
Date, shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular
Record Date for such interest in respect of Securities of such series, except
that, unless otherwise provided in the Securities of such series, interest
payable on the Stated Maturity of the principal of a Security shall be
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paid to the Person to whom principal is paid. The initial payment of interest on
any Security of any series that is issued between a Regular Record Date and the
related Interest Payment Date shall be payable as provided in such Security or
in the Board Resolution pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to the related
series of Securities.
Any interest on any Security that is due and payable, but is not timely
paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of such
series (herein called "Defaulted Interest"), shall forthwith cease to be payable
to the registered Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having
been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its
election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:
(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to
the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series in respect of
which interest is in default (or their respective Predecessor Securities)
are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the
payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following
manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of
Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security and the date of the
proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the
Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be
paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements
satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the
proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the
benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this
clause provided. Thereupon, the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for
the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be not more than 15
days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment
and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of
the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such
Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company,
shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and
the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first class, postage
prepaid, to each Holder of a Security of such series at the address of such
Holder as it appears in the Securities Register not less than 10 days prior
to such Special Record Date. The Trustee may, in its discretion, in the
name and at the expense of the Company, cause a similar notice to be
published at least once in a newspaper, customarily
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published in the English language on each Business Day and of general
circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, but such
publication shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment of such
Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted
Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as
aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose
names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor
Securities) are registered on such Special Record Date and shall no longer
be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any
other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any
securities exchange on which the Securities of the series in respect of
which interest is in default may be listed and, upon such notice as may be
required by such exchange (or by the Trustee if the Securities are not
listed), if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the
proposed payment pursuant to this clause 2, such payment shall be deemed
practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security
delivered under this Indenture upon transfer of or in exchange for or in
lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and
unpaid, and to accrue interest, that were carried by such other Security.
SECTION 3.9. Persons Deemed Owners.
The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall
treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such
Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and (subject to
Section 3.8) any interest on such Security and for all other purposes
whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company,
the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by
notice to the contrary.
No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Security held on its
behalf by a Depositary shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect
to such Global Security, and such Depositary may be treated by the Company, the
Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the owner of such Global
Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing
herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the
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Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other
authorization furnished by a Depositary or impair, as between a Depositary and
such holders of beneficial interests, the operation of customary practices
governing the exercise of the rights of the Depositary (or its nominee) as
Holder of any Security.
SECTION 3.10. Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, transfer or exchange
shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the
Trustee, and any such Securities and Securities surrendered directly to the
Trustee for any such purpose shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may
at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously
authenticated and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any
manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by
the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for
any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly
permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Securities shall be destroyed by the
Trustee and the Trustee shall deliver to the Company a certificate of such
destruction.
SECTION 3.11. Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities
of any series, interest on the Securities of each series for any period shall be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the actual
number of days elapsed in any partial month in such period, and interest on the
Securities of each series for a full period shall be computed by dividing the
rate per annum by the number of interest periods that together constitute a full
twelve months.
SECTION 3.12. Deferrals of Interest Payment Dates.
If specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 or Section 3.1 with respect to
the Securities of a particular series, so long as no Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, the Company shall have the right, at any time during
the term of such series, from time to time to defer the payment of interest on
such Securities for such period or periods (each an "Extension Period") not to
exceed the number of consecutive quarterly, semi-annual or other periods that
equal five years with respect to each Extension Period, during which Extension
Periods the Company shall, if so specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, have
the right to make partial payments of
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interest on any Interest Payment Date. No Extension Period shall end on a date
other than an Interest Payment Date. At the end of any such Extension Period,
the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid on the Securities
(together with Additional Interest thereon, if any, at the rate specified for
the Securities of such series to the extent permitted by applicable law);
provided, however, that no Extension Period shall extend beyond the Stated
Maturity of the principal of the Securities of such series; and provided
further, however, that, during any such Extension Period, the Company 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 Company's
capital stock, 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 Company
that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the
Securities of such series including the Company's obligations associated with
the Outstanding Capital Securities (other than (a) 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 any 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,
(b) as a result of an 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, (c) 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, (d) any declaration of a
dividend in connection with any Rights Plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or
other property under any Rights Plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights
pursuant thereto, or (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). Prior
to that termination of any such Extension Period, the Company may further defer
the payment of interest, provided that no Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing and provided further, that no Extension Period shall exceed the
period or
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periods specified in such Securities, extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the
principal of such Securities or end on a date other than an Interest Payment
Date. Upon the termination of any such Extension Period and upon the payment of
all accrued and unpaid interest and any Additional Interest then due on any
Interest Payment Date, the Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period,
subject to the above conditions. 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 as and to the extent as may
be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1. The Company shall give the Holders
of the Securities of such series and the Trustee notice of its election to begin
any such Extension Period at least one Business Day prior to the next succeeding
Interest Payment Date on which interest on Securities of such series would be
payable but for such deferral or, with respect to any Securities of a series
issued to an Issuer Trust, so long as any such Securities are held by such
Issuer Trust, at least one Business Day prior to the earlier of (i) the next
succeeding date on which Distributions on the Capital Securities of such Issuer
Trust would be payable but for such deferral, and (ii) the date on which the
Property Trustee of such Issuer Trust is required to give notice to holders of
such Capital Securities of the record date or the date such Distributions are
payable, but in any event not less than one Business Day prior to such record
date.
The Trustee shall promptly give notice of the Company's election to begin
any such Extension Period to the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such
series.
SECTION 3.13. Right of Set-Off.
With respect to the Securities of a series initially issued to an Issuer
Trust, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company shall have
the right to set off any payment it is otherwise required to make in respect of
any such Security to the extent the Company has theretofore made, or is
concurrently on the date of such payment making, a payment under the Guarantee
relating to such Security or to a holder of Capital Securities pursuant to an
action undertaken under Section 5.8 of this Indenture.
SECTION 3.14. Agreed Tax Treatment.
Each Security issued hereunder shall provide that the Company and, by its
acceptance of a Security or a beneficial interest therein, the Holder of, and
any Person that acquires
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a beneficial interest in, such Security agree that for United States Federal,
state and local tax purposes it is intended that such Security constitutes
indebtedness.
SECTION 3.15. Shortening or Extension of Stated
Maturity.
If specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 or Section 3.1 with respect to
the Securities of a particular series, the Company shall have the right to (i)
shorten the Stated Maturity of the principal of the Securities of such series at
any time to any date and (ii) extend the Stated Maturity of the principal of the
Securities of such series at any time at its election for one or more periods,
provided that, if the Company elects to exercise its right to extend the Stated
Maturity of the principal of the Securities of such series pursuant to clause
(ii) above, at the time such election is made and at the time of extension, such
conditions as may be specified in such Securities shall have been satisfied.
SECTION 3.16. CUSIP Numbers.
The Company, in issuing the Securities, may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then
generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notice
of redemption and other similar or related materials as a convenience to
Holders; provided that any such notice or other materials 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 or other materials
and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed
on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect
in or omission of such numbers.
ARTICLE IV
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall, upon Company Request, cease to be of further effect
(except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities herein expressly provided for and as otherwise provided in this
Section 4.1) and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company,
shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of
this Indenture, when
(1) either
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(A) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other
than (i) Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that
have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.7 and (ii)
Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in
trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter
repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in
Section 10.3) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee
for cancellation
(i) have become due and payable, or
(ii) will become due and payable at their
Stated Maturity within one year of the date of
deposit, or
(iii) are to be called for redemption within one
year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for
the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the
name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company, in the case of subclause (B)(i), (ii) or (iii) above, has
deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for
such purpose an amount in the currency or currencies in which the Securities of
such series are payable sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness
on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,
for the principal (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional
Interest) to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities that have
become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the
case may be;
(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable
hereunder by the Company; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and
an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided
for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been
complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the
obligations of the Company to the Trustee
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under Section 6.7, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating
Agent under Section 6.14 and, if money shall have been deposited with the
Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section, the
obligations of the Trustee under Section 4.2 and the last paragraph of
Section 10.3 shall survive.
SECTION 4.2 Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money
deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 shall be held in trust and
applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and
this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent
(including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may
determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if
any) and interest and Additional Interest for the payment of which such money or
obligations have been deposited with or received by the Trustee.
ARTICLE V
REMEDIES
SECTION 5.1. Events of Default.
"Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to the Securities of
any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such
Event of Default 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):
(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that
series, including any Additional Interest in respect thereof, when it
becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30
days (subject to the deferral of any due date in the case of an Extension
Period); or
(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any,
on) any Security of that series at its Maturity; or
(3) failure on the part of the Company duly to observe or perform any
other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Company in the
Securities of that series or in this Indenture for a period of 90
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days after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the
Company to remedy the same, shall have been given to the Company by the
Trustee by registered or certified mail or to the Company and the Trustee
by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series; or
(4) the occurrence of the appointment of a receiver or other similar
official in any liquidation, insolvency or similar proceeding with respect
to the Company or all or substantially all of its property; or a court or
other governmental agency shall enter a decree or order and such decree or
order shall remain unstayed and undischarged for a period of 60 days; or
(5) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of
that series.
SECTION 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and
Annulment.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section
5.1(4)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs
and is continuing, then, and in every such case, the Trustee or the Holders of
not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of
that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Securities of that
series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be
specified in the terms of that series) of all the Securities of that series to
be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to
the Trustee if given by Holders), provided that, in the case of the Securities
of a series issued to an Issuer Trust, if, upon an Event of Default, the Trustee
or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of such series fail to declare the principal of all the Outstanding
Securities of such series to be immediately due and payable, the holders of at
least 25% in aggregate Liquidation Amount (as defined in the related Trust
Agreement) of the related series of Capital Securities issued by such Issuer
Trust then outstanding shall have the right to make such declaration by a notice
in writing to the Company and the Trustee; and upon any such declaration such
principal amount (or specified portion thereof) of and the accrued interest
(including any Additional Interest) on all the Securities of such series shall
become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section
5.1(4) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs,
the principal amount of all the Securities
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of such series (or, if the Securities of such series are Discount Securities,
such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by
the terms of that series) shall automatically, and without any declaration or
other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due
and payable. Payment of principal and interest (including any Additional
Interest) on such Securities shall remain subordinated to the extent provided in
Article XIII notwithstanding that such amount shall become immediately due and
payable as herein provided.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for
payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this
Article provided, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the
Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum
sufficient to pay:
(A) all overdue installments of interests on all Securities of
such series;
(B) any accrued Additional Interest on all Securities of such
series;
(C) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of
such series that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of
acceleration and interest and Additional Interest thereon at the rate
borne by the Securities; and
(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee, its agents and counsel; and
(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series,
other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series
that has become due solely by such acceleration, have been cured or waived
as provided in Section 5.13.
In the case of Securities of a series initially issued to an Issuer Trust,
if the Holders of such Securities fail to annul such declaration and waive such
default, the holders of a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount (as defined
in the
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related Trust Agreement) of the related series of Capital Securities issued by
such Issuer Trust then outstanding shall also have the right to rescind and
annul such declaration and its consequences by written notice to the Company and
the Trustee, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in clauses
(1) and (2) above of this section 5.2.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereon.
SECTION 5.3 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for
Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if:
(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest
(including any Additional Interest) on any Security of any series when such
interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of
30 days, or
(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (and premium,
if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof,
the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the
benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and
payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest
(including any Additional Interest), and, in addition thereto, all amounts
owing the Trustee under Section 6.7.
If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the
Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a
judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may
prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same
against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the
monies adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of
the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities, wherever
situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and
is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce
its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such
appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to
protect and enforce any such rights, whether
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for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or
in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other
proper remedy.
SECTION 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy,
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial or
administrative proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the
Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their
creditors,
(a) the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities of
any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration
or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand
on the Company for the payment of overdue principal (and premium, if any) or
interest (including any Additional Interest)) shall be entitled and empowered,
by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and
premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest) owing and
unpaid in respect to the Securities and to file such other papers or
documents as may be necessary or advisable and to take any and all actions
as are authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to have the claims
of the Holders and any predecessor to the Trustee under Section 6.7 allowed
in any such judicial or administrative proceedings; and
(ii) in particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and
receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such
claims and to distribute the same in accordance with Section 5.6; and
(b) any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator,
conservator (or other similar official) in any such judicial or administrative
proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the
Trustee for distribution in accordance with Section 5.6, and in the event that
the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the
Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it and any predecessor Trustee
under Section 6.7.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to accept or adopt on behalf
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of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition
affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize
the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such
proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders,
vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a
member of a creditors' or other similar committee.
SECTION 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claim Without
Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may
be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the
Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any
such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as
trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, subject to
Article XIII and after provision for the payment of all the amounts owing the
Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.7, its agents and counsel,
be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which
such judgment has been recovered.
SECTION 5.6 Application of Money Collected.
Any money or property collected or to be applied by the Trustee with
respect to a series of Securities pursuant to this Article shall be applied in
the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of
the distribution of such money or property on account of principal (or premium,
if any) or interest (including any Additional Interest), upon presentation of
the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid
and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor
Trustee under Section 6.7;
SECOND: Subject to Article XIII, to the payment of the amounts then due and
unpaid upon Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any) and
interest (including any Additional Interest) in respect of which or for the
benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or
priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such series of
Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest (including any
Additional Interest), respectively; and
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THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Person or Persons entitled thereto.
SECTION 5.7 Limitation on Suits.
Subject to Section 5.8, no Holder of any Securities of any series shall
have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect
to this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver, assignee, trustee,
liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) or for any other remedy
hereunder, unless:
(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of
a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that
series;
(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of
the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request
to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default
in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in
compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request
and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given
to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have
any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing itself of, any
provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any
other Holders of Securities, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or
preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this
Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable
benefit of all such Holders.
SECTION 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium
and Interest; Direct Action by Holders of Capital Securities.
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Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any
Security of any series shall have the right, which is absolute and
unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and
(subject to Sections 3.8 and 3.12) interest (including any Additional Interest)
on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security
(or in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for
the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired
without the consent of such Holder. In the case of Securities of a series issued
to an Issuer Trust, any registered holder of the series of Capital Securities
issued by such Issuer Trust shall have the right, upon the occurrence of an
Event of Default described in Section 5.1(1) or 5.1(2), to institute a suit
directly against the Company for enforcement of payment to such holder of
principal of (premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 3.8 and 3.12) interest
(including any Additional Interest) on the Securities having a principal amount
equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount (as defined in the related Trust
Agreement) of such Capital Securities held by such holder.
SECTION 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee, any Holder or any holder of Capital Securities issued by
any Issuer Trust has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy
under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for
any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee, such Holder or such
holder of Capital Securities, then, and in every such case, the Company, the
Trustee, such Holders and such holder of Capital Securities 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
Trustee, such Holder and such holder of Capital Securities shall continue as
though no such proceeding had been instituted.
SECTION 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided in the last paragraph of Section 3.7, no right
or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or the Holders is
intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and
remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to
every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law
or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy
hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent
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assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
SECTION 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee, any Holder of any Security with
respect to the Securities of the related series or any holder of any Capital
Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default with
respect to the Securities of the related series shall impair any such right or
remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence
therein.
Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to
the Holders and the right and remedy given to the holders of Capital Securities
by Section 5.8 may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed
expedient, by the Trustee, the Holders or the holders of Capital Securities, as
the case may be.
SECTION 5.12. Control by Holders.
The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with
respect to the Securities of such series, provided that:
(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or
with this Indenture,
(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee
that is not inconsistent with such direction, and
(3) subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have
the right to decline to follow such direction if a Responsible Officer or
Officers of the Trustee shall, in good faith, determine that the proceeding
so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders not joining in any
such direction or would involve the Trustee in personal liability.
SECTION 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Outstanding Securities of any series affected thereby and, in the case of
any Securities of a
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series initially issued to an Issuer Trust, the holders of a majority in
aggregate Liquidation Amount (as defined in the related Trust Agreement) of the
Capital Securities issued by such Issuer Trust may waive any past default
hereunder and its consequences with respect to such series except a default:
(1) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest (including any Additional Interest) on any Security of such series
(unless such default has been cured and the Company has paid to or
deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments
of interest (including Additional Interest) and all principal of (and
premium, if any, on) all Securities of that series due otherwise than by
acceleration), or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof that under Article IX
cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each Holder of any
Outstanding Security of such series affected.
Any such waiver shall be deemed to be on behalf of the Holders of all the
Securities of such series, or in the case of waiver by holders of Capital
Securities issued by such Issuer Trust, by all holders of Capital Securities
issued by such Issuer Trust.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of
Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose
of this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 5.14. Undertaking for Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his
acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may, in its
discretion, require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy
under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or
omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an
undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may, in its
discretion, assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and
good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant, but the
provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the
Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in
the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the
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Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder
for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest (including any Additional Interest) on any Security on or after the
respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security.
SECTION 5.15. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it
will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or
take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever
enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants
or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such
law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any
power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of
every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE VI
THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 6.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default,
(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties
as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants
or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of
the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to
the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture, but in
the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provisions hereof
are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall
be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they
conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
(b) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee
shall exercise such of the rights and
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powers vested in it by this Indenture, 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.
(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the
Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure
to act or its own willful misconduct except that
(1) this subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of
subsection (a) of this Section;
(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in
good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the
Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(3) the 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 Holders pursuant to Section 5.12 relating to the time, method and place
of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this
Indenture with respect to the Securities of a series.
(d) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or
risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance
of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or
powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of
such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not
reasonably assured to it.
(e) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this
Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording
protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
SECTION 6.2. Notice of Defaults.
Within 90 days after actual knowledge by a Responsible Officer of the
Trustee of the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the
Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of
Securities of such series, as their names and addresses appear in the Securities
Register, notice of such default, unless such default shall have been cured or
waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment
of the
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principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (including any Additional
Interest) on any Security of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in
withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive
committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the
Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the
interests of the Holders of Securities of such series; and provided further,
that, in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 5.1(3),
no such notice to Holders of Securities of such series shall be given until at
least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the
term "default" means any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time or both
would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.
SECTION 6.3. Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1:
(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining
from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, Security or
other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or
presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be
sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution
of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem
it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering
or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein
specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon
an Officers' Certificate;
(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or
any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection
in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good
faith and in reliance thereon;
(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights
or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of
the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered
to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs,
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expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such
request or direction;
(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts
or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, indenture,
Security or other paper or document, but the Trustee in its discretion may make
such inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and,
if the Trustee shall determine to make such inquiry or investigation, it shall
be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company,
personally or by agent or attorney; and
(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it
hereunder.
SECTION 6.4. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance
of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's
certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company,
and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility
for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity
or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor
any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the
Company of the Securities or the proceeds thereof.
SECTION 6.5. May Hold Securities.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Securities
Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other
capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections
6.8 and 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would
have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Securities
Registrar or such other agent.
SECTION 6.6. Money Held in Trust.
Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no
liability for interest on
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any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.
SECTION 6.7. Compensation and Reimbursement.
(a) The Company agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable
compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in such amounts as the
Company and the Trustee 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).
(b) Since the Trust is being formed solely to facilitate an investment in
the Trust Securities, the Company, as borrower, hereby covenants to pay all
debts and obligations (other than with respect to the Capital Securities and the
Common Securities) and all costs and expenses of the Issuer Trust (including
without limitation all costs and expenses relating to the organization of the
Issuer Trust, the fees and expenses of the trustees and all costs and expenses
relating to the operation of the Issuer Trust) and to pay any and all taxes,
duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (other than
withholding taxes) imposed on the Issuer Trust by the United States, or any
taxing authority, so that the net amounts received and retained by the Issuer
Trust and the Property Trustee after paying such expenses will be equal to the
amounts the Issuer Trust and the Property Trustee would have received had no
such costs or expenses been incurred by or imposed on the Issuer Trust. The
foregoing obligations of the Company are for the benefit of, and shall be
enforceable by, any person to whom any such debts, obligations, costs, expenses
and taxes are owed (each, a "Creditor") whether or not such Creditor has
received notice thereof. Any such Creditor may enforce such obligations of the
Company directly against the Company, and the Company irrevocably waives any
right or remedy to require that any such Creditor take any action against the
Issuer Trust or any other person before proceeding against the Company. The
Company shall execute such additional agreements as may be necessary or
desirable to give full effect to the foregoing.
(c) The Company shall indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless
against, any loss, liability or expense (including the reasonable compensation
and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel) incurred without
negligence or bad faith, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or
administration of this trust or the performance of its duties hereunder,
including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or
liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its
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powers or duties hereunder. This indemnification shall survive the termination
of this Indenture or the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
(d) The Company agrees to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all
reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee
in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable
compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel),
except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its
negligence or bad faith.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of
Default specified in Section 5.1(4) occurs, the expenses and the compensation
for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the
Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 or any successor statute.
SECTION 6.8. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.
The Trustee for the Securities of any series issued hereunder shall be
subject to the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Nothing
herein shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the Commission the application
referred to in the second to last paragraph of said Section 310(b).
SECTION 6.9. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be:
(a) an entity organized and doing business under the laws of the United
States of America or of any state or territory thereof or of the District of
Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and
subject to supervision or examination by Federal, state, territorial or District
of Columbia authority, or
(b) an entity or other Person organized and doing business under the laws
of a foreign government that is permitted to act as Trustee pursuant to a rule,
regulation or order of the Commission, authorized under such laws to exercise
corporate trust powers, and subject to supervision or examination by authority
of such foreign government or a political subdivision thereof substantially
equivalent to supervision or examination applicable to United States
institutional trustees;
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in either case having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000,
subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state authority. If such
entity publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to
the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then, for
the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such entity
shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most
recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease
to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall
resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in
this Article. Neither the Company nor any Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company shall serve
as Trustee for the Securities of any series issued hereunder.
SECTION 6.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of
Successor.
(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a
successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the
acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee under Section 6.11.
(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of
one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If an
instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to
the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the
resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such
series.
(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities
of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to
the Company.
(d) If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 6.8 after written
request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide
Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.9 and shall
fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such
Holder, or
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(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged
a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property
shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of
the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;
then, in any such case, (i) the Company, acting pursuant to the authority of a
Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to the Securities of all
series issued hereunder, or (ii) subject to Section 5.14, any Holder who has
been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of
such Holder and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of
all series issued hereunder and the appointment of a successor Trustee or
Trustees.
(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting,
or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect
to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution,
shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of
that or those series. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or
incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of
such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor
Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment,
become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and
supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor
Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so
appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner
hereinafter provided, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security
of such series for at least six months may, subject to Section 5.14, on behalf
of such Holder and all others similarly situated, petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect
to the Securities of such series.
(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of
the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of
a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing
written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the
Holders of Securities of such series as their names and
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addresses appear in the Securities Register. Each notice shall include the name
of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the
address of its Corporate Trust Office.
SECTION 6.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with
respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall
execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an
instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal
of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee,
without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the
rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request
of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon
payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such
successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and
shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property
and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the
retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of
one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto
wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall
contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and
confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers,
trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that
or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2)
if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall
contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm
that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with
respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring
Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and
(3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be
necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts
hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or
in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees or co-trustees of
the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts
hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder
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administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of
such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee
shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each removal of the
retiring Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become
vested with all the rights, powers, trusts, and duties of the retiring Trustee
with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment
of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any
successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver
to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee
hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the
appointment of such successor Trustee relates.
(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute
any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming
to such successor Trustee all rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph
(a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless, at the time
of such acceptance, such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under
this Article.
SECTION 6.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or
Succession to Business.
Any entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which
it may be consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any entity succeeding to
all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall
be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such entity shall be
otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or
filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.
In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the
Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to
such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the
Securities so authenticated, and in case any Securities shall not have been
authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities
either in the name of any predecessor Trustee or in the name of such successor
Trustee, and in all cases the certificate of authentication shall have the full
force which it is provided anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture that
the certificate of the Trustee shall have.
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SECTION 6.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against
Company.
If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or
any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against
the Company (or any such other obligor).
SECTION 6.14. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to
one or more series of Securities, which shall be authorized to act on behalf of
the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue
and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or
pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to
the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all
purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is
made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the
Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be
deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an
Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the
Company and shall at all times be an entity organized and doing business under
the laws of the United States of America, or of any state or territory thereof
or of the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as
Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than
$50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state
authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least
annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or
examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section the combined capital
and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined
capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so
published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in
accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall
resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
Any entity into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or
with which it may be consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party,
or any entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust
business of an Authenticating Agent shall
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be the successor Authenticating Agent hereunder, provided such entity shall be
otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any
paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice
thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate
the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such
Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of
resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating
Agent, which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such
appointment in the manner provided in Section 1.6 to all Holders of Securities
of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any
successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance hereunder shall become vested
with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like
effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor
Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provision of
this Section.
The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time
reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustee
shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payment, subject to the provisions
of Section 6.7.
If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to
this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in
addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternative
certificate of authentication in the following form:
This is one of the Securities referred to in the within mentioned
Indenture.
Dated:__________________________ BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
as Trustee
By:
------------------------------
As Authenticating Agent
Name:
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Title:
By:
----------------------------
Authorized Officer
Name:
Title:
ARTICLE VII
HOLDER'S LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE,
PAYING AGENT AND COMPANY
SECTION 7.1. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and
Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(a) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after January 15 and July 15 in
each year, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the
names and addresses of the Holders as of such dates, and
(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30
days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar
form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list
is furnished, excluding from any such list names and addresses received by the
Trustee in its capacity as Securities Registrar.
SECTION 7.2. Preservation of Information,
Communications to Holders.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent
list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.1 and the names and
addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Securities
Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 7.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(b) The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to
their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding
rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided in the Trust
Indenture Act.
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(c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees
with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor
any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the
disclosure of information as to the names and addresses of the Holders made
pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 7.3. Reports by Trustee and Paying Agent.
(a) The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the
Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the
Trust Indenture Act, at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.
(b) Reports so required to be transmitted at stated intervals of not more
than 12 months shall be transmitted no later than January 31 in each calendar
year, commencing with the first January 31 after the first issuance of
Securities under this Indenture.
(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to
Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each securities exchange upon which any
Securities are listed and also with the Commission. The Company will notify the
Trustee when any Securities are listed on any securities exchange.
(d) The Paying Agent shall comply with all withholding, backup withholding,
tax and information reporting requirements under the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder with respect to
payments on, or with respect to, the Securities.
SECTION 7.4. Reports by Company.
The Company shall file or cause to be filed with the Trustee and with the
Commission, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other
reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided in the Trust Indenture
Act. In the case of information, documents or reports required to be filed with
the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act,
the Company shall file or cause the filing of such information, documents or
reports with the Trustee within 15 days after the same are required to be filed
with the Commission.
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ARTICLE VIII
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
SECTION 8.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on
Certain Terms.
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety
to any Person, and no Person shall consolidate with or merge into the Company or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety
to the Company, unless:
(1) If the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another Person
or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an
entirety to any Person, the entity formed by such consolidation or into
which the Company is merged or the Person that acquires by conveyance or
transfer, or that leases, the properties and assets of the Company
substantially as an entirety shall be an entity organized and existing
under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the
District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture
supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form
satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal
of (and premium, if any), and interest (including any Additional Interest)
on all the Securities of every series and the performance of every covenant
of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of
Default, and no event that, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would
constitute an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger,
conveyance, transfer or lease and any such supplemental indenture comply
with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for
relating to such transaction have been complied with and, in the case of a
transaction subject to this Section 8.1 but not requiring a supplemental
indenture under paragraph (1) of this Section 8.1, an Officer's Certificate
or Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the surviving, resulting or
successor entity is legally bound by the Indenture and the Securities; and
the Trustee, subject to Section 6.1,
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may rely upon such Officers' Certificates and Opinions of Counsel as
conclusive evidence that such transaction complies with this Section 8.1.
SECTION 8.2. Successor Company Substituted.
Upon any consolidation or merger by the Company with or into any other
Person, or any conveyance, transfer or lease by the Company of its properties
and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person in accordance with Section
8.1, the successor entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Company
is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed
to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the
Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person
had been named as the Company herein; and in the event of any such conveyance,
transfer or lease the Company shall be discharged from all obligations and
covenants under the Indenture and the Securities.
Such successor Person may cause to be executed, and may issue either in its
own name or in the name of the Company, any or all of the Securities issuable
hereunder that theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and
delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor Person instead
of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this
Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any
Securities that previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers
of the Company to the Trustee for authentication pursuant to such provisions and
any Securities that such successor Person thereafter shall cause to be executed
and delivered to the Trustee on its behalf for the purpose pursuant to such
provisions. All the Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same
legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or
thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or lease, such
changes in phraseology and form may be made in the Securities thereafter to be
issued as may be appropriate.
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ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 9.1. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board
Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may amend or
waive any provision of this Indenture or may enter into one or more indentures
supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the
following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, and
the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein
and in the Securities contained; or
(2) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or
with the Trustee or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon
the Company; or
(3) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as
permitted by Sections 2.1 or 3.1; or
(4) to facilitate the issuance of Securities of any series in
certificated or other definitive form; or
(5) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the
Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be
for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such
covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of the series
specified) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the
Company; or
(6) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the
Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such additional Events
of Defaults are to be for the benefit of less than all series of
Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly
being included solely for the benefit of the series specified); or
(7) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture,
provided that any such change or elimination shall (a) become effective
only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to
the execution of such supplemental indenture that is
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entitled to the benefit of such provision or (b) not apply to any
Outstanding Securities; or
(8) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision
herein that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision
herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or
questions arising under this Indenture, provided that such action pursuant
to this clause (8) shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders
of Securities of any series in any material respect or, in the case of the
Securities of a series issued to an Issuer Trust and for so long as any of
the corresponding series of Capital Securities issued by such Issuer Trust
shall remain outstanding, the holders of such Capital Securities; or
(9) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or
more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture
as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of
the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements
of Section 6.11(b); or
(10) to comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to
effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act.
SECTION 9.2. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of
Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such
supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the
Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may
enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of
adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the
provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the
Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however,
that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of
each Outstanding Security of each series affected thereby,
(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment
of interest (including any Additional Interest) on, any Security, or reduce
the principal
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amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon
the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of principal of a Discount
Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration
of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2, or change the place of
payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Security or interest
thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the
enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof
(or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or
(2) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is
required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose
Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions
of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences)
provided for in this Indenture, or
(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 5.13 or
Section 10.5, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that
certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived
without the consent of the Holder of each Security affected thereby;
provided, further, that, in the case of the Securities of a series issued
to an Issuer Trust, so long as any of the corresponding series of Capital
Securities issued by such Issuer Trust remains outstanding, (i) no such
amendment shall be made that adversely affects the holders of such Capital
Securities in any material respect, and no termination of this Indenture
shall occur, and no waiver of any Event of Default or compliance with any
covenant under this Indenture shall be effective, without the prior consent
of the holders of at least a majority of the aggregate Liquidation Amount
(as defined in the related Trust Agreement) of such Capital Securities then
outstanding unless and until the principal of (and premium, if any, on) the
Securities of such series and all accrued and (subject to Section 3.8)
unpaid interest (including any Additional Interest) thereon have been paid
in full, and (ii) no amendment shall be made to Section 5.8 of this
Indenture that would impair the rights of the holders of Capital Securities
issued by an Issuer Trust provided therein without the prior consent of the
holders of each such Capital Security then outstanding unless and until the
principal of (and premium, if any, on) the Securities of such series and
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all accrued and (subject to Section 3.8) unpaid interest (including any
Additional Interest) thereon have been paid in full.
A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other
provision of this Indenture that has expressly been included solely for the
benefit of one or more particular series of Securities or any corresponding
series of Capital Securities of an Issuer Trust that holds the Securities of any
series, or that modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series
or holders of such Capital Securities of such corresponding series with respect
to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights
under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series or holders
of Capital Securities of any other such corresponding series.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to
approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall
be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
SECTION 9.3. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing or accepting the additional trusts created by any supplemental
indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts
created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and
(subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such
supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, and that
all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such action have been
complied with. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any
such supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or
immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION 9.4. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this
Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder
of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder
shall be bound thereby.
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SECTION 9.5. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall
conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
SECTION 9.6. Reference in Securities to Supplemental
Indentures.
Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by
the Company, bear a notation in form approved by the Company as to any matter
provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine,
new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the
Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the
Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for
Outstanding Securities of such series.
ARTICLE X
COVENANTS
SECTION 10.1. Payment of Principal, Premium and
Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of
Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium,
if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest) on the Securities of
that series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.
SECTION 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of
Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented
or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered
for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or
upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture
may be served. The Company initially appoints the Trustee, acting through its
Corporate Trust Office, as its agent for said purposes. The Company will give
prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change in the location of any such
office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain such office
or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such
presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be
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made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company
hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations,
surrenders, notices and demands.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices
or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all
of such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided,
however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the
Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of
Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give
prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation and any change in
the location of any such office or agency.
SECTION 10.3. Money for Security Payments to be Held in
Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect
to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest)
on any of the Securities of such series, segregate and hold in trust for the
benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal
(and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional Interest) so becoming
due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as
herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents, it will, prior
to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on each due date of the principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest, including Additional Interest on any Securities,
deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium,
if any) or interest, including Additional Interest so becoming due, such sum to
be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal (and
premium, if any) or interest, including Additional Interest, and (unless such
Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its
failure so to act.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to execute
and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree
with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying
Agent will:
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(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and
premium, if any, or interest (including Additional Interest) on the Securities
of a series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such
sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;
(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other
obligor upon such Securities) in the making of any payment of principal (and
premium, if any) or interest (or Additional Interest) in respect of any Security
of any Series;
(3) at any time during the continuance of any default with respect to a
series of Securities, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to
the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent with respect to such
series; and
(4) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it
as a Paying Agent.
The Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction
and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company
Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by
the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the
same terms as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying
Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying
Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by
the Company in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any)
or interest (including Additional Interest) on any Security and remaining
unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest
(including Additional Interest) has become due and payable shall (unless
otherwise required by mandatory provision of applicable escheat or abandoned or
unclaimed property law) be paid on Company Request to the Company, or (if then
held by the Company) shall (unless otherwise required by mandatory provision of
applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law) be discharged from
such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured
general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all
liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money,
and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease;
provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being
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required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to
be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily
published on each Business Day and of general circulation in the Borough of
Manhattan, the City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and
that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from
the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining
will be repaid to the Company.
SECTION 10.4. Statement as to Compliance.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of
each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers'
Certificate covering the preceding calendar year, stating whether or not to the
best knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the
performance, observance or fulfillment of or compliance with any of the terms,
provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture, and if the Company shall
be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of
which they may have knowledge. For the purpose of this Section 10.4, compliance
shall be determined without regard to any grace period or requirement of notice
provided pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
SECTION 10.5. Waiver of Certain Covenants.
Subject to the rights of holders of Capital Securities specified in Section
9.2, if any, the Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any
covenant or condition provided pursuant to Section 3.1, 9.1(3) or 9.1(4) with
respect to the Securities of any series, if before or after the time for such
compliance the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either
waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such
covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such
covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such
waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company in respect of any
such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 10.6. Additional Sums.
In the case of the Securities of a series initially issued to an Issuer
Trust, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and except
as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 or Section 3.1, if (i) an
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Issuer Trust is the Holder of all of the Outstanding Securities of such series,
and (ii) a Tax Event described in clause (i) or (iii) of the definition of the
term "Tax Event" in Section 1.1 hereof has occurred and is continuing in respect
of such Issuer Trust, the Company shall pay to such Issuer Trust (and its
permitted successors or assigns under the related Trust Agreement) for so long
as such Issuer Trust (or its permitted successor or assignee) is the registered
holder of the Outstanding Securities of such series, such additional sums as may
be necessary in order that the amount of Distributions (including any Additional
Amounts (as defined in such Trust Agreement)) then due and payable by such
Issuer Trust on the related Capital Securities and Common Securities that at any
time remain outstanding in accordance with the terms thereof shall not be
reduced as a result of such Additional Taxes (the "Additional Sums"). Whenever
in this Indenture or the Securities there is a reference in any context to the
payment of principal of or interest on the Securities, such mention shall be
deemed to include mention of the payments of the Additional Sums provided for in
this paragraph to the extent that, in such context, Additional Sums are, were or
would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph
and express mention of the payment of Additional Sums (if applicable) in any
provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Sums in those
provisions hereof where such express mention is not made; provided, however,
that the deferral of the payment of interest pursuant to Section 3.12 on the
Securities shall not defer the payment of any Additional Sums that may be due
and payable.
SECTION 10.7. Additional Covenants.
The Company covenants and agrees with each Holder of Securities of each
series that it shall not (x) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on,
or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any
shares of the Company's capital stock, 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 that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in
interest to the Securities of such series including the Company's obligations
associated with the Outstanding Capital Securities (other than (a) 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 any 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
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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 or other event referred to below, (b) as a result of
an 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, (c) 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, (d) any declaration of a dividend in
connection with any Rights Plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other
property under any Rights Plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights
pursuant thereto, or (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) if at
such time (i) there shall have occurred any event (A) of which the Company has
actual knowledge that with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both,
would constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such
series, and (B) which the Company shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure,
(ii) if the Securities of such series are held by an Issuer Trust, the Company
shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the
Guarantee relating to the Capital Securities issued by such Issuer Trust, or
(iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election to begin an Extension
Period with respect to the Securities of such series as provided herein and
shall not have rescinded such notice, or such Extension Period, or any extension
thereof, shall be continuing.
The Company also covenants with each Holder of Securities of a series
issued to an Issuer Trust (i) to hold, directly or indirectly, 100% of the
Common Securities of such Issuer Trust, provided that any permitted successor of
the Company as provided under Section 8.2 may succeed to the Company's ownership
of such Common Securities, (ii) as holder of such Common Securities, not to
voluntarily terminate, windup or liquidate such Issuer Trust, other than (a) in
connection with a distribution of the Securities of such series to the holders
of the related Capital Securities in liquidation of such Issuer Trust, or (b) in
connection with certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations permitted by
the related Trust Agreement, and (iii) to use its reasonable efforts, consistent
with the terms and provisions of such Trust Agreement, to
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cause such Issuer Trust to continue not to be taxable as a corporation for
United States Federal income tax purposes.
SECTION 10.8. Original Issue Discount.
On or before December 15 of each year during which any Securities are
outstanding, the Company shall furnish to each Paying Agent such information as
may be reasonably requested by each Paying Agent in order that each Paying Agent
may prepare the information which it is required to report for such year on
Internal Revenue Service Forms 1096 and 1099 pursuant to Section 6049 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Such information shall include the
amount of original issue discount includible in income for each authorized
minimum denomination of principal amount at Stated Maturity of outstanding
Securities during such year.
ARTICLE XI
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 11.1. Applicability of This Article.
Redemption of Securities of any series as permitted or required by any form
of Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be made in accordance with
such form of Security and this Article; provided, however, that, if any
provision of any such form of Security shall conflict with any provision of this
Article, the provision of such form of Security shall govern.
SECTION 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by
or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of
the Company, the Company shall, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to
the Redemption Date (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the
Trustee), notify the Trustee and, in the case of Securities of a series held by
an Issuer Trust, the Property Trustee under the related Trust Agreement, of such
date and of the principal amount of Securities of the applicable series to be
redeemed and provide the additional information required to be included in the
notice or notices contemplated by Section 11.4; provided that, in the case of
any series of Securities initially issued to an Issuer Trust, for so long as
such Securities are held by such Issuer Trust, such notice shall be given not
less than 45 nor more than 75 days prior to such Redemption Date (unless a
shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Property Trustee under the
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related Trust Agreement). In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to
the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of
such Securities, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel evidencing compliance with such
restriction.
SECTION 11.3. Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.
If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the
particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days
prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of
such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee
shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for
redemption of a portion of the principal amount of any Security of such series,
provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security
shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum
authorized denomination) for such Security.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities
selected for partial redemption and the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all
provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of
any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the
principal amount of such Security that has been or is to be redeemed.
SECTION 11.4. Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
mailed not later than the thirtieth day, and not earlier than the sixtieth day,
prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at
the address of such Holder as it appears in the Securities Register.
With respect to Securities of such series to be redeemed, each notice of
redemption shall state:
(a) the Redemption Date;
(b) the Redemption Price or, if the Redemption Price cannot be calculated
prior to the time the notice is required to be sent, the estimate of the
Redemption Price provided pursuant to the Indenture together with a statement
that it is an estimate and that the actual Redemption Price will be
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calculated on the third Business Day prior to the Redemption Date (if such an
estimate of the Redemption Price is given, a subsequent notice shall be given as
set forth above setting forth the Redemption Price promptly following the
calculation thereof);
(c) if less than all Outstanding Securities of such particular series are
to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the
respective principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed;
(d) that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price will become due and
payable upon each such Security or portion thereof, and that interest thereon,
if any, shall cease to accrue on and after said date;
(e) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for
payment of the Redemption Price;
(f) such other provisions as may be required in respect of the terms of a
particular series of Securities; and
(g) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the
Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the
Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company and shall be irrevocable.
The notice, if mailed in the manner provided above, shall be conclusively
presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such
notice. In any case, a failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the
notice to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in
part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any
other Security.
SECTION 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price.
Prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Redemption Date specified
in the notice of redemption given as provided in Section 11.4, the Company will
deposit with the Trustee or with one or more Paying Agents (or if the Company is
acting as its own Paying Agent, the Company will segregate and hold in trust as
provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption
Price of, and any accrued interest (including Additional Interest) on, all the
Securities (or portions thereof) that are to be redeemed on that date.
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SECTION 11.6. Payment of Securities Called for
Redemption.
If any notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 11.4, the
Securities or portion of Securities with respect to which such notice has been
given shall become due and payable on the date and at the place or places stated
in such notice at the applicable Redemption Price, together with accrued
interest (including any Additional Interest) to the Redemption Date. On
presentation and surrender of such Securities at a Place of Payment in said
notice specified, the said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be
paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable Redemption Price, together
with accrued interest (including any Additional Interest) to the Redemption
Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by
Section 3.1, installments of interest (including Additional Interest) whose
Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the
Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as
such at the close of business on the relevant record dates according to their
terms and the provisions of Section 3.8.
Upon presentation of any Security redeemed in part only, the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder thereof, at
the expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of
authorized denominations, in aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed
portion of the Security so presented and having the same Original Issue Date,
Stated Maturity and terms.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid under surrender
thereof for redemption, the principal of and premium, if any, on such Security
shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed
therefor in the Security.
SECTION 11.7. Right of Redemption of Securities
Initially Issued to an Issuer Trust.
In the case of the Securities of a series initially issued to an Issuer
Trust, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, the
Company, at its option, may redeem such Securities (i) on or after the date
specified in such Security, in whole at any time or in part from time to time,
or (ii) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of a Tax Event, an
Investment Company Event or a Capital Treatment Event, at any time within 90
days following the occurrence and during the continuation of such Tax Event,
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Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment Event, in whole (but not in part),
in each case at a Redemption Price specified in such Security, together with
accrued interest (including Additional Interest) to the Redemption Date.
If less than all the Securities of any such series are to be redeemed, the
aggregate principal amount of such Securities remaining Outstanding after giving
effect to such redemption shall be sufficient to satisfy any provisions of the
Trust Agreement related to the Issuer Trust to which such Securities were
issued.
ARTICLE XII
SINKING FUNDS
Except as may be provided in any supplemental or amended indenture, no
sinking fund shall be established or maintained for the retirement of Securities
of any series.
ARTICLE XIII
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 13.1. Securities Subordinate to Senior
Indebtedness.
The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of a Security, by its
acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that, to the extent and in
the manner hereinafter set forth in this Article, the payment of the principal
of (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest) on
each and all of the Securities of each and every series are hereby expressly
made subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of
all Senior Indebtedness.
SECTION 13.2. No Payment When Senior Indebtedness in
Default; Payment Over of Proceeds Upon
Dissolution, Etc.
If the Company shall default in the payment of any principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest on any Senior Indebtedness when the same becomes
due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by
declaration of acceleration or otherwise, then, upon written notice of such
default to the Company by the holders of Senior Indebtedness or any trustee
therefor, unless and until such default shall have been cured or waived or shall
have ceased to exist, no direct or indirect payment (in cash, property,
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securities, by set-off or otherwise) shall be made or agreed to be made on
account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (including
Additional Interest) on any of the Securities, or in respect of any redemption,
repayment, retirement, purchase or other acquisition of any of the Securities.
In the event of (i) any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation,
reorganization, readjustment, composition or other similar proceeding relating
to the Company, its creditors or its property, (ii) any proceeding for the
liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the Company, voluntary or
involuntary, whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings,
(iii) any assignment by the Company for the benefit of creditors or (iv) any
other marshalling of the assets of the Company (each such event, if any, herein
sometimes referred to as a "Proceeding"), all Senior Indebtedness (including any
interest thereon accruing after the commencement of any such proceedings) shall
first be paid in full before any payment or distribution, whether in cash,
securities or other property, shall be made to any Holder of any of the
Securities on account thereof. Any payment or distribution, whether in cash,
securities or other property (other than securities of the Company or any other
entity provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of
which is subordinate, at least to the extent provided in these subordination
provisions with respect to the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities, to the
payment of all Senior Indebtedness at the time outstanding and to any securities
issued in respect thereof under any such plan of reorganization or
readjustment), which would otherwise (but for these subordination provisions) be
payable or deliverable in respect of the Securities of any series shall be paid
or delivered directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness in accordance with
the priorities then existing among such holders until all Senior Indebtedness
(including any interest thereon accruing after the commencement of any
Proceeding) shall have been paid in full.
In the event of any Proceeding, after payment in full of all sums owing
with respect to Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the Securities, together
with the holders of any obligations of the Company ranking on a parity with the
Securities, shall be entitled to be paid from the remaining assets of the
Company the amounts at the time due and owing on account of unpaid principal of
(and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities and such other obligations
before any payment or other distribution; whether in cash, property or
otherwise, shall be made on account of any capital stock or any obligations of
the Company ranking junior to the
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Securities, and such other obligations. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, any
payment or distribution of any character or any security, whether in cash,
securities or other property (other than securities of the Company or any other
entity provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment the payment of
which is subordinate, at least to the extent provided in these subordination
provisions with respect to the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities, to the
payment of all Senior Indebtedness at the time outstanding and to any securities
issued in respect thereof under any plan of reorganization or readjustment),
shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder in contravention of any of the
terms hereof and before all Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full,
such payment or distribution or security shall be received in trust for the
benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered and transferred to, the holders
of the Senior Indebtedness at the time outstanding in accordance with the
priorities then existing among such holders for application to the payment of
all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, to the extent necessary to pay all
such Senior Indebtedness in full. In the event of the failure of the Trustee or
any Holder to endorse or assign any such payment, distribution or security, each
holder of Senior Indebtedness is hereby irrevocably authorized to endorse or
assign the same.
The Trustee and the Holders shall take such action (including, without
limitation, the delivery of this Indenture to an agent for the holders of Senior
Indebtedness or consent to the filing of a financing statement with respect
hereto) as may, in the opinion of counsel designated by the holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Senior Indebtedness at the time outstanding,
be necessary or appropriate to assure the effectiveness of the subordination
effected by these provisions.
The provisions of this Section 13.2 shall not impair any rights, interests,
remedies or powers of any secured creditor of the Company in respect of any
security interest the creation of which is not prohibited by the provisions of
this Indenture.
The securing of any obligations of the Company, otherwise ranking on a
parity with the Securities or ranking junior to the Securities shall not be
deemed to prevent such obligations form constituting, respectively, obligations
ranking on a parity with the Securities or ranking junior to the Securities.
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SECTION 13.3. Payment Permitted If No Default.
Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in any
of the Securities shall prevent (a) the Company, at any time, except during the
pendency of the conditions described in the first paragraph of Section 13.2 or
of any Proceeding referred to in Section 13.2, from making payments at any time
of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest (including Additional
Interest) on the Securities, or (b) the application by the Trustee of any monies
deposited with it hereunder to the payment of or on account of the principal of
(and premium, if any) or interest (including any Additional Interest) on the
Securities or the retention of such payment by the Holders, if, at the time of
such application by the Trustee, it did not have knowledge that such payment
would have been prohibited by the provisions of this Article.
SECTION 13.4. Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior
Indebtedness.
Subject to the payment in full of all amounts due or to become due on all
Senior Indebtedness, or the provision for such payment in cash or cash
equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the extent of
the payments or distributions made to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness
pursuant to the provisions of this Article (equally and ratably with the holders
of all indebtedness of the Company that by its express terms is subordinated to
Senior Indebtedness of the Company to substantially the same extent as the
Securities are subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness and is entitled to like
rights of subrogation by reason of any payments or distributions made to holders
of such Senior Indebtedness) to the rights of the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness to receive payments and distributions of cash, property and
securities applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and
premium if any) and interest (including Additional Interest) on the Securities
shall be paid in full. For purposes of such subrogation, no payments or
distributions to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or
securities to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be
entitled except for the provisions of this Article, and no payments pursuant to
the provisions of this Article to the holders of Senior Indebtedness by Holders
of the Securities or the Trustee, shall, as among the Company, its creditors
other than holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, be
deemed to be a payment or distribution by the Company to or on account of the
Senior Indebtedness.
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SECTION 13.5. Provisions Solely to Define Relative
Rights.
The provisions of this Article are and are intended solely for the purpose
of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities on the one hand
and the holders of Senior Indebtedness on the other hand. Nothing contained in
this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to
or shall (a) impair, as between the Company and the Holders of the Securities,
the obligations of the Company, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay to
the Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest (including any Additional Interest) on the Securities as and when the
same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms; or (b) affect
the relative rights against the Company of the Holders of the Securities and
creditors of the Company other than their rights in relation to the holders of
Senior Indebtedness; or (c) prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security
(or to the extent expressly provided herein, the holder of any Capital Security)
from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default
under this Indenture, including filing and voting claims in any Proceeding,
subject to the rights, if any, under this Article of the holders of Senior
Indebtedness to receive cash, property and securities otherwise payable or
deliverable to the Trustee or such Holder.
SECTION 13.6. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.
Each Holder of a Security by his or her acceptance thereof 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 provided in this
Article and appoints the Trustee his or her attorney-in-fact for any and all
such purposes.
SECTION 13.7. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.
No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to
enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be
prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company
or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any
noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this
Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or
be otherwise charged with.
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Without in any way limiting the generality of the immediately preceding
paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to
time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of the
Securities of any series, without incurring responsibility to such Holders of
the Securities and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in
this Article or the obligations hereunder of such Holders of the Securities to
the holders of Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i)
change the manner, place or terms of payment or extent the time of payment of,
or renew or alter, Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any
manner Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any
agreement under which Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange,
release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise
securing Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for
the collection of Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain from
exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.
SECTION 13.8. Notice to Trustee.
The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of
the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of
any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities. Notwithstanding
the provisions of this Article or any other provision of this Indenture, the
Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that
would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the
Securities, unless and until the Trustee shall have received written notice
thereof from the Company or a holder of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee,
agent or representative therefor; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall
not have received the notice provided for in this Section at least two Business
Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any monies may become
payable for any purpose (including, the payment of the principal of (and
premium, if any, on) or interest (including any Additional Interest) on any
Security), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such monies and to apply
the same to the purpose for which they were received and shall not be affected
by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within two Business
Days prior to such date.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall be entitled to
rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself
or herself to be a
- 96 -
holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee or attorney-in-fact therefor) to
establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or
a trustee or attorney-in-fact therefor). In the event that the Trustee
determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the
right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any
payment or distribution pursuant to this Article, the Trustee may request such
Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to
the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such
Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other
facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article, and if such
evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person
pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such
payment.
SECTION 13.9. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate
of Liquidating Agent.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in
this Article, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, and the
Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree
entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such Proceeding is
pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, conservator,
liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or
other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to
the Holders of Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled
to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or
payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other
facts pertinent thereto or to this Article.
SECTION 13.10. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of
Senior Indebtedness.
The Trustee, in its capacity as trustee under this Indenture, shall not be
deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and shall
not be liable to any such holders if it shall in good faith mistakenly pay over
or distribute to Holders of Securities or to the Company or to any other Person
cash, property or securities to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness shall
be entitled by virtue of this Article or otherwise.
- 97 -
SECTION 13.11. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior
Indebtedness; Preservation of Trustee's
Rights.
The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights
set forth in this Article with respect to any Senior Indebtedness that may at
any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior
Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of
its rights as such holder.
SECTION 13.12. Article Applicable to Paying Agents.
In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been
appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term "Trustee" as
used in this Article shall in such case (unless the context otherwise requires)
be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning
as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this
Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee.
SECTION 13.13. Certain Conversions or Exchanges Deemed
Payment.
For purposes of this Article only, (a) the issuance and delivery of junior
securities upon conversion or exchange of Securities of any series shall not be
deemed to constitute a payment or distribution on account of the principal of
(or premium, if any, on) or interest (including any Additional Interest) on such
Securities or on account of the purchase or other acquisition of such
Securities, and (b) the payment, issuance or delivery of cash, property or
securities (other than junior securities) upon conversion or exchange of a
Security of any series shall be deemed to constitute payment on account of the
principal of such security. For the purposes of this Section, the term "junior
securities" means (i) shares of any stock of any class of the Company, and (ii)
securities of the Company that are subordinated in right of payment to all
Senior Indebtedness that may be outstanding at the time of issuance or delivery
of such securities to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent
than, the Securities are so subordinated as provided in this Article.
* * * *
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which so executed shall be deemed to be
- 98 -
an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the
same instrument.
[Remainder of page left intentionally blank; signatures appear on following
page.]
- 99 -
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and
attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
Attest:_____________________ FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION
By:
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
Attest:_____________________ BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as
Trustee, and not in its
individual capacity
By:
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
- 100 -
ANNEX A
FORM OF RESTRICTED SECURITIES CERTIFICATE
RESTRICTED SECURITIES CERTIFICATE
(For transfers pursuant to Section 3.6(b) of
the Indenture referred to below)
[ ],
as Securities Registrar
[address]
Re: [Title of Securities] of First Empire State
Corporation (the "Securities")
Reference is made to the Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of June
___, 1997 (the "Indenture"), between First Empire State Corporation, a New York
corporation, and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee. Terms used herein and
defined in the Indenture or in Regulation S, Rule 144A or Rule 144 under the
U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") are used here as so defined.
This certificate relates to $ aggregate principal amount of
Securities, which are evidenced by the following certificate(s) (the "Specified
Securities"):
CUSIP No(s).
CERTIFICATE No(s).
CURRENTLY IN GLOBAL FORM: Yes____ No____ (check one)
The person in whose name this certificate is executed below (the "Undersigned")
hereby certifies that either (i) it is the sole beneficial owner of the
Specified Securities or (ii) it is acting on behalf of all the beneficial owners
of the Specified Securities and is duly authorized by them to do so. Such
beneficial owner or owners are referred to herein collectively as the "Owner".
If the Specified Securities are represented by a Global Security, they are held
through a Depositary or an Agent Member in the name of the Undersigned, as or on
behalf of the Owner. If the Specified Securities are
- 101 -
not represented by a Global Security, they are registered in the name of the
Undersigned, as or on behalf of the Owner.
The Owner has requested that the Specified Securities be transferred to a
person (the "Transferee") who will take delivery in the form of a Restricted
Security. In connection with such transfer, the Owner hereby certifies that,
unless such transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act, it is being effected in accordance with Rule
144A, Rule 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 under the Securities Act and all
applicable securities laws of the states of the United States and other
jurisdictions. Accordingly, the Owner hereby further certifies that
(1) Rule 144A Transfers. If the transfer is being effected in
accordance with Rule 144A:
(A) the Specified Securities are being transferred to a person
that the Owner and any person acting on its behalf reasonably believe
is a "qualified institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A,
acquiring for its own account or for the account of a qualified
institutional buyer; and
(B) the Owner and any person acting on its behalf have taken
reasonable steps to ensure that the Transferee is aware that the Owner
may be relying on Rule 144A in connection with the transfer; and
(2) Rule 904 Transfers. If the transfer is being effected in
accordance with Rule 904:
(A) the Owner is not a distributor of the Securities, an
affiliate of the Company or any such distributor or a person acting in
behalf of any of the foregoing;
(B) the offer of the Specified Securities was not made to a
person in the United States;
(C) either;
(i) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee
was outside the United States or the Owner and any person acting
on its behalf reasonably believed that the Transferee was outside
the United States, or
- 102 -
(ii) the transaction is being executed in, on or through the
facilities of the Eurobond market, as regulated by the
Association of International Bond Dealers, or another designated
offshore securities market and neither the Owner nor any person
acting on its behalf know that the transaction has been
prearranged with a buyer in the United States;
(D) no directed selling efforts within the meaning of Rule 902 of
Regulation S have been made in the United States by or on behalf of
the Owner or any affiliate thereof; and
(E) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the
registration requirements of the Securities Act.
(3) Rule 144 Transfers. If the transfer is being effected pursuant to
Rule 144:
(A) the transfer is occurring after a holding period of at least
two years (computed in accordance with paragraph (d) of Rule 144) has
elapsed since the date the Specified Securities were acquired from the
Company or from an affiliate (as such term is defined in Rule 144) of
the Company, whichever is later, and is being effected in accordance
with the applicable amount, manner of sale and notice requirements of
paragraphs (e), (f) and (h) of Rule 144;
(B) the transfer is occurring after a holding period by the Owner
of at least three years has elapsed since the date the Specified
Securities were acquired from the Company or from an affiliate (as
such term is defined in Rule 144) of the Company, whichever is later,
and the Owner is not, and during the preceding three months has not
been, an affiliate of the Company; or
(C) the Owner is a Qualified Institutional Buyer under Rule 144A
or has acquired the Securities otherwise in accordance with Sections
(1), (2) or (3) hereof and is transferring the Securities to an
institutional accredited investor in a transaction exempt from the
requirements of the Securities Act.
- 103 -
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your
benefit and the benefit of the Company and the Initial Purchasers (as defined in
the Trust Agreement relating to the Issuer Trust to which the Securities were
initially issued).
(Print the name of the Undersigned, as such term is
defined in the second paragraph of this
certificate.)
Dated: By:
------------------------- --------------------------
Name:
Title:
(If the Undersigned is a corporation, partnership
or fiduciary, the title of the person signing on
behalf of the Undersigned must be stated.)
- 104 -
Exhibit 4.3
================================================================================
AMENDED AND RESTATED
TRUST AGREEMENT
among
FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION, as Depositor,
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
as Property Trustee,
and
BANKERS TRUST (DELAWARE),
as Delaware Trustee
Dated as of June ___, 1997
FIRST EMPIRE CAPITAL TRUST II
================================================================================
FIRST EMPIRE CAPITAL TRUST II
Certain Sections of this Trust Agreement relating to
Sections 310 through 318 of the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939:
Trust Indenture Trust Agreement
Act Section Section
--------------- ---------------
(ss.) 310(a)(1)................................. 8.7
(a)(2).................................. 8.7
(a)(3).................................. 8.9
(a)(4).................................. 2.7(a)(ii)
(b)..................................... 8.8, 10.10(b)
(ss.) 311(a).................................... 8.13, 10.10(b)
(b)..................................... 8.13, 10.10(b)
(ss.) 312(a).................................... 10.10(b)
(b)..................................... 10.10(b), (f)
(c)..................................... 5.7
(ss.) 313(a).................................... 8.15(a)
(a)(4).................................. 10.10(c)
(b)..................................... 8.15(c), 10.10(c)
(c)..................................... 10.8, 10.10(c)
(d)..................................... 10.10(c)
(ss.) 314(a).................................... 8.16, 10.10(d)
(b)..................................... Not Applicable
(c)(1).................................. 8.17, 10.10(d), (e)
(c)(2).................................. 8.17, 10.10(d), (e)
(c)(3).................................. 8.17, 10.10(d), (e)
(e)..................................... 8.17, 10.10(e)
(ss.) 315(a).................................... 8.1(d)
(b)..................................... 8.2
(c)..................................... 8.1(c)
(d)..................................... 8.1(d)
(e)..................................... Not Applicable
(ss.) 316(a).................................... Not Applicable
(a)(1)(A)............................... Not Applicable
(a)(1)(B)............................... Not Applicable
(a)(2).................................. Not Applicable
(b)..................................... 5.13
(c)..................................... 6.7
(ss.) 317(a)(1)................................. Not Applicable
(a)(2).................................. 8.14
(b)..................................... 5.10
(ss.) 318(a).................................... 10.10(a)
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be
deemed to be a part of the Trust Agreement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I. DEFINED TERMS
SECTION 1.1. Definitions................................... 2
ARTICLE II. CONTINUATION OF THE ISSUER TRUST
SECTION 2.1. Name.......................................... 16
SECTION 2.2. Office of the Delaware Trustee; Principal
Place of Business............................. 16
SECTION 2.3. Initial Contribution of Trust Property;
Organizational Expenses....................... 16
SECTION 2.4. Issuance of the Capital Securities............ 17
SECTION 2.5. Issuance of the Common Securities;
Subscription and Purchase of Junior
Subordinated Debentures....................... 17
SECTION 2.6. Declaration of Trust.......................... 17
SECTION 2.7. Authorization to Enter into Certain
Transactions.................................. 18
SECTION 2.8. Assets of Trust............................... 22
SECTION 2.9. Title to Trust Property....................... 22
ARTICLE III. PAYMENT ACCOUNT
SECTION 3.1. Payment Account............................... 22
ARTICLE IV. DISTRIBUTIONS; REDEMPTION
SECTION 4.1. Distributions................................. 23
SECTION 4.2. Redemption.................................... 24
SECTION 4.3. Subordination of Common Securities............ 27
SECTION 4.4. Payment Procedures............................ 28
SECTION 4.5. Tax Returns and Reports....................... 28
SECTION 4.6. Payment of Taxes, Duties, Etc.
of the Issuer Trust........................... 29
SECTION 4.7. Payments under Indenture or Pursuant to
Direct Actions................................ 29
SECTION 4.8. Liability of the Holder of Common Securities.. 29
ARTICLE V. TRUST SECURITIES CERTIFICATES
SECTION 5.1. Initial Ownership............................. 30
SECTION 5.2. The Trust Securities Certificates............. 30
SECTION 5.3. Execution and Delivery of Trust
Securities Certificates....................... 31
SECTION 5.4. Global Capital Security....................... 31
SECTION 5.5. Registration of Transfer and Exchange
Generally; Certain Transfers and
Exchanges; Capital Securities Certificates.... 32
SECTION 5.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen
Trust Securities Certificates................. 34
SECTION 5.7. Persons Deemed Holders........................ 35
SECTION 5.8. Access to List of Holders'
Names and Addresses........................... 35
SECTION 5.9. Maintenance of Office or Agency............... 35
SECTION 5.10. Appointment of Paying Agent................... 36
SECTION 5.11. Ownership of Common Securities
by Depositor.................................. 36
SECTION 5.12. Notices to Clearing Agency.................... 37
SECTION 5.13. Rights of Holders............................. 37
ARTICLE VI. ACTS OF HOLDERS; MEETINGS;
VOTING
SECTION 6.1. Limitations on Holder's Voting Rights......... 40
SECTION 6.2. Notice of Meetings............................ 41
SECTION 6.3. Meetings of Holders........................... 41
SECTION 6.4. Voting Rights................................. 42
SECTION 6.5. Proxies, etc.................................. 42
SECTION 6.6. Holder Action by Written
Consent....................................... 42
SECTION 6.7. Record Date for Voting and Other
Purposes...................................... 42
SECTION 6.8. Acts of Holders............................... 43
SECTION 6.9. Inspection of Records......................... 44
ARTICLE VII. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 7.1. Representations and Warranties
of the Property Trustee and
the Delaware Trustee.......................... 44
SECTION 7.2. Representations and Warranties of
Depositor..................................... 46
ARTICLE VIII. THE ISSUER TRUSTEES; THE ADMINISTRATORS
SECTION 8.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities........... 46
SECTION 8.2. Certain Notices............................... 49
SECTION 8.3. Certain Rights of Property Trustee............ 50
SECTION 8.4. Not Responsible for Recitals
or Issuance of Securities..................... 52
SECTION 8.5. May Hold Securities........................... 52
SECTION 8.6. Compensation; Indemnity; Fees................. 52
SECTION 8.7. Corporate Property Trustee Required;
Eligibility of Trustees and Administrators.... 52
SECTION 8.8. Conflicting Interests......................... 54
SECTION 8.9. Co-Trustees and Separate Trustee.............. 54
SECTION 8.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of
Successor..................................... 56
SECTION 8.11. Acceptance of Appointment by
Successor..................................... 58
SECTION 8.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or
Succession to Business........................ 58
SECTION 8.13. Preferential Collection of Claims
Against Depositor or Issuer Trust............. 59
SECTION 8.14. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.............. 59
- ii -
SECTION 8.15. Reports by Property Trustee................... 60
SECTION 8.16. Reports to the Property Trustee............... 60
SECTION 8.17. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions
Precedent..................................... 61
SECTION 8.18. Number of Issuer Trustees..................... 61
SECTION 8.19. Delegation of Power........................... 61
SECTION 8.20. Appointment of Administrators................. 62
ARTICLE IX. DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND MERGER
SECTION 9.1. Dissolution Upon Expiration Date.............. 62
SECTION 9.2. Early Termination............................. 63
SECTION 9.3. Termination................................... 63
SECTION 9.4. Liquidation................................... 63
SECTION 9.5. Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations
or Replacements of the Issuer Trust........... 65
ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 10.1. Limitation of Rights of Holders............... 67
SECTION 10.2. Amendment..................................... 67
SECTION 10.3. Separability.................................. 68
SECTION 10.4. Governing Law................................. 69
SECTION 10.5. Payments Due on Non-Business Day.............. 69
SECTION 10.6. Successors.................................... 70
SECTION 10.7. Headings...................................... 70
SECTION 10.8. Reports, Notices and Demands.................. 70
SECTION 10.9. Agreement Not to Petition..................... 71
SECTION 10.10. Trust Indenture Act; Conflict with
Trust Indenture Act........................... 71
SECTION 10.11. Acceptance of Terms of Trust Agreement,
Guarantee and Indenture....................... 73
Exhibit A Certificate of Trust
Exhibit B Form of Certificate Depositary Agreement
Exhibit C Form of Common Securities Certificate
Exhibit D Form of Capital Securities Certificate
- iii -
AGREEMENT
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of January 31, 1997, among
(i) First Empire State Corporation, a New York corporation (including any
successors or assigns, the "Depositor"), (ii) Bankers Trust Company, a New York
banking corporation, as property trustee, (in such capacity, the "Property
Trustee" and, in its separate corporate capacity and not in its capacity as
Property Trustee, the "Bank"), and (iii) Bankers Trust (Delaware), a Delaware
banking corporation, as Delaware trustee (the "Delaware Trustee") (the Property
Trustee and the Delaware Trustee are referred to collectively herein as the
"Issuer Trustees") and (iv) the several Holders, as hereinafter defined.
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Issuer Trust has been established under the Delaware Business
Trust Act pursuant to a certain Trust Agreement, dated as of January 17, 1997
(the "Original Trust Agreement"), and by the filing of the Certificate of Trust
of the Issuer Trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on
January 17, 1997 (the "Certificate of Trust"), which Certificate of Trust is
attached as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the Depositor, the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee
desire to amend and restate the Original Trust Agreement in its entirety as set
forth herein to provide for, among other things, (i) the issuance of the Common
Securities by the Issuer Trust to the Depositor, (ii) the issuance and sale of
the Capital Securities by the Issuer Trust pursuant to the Underwriting
Agreement, (iii) the acquisition by the Issuer Trust from the Depositor of all
of the right, title and interest in the Junior Subordinated Debentures, and (iv)
the appointment of the Administrators.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set
forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each party, for the benefit of the
other parties and for the benefit of the Holders, hereby amends and restates the
Original Trust Agreement in its entirety and agrees, intending to be legally
bound, as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINED TERMS
SECTION 1.1. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Trust Agreement, except as otherwise expressly
provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) The terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them
in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(b) All other terms used herein that are defined in the Trust Indenture
Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them
therein;
(c) The words "include," "includes" and "including" shall be deemed to be
followed by the phrase "without limitation";
(d) All accounting terms used but not defined herein have the meanings
assigned to them in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting
principles as in effect at the time of computation;
(e) Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an "Article"
or a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this
Trust Agreement; and
(f) The words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of
similar import refer to this Trust Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
"Act" has the meaning specified in Section 6.8.
"Additional Amount" means, with respect to Trust Securities of a given
Liquidation Amount and/or a given period, the amount of Additional Interest (as
defined in the Indenture) paid by the Depositor on a Like Amount of Debentures
for such period.
"Additional Sums" has the meaning specified in Section 10.6 of the
Indenture.
"Adjusted Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the
Treasury Rate plus (i) 109 basis points if such Redemption Date occurs on or
before June ___, 1998 or (ii) 50 basis points if such Redemption Date occurs
after June ___, 1998.
"Administrators" means each Person appointed in accordance with Section
8.20 solely in such Person's capacity as Administrator of the Issuer Trust
heretofore formed and continued hereunder and not in such Person's individual
- 2 -
capacity, or any successor Administrator appointed as herein provided; with the
initial Administrators being Darlene Spychala and Timothy C. McEvoy.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
"Applicable Procedures" means, with respect to any transfer or transaction
involving a Global Capital Security or beneficial interest therein, the rules
and procedures of the Depositary for such Capital Security, in each case to the
extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.
"Bank" has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Trust Agreement.
"Bankruptcy Event" means, with respect to any Person:
(a) the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the
premises judging such Person a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly
filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjudication or
composition of or in respect of such Person under any applicable federal or
State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or appointing
a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar
official) of such Person or of any substantial part of its property or ordering
the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such
decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or
(b) the institution by such Person of proceedings to be adjudicated a
bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the institution of bankruptcy or
insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer
or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or
State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or the
consent by it to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of a
receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of
such Person or of any substantial part of its property or the making by it of an
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of
its inability to pay its debts generally as they
- 3 -
become due and its willingness to be adjudicated a bankrupt, or the taking of
corporate action by such Person in furtherance of any such action.
"Bankruptcy Laws" has the meaning specified in Section 10.9.
"Board of Directors" means the board of directors of the Depositor or the
Executive Committee of the board of directors of the Depositor (or any other
committee of the board of directors of the Depositor performing similar
functions) or a committee designated by the board of directors of the Depositor
(or any such committee), comprised of two or more members of the board of
directors of the Depositor or officers of the Depositor, or both.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Depositor to have been duly adopted by the
Depositor's Board of Directors, or such committee of the Board of Directors or
officers of the Depositor to which authority to act on behalf of the Board of
Directors has been delegated, and to be in full force and effect on the date of
such certification, and delivered to the Issuer Trustees.
"Business Day" means a day other than (a) a Saturday or Sunday, (b) a day
on which banking institutions in the City of New York or in the City of Buffalo,
New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed
or (c) a day on which the Property Trustee's Corporate Trust Office or the
Delaware Trustee's Corporate Trust Office or the Corporate Trust Office of the
Debenture Trustee is closed for business.
"Capital Securities Certificate" means a certificate evidencing ownership
of Capital Securities, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D.
"Capital Security" means a preferred undivided beneficial interest in the
assets of the Issuer Trust, having a Liquidation Amount of $1,000 and having the
rights provided therefor in this Trust Agreement, including the right to receive
Distributions and a Liquidation Distribution as provided herein.
"Capital Treatment Event" means, in respect of any Issuer Trust, the
reasonable determination by the Depositor that, as a result of the occurrence of
any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the
laws (or any rules or regulations thereunder) of the United States or any
political subdivision thereof or therein, or as a result of any official or
administrative pronouncement or action or judicial decision interpreting or
applying such laws or regulations,
- 4 -
which amendment or change is effective or such pronouncement, action or decision
is announced on or after the date of the issuance of the Capital Securities of
such Issuer Trust, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Depositor
will not be entitled to treat an amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of such
Capital Securities as "Tier 1 Capital" (or the then equivalent thereof) for
purposes of the risk-based capital adequacy guidelines of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System or the New York State Banking Department, as then
in effect and applicable to the Depositor.
"Certificate Depositary Agreement" means the agreement among the Issuer
Trust, the Depositor and the Depositary, as the initial Clearing Agency, dated
as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B, as the
same may be amended and supplemented from time to time.
"Certificate of Trust" has the meaning specified in the preamble to this
Trust Agreement.
"Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a "clearing agency"
pursuant to Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The
Depositary shall be the initial Clearing Agency.
"Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank, other
financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time a Clearing
Agency effects book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the
Clearing Agency.
"Closing Date" has the meaning specified in the Underwriting Agreement.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to
time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the
execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the
duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body
performing such duties at such time.
"Common Securities Certificate" means a certificate evidencing ownership
of Common Securities, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C.
"Common Security" means an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of
the Issuer Trust, having a Liquidation Amount of $1,000 and having the rights
provided therefor in this Trust
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Agreement, including the right to receive Distributions and a Liquidation
Distribution as provided herein.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means with respect to any Redemption Date the
United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a
maturity comparable to the Remaining Life that would be utilized, at the time of
selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new
issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining
Life. If no United States Treasury security has a maturity which is within a
period from three months before to three months after June ___, 2027, the two
most closely corresponding United States Treasury securities shall be used as
the Comparable Treasury Issue, and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or
extrapolated on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month using such
securities.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means (A) the average of five Reference
Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest
and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the Debenture
Trustee obtains fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the
average of all such Quotations.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Property
Trustee located in the City of New York which at the time of the execution of
this Trust Agreement is located at Four Albany Street, New York, New York 10006;
Attention: Corporate Trust and Agency Group - Corporate Market Services.
"Debenture Event of Default" means an "Event of Default" as defined in the
Indenture.
"Debenture Redemption Date" means, with respect to any Debentures to be
redeemed under the Indenture, the date fixed for redemption of such Debentures
under the Indenture.
"Debenture Trustee" means Bankers Trust Company, a New York banking
corporation and any successor.
"Delaware Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware
Code, 12 Del. C. ss. 3801, et seq., as it may be amended from time to time.
"Delaware Trustee" means the corporation identified as the "Delaware
Trustee" in the preamble to this Trust Agreement solely in its capacity as
Delaware Trustee of the Issuer Trust continued hereunder and not in its
individual capacity, or its successor in interest in such capacity, or any
successor trustee appointed as herein provided.
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"Depositor" has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Trust
Agreement.
"Depositary" means the Depository Trust Company or any successor thereto.
"Distribution Date" has the meaning specified in Section 4.1(a).
"Distributions" means amounts payable in respect of the Trust Securities
as provided in Section 4.1.
"Early Termination Event" has the meaning specified in Section 9.2.
"Event of Default" means any one of the following events (whatever the
reason for such Event of Default 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 a Debenture Event of Default; or
(b) default by the Issuer Trust in the payment of any Distribution when it
becomes due and payable, and continuation of such default for a period of 30
days; or
(c) default by the Issuer Trust in the payment of any Redemption Price of
any Trust Security when it becomes due and payable; or
(d) default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of any
covenant or warranty of the Issuer Trustees in this Trust Agreement (other than
a covenant or warranty a default in the performance of which or the breach of
which is dealt with in clause (b) or (c) 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 Issuer Trustees and the Depositor 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
(e) the occurrence of any Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Property
Trustee or all or substantially all of its property if a successor Property
Trustee has not been appointed within a period of 90 days thereof.
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"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and any successor statute thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 9.1.
"Global Capital Securities Certificate" means a Capital Securities
Certificate evidencing ownership of Global Capital Securities.
"Global Capital Security" means a Capital Security, the ownership and
transfers of which shall be made through book entries by a Clearing Agency as
described in Section 5.4.
"Guarantee Agreement" means the Guarantee Agreement executed and delivered
by the Depositor and Bankers Trust Company, as trustee, contemporaneously with
the execution and delivery of this Trust Agreement, for the benefit of the
holders of the Capital Securities, as amended from time to time.
"Holder" means a Person in whose name a Trust Security or Trust Securities
is registered in the Securities Register; any such Person shall be deemed to be
a beneficial owner within the meaning of the Delaware Business Trust Act.
"Indenture" means the Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of January
31, 1997, between the Depositor and the Debenture Trustee (as amended or
supplemented from time to time) relating to the issuance of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures.
"Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.
"Investment Company Event" means the receipt by the Issuer 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 a 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 Issuer
Trust is or 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 Capital Securities.
"Issuer Trust" means First Empire Capital Trust II.
"Issuer Trustees" means, collectively, the Property Trustee and the
Delaware Trustee.
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"Junior Subordinated Debentures" means the aggregate principal amount of
the Depositor's _____% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures, due
June ___, 2027, issued pursuant to the Indenture.
"Lien" means any lien, pledge, charge, encumbrance, mortgage, deed of
trust, adverse ownership interest, hypothecation, assignment, security interest
or preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement
of any kind or nature whatsoever.
"Like Amount" means (a) with respect to a redemption of Trust Securities,
Trust Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to that portion of the
principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures to be contemporaneously
redeemed in accordance with the Indenture, allocated to the Common Securities
and to the Capital Securities based upon the relative Liquidation Amounts of
such classes and (b) with respect to a distribution of Junior Subordinated
Debentures to Holders of Trust Securities in connection with a dissolution or
liquidation of the Issuer Trust, Junior Subordinated Debentures having a
principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities of the
Holder to whom such Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed.
"Liquidation Amount" means the stated amount of $1,000 per Trust Security.
"Liquidation Date" means the date on which Junior Subordinated Debentures
are to be distributed to Holders of Trust Securities in connection with a
dissolution and liquidation of the Issuer Trust pursuant to Section 9.4.
"Liquidation Distribution" has the meaning specified in Section 9.4(d).
"Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities" or "Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities" means, except as provided by the
Trust Indenture Act, Capital Securities or Common Securities, as the case may
be, representing more than 50% of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of all then
Outstanding Capital Securities or Common Securities, as the case may be.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer, President or a Senior Vice President or Vice
President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, of the Depositor, and delivered to the party provided
herein. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance
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with a condition or covenant provided for in this Trust Agreement shall include:
(a) a statement by each officer signing the Officers' Certificate that
such officer 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 such officer in rendering the Officers' Certificate;
(c) a statement that 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.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be
counsel for or an employee of the Depositor or any Affiliate of the Depositor.
"Original Trust Agreement" has the meaning specified in the preamble to
this Trust Agreement.
"Outstanding," with respect to Trust Securities, means, as of the date of
determination, all Trust Securities theretofore executed and delivered under
this Trust Agreement, except:
(a) Trust Securities theretofore canceled by the Property Trustee or
delivered to the Property Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Trust Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the
necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Property Trustee or any
Paying Agent for the Holders of such Capital Securities, provided that if such
Trust Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly
given pursuant to this Trust Agreement; and
(c) Trust Securities which have been paid or in exchange for or in
lieu of which other Trust Securities have been executed and delivered pursuant
to Sections 5.4, 5.5, 5.6 and 5.13;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding Capital Securities have given any request,
demand, authorization,
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direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Capital Securities owned by the
Depositor, or any Issuer Trustee, any Administrator or any Affiliate of the
Depositor or any Issuer Trustee shall be disregarded and deemed not to be
Outstanding, except that (a) in determining whether any Issuer Trustee shall be
protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent or waiver, only Capital Securities that such Issuer Trustee or
such Administrator, as the case may be, knows to be so owned shall be so
disregarded and (b) the foregoing shall not apply at any time when all of the
outstanding Capital Securities are owned by the Depositor, one or more of the
Issuer Trustees, one or more of the Administrators and/or any such Affiliate.
Capital Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be
regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the
Administrators the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Capital
Securities and that the pledgee is not the Depositor or any Affiliate of the
Depositor.
"Owner" means each Person who is the beneficial owner of Global Capital
Securities as reflected in the records of the Clearing Agency or, if a Clearing
Agency Participant is not the Owner, then as reflected in the records of a
Person maintaining an account with such Clearing Agency (directly or
indirectly), in accordance with the rules of such Clearing Agency.
"Paying Agent" means any paying agent or co-paying agent appointed
pursuant to Section 5.10 and shall initially be the Property Trustee.
"Payment Account" means a segregated non-interest-bearing corporate trust
account maintained with the Property Trustee in its trust department for the
benefit of the Holders in which all amounts paid in respect of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be held and from which the Property Trustee,
through the Paying Agent, shall make payments to the Holders in accordance with
Sections 4.1 and 4.2.
"Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, company,
limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or
any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever
nature.
"Property Trustee" means the Person identified as the "Property Trustee"
in the preamble to this Trust Agreement solely in its capacity as Property
Trustee of the Issuer Trust formed and continued hereunder and not in its
individual capacity, or its successor in interest in such capacity, or any
successor property trustee appointed as herein provided.
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"Quotation Agent" means Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and its
successors; provided, however, that if the foregoing shall cease to be a primary
U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a "Primary Treasury
Dealer"), the Depositor shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury
Dealer.
"Redemption Date" means, with respect to any Trust Security to be
redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Trust
Agreement; provided that each Junior Subordinated Debenture Redemption Date and
the stated maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be a Redemption
Date for a Like Amount of Trust Securities, including but not limited to any
date of redemption pursuant to the occurrence of any Special Event.
"Redemption Price" means:
(a) in the case of a redemption, other than as provided in paragraph (b)
below, the following prices expressed in percentages of the Liquidation Amount,
together with accumulated Distributions to but excluding the date fixed for
redemption, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning June ___:
Year Redemption Price
---- ----------------
2007..............................
2008..............................
2009..............................
2010..............................
2011..............................
2012..............................
2013..............................
2014..............................
2015..............................
2016..............................
and 100% on or after June ___, 2017.
(b) in the case of a redemption prior to June ___, 2007 following a Tax
Event, Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment Event, an amount equal to
for each Capital Security the Make-Whole Amount for a corresponding $1,000
principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures together with accumulated
Distributions to but excluding the date fixed for redemption. The "Make-Whole
Amount" will be equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of such
Junior Subordinated Debentures, and (ii) as determined by a Quotation Agent, the
sum of the present value of 100% of the principal amount that would be payable
with respect to such Junior Subordinated Debentures on June ___, 2027, together
with the
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present values of scheduled payments of interest from the Redemption Date to
June ___, 2027 (the "Remaining Life"), in each case discounted to the Redemption
Date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of 30-day months)
at the Adjusted Treasury Rate. The Redemption Price in the case of a redemption
on or after June ___, 2007 following a Tax Event, Investment Company Event or
Capital Treatment Event shall mean an amount equal to the Redemption Price then
applicable to a redemption under paragraph (a) above.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means (i) the Quotation Agent and (ii) any
other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Debenture Trustee after
consultation with the Depositor.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by
the Debenture Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury
Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in
writing to the Debenture Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.
"Relevant Trustee" has the meaning specified in Section 8.10.
"Responsible Officer" when used with respect to the Property Trustee means
any officer assigned to the Corporate Trust Office, including any managing
director, vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer,
assistant secretary or any other officer of the Property Trustee customarily
performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated
officers and having direct responsibility for the administration of the
Indenture, and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer to
whom such matter is referred because of such officer's knowledge of and
familiarity with the particular subject.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any
successor statute thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Securities Register" and "Securities Registrar" have the respective
meanings specified in Section 5.5.
"Senior Indebtedness" has the meaning specified in the Indenture.
"Special Event" means any Tax Event, Capital Treatment Event or Investment
Company Event.
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"Successor Capital Securities" of any particular Capital Securities
Certificate means every Capital Securities Certificate issued after, and
evidencing all or a portion of the same beneficial interest in the Issuer Trust
as that evidenced by, such particular Capital Securities Certificate; and, for
the purposes of this definition, any Capital Securities Certificate executed and
delivered under Section 5.6 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Capital Securities Certificate shall be deemed to
evidence the same beneficial interest in the Issuer Trust as the mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Capital Securities Certificate.
"Tax Event" means the receipt by the Issuer 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 or
administrative pronouncement or action or judicial decision interpreting or
applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or
which pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or after the date of
issuance of the Capital Securities, there is more than an insubstantial risk
that (i) the Issuer Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the delivery of such
Opinion of Counsel, subject to United States Federal income tax with respect to
income received or accrued on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) interest
payable by the Depositor on the Junior Subordinated Debentures is not, or within
90 days of the delivery of such Opinion of Counsel will not be, deductible by
the Depositor, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax
purposes, or (iii) the Issuer Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the
delivery of such Opinion of Counsel, subject to more than a de minimis amount of
other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.
"Treasury Rate" means (i) the yield, under the heading which represents
the average for the week immediately prior to the calculation date, appearing in
the most recently published statistical release designated "H.15(519)" or any
successor publication which is published weekly by the Federal Reserve and which
establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted
to constant maturity under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities," for the
maturity corresponding to the Remaining Life (if no maturity is within three
months before or after the Remaining Life, yields for the two published
maturities most closely corresponding to the Remaining Life shall be determined
and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on
a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (ii) if such release
(or any successor release) is not published during the
- 14 -
week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate
per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the
Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury
Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the
Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date. The Treasury Rate shall be
calculated on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date.
"Trust Agreement" means this Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, as the
same may be modified, amended or supplemented in accordance with the applicable
provisions hereof, including (i) all Exhibits hereto, and (ii) for all purposes
of this Amended and Restated Trust Agreement any such modification, amendment or
supplement, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a
part of and govern this Amended and Restated Trust Agreement and any
modification, amendment or supplement, respectively.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or any
successor statute, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Trust Property" means (a) the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (b) any
cash on deposit in, or owing to, the Payment Account, and (c) all proceeds and
rights in respect of the foregoing or any other property and assets for the time
being held or deemed to be held by the Property Trustee pursuant to the trusts
of this Trust Agreement.
"Trust Securities Certificate" means any one of the Common Securities
Certificates or the Capital Securities Certificates.
"Trust Security" means any one of the Common Securities or the Capital
Securities.
"Underwriters" has the meaning specified in the Underwriting Agreement.
"Underwriting Agreement" means the Underwriting Agreement, dated as of
January 28, 1997, among the Issuer Trust, the Depositor and the Underwriters, as
the same may be amended from time to time.
ARTICLE II
CONTINUATION OF THE ISSUER TRUST
SECTION 2.1. Name.
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The Issuer Trust continued hereby shall be known as "First Empire Capital
Trust II", as such name may be modified from time to time by the Administrators
following written notice to the Holders of Trust Securities and the Issuer
Trustees, in which name the Administrators and the Issuer Trustees may engage in
the transactions contemplated hereby, make and execute contracts and other
instruments on behalf of the Issuer Trust and sue and be sued.
SECTION 2.2. Office of the Delaware Trustee; Principal Place of Business.
The address of the Delaware Trustee in the State of Delaware is Bankers
Trust (Delaware), 1001 Jefferson Street, Suite 550, Wilmington, DE 19801,
Attention: Lisa Wilkins, or such other address in the State of Delaware as the
Delaware Trustee may designate by written notice to the Holders and the
Depositor. The principal executive office of the Issuer Trust is in care of
First Empire State Corporation, One M&T Plaza, Buffalo, New York 14240,
Attention: Office of the Secretary.
SECTION 2.3. Initial Contribution of Trust Property; Organizational
Expenses.
The Property Trustee acknowledges receipt in trust from the Depositor in
connection with this Trust Agreement of the sum of $10, which constitutes the
initial Trust Property. The Depositor shall pay all organizational expenses of
the Issuer Trust as they arise or shall, upon request of any Issuer Trustee,
promptly reimburse such Issuer Trustee for any such expenses paid by such Issuer
Trustee. The Depositor shall make no claim upon the Trust Property for the
payment of such expenses.
SECTION 2.4. Issuance of the Capital Securities.
On June ___, 1997, the Depositor, both on its own behalf and on behalf of
the Issuer Trust pursuant to the Original Trust Agreement, executed and
delivered the Underwriting Agreement. Contemporaneously with the execution and
delivery of this Trust Agreement, an Administrator, on behalf of the Issuer
Trust, shall manually execute in accordance with Section 5.3 and the Property
Trustee shall authenticate in accordance with Section 5.3 and deliver to the
Underwriters, Capital Securities Certificates, registered in the names requested
by the Underwriters, in an aggregate amount of 100,000 Capital Securities having
an aggregate Liquidation Amount of $100,000,000, against receipt of the
aggregate purchase price of such Capital Securities of $100,000,000, by the
Property Trustee.
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SECTION 2.5. Issuance of the Common Securities; Subscription and Purchase
of Junior Subordinated Debentures.
Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Trust Agreement,
an Administrator, on behalf of the Issuer Trust, shall execute or cause to be
executed in accordance with Section 5.2 and the Property Trustee shall deliver
to the Depositor Common Securities Certificates, registered in the name of the
Depositor, in an aggregate amount of 3,093 Common Securities having an aggregate
Liquidation Amount of $3,093,000 against receipt of the aggregate purchase price
of such Common Securities of $3,093,000 by the Property Trustee.
Contemporaneously therewith, an Administrator, on behalf of the Issuer Trust,
shall subscribe for and purchase from the Depositor the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, registered in the name of the Issuer Trust and having an aggregate
principal amount equal to $103,093,000 and, in satisfaction of the purchase
price for such Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Property Trustee, on behalf
of the Issuer Trust, shall deliver to the Depositor the sum of $103,093,000
(being the sum of the amounts delivered to the Property Trustee pursuant to (i)
the second sentence of Section 2.4, and (ii) the first sentence of this Section
2.5) and receive on behalf of the Issuer Trust the Junior Subordinated
Debentures.
SECTION 2.6. Declaration of Trust.
The exclusive purposes and functions of the Issuer Trust are to (a) issue
and sell Trust Securities and use the proceeds from such sale to acquire the
Junior Subordinated Debentures, and (b) engage in only those other activities
necessary or incidental thereto. The Depositor hereby appoints the Issuer
Trustees as trustees of the Issuer Trust, to have all the rights, powers and
duties to the extent set forth herein, and the Issuer Trustees hereby accept
such appointment. The Property Trustee hereby declares that it will hold the
Trust Property in trust upon and subject to the conditions set forth herein for
the benefit of the Issuer Trust and the Holders. The Depositor hereby appoints
the Administrators, with such Administrators having all rights, powers and
duties set forth herein with respect to accomplishing the purposes of the Issuer
Trust, and the Administrators hereby accept such appointment, provided, however,
that it is the intent of the parties hereto that such Administrators shall not
be trustees or, to the fullest extent permitted by law, fiduciaries with respect
to the Issuer Trust and this Agreement shall be construed in a manner consistent
with such intent. The Property Trustee shall have the right and power to perform
those duties assigned to the Administrators. The Delaware Trustee shall not be
entitled to exercise any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the
duties and responsibilities, of the Property Trustee or the
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Administrators set forth herein. The Delaware Trustee shall be one of the
trustees of the Issuer Trust for the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the
requirements of Section 3807 of the Delaware Business Trust Act and for taking
such actions as are required to be taken by a Delaware trustee under the
Delaware Business Trust Act.
SECTION 2.7. Authorization to Enter into Certain Transactions.
(a) The Issuer Trustees and the Administrators shall conduct the affairs
of the Issuer Trust in accordance with the terms of this Trust Agreement.
Subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section and in
accordance with the following provisions (i), (ii) and (iii), the Issuer
Trustees and the Administrators shall act as follows:
(i) Each Administrator is authorized, on behalf of the Trust, to:
(A) comply with the Underwriting Agreement regarding the issuance and
sale of the Trust Securities;
(B) assist in compliance with the Securities Act, applicable state
securities or blue sky laws, and the Trust Indenture Act;
(C) assist in the listing of the Capital Securities upon such
securities exchange or exchanges as shall be determined by the Depositor, with
the registration of the Capital Securities under the Exchange Act, if required,
and the preparation and filing of all periodic and other reports and other
documents pursuant to the foregoing;
(D) execute the Trust Securities on behalf of the Issuer Trust in
accordance with this Trust Agreement;
(E) execute and deliver an application for a taxpayer identification
number for the Issuer Trust;
(F) unless otherwise determined by the Property Trustee or Holders of
at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities or as
otherwise required by the Delaware Business Trust Act or the Trust Indenture
Act, execute on behalf of the Issuer Trust any documents that the Administrators
have the power to execute pursuant to this Trust Agreement, including without
limitation a Junior Subordinated Debenture Purchase Agreement and a Common
Securities Purchase Agreement, both by and between the Issuer Trust and the
Depositor; and
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(G) take any action incidental to the foregoing as necessary or
advisable to give effect to the terms of this Trust Agreement.
(ii) The Property Trustee shall have the power and authority to act on
behalf of the Issuer Trust with respect to the following matters:
(A) the establishment of the Payment Account;
(B) the receipt of the Junior Subordinated Debentures;
(C) the receipt and collection of interest, principal and any other
payments made in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures in the Payment
Account;
(D) the distribution of amounts owed to the Holders in respect of the
Trust Securities;
(E) the exercise of all of the rights, powers and privileges of a
holder of the Junior Subordinated Debentures;
(F) the sending of notices of default and other information regarding
the Trust Securities and the Junior Subordinated Debentures to the Holders in
accordance with this Trust Agreement;
(G) the distribution of the Trust Property in accordance with the
terms of this Trust Agreement;
(H) to the extent provided in this Trust Agreement, the winding up of
the affairs of and liquidation of the Issuer Trust and the preparation,
execution and filing of the certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware; and
(I) after an Event of Default (other than under paragraph (b), (c),
(d), or (f) of the definition of such term if such Event of Default is by or
with respect to the Property Trustee), comply with the provisions of this Trust
Agreement and take any action to give effect to the terms of this Trust
Agreement 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
provided, however, that nothing in this Section 2.7(a)(ii) shall require the
Property Trustee to take any action that is not otherwise required in this Trust
Agreement.
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(b) So long as this Trust Agreement remains in effect, the Issuer Trust
(or the Issuer Trustees or Administrators acting on behalf of the Issuer Trust)
shall not undertake any business, activities or transaction except as expressly
provided herein or contemplated hereby. In particular, neither the Issuer
Trustees nor the Administrators shall (i) acquire any investments or engage in
any activities not authorized by this Trust Agreement, (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 to
cause the Issuer Trust to become taxable as a corporation for United States
Federal income tax purposes, (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 Property Trustee shall
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 Issuer Trust or the
Holders in their capacity as Holders.
(c) In connection with the issue and sale of the Capital Securities, the
Depositor shall have the right and responsibility to assist the Issuer Trust
with respect to, or effect on behalf of the Issuer Trust, the following (and any
actions taken by the Depositor in furtherance of the following prior to the date
of this Trust Agreement are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects):
(i) the preparation by the Issuer Trust of a registration statement,
and a prospectus in relation to the Capital Securities, including any amendments
thereto and the taking of any action necessary or desirable to sell the Capital
Securities in a transaction or a series of transactions not exempt from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act;
(ii) 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 that must be
taken by or on behalf of the Issuer Trust, and the advice to the Issuer Trustees
of actions they must take on behalf of the Issuer Trust, and the preparation for
execution and filing of any documents to be executed and filed by the Issuer
Trust or on behalf of the Issuer Trust, as the Depositor 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;
(iii) the negotiation of the terms of, and the execution and delivery
of, the Underwriting Agreement providing for the sale of the Capital Securities;
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(iv) compliance with the listing requirements of the Capital
Securities upon such securities exchange or exchanges as shall be determined by
the Depositor, the registration of the Capital Securities under the Exchange
Act, if required, and the preparation and filing of all periodic and other
reports and other documents pursuant to the foregoing; and
(v) 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 Property Trustee are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of
the Issuer Trust and to operate the Issuer Trust so that the Issuer Trust will
not be deemed to be an "investment company" required to be registered under the
Investment Company Act, and will not be taxable as a corporation for the United
States Federal income tax purposes and so that the Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Depositor for United States
income tax purposes. In this connection, the Property Trustee and the Holders of
Common Securities are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with
applicable law, the Certificate of Trust or this Trust Agreement, that the
Property Trustee and Holders of Common Securities determine in their discretion
to be necessary or desirable for such purposes, as long as such action does not
adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the holders of the
Outstanding Capital Securities. In no event shall the Administrators or the
Issuer Trustees be liable to the Issuer Trust or the Holders for any failure to
comply with this section that results from a change in law or regulations or in
the interpretation thereof.
SECTION 2.8. Assets of Trust.
The assets of the Issuer Trust shall consist solely of the Trust Property.
SECTION 2.9. Title to Trust Property.
Legal title to all Trust Property shall be vested at all times in the
Property Trustee (in its capacity as such) and shall be held and administered by
the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Issuer Trust and the Holders in
accordance with this Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE III
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PAYMENT ACCOUNT
SECTION 3.1. Payment Account.
(a) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Property Trustee shall establish
the Payment Account. The Property Trustee and its agents shall have exclusive
control and sole right of withdrawal with respect to the Payment Account for the
purpose of making deposits in and withdrawals from the Payment Account in
accordance with this Trust Agreement. All monies and other property deposited or
held from time to time in the Payment Account shall be held by the Property
Trustee in the Payment Account for the exclusive benefit of the Holders and for
distribution as herein provided, including (and subject to) any priority of
payments provided for herein.
(b) The Property Trustee shall deposit in the Payment Account, promptly
upon receipt, all payments of principal of or interest on, and any other
payments or proceeds with respect to, the Junior Subordinated Debentures.
Amounts held in the Payment Account shall not be invested by the Property
Trustee pending distribution thereof.
ARTICLE IV
DISTRIBUTIONS; REDEMPTION
SECTION 4.1. Distributions.
(a) The Trust Securities represent undivided beneficial interests in the
Trust Property, and Distributions (including of Additional Amounts) will be made
on the Trust Securities at the rate and on the dates that payments of interest
(including of Additional Interest, as defined in the Indenture) are made on the
Junior Subordinated Debentures. Accordingly:
(i) Distributions on the Trust Securities shall be cumulative and
will accumulate whether or not there are funds of the Issuer Trust
available for the payment of Distributions. Distributions shall accumulate
from January 31, 1997, and, except in the event (and to the extent) that
the Depositor exercises its right to defer the payment of interest on the
Debentures pursuant to the Indenture, shall be payable semiannually in
arrears on __________ and _________ of each year, commencing on _________,
1997. If any date on which a Distribution is otherwise payable on the
Trust Securities is not a Business Day, then the
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payment of such Distribution shall be made on the next succeeding day that
is a Business Day (without any interest or other payment in respect of any
such delay), with the same force and effect as if made on the date on
which such payment was originally payable (each date on which
distributions are payable in accordance with this Section 4.1(a), a
"Distribution Date").
(ii) The Trust Securities shall be entitled to Distributions payable
at a rate of _____% per annum of the Liquidation Amount of the Trust
Securities. The amount of Distributions payable for any period less than a
full Distribution period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
of twelve 30-day months and the actual number of days elapsed in a partial
month in a period. Distributions payable for each full Distribution period
will be computed by dividing the rate per annum by two. The amount of
Distributions payable for any period shall include any Additional Amounts
in respect of such period.
(iii) So long as no Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Depositor has the right under the Indenture to defer the
payment of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures at any time and
from time to time for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semiannual
periods (an "Extension Period"), provided that no Extension Period may
extend beyond June ___, 2027. As a consequence of any such deferral,
semiannual Distributions on the Trust Securities by the Trust will also be
deferred (and the amount of Distributions to which Holders of the Trust
Securities are entitled will accumulate additional Distributions thereon
at the rate per annum of _____% per annum, compounded semiannually) from
the relevant payment date for such Distributions, computed on the basis of
a 360- day year of twelve 30-day months and the actual days elapsed in a
partial month in such period. Additional Distributions payable for each
full Distribution period will be computed by dividing the rate per annum
by two (2). The term "Distributions" as used in Section 4.1 shall include
any such additional Distributions provided pursuant to this Section
4.1(a)(iii).
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(iv) Distributions on the Trust Securities shall be made by the
Property Trustee from the Payment Account and shall be payable on each
Distribution Date only to the extent that the Issuer Trust has funds then
on hand and available in the Payment Account for the payment of such
Distributions.
(b) Distributions on the Trust Securities with respect to a Distribution
Date shall be payable to the Holders thereof as they appear on the Securities
Register for the Trust Securities at the close of business on the relevant
record date, which shall be at the close of business on the 15th day of January
and July, whether or not a Business Day).
SECTION 4.2. Redemption.
(a) On each Junior Subordinated Debenture Redemption Date and on the
stated maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Issuer Trust will be
required to redeem a Like Amount of Trust Securities at the Redemption Price.
(b) Notice of redemption shall be given by the Property Trustee by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days
prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Trust Securities to be redeemed,
at such Holder's address appearing in the Security Register. All notices of
redemption shall state:
(i) the Redemption Date;
(ii) the Redemption Price, or if the Redemption Price cannot be
calculated prior to the time the notice is required to be sent, the estimate of
the Redemption Price provided pursuant to the Indenture together with a
statement that it is an estimate and that the actual Redemption Price will be
calculated on the third Business Day prior to the Redemption Date (and if an
estimate is provided, a further notice shall be sent of the actual Redemption
Price on the date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, that notice of such
actual Redemption Price is received pursuant to the Indenture);
(iii) the CUSIP number or CUSIP numbers of the Capital Securities
affected;
(iv) if less than all the Outstanding Trust Securities are to be
redeemed, the identification and the total Liquidation Amount of the particular
Trust Securities to be redeemed;
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(v) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due
and payable upon each such Trust Security to be redeemed and that Distributions
thereon will cease to accumulate on and after said date, except as provided in
Section 4.2(d) below; and
(vi) the place or places where Trust Securities are to be surrendered
for the payment of the Redemption Price.
The Issuer Trust in issuing the Trust Securities shall use "CUSIP"
numbers, and the Property Trustee shall indicate the "CUSIP" numbers of the
Trust Securities in notices of redemption and related materials as a convenience
to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is
made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Trust
Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and related material.
(c) The Trust Securities redeemed on each Redemption Date shall be
redeemed at the Redemption Price with the applicable proceeds from the
contemporaneous redemption of Junior Subordinated Debentures. Redemptions of the
Trust Securities shall be made and the Redemption Price shall be payable on each
Redemption Date only to the extent that the Issuer Trust has funds then on hand
and available in the Payment Account for the payment of such Redemption Price.
(d) If the Property Trustee gives a notice of redemption in respect of any
Capital Securities, then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Redemption
Date, subject to Section 4.2(c), the Property Trustee will, with respect to
Capital Securities held in global form, irrevocably deposit with the Clearing
Agency for such Capital Securities, to the extent available therefor, funds
sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price and will give such Clearing
Agency irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the
Holders of the Capital Securities. With respect to Capital Securities that are
not held in global form, the Property Trustee, subject to Section 4.2(c), will
irrevocably deposit with the Paying Agent, to the extent available therefor,
funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price and will give the Paying
Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the
Holder of the Capital Securities upon surrender of their Capital Securities
Certificates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Distributions payable on or prior
to the Redemption Date for any Trust Securities called for redemption shall be
payable to the Holders of such Trust Securities as they appear on the Register
for the Trust Securities on the relevant record dates for the related
Distribution Dates. If notice of redemption shall have been
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given and funds deposited as required, then, upon the date of such deposit, all
rights of Holders holding Trust Securities so called for redemption will cease,
except the right of such Holders to receive the Redemption Price and any
Distribution payable in respect of the Trust Securities on or prior to the
Redemption Date, but without interest, and such Securities will cease to be
Outstanding. In the event that any date on which any applicable Redemption Price
is payable is not a Business Day, then payment of the applicable Redemption
Price payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a
Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such
delay), except that, if such Business Day falls in the next calendar year, such
payment will be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case,
with the same force and effect as if made on such date. In the event that
payment of the Redemption Price in respect of any Trust Securities called for
redemption is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the Issuer
Trust or by the Depositor pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement, Distributions on
such Trust Securities will continue to accumulate, as set forth in Section 4.1,
from the Redemption Date originally established by the Issuer Trust for such
Trust Securities to the date such applicable Redemption Price is actually paid,
in which case the actual payment date will be the date fixed for redemption for
purposes of calculating the applicable Redemption Price.
(e) Subject to Section 4.3(a), if less than all the Outstanding Trust
Securities are to be redeemed on a Redemption Date, then the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of such Trust Securities to be redeemed shall be allocated
pro rata to the Common Securities and the Capital Securities based on the
relative Liquidation Amounts of such classes. The particular Capital Securities
to be redeemed shall be selected on a pro rata basis based on their respective
Liquidation Amounts not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the
Property Trustee from the Outstanding Capital Securities not previously called
for redemption, or if the Capital Securities are then held in the form of a
Global Capital Security in accordance with the customary procedures for the
Clearing Agency. The Property Trustee shall promptly notify the Securities
Registrar in writing of the Capital Securities selected for redemption and, in
the case of any Capital Securities selected for partial redemption, the
Liquidation Amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of this Trust
Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the
redemption of Capital Securities shall relate, in the case of any Capital
Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the
aggregate Liquidation Amount of Capital Securities that has been or is to be
redeemed.
SECTION 4.3. Subordination of Common Securities.
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(a) Payment of Distributions (including Additional Amounts, if applicable)
on, the Redemption Price of, and the Liquidation Distribution in respect of, the
Trust Securities, as applicable, shall be made, subject to Section 4.2(e), pro
rata among the Common Securities and the Capital Securities based on the
Liquidation Amount of such Trust Securities; provided, however, that if on any
Distribution Date or Redemption Date any Event of Default resulting from a
Debenture Event of Default in Section 5.1(1) or 5.1(2) of the Indenture shall
have occurred and be continuing, no payment of any Distribution (including any
Additional Amounts) on, Redemption Price of, or Liquidation Distribution in
respect of, any Common Security, and no other payment on account of the
redemption, liquidation or other acquisition of Common Securities, shall be made
unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions
(including any Additional Amounts) on all Outstanding Capital Securities for all
Distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto, or, in the case of payment
of the Redemption Price, the full amount of such Redemption Price on all
Outstanding Capital Securities then called for redemption, or in the case of
payment of the Liquidation Distribution the full amount of such Liquidation
Distribution on all Outstanding Capital Securities, shall have been made or
provided for, and all funds immediately available to the Property Trustee shall
first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all Distributions (including
any Additional Amounts) on, or the Redemption Price of, Capital Securities then
due and payable. The existence of an Event of Default does not entitle the
Holders of Capital Securities to accelerate the maturity thereof.
(b) In the case of the occurrence of any Event of Default resulting from
any Debenture Event of Default, the Holder of the Common Securities shall have
no right to act with respect to any such Event of Default under this Trust
Agreement until the effects of all such Events of Default with respect to the
Capital Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. Until all
such Events of Default under this Trust Agreement with respect to the Capital
Securities have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the Property
Trustee shall act solely on behalf of the Holders of the Capital Securities and
not on behalf of the Holder of the Common Securities, and only the Holders of
the Capital Securities will have the right to direct the Property Trustee to act
on their behalf.
SECTION 4.4. Payment Procedures.
Payments of Distributions (including any Additional Amounts) in respect of
the Capital Securities shall be made by check mailed to the address of the
Person entitled thereto as
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such address shall appear on the Securities Register or, if the Capital
Securities are held by a Clearing Agency, such Distributions shall be made to
the Clearing Agency in immediately available funds, which will credit the
relevant accounts on the applicable Distribution Dates. Payments of
Distributions to Holders of $1,000,000 or more in aggregate Liquidation Amount
of Capital Securities may be made by wire transfer of immediately available
funds upon written request of such Holder to the Securities Registrar not later
than 15 calendar days prior to the date on which the Distribution is payable.
Payments in respect of the Common Securities shall be made in such manner as
shall be mutually agreed between the Property Trustee and the Holder of the
Common Securities.
SECTION 4.5. Tax Returns and Reports.
The Administrators shall prepare (or cause to be prepared), at the
Depositor's expense, and file all United States Federal, state and local tax and
information returns and reports required to be filed by or in respect of the
Issuer Trust. In this regard, the Administrators shall (a) prepare and file (or
cause to be prepared and filed) all Internal Revenue Service forms required to
be filed in respect of the Issuer Trust in each taxable year of the Issuer Trust
and (b) prepare and furnish (or cause to be prepared and furnished) to each
Holder all Internal Revenue Service forms required to be provided by the Issuer
Trust. The Administrators shall provide the Depositor and the Property Trustee
with a copy of all such returns and reports promptly after such filing or
furnishing. The Issuer Trustees shall comply with United States Federal
withholding and backup withholding tax laws and information reporting
requirements with respect to any payments to Holders under the Trust Securities.
On or before December 15 of each year during which any Capital Securities
are outstanding, the Administrators shall furnish to the Paying Agent such
information as may be reasonably requested by the Property Trustee in order that
the Property Trustee may prepare the information which it is required to report
for such year on Internal Revenue Service Forms 1096 and 1099 pursuant to
Section 6049 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Such information
shall include the amount of original issue discount includible in income for
each outstanding Capital Security during such year.
SECTION 4.6. Payment of Taxes, Duties, Etc. of the Issuer Trust.
Upon receipt under the Junior Subordinated Debentures of Additional Sums,
the Property Trustee shall promptly pay any taxes, duties or governmental
charges of whatsoever nature
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(other than withholding taxes) imposed on the Issuer Trust by the United States
or any other taxing authority.
SECTION 4.7. Payments under Indenture or Pursuant to Direct Actions.
Any amount payable hereunder to any Holder of Capital Securities shall be
reduced by the amount of any corresponding payment such Holder has directly
received pursuant to Section 5.8 of the Indenture or Section 5.13 of this Trust
Agreement.
SECTION 4.8. Liability of the Holder of Common Securities.
The Holder of Common Securities shall be liable for the debts and
obligations of the Issuer Trust as set forth in Section 6.7 of the Indenture
regarding allocation of expenses.
ARTICLE V
TRUST SECURITIES CERTIFICATES
SECTION 5.1. Initial Ownership.
Upon the formation of the Issuer Trust and the contribution by the
Depositor pursuant to Section 2.3 and until the issuance of the Trust
Securities, and at any time during which no Trust Securities are outstanding,
the Depositor shall be the sole beneficial owner of the Issuer Trust.
SECTION 5.2. The Trust Securities Certificates.
(a) The Trust Securities Certificates shall be issued in multiples of
$1,000 and shall be executed on behalf of the Issuer Trust by manual or
facsimile signature of at least one Administrator. Trust Securities Certificates
bearing the manual signatures of individuals who were, at the time when such
signatures shall have been affixed, authorized to sign on behalf of the Issuer
Trust, shall be validly issued and entitled to the benefits of this Trust
Agreement, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them shall have
ceased to be so authorized prior to the delivery of such Trust Securities
Certificates or did not hold such offices at the date of delivery of such Trust
Securities Certificates. A transferee of a Trust Securities Certificate shall
become a Holder, and shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the
obligations of a Holder hereunder, upon due registration of such Trust
Securities Certificate in such transferee's name pursuant to Section 5.5.
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(b) Upon their original issuance, Capital Securities Certificates shall be
issued in the form of one or more fully registered Global Capital Securities
Certificates which will be deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary and
registered in the name of the Depositary's nominee. Unless and until it is
exchangeable in whole or in part for the Capital Securities in definitive form,
a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to
a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary
or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to
a successor of such Depositary or a nominee of such successor.
(c) A single Common Securities Certificate representing the Common
Securities shall be issued to the Depositor in the form of a definitive Common
Securities Certificate.
SECTION 5.3. Execution and Delivery of Trust Securities Certificates.
At the Closing Date, the Administrators shall cause Trust Securities
Certificates, in an aggregate Liquidation Amount as provided in Sections 2.4 and
2.5, to be executed on behalf of the Issuer Trust and delivered to the Property
Trustee and upon such delivery the Property Trustee shall authenticate such
Trust Securities Certificates and deliver such Trust Securities Certificates
upon the written order of the Depositor, executed by two authorized officers
thereof, without further corporate action by the Depositor, in authorized
denominations.
SECTION 5.4. Global Capital Security.
(a) Any Global Capital Security issued under this Trust Agreement shall be
registered in the name of the nominee of the Clearing Agency and delivered to
such custodian therefor, and such Global Capital Security shall constitute a
single Capital Security for all purposes of this Trust Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Trust Agreement, a Global
Capital Security may not be exchanged in whole or in part for Capital Securities
registered, and no transfer of the Global Capital Security in whole or in part
may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Clearing Agency for
such Global Capital Security, or its nominee thereof unless (i) such Clearing
Agency advises the Property Trustee in writing that such Clearing Agency is no
longer willing or able to properly discharge its responsibilities as Clearing
Agency with respect to such Global Capital Security, and the Depositor is unable
to locate a qualified successor, (ii) the Issuer Trust at its option advises the
Depositary in writing that it elects to terminate the book-entry system through
the Clearing Agency,
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or (iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default.
(c) If a Capital Security is to be exchanged in whole or in part for a
beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security, then either (i) such Global
Capital Security shall be so surrendered for exchange or cancellation as
provided in this Article V or (ii) the Liquidation Amount thereof shall be
reduced or increased by an amount equal to the portion thereof to be so
exchanged or cancelled or equal to the Liquidation Amount of such other Capital
Security to be so exchanged for a beneficial interest therein, as the case may
be, by means of an appropriate adjustment made on the records of the Security
Registrar, whereupon the Property Trustee, in accordance with the Applicable
Procedures, shall instruct the Clearing Agency or its authorized representative
to make a corresponding adjustment to its records. Upon any such surrender or
adjustment of a Global Capital Security by the Clearing Agency, accompanied by
registration instructions, the Property Trustee shall, subject to Section 5.4(b)
and as otherwise provided in this Article V, authenticate and deliver any
Capital Securities issuable in exchange for such Global Capital Security (or any
portion thereof) in accordance with the instructions of the Clearing Agency. The
Property Trustee shall not 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.
(d) Every Capital Security authenticated and delivered upon registration
of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Capital Security or
any portion thereof, whether pursuant to this Article V or Article IV or
otherwise, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a
Global Capital Security, unless such Global Capital Security is registered in
the name of a Person other than the Clearing Agency for such Global Capital
Security or a nominee thereof.
(e) The Clearing Agency or its nominee, as the registered owner of a
Global Capital Security, shall be considered the Holder of the Capital
Securities represented by such Global Capital Security for all purposes under
this Trust Agreement and the Capital Securities, and owners of beneficial
interests in such Global Capital Security shall hold such interests pursuant to
the Applicable Procedures and, except as otherwise provided herein, shall not be
entitled to receive physical delivery of any such Capital Securities in
definitive form and shall not be considered the Holders thereof under this Trust
Agreement. Accordingly, any such owner's beneficial interest in the Global
Capital Security shall be shown only on, and the transfer of such interest shall
be effected only through, records maintained by the Clearing Agency or its
nominee. Neither the Property
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Trustee nor the Securities Registrar shall have any liability in respect of any
transfers effected by the Clearing Agency.
(f) The rights of owners of beneficial interests in a Global Capital
Security shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be
limited to those established by law and agreements between such owners and the
Clearing Agency.
SECTION 5.5. Registration of Transfer and Exchange Generally; Certain
Transfers and Exchanges; Capital Securities Certificates.
(a) The Property Trustee shall keep or cause to be kept at its Corporate
Trust Office a register or registers for the purpose of registering Capital
Securities Certificates and transfers and exchanges of Capital Securities
Certificates in which the registrar and transfer agent with respect to the
Capital Securities (the "Securities Registrar"), subject to such reasonable
regulations as it may prescribe, shall provide for the registration of Capital
Securities Certificates and Common Securities Certificates (subject to Section
5.11 in the case of Common Securities Certificates) and registration of
transfers and exchanges of Capital Securities Certificates as herein provided.
Such register is herein sometimes referred to as the "Securities Register." The
Property Trustee is hereby appointed "Securities Registrar" for the purpose of
registering Capital Securities and transfers of Capital Securities as herein
provided.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Capital Security at the
offices or agencies of the Property Trustee designated for that purpose the
Depositor shall execute, and authenticate and deliver, in the name of the
designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Capital Securities of the
same series of any authorized denominations of like tenor and aggregate
principal amount and bearing such legends as may be required by this Trust
Agreement.
At the option of the Holder, Capital Securities may be exchanged for other
Capital Securities of any authorized denominations, of like tenor and aggregate
Liquidation Amount and bearing such legends as may be required by this Trust
Agreement, upon surrender of the Capital Securities to be exchanged as such
office or agency. Whenever any securities are so surrendered for exchange, the
Property Trustee shall execute and authenticate and deliver the Capital
Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
All Capital Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Capital
Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer Trust, evidencing the
same debt, and entitled to the
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same benefits under this Trust Agreement, as the Capital Securities surrendered
upon such transfer or exchange.
Every Capital Security presented or surrendered for transfer or exchange
shall (if so required by the Property Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Property Trustee and the Securities Registrar, duly executed by the Holder
thereof or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any transfer or exchange
of Capital Securities, but the Property Trustee may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in
connection with any transfer or exchange of Capital Securities.
Neither the Issuer Trust nor the Property Trustee shall be required,
pursuant to the provisions of this Section, (i) to issue, register the transfer
of or exchange any Capital Security during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of selection for redemption of Capital
Securities pursuant to Article IV and ending at the close of business on the day
of mailing of the notice of redemption, or (ii) to register the transfer of or
exchange any Capital Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part,
except, in the case of any such Capital Security to be redeemed in part, any
portion thereof not to be redeemed.
(b) Certain Transfers and Exchanges. Trust Securities may only be
transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms and conditions
set forth in this Trust Agreement. Any transfer or purported transfer of any
Trust Security not made in accordance with this Trust Agreement shall be null
and void.
(i) Non Global Security to Non Global Security. A Trust Security
that is not a Global Capital Security may be transferred, in whole or in
part, to a Person who takes delivery in the form of another Trust Security
that is not a Global Security as provided in Section 5.5(a).
(ii) Free Transferability. Subject to this Section 5.5, Capital
Securities shall be freely transferable.
(iii) Exchanges Between Global Capital Security and Non-Global
Capital Security. A beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security may
be exchanged for a Capital Security that is not a Global Capital Security
as provided in Section 5.4.
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SECTION 5.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Trust Securities
Certificates.
If (a) any mutilated Trust Securities Certificate shall be surrendered to
the Securities Registrar, or if the Securities Registrar shall receive evidence
to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Trust Securities
Certificate and (b) there shall be delivered to the Securities Registrar and the
Administrators such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save
each of them harmless, then in the absence of notice that such Trust Securities
Certificate shall have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the
Administrators, or any one of them, on behalf of the Issuer Trust shall execute
and make available for delivery, and the Property Trustee shall authenticate, in
exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Trust
Securities Certificate, a new Trust Securities Certificate of like class, tenor
and denomination. In connection with the issuance of any new Trust Securities
Certificate under this Section, the Administrators or the Securities Registrar
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
Trust Securities Certificate issued pursuant to this Section shall constitute
conclusive evidence of an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the
Issuer Trust corresponding to that evidenced by the lost, stolen or destroyed
Trust Certificate, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or
destroyed Trust Securities Certificate shall be found at any time.
SECTION 5.7. Persons Deemed Holders.
The Issuer Trustees or the Securities Registrar shall treat the Person in
whose name any Trust Securities are issued as the owner of such Trust Securities
for the purpose of receiving Distributions and for all other purposes
whatsoever, and none of the Issuer Trustees, the Administrators nor the
Securities Registrar shall be bound by any notice to the contrary.
SECTION 5.8. Access to List of Holders' Names and Addresses.
Each Holder and each Owner shall be deemed to have agreed not to hold the
Depositor, the Property Trustee, or the Administrators accountable by reason of
the disclosure of its name and address, regardless of the source from which such
information was derived.
SECTION 5.9. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
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The Property Trustee shall designate, with the consent of the
Administrators, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, an office or
offices or agency or agencies where Capital Securities Certificates may be
surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and
demands to or upon the Issuer Trustees in respect of the Trust Securities
Certificates may be served. The Property Trustee initially designates its
Corporate Trust Office at Four Albany Street, New York, NY 10006, Attention:
Corporate Trust and Agency Group - Corporate Market Services, as its corporate
trust office for such purposes. The Property Trustee shall give prompt written
notice to the Depositor, the Administrators and to the Holders of any change in
the location of the Securities Register or any such office or agency.
SECTION 5.10. Appointment of Paying Agent.
The Paying Agent shall make Distributions to Holders from the Payment
Account and shall report the amounts of such Distributions to the Property
Trustee and the Administrators. Any Paying Agent shall have the revocable power
to withdraw funds from the Payment Account solely for the purpose of making the
Distributions referred to above. The Property Trustee may revoke such power and
remove any Paying Agent in its sole discretion. The Paying Agent shall initially
be the Property Trustee. Any Person acting as Paying Agent shall be permitted to
resign as Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice to the Administrators, and
the Property Trustee. In the event that the Property Trustee shall no longer be
the Paying Agent or a successor Paying Agent shall resign or its authority to
act be revoked, the Property Trustee shall appoint a successor (which shall be a
bank or trust company) that is reasonably acceptable to the Administrators to
act as Paying Agent. Such successor Paying Agent or any additional Paying Agent
appointed by the Administrators shall execute and deliver to the Issuer Trustees
an instrument in which such successor Paying Agent or additional Paying Agent
shall agree with the Issuer Trustees that as Paying Agent, such successor Paying
Agent or additional Paying Agent will hold all sums, if any, held by it for
payment to the Holders in trust for the benefit of the Holders entitled thereto
until such sums shall be paid to such Holders. The Paying Agent shall return all
unclaimed funds to the Property Trustee and upon removal of a Paying Agent such
Paying Agent shall also return all funds in its possession to the Property
Trustee. The provisions of Sections 8.1, 8.3 and 8.6 herein shall apply to the
Bank also in its role as Paying Agent, for so long as the Bank shall act as
Paying Agent and, to the extent applicable, to any other paying agent appointed
hereunder. Any reference in this Trust Agreement to the Paying Agent shall
include any co-paying agent chosen by the Property Trustee unless the context
requires otherwise.
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SECTION 5.11. Ownership of Common Securities by Depositor.
At the Closing Date, the Depositor shall acquire and retain beneficial and
record ownership of the Common Securities. Neither the Depositor nor any
successor Holder of the Common Securities may transfer less than all the Common
Securities, and the Depositor or any such successor Holder may transfer the
Common Securities only (i) in connection with a consolidation or merger of the
Depositor into another corporation or any conveyance, transfer or lease by the
Depositor of its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any
Person, pursuant to Section 8.1 of the Indenture, or (ii) to an Affiliate of the
Depositor in compliance with applicable law (including the Securities Act and
applicable state securities and blue sky laws). To the fullest extent permitted
by law, any attempted transfer of the Common Securities, other than as set forth
in the immediately preceeding sentence, shall be void. The Administrators shall
cause each Common Securities Certificate issued to the Depositor to contain a
legend stating "THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE EXCEPT TO THE DEPOSITOR OR
AN AFFILIATE OF THE DEPOSITOR IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW AND SECTION 5.11
OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT."
SECTION 5.12. Notices to Clearing Agency.
To the extent that a notice or other communication to the Holders is
required under this Trust Agreement, for so long as Capital Securities are
represented by a Global Capital Securities Certificate, the Administrators and
the Issuer Trustees shall give all such notices and communications specified
herein to be given to the Clearing Agency, and shall have no obligations to the
Owners.
SECTION 5.13. Rights of Holders.
(a) The legal title to the Trust Property is vested exclusively in the
Property Trustee (in its capacity as such) in accordance with Section 2.9, and
the Holders shall not have any right or title therein other than the undivided
beneficial ownership interest in the assets of the Issuer Trust conferred by
their Trust Securities and they shall have no right to call for any partition or
division of property, profits or rights of the Issuer Trust except as described
below. The Trust Securities shall be personal property giving only the rights
specifically set forth therein and in this Trust Agreement. The Trust Securities
shall have no preemptive or similar rights and when issued and delivered to
Holders against payment of the purchase price therefor, as provided herein, will
be fully paid and nonassessable by the Issuer Trust. Except as otherwise
provided in Section 4.8, the Holders of the Trust Securities, in
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their capacities as such, 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.
(b) For so long as any Capital Securities remain Outstanding, if, upon a
Debenture Event of Default, the Debenture Trustee fails or the holders of not
less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Junior Subordinated
Debentures fail to declare the principal of all of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures to be immediately due and payable, the Holders of at least 25% in
Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities then Outstanding shall have such
right to make such declaration by a notice in writing to the Property Trustee,
the Depositor and the Debenture Trustee.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to the
Junior Subordinated 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, the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities, by written notice to the Property Trustee, the Depositor and the
Debenture Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences
if:
(i) the Depositor has paid or deposited with the Debenture Trustee a sum
sufficient to pay
(A) all overdue installments of interest on all of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures,
(B) any accrued Additional Interest on all of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures,
(C) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Junior
Subordinated Debentures which have become due otherwise than by such
declaration of acceleration and interest and Additional Interest thereon
at the rate borne by the Junior Subordinated 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 Property Trustee, their agents
and counsel; and
(ii) all Events of Default with respect to the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, other than the non-payment of the principal of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures which has become due solely by such
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acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13 of the
Indenture.
If the Property Trustee fails to annul any such declaration and waive such
default, the Holders of at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities shall also have the right to rescind and annul such declaration and
its consequences by written notice to the Depositor, the Property Trustee and
the Debenture Trustee, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth
in Clause (i) and (ii) of this Section 5.13.
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, except a default in the payment of
principal or interest (unless such 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 in
respect of a covenant or provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified
or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Junior
Subordinated Debentures. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default
or impair any right consequent thereon.
Upon receipt by the Property Trustee of written notice declaring such an
acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, by Holders of the Capital
Securities all or part of which is represented by Global 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 Property 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 which 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 which has been canceled
pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence, in which event a new record
date
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shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.13(b).
(c) For so long as any Capital Securities remain Outstanding, to the
fullest extent permitted by law and subject to the terms of this Trust Agreement
and the Indenture, upon a Debenture Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(1)
or 5.1(2) of the Indenture, any Holder of Capital Securities shall have the
right to institute a proceeding directly against the Depositor, pursuant to
Section 5.9 of the Indenture, for enforcement of payment to such Holder of the
principal amount of or interest on Junior Subordinated Debentures having an
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the
Capital Securities of such Holder (a "Direct Action"). Except as set forth in
Sections 5.13(b) and 5.13 (c), the Holders of Capital Securities shall have no
right to exercise directly any right or remedy available to the holders of, or
in respect of, the Junior Subordinated Debentures.
ARTICLE VI
ACTS OF HOLDERS; MEETINGS; VOTING
SECTION 6.1. Limitations on Holder's Voting Rights.
(a) Except as provided in this Trust Agreement and in the Indenture and as
otherwise required by law, no Holder of Capital Securities shall have any right
to vote or in any manner otherwise control the administration, operation and
management of the Issuer Trust or the obligations of the parties hereto, nor
shall anything herein set forth or contained in the terms of the Trust
Securities Certificates be construed so as to constitute the Holders from time
to time as members of an association.
(b) So long as any Junior Subordinated Debentures are held by the Property
Trustee on behalf of the Issuer Trust, the Property Trustee shall not (i) direct
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available
to the Debenture Trustee, or executing any trust or power conferred on the
Property Trustee with respect to such Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) waive
any past default that may be waived under Section 5.13 of the Indenture, (iii)
exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all
the Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be due and payable or (iv) consent to
any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, where such consent shall be required, without, in each
case, obtaining the prior approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities, provided, however,
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that where a consent under the Indenture would require the consent of each
Holder of Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, no such consent shall
be given by the Property Trustee without the prior written consent of each
Holder of Capital Securities. The Property Trustee shall not revoke any action
previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of Capital
Securities, except by a subsequent vote of the Holders of Capital Securities.
The Property Trustee shall notify all Holders of the Capital Securities of any
notice of default received with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures.
In addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals of the Holders of the Capital
Securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the Issuer Trustees
shall, at the expense of the Depositor, obtain an Opinion of Counsel experienced
in such matters to the effect that such action will not cause the Issuer Trust
to be taxable as a corporation for United States Federal income tax purposes.
(c) If any proposed amendment to the Trust Agreement provides for, or the
Issuer Trust otherwise proposes to effect, (i) any action that would adversely
affect in any material respect the interests, powers, preferences or special
rights of the Capital Securities, whether by way of amendment to the Trust
Agreement or otherwise, or (ii) the dissolution, winding-up or termination of
the Issuer Trust, other than pursuant to the terms of this Trust Agreement, then
the Holders of Outstanding Trust Securities as a 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 Capital Securities. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Trust Agreement, no amendment to this Trust Agreement may be
made if, as a result of such amendment, it would cause the Issuer Trust to be
taxable as a corporation for United States Federal income tax purposes.
SECTION 6.2. Notice of Meetings.
Notice of all meetings of the Holders, stating the time, place and purpose
of the meeting, shall be given by the Property Trustee pursuant to Section 10.8
to each Holder of record, at his registered address, at least 15 days and not
more than 90 days before the meeting. At any such meeting, any business properly
before the meeting may be so considered whether or not stated in the notice of
the meeting. Any adjourned meeting may be held as adjourned without further
notice.
SECTION 6.3. Meetings of Holders.
No annual meeting of Holders is required to be held. The Property Trustee,
however, shall call a meeting of Holders to vote on any matter upon the written
request of the Holders of
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record of 25% of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities and
the Administrators or the Property Trustee may, at any time in their discretion,
call a meeting of Holders of Capital Securities to vote on any matters as to
which Holders are entitled to vote.
Holders of at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum
at any meeting of Holders of the Capital Securities.
If a quorum is present at a meeting, an affirmative vote by the Holders of
record present, in person or by proxy, holding Capital Securities representing
at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities held by the
Holders present, either in person or by proxy, at such meeting shall constitute
the action of the Holders of Capital Securities, unless this Trust Agreement
requires a greater number of affirmative votes.
SECTION 6.4. Voting Rights.
Holders shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 of Liquidation
Amount represented by their Outstanding Trust Securities in respect of any
matter as to which such Holders are entitled to vote.
SECTION 6.5. Proxies, etc.
At any meeting of Holders, any Holder entitled to vote thereat may vote by
proxy, provided that no proxy shall be voted at any meeting unless it shall have
been placed on file with the Property Trustee, or with such other officer or
agent of the Issuer Trust as the Property Trustee may direct, for verification
prior to the time at which such vote shall be taken. Pursuant to a resolution of
the Property Trustee, proxies may be solicited in the name of the Property
Trustee or one or more officers of the Property Trustee. Only Holders of record
shall be entitled to vote. When Trust Securities are held jointly by several
persons, any one of them may vote at any meeting in person or by proxy in
respect of such Trust Securities, but if more than one of them shall be present
at such meeting in person or by proxy, and such joint owners or their proxies so
present disagree as to any vote to be cast, such vote shall not be received in
respect of such Trust Securities. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on
behalf of a Holder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its
exercise, and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger. No
proxy shall be valid more than three years after its date of execution.
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SECTION 6.6. Holder Action by Written Consent.
Any action which may be taken by Holders at a meeting may be taken without
a meeting if Holders holding at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of all
Trust Securities entitled to vote in respect of such action (or such larger
proportion thereof as shall be required by any other provision of this Trust
Agreement) shall consent to the action in writing.
SECTION 6.7. Record Date for Voting and Other Purposes.
For the purposes of determining the Holders who are entitled to notice of
and to vote at any meeting or by written consent, or to participate in any
distribution on the Trust Securities in respect of which a record date is not
otherwise provided for in this Trust Agreement, or for the purpose of any other
action, the Administrators or Property Trustee may from time to time fix a date,
not more than 90 days prior to the date of any meeting of Holders or the payment
of a distribution or other action, as the case may be, as a record date for the
determination of the identity of the Holders of record for such purposes.
SECTION 6.8. Acts of Holders.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
other action provided or permitted by this Trust Agreement to be given, made or
taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of
substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly
appointed in writing; and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, such
action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered
to the Property Trustee. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied
therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of
the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any
such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient
for any purpose of this Trust Agreement and (subject to Section 8.1) conclusive
in favor of the Issuer Trustees, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or
writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a
certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take
acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument
or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by
a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such
certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his
authority. The fact and date
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of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the
Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which any
Issuer Trustee or Administrator receiving the same deems sufficient.
The ownership of Trust Securities shall be proved by the Securities
Register.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
other Act of the Holder of any Trust Security shall bind every future Holder of
the same Trust Security and the Holder of every Trust Security issued upon the
registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in
respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Issuer Trustees,
the Administrators or the Issuer Trust in reliance thereon, whether or not
notation of such action is made upon such Trust Security.
Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any
action hereunder with regard to any particular Trust Security may do so with
regard to all or any part of the Liquidation Amount of such Trust Security or by
one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such
appointment with regard to all or any part of such Liquidation Amount.
If any dispute shall arise among the Holders, the Administrators or the
Issuer Trustees with respect to the authenticity, validity or binding nature of
any request, demand, authorization, direction, consent, waiver or other Act of
such Holder or Issuer Trustee under this Article VI, then the determination of
such matter by the Property Trustee shall be conclusive with respect to such
matter.
A Holder may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Depositor
under the Guarantee Agreement to enforce its rights under the Guarantee
Agreement without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee
Trustee (as defined in the Guarantee Agreement), the Issuer Trust, any Issuer
Trustee, any Administrator or any person or entity.
SECTION 6.9. Inspection of Records.
Upon reasonable notice to the Administrators and the Property Trustee, the
records of the Issuer Trust shall be open to inspection by Holders during normal
business hours for any purpose reasonably related to such Holder's interest as a
Holder.
ARTICLE VII
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 7.1. Representations and Warranties of the Property Trustee and
the Delaware Trustee.
The Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, each severally on behalf of
and as to itself, hereby represents and warrants for the benefit of the
Depositor and the Holders that:
(a) The Property Trustee is a banking corporation with trust powers, duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of New York,
with trust power and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and
perform its obligations under the terms of this Trust Agreement.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Property Trustee of
this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
on the part of the Property Trustee; and this Trust Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by the Property Trustee, and constitutes a legal, valid
and binding obligation of the Property Trustee, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization,
moratorium, insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally and to general principles of equity and the discretion of the court
(regardless of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law).
(c) The execution, delivery and performance of this Trust Agreement by the
Property Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the
certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Property Trustee.
(d) At the Closing Date, the Property Trustee has not knowingly created
any liens or encumbrances on the Trust Securities.
(e) No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or
notice to, any New York State or federal banking authority is required for the
execution, delivery or performance by the Property Trustee, of this Trust
Agreement.
(f) The Delaware Trustee is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with trust power and authority
to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the
terms of, the Trust Agreement.
(g) The execution, delivery and performance by the Delaware Trustee of
this Trust Agreement has been duly
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authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Delaware
Trustee; and this Trust Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the
Delaware Trustee, and 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' right generally and to general principles of
equity and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether the enforcement of
such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
(h) The execution, delivery and performance of this Trust Agreement by the
Delaware Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the
certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Delaware Trustee.
(i) No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or
notice to any state or Federal banking authority is required for the execution,
delivery or performance by the Delaware Trustee, of this Trust Agreement.
(j) The Delaware Trustee is an entity which has its principal place of
business in the State of Delaware.
SECTION 7.2. Representations and Warranties of Depositor.
The Depositor hereby represents and warrants for the benefit of the
Holders that:
(a) the Trust Securities Certificates issued at the Closing Date on behalf
of the Issuer Trust have been duly authorized and will have been duly and
validly executed, issued and delivered by the Issuer Trustees pursuant to the
terms and provisions of, and in accordance with the requirements of, this Trust
Agreement, and the Holders will be, as of each such date, entitled to the
benefits of this Trust Agreement; and
(b) there are no taxes, fees or other governmental charges payable by the
Issuer Trust (or the Issuer Trustees on behalf of the Issuer Trust) under the
laws of the State of Delaware or any political subdivision thereof in connection
with the execution, delivery and performance by either the Property Trustee or
the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, of this Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII
THE ISSUER TRUSTEES; THE ADMINISTRATORS
SECTION 8.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
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(a) The duties and responsibilities of the Issuer Trustees and the
Administrators shall be as provided by this Trust Agreement and, in the case of
the Property Trustee, by the Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
no provision of this Trust Agreement shall require the Issuer Trustees or the
Administrators 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 they shall have reasonable
grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against
such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein
expressly so provided, every provision of this Trust Agreement relating to the
conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Issuer
Trustees or the Administrators shall be subject to the provisions of this
Section. Nothing in this Trust Agreement shall be construed to release an
Administrator from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent
failure to act, or its own willful misconduct. To the extent that, at law or in
equity, an Issuer Trustee or Administrator has duties and liabilities relating
to the Issuer Trust or to the Holders, such Issuer Trustee or Administrator
shall not be liable to the Issuer Trust or to any Holder for such Issuer
Trustee's or Administrator's good faith reliance on the provisions of this Trust
Agreement. The provisions of this Trust Agreement, to the extent that they
restrict the duties and liabilities of the Issuer Trustees and Administrators
otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Depositor and the
Holders to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Issuer Trustees and
Administrators.
(b) All payments made by the Property Trustee or a Paying Agent in respect
of the Trust 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 Property Trustee or a Paying
Agent to make payments in accordance with the terms hereof. Each Holder, by its
acceptance of a Trust 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 neither the Issuer Trustees nor
the Administrators are personally liable to it for any amount distributable in
respect of any Trust Security or for any other liability in respect of any Trust
Security. This Section 8.1(b) does not limit the liability of the Issuer
Trustees expressly set forth elsewhere in this Trust Agreement or, in the case
of the Property Trustee, in the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) The Property Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default
and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall
undertake to perform only such
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duties as are specifically set forth in this Trust Agreement (including pursuant
to Section 10.10), and no implied covenants shall be read into this Trust
Agreement against the Property Trustee. If an Event of Default has occurred
(that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 5.13 of the Indenture),
the Property Trustee shall enforce this Trust Agreement for the benefit of the
Holders and shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this
Trust Agreement, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise
thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in
the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(d) No provision of this Trust Agreement shall be construed to relieve the
Property Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent
failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the
curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:
(A) the duties and obligations of the Property Trustee shall
be determined solely by the express provisions of this Trust
Agreement (including pursuant to Section 10.10), and the Property
Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such
duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Trust
Agreement (including pursuant to Section 10.10); and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Property
Trustee, the Property Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth
of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed
therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Property
Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Trust Agreement;
but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any
provision hereof or of the Trust Indenture Act are specifically
required to be furnished to the Property Trustee, the Property
Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine
whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Trust
Agreement;
(ii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by an authorized officer of the Property
Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Property Trustee was negligent
in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
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(iii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with
the direction of the Holders of at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount
of the Capital Securities relating to the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Property
Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Property
Trustee under this Trust Agreement;
(iv) the Property Trustee's sole duty with respect to the custody,
safe keeping and physical preservation of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures and the Payment Account shall be to deal with such property in
a similar manner as the Property Trustee deals with similar property for
its own account, subject to the protections and limitations on liability
afforded to the Property Trustee under this Trust Agreement and the Trust
Indenture Act;
(v) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on any
money received by it except as it may otherwise agree with the Depositor;
and money held by the Property Trustee need not be segregated from other
funds held by it except in relation to the Payment Account maintained by
the Property Trustee pursuant to Section 3.1 and except to the extent
otherwise required by law;
(vi) the Property Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring
the compliance by the Administrators or the Depositor with their
respective duties under this Trust Agreement, nor shall the Property
Trustee be liable for the default or misconduct of any other Issuer
Trustee, the Administrators or the Depositor; and
(vii) no provision of this Trust Agreement shall require the
Property Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur
personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in
the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Property Trustee shall
have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or
liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Trust
Agreement or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not
reasonably assured to it.
(e) The Administrators shall not be responsible for monitoring the
compliance by the Issuer Trustee or the Depositor with their respective duties
under this Trust Agreement, nor shall either Administrator be liable for the
default or misconduct of any other Administrator, the Issuer Trustees or the
Depositor.
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SECTION 8.2. Certain Notices.
Within five Business Days after the occurrence of any Event of Default
actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee, the Property
Trustee shall transmit, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section
10.8, notice of such Event of Default to the Holders and the Administrators,
unless such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived.
Within five Business Days after the receipt of notice of the Depositor's
exercise of its right to defer the payment of interest on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures pursuant to the Indenture, the Property Trustee shall
transmit, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 10.8, notice of
such exercise to the Holders and the Administrators, unless such exercise shall
have been revoked.
SECTION 8.3. Certain Rights of Property Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 8.1:
(a) the Property Trustee may rely and shall be fully 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, 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 or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) any direction or act of the Depositor contemplated by this Trust
Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate;
(c) the Property Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording,
filing or registration of any instrument (including any financing or
continuation statement or any filing under tax or securities laws) or any
re-recording, refiling or reregistration thereof;
(d) the Property Trustee may consult with counsel of its own choosing
(which counsel may be counsel to the Depositor or any of its Affiliates, and may
include any of its employees) 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, such counsel may be counsel to the Depositor or any of its
Affiliates, and may include any of its employees; the Property
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Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the
administration of this Trust Agreement from any court of competent jurisdiction;
(e) the Property Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of
the rights or powers vested in it by this Trust Agreement at the request or
direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Trust Agreement, unless such
Holders shall have offered to the Property Trustee security or indemnity
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 8.3(f) shall be taken to relieve the Property
Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to
exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Trust Agreement;
(f) the Property Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into
the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, 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 Property
Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or
matters as it may see fit;
(g) the Property Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder
or perform any of its duties hereunder either directly or by or through its
agents or attorneys, provided that the Property Trustee shall not be responsible
for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed
with due care by it hereunder;
(h) whenever in the administration of this Trust Agreement the Property
Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to
enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Property
Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders (which instructions may
only be given by the Holders of the same proportion in Liquidation Amount of the
Trust Securities as would be entitled to direct the Property Trustee under the
terms of the Trust 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; and
(i) except as otherwise expressly provided by this Trust Agreement, the
Property Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that is
discretionary under the provisions of this Trust Agreement.
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No provision of this Trust Agreement shall be deemed to impose any duty or
obligation on any Issuer Trustee or Administrator to perform any act or acts or
exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any
jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Property Trustee
shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to
perform any such act or acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty or
obligation. No permissive power or authority available to any Issuer Trustee or
Administrator shall be construed to be a duty.
SECTION 8.4. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Trust Securities Certificates
shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer Trust, and the Issuer Trustees
and the Administrators do not assume any responsibility for their correctness.
The Issuer Trustees and the Administrators shall not be accountable for the use
or application by the Depositor of the proceeds of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures.
SECTION 8.5. May Hold Securities.
Except as provided in the definition of the term "Outstanding" in Article
I, the Administrators, any Issuer Trustee or any other agent of any Issuer
Trustee or the Issuer Trust, in its individual or any other capacity, may become
the owner or pledgee of Trust Securities and, subject to Sections 8.8 and 8.13,
may otherwise deal with the Issuer Trust with the same rights it would have if
it were not an Administrator, Issuer Trustee or such other agent.
SECTION 8.6. Compensation; Indemnity; Fees.
The Depositor, as borrower, agrees:
(a) to pay to the Issuer Trustees from time to time reasonable
compensation for all services rendered by them hereunder (which compensation
shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a
trustee of an express trust);
(b) to reimburse the Issuer Trustees upon request for all reasonable
expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Issuer Trustees in
accordance with any provision of this Trust Agreement (including the reasonable
compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel),
except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to their
negligence or willful misconduct; and
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(c) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to indemnify and
hold harmless (i) each Issuer Trustee, (ii) each Administrator, (iii) any
Affiliate of any Issuer Trustee, (iv) any officer, director, shareholder,
employee, representative or agent of any Issuer Trustee, and (v) any employee or
agent of the Issuer Trust, (referred to herein as an "Indemnified Person") from
and against any loss, damage, liability, tax, penalty, expense or claim of any
kind or nature whatsoever incurred by such Indemnified Person arising out of or
in connection with the creation, operation or dissolution of the Issuer Trust or
any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good
faith on behalf of the Issuer Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person
reasonably believed to be within the scope of authority conferred on such
Indemnified Person by this Trust Agreement, except that no Indemnified Person
shall be entitled to be indemnified in respect of any loss, damage or claim
incurred by such Indemnified Person by reason of negligence or willful
misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.
The provisions of this Section 8.6 shall survive the termination of this
Trust Agreement.
No Issuer Trustee may claim any lien or charge on any Trust Property as a
result of any amount due pursuant to this Section 8.6.
The Depositor, any Administrator and any Issuer 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
Issuer Trust, and the Issuer Trust and the Holders of Trust Securities shall
have no rights by virtue of this Trust Agreement 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 Issuer Trust, shall not be
deemed wrongful or improper. Neither the Depositor, any Administrator, nor any
Issuer Trustee shall be obligated to present any particular investment or other
opportunity to the Issuer Trust even if such opportunity is of a character that,
if presented to the Issuer Trust, could be taken by the Issuer Trust, and the
Depositor, any Administrator or any Issuer 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 Issuer
Trustee may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with
the Depositor or any Affiliate of the Depositor, or may act as depository for,
trustee or agent for, or act on any committee or body of holders of, securities
or other obligations of the Depositor or its Affiliates.
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SECTION 8.7. Corporate Property Trustee Required; Eligibility of Trustees
and Administrators.
(a) There shall at all times be a Property Trustee hereunder with respect
to the Trust Securities. The Property Trustee shall be a Person that is a
national or state chartered bank and eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture
Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000. If any such Person publishes reports of condition at least
annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and
surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time
the Property Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities shall cease to be
eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign
immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this
Article. At the time of appointment, the Property Trustee must have securities
rated in one of the three highest rating categories by a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization.
(b) There shall at all times be one or more Administrators hereunder. Each
Administrator shall be either a natural person who is at least 21 years of age
or a legal entity that shall act through one or more persons authorized to bind
that entity. An employee, officer or Affiliate of the Depositor may serve as an
Administrator.
(c) There shall at all times be a Delaware Trustee. The Delaware Trustee
shall either be (i) a natural person who is at least 21 years of age and a
resident of the State of Delaware or (ii) a legal entity with its principal
place of business in the State of Delaware and that otherwise meets the
requirements of applicable Delaware law that shall act through one or more
persons authorized to bind such entity.
SECTION 8.8. Conflicting Interests.
(a) If the Property Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest
within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Property Trustee shall either
eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by,
and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Trust
Agreement.
(b) The Guarantee Agreement and the Indenture shall be deemed to be
sufficiently described in this Trust Agreement for the purposes of clause (i) of
the first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
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SECTION 8.9. Co-Trustees and Separate Trustee.
Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at any
time or times, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of the Trust
Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part of the Trust Property may
at the time be located, the Property Trustee shall have power to appoint, and
upon the written request of the Property Trustee, the Depositor and the
Administrators shall for such purpose join with the Property Trustee in the
execution, delivery, and performance of all instruments and agreements necessary
or proper to appoint, one or more Persons approved by the Property Trustee
either to act as co-trustee, jointly with the Property Trustee, of all or any
part of such Trust Property, or to the extent required by law to act as separate
trustee of any such property, in either case with such powers as may be provided
in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person or Persons in the
capacity aforesaid, any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or
desirable, subject to the other provisions of this Section. Any co-trustee or
separate trustee appointed pursuant to this Section shall either be (i) a
natural person who is at least 21 years of age and a resident of the United
States or (ii) a legal entity with its principal place of business in the United
States that shall act through one or more persons authorized to bind such
entity.
Should any written instrument from the Depositor be required by any
co-trustee or separate trustee so appointed for more fully confirming to such
co-trustee or separate trustee such property, title, right, or power, any and
all such instruments shall, on request, be executed, acknowledged and delivered
by the Depositor.
Every co-trustee or separate trustee shall, to the extent permitted by
law, but to such extent only, be appointed subject to the following terms,
namely:
(a) The Trust Securities shall be executed by one or more Administrators,
and the Trust Securities shall be executed and delivered and all rights, powers,
duties, and obligations hereunder in respect of the custody of securities, cash
and other personal property held by, or required to be deposited or pledged
with, the Property Trustees specified hereunder, shall be exercised, solely by
the Property Trustee and not by such co-trustee or separate trustee.
(b) The rights, powers, duties, and obligations hereby conferred or
imposed upon the Property Trustee in respect of any property covered by such
appointment shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the
Property Trustee
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and such co-trustee or separate trustee jointly, as shall be provided in the
instrument appointing such co-trustee or separate trustee, except to the extent
that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act is to be
performed, the Property Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform
such act, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be
exercised and performed by such co-trustee or separate trustee.
(c) The Property Trustee at any time, by an instrument in writing executed
by it, with the written concurrence of the Depositor, may accept the resignation
of or remove any co-trustee or separate trustee appointed under this Section,
and, in case a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Property Trustee shall have power to accept the resignation of, or remove, any
such co-trustee or separate trustee without the concurrence of the Depositor.
Upon the written request of the Property Trustee, the Depositor shall join with
the Property Trustee in the execution, delivery and performance of all
instruments and agreements necessary or proper to effectuate such resignation or
removal. A successor to any co-trustee or separate trustee so resigned or
removed may be appointed in the manner provided in this Section.
(d) No co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be personally liable
by reason of any act or omission of the Property Trustee or any other trustee
hereunder.
(e) The Property Trustee shall not be liable by reason of any act of a
co-trustee or separate trustee.
(f) Any Act of Holders delivered to the Property Trustee shall be deemed
to have been delivered to each such co-trustee and separate trustee.
SECTION 8.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
No resignation or removal of any Issuer 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 Section 8.11.
Subject to the immediately preceding paragraph, a Relevant Trustee may
resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Holders. The Relevant
Trustee shall appoint a successor by requesting from at least three Persons
meeting the eligibility requirements its expenses and charges to serve as the
Relevant Trustee on a form provided by the Administrators, and selecting the
Person who agrees to the lowest expenses and
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charges. If the instrument of acceptance by the successor Trustee required by
Section 8.11 shall not have been delivered to the Relevant Trustee within 60
days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the Relevant Trustee may
petition, at the expense of the Issuer Trust, any court of the State of Delaware
for the appointment of a successor Relevant Trustee.
The Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee may be removed at any time by
Act of the Holders of at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities, delivered to the Relevant Trustee (in its individual capacity and on
behalf of the Issuer Trust) (i) for cause (including upon the occurrence of an
Event of Default described in subparagraph (f) of the definition thereof with
respect to the Relevant Trustee), or (ii) if a Debenture Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing at any time.
If any Issuer Trustee shall resign, it shall appoint its successor. If a
resigning Issuer Trustee shall fail to appoint a successor, or if an Issuer
Trustee shall be removed or become incapable of acting as Issuer Trustee, or if
any vacancy shall occur in the office of any Issuer Trustee for any cause, the
Holders of the Capital Securities, by Act of the Holders of record of not less
than 25% in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities then
Outstanding delivered to such Relevant Trustee, shall promptly appoint a
successor Relevant Trustee or Trustees, and such successor Issuer Trustee shall
comply with the applicable requirements of Section 8.11. If no successor
Relevant Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Holders of the Capital
Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 8.11, any
Holder, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, or any other
Issuer Trustee, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor Relevant Trustee.
The Property Trustee shall give notice of each resignation and each
removal of an Issuer Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all
Holders in the manner provided in Section 10.8 and shall give notice to the
Depositor and to the Administrators. Each notice shall include the name of the
successor Relevant Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office if it
is the Property Trustee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Trust
Agreement, in the event any Delaware Trustee who is a natural person dies or
becomes, in the opinion of the Holders of the Common Securities, incompetent or
incapacitated, the vacancy created by such death, incompetence or incapacity may
be filled by the Property Trustee following the procedures regarding expenses
and charges set forth above (with the successor in each case being a Person who
satisfies the eligibility requirement
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for Administrators or Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, set forth in Section
8.7).
SECTION 8.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Relevant Trustee, the
retiring Relevant Trustee and each such successor Relevant Trustee with respect
to the Trust Securities shall execute, acknowledge 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 Trust Securities and the Issuer Trust, and (b) shall add to or change any
of the provisions of this Trust Agreement as shall be necessary to provide for
or facilitate the administration of the Issuer Trust by more than one Relevant
Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such amendment shall
constitute such Relevant 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 Issuer 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 Trust Securities and the
Trust.
Upon request of any such successor Relevant Trustee, the Issuer Trust
shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in
and confirming to such successor Relevant Trustee all such rights, powers and
trusts referred to in the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may
be.
No successor Relevant Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the
time of such acceptance such successor Relevant Trustee shall be qualified and
eligible under this Article.
SECTION 8.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any Person into which the Property 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 such Relevant
Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all
the corporate trust business of such Relevant Trustee, shall be
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the successor of such Relevant Trustee hereunder, provided that such Person
shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the
execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the
parties hereto.
SECTION 8.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Depositor or
Issuer Trust.
If and when the Property Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the
Depositor (or any other obligor upon the Trust Securities), the Property Trustee
shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the
collection of claims against the Depositor (or any such other obligor) as is
required by the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 8.14. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy,
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other similar judicial
proceeding relative to the Issuer Trust or any other obligor upon the Trust
Securities or the property of the Issuer Trust or of such other obligor, the
Property Trustee (irrespective of whether any Distributions on the Trust
Securities shall then be due and payable and irrespective of whether the
Property Trustee shall have made any demand on the Issuer Trust for the payment
of any past due Distributions) shall be entitled and empowered, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of any Distributions
owning and unpaid in respect of the Trust Securities and to file such other
papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims
of the Property Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Property Trustee, its agents and
counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or
other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by
each Holder to make such payments to the Property Trustee and, in the event the
Property Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the
Holders, to pay to the Property Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and
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advances of the Property Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts
due the Property Trustee.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Property Trustee
to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan
of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or compensation affecting the Trust
Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Property
Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
SECTION 8.15. Reports by Property Trustee.
(a) Not later than January 31 of each year commencing with January 31,
1998, the Property Trustee shall transmit to all Holders in accordance with
Section 10.8, and to the Depositor, a brief report dated as of the immediately
preceding November 30 with respect to:
(i) its eligibility under Section 8.7 or, in lieu thereof, if to the
best of its knowledge it has continued to be eligible under said Section,
a written statement to such effect; and
(ii) any change in the property and funds in its possession as
Property Trustee since the date of its last report and any action taken by
the Property Trustee in the performance of its duties hereunder which it
has not previously reported and which in its opinion materially affects
the Trust Securities.
(b) In addition the Property Trustee shall transmit to Holders such
reports concerning the Property Trustee and its actions under this Trust
Agreement as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times
and in the manner provided pursuant thereto as set forth in Section 10.10 of
this Trust Agreement.
(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to
Holders, be filed by the Property Trustee with the Depositor.
SECTION 8.16. Reports to the Property Trustee.
The Depositor and the Administrators on behalf of the Issuer Trust shall
provide to the Property Trustee such documents, reports and information as
required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act and the compliance
certificate required by Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act in the form,
in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture
Act, as set forth in Section 10.10 of this Trust
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Agreement. The Depositor and the Administrators shall annually file with the
Property Trustee a certificate specifying whether such Person is in compliance
with all the terms and covenants applicable to such Person hereunder.
SECTION 8.17. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.
Each of the Depositor and the Administrators on behalf of the Issuer Trust
shall provide to the Property Trustee such evidence of compliance with any
conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Trust Agreement that relate
to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act as
set forth in Section 10.10 of this Trust Agreement. Any certificate or opinion
required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) of the Trust
Indenture Act shall be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate.
SECTION 8.18. Number of Issuer Trustees.
(a) The number of Issuer Trustees shall be two. The Property Trustee and
the Delaware Trustee may be the same Person, in which case the number of Issuer
Trustees may be one.
(b) If an Issuer Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason, a vacancy
shall occur. The vacancy shall be filled with an Issuer Trustee appointed in
accordance with Section 8.10.
(c) The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, incompetence
or incapacity to perform the duties of an Issuer Trustee shall not operate to
annul the Issuer Trust.
SECTION 8.19. 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 his or her power
for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section 2.7(a) or
making any governmental filing; 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 Issuer 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 this Trust Agreement.
SECTION 8.20. Appointment of Administrators.
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(a) The Administrators shall be appointed by the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities and may be removed by the Holders of
a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities or may resign at any
time. Upon any resignation or removal, the Depositor shall appoint a successor
Administrator. Each Administrator shall execute this Trust Agreement thereby
agreeing to comply with, and be legally bound by, all of the terms, conditions
and provisions of this Trust Agreement. If at any time there is no
Administrator, the Property Trustee or any Holder who has been a Holder of Trust
Securities for at least six months may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of one or more Administrators.
(b) Whenever a vacancy in the number of Administrators shall occur, until
such vacancy is filled by the appointment of an Administrator in accordance with
this Section 8.20, the Administrators in office, regardless of their number (and
notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement), shall have all the
powers granted to the Administrators and shall discharge all the duties imposed
upon the Administrators by this Trust Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, or any other provision of this Trust
Agreement, in the event any Administrator or a Delaware Trustee who is a natural
person dies or becomes, in the opinion of the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities, incompetent, or incapacitated, the
vacancy created by such death, incompetence or incapacity may be filled by the
remaining Administrators, if there were at least two of them prior to such
vacancy, and by the Depositor, if there were not two such Administrators
immediately prior to such vacancy (with the successor in each case being a
Person who satisfies the eligibility requirement for Administrators or Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be, set forth in Section 8.7).
ARTICLE IX
DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND MERGER
SECTION 9.1. Dissolution Upon Expiration Date.
Unless earlier dissolved, the Issuer Trust shall automatically dissolve on
June ___, 2028 (the "Expiration Date"), and thereafter the Trust Property shall
be distributed in accordance with Section 9.4.
SECTION 9.2. Early Termination.
The first to occur of any of the following events is an "Early Termination
Event":
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(a) the occurrence of the appointment of a receiver or other similar
official in any liquidation, insolvency or similar proceeding with respect to
the Depositor or all or substantially all of its property, or a court or other
governmental agency shall enter a decree or order and such decree or order shall
remain unstayed and undischarged for a period of 60 days, unless the Depositor
shall transfer the Common Securities as provided by Section 5.11, in which case
this provision shall refer instead to any such successor Holder of the Common
Securities;
(b) the written direction to the Property Trustee from the Holder of the
Common Securities at any time to dissolve the Issuer Trust and to distribute the
Junior Subordinated Debentures to Holders in exchange for the Capital Securities
(which direction, subject to Section 9.4(a), is optional and wholly within the
discretion of the Holders of the Common Securities);
(c) the redemption of all of the Capital Securities in connection with the
redemption of all the Junior Subordinated Debentures; and
(d) the entry of an order for dissolution of the Issuer Trust by a court
of competent jurisdiction.
SECTION 9.3. Termination.
As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred to in
Section 9.1 or 9.2, and upon the completion of the winding up and liquidation of
the Issuer Trust, the Administrators and the Issuer Trustees (each of whom is
hereby authorized to take such action) shall file a certificate of cancellation
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware terminating the Trust and,
upon such filing, the respective obligations and responsibilities of the Issuer
Trustees, the Administrators and the Issuer Trust created and continued hereby
shall terminate.
SECTION 9.4. Liquidation.
(a) If an Early Termination Event specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of
Section 9.2 occurs or upon the Expiration Date, the Issuer Trust shall be wound
up and liquidated by the Property Trustee as expeditiously as the Property
Trustee determines to be possible by distributing, after paying or making
reasonable provision to pay all claims and obligations of the Issuer Trust in
accordance with Section 3808(e) of the Delaware Business Trust Act, to each
Holder a Like Amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures, subject to Section
9.4(d). Notice of liquidation shall be given by the Property Trustee by
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first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not later than 15 nor more than 45
days prior to the Liquidation Date to each Holder of Trust Securities at such
Holder's address appearing in the Securities Register. All notices of
liquidation shall:
(i) state the Liquidation Date;
(ii) state that, from and after the Liquidation Date, the Trust
Securities will no longer be deemed to be Outstanding and any Trust
Securities Certificates not surrendered for exchange will be deemed to
represent a Like Amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures; and
(iii) provide such information with respect to the mechanics by
which Holders may exchange Trust Securities Certificates for Junior
Subordinated Debentures, or if Section 9.4(d) applies receive a
Liquidation Distribution, as the Administrators or the Property Trustee
shall deem appropriate.
(b) Except where Section 9.2(c) or 9.4(d) applies, in order to effect the
liquidation of the Issuer Trust and distribution of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures to Holders, the Property Trustee shall establish a record date for
such distribution (which shall be not more than 30 days prior to the Liquidation
Date) and, either itself acting as exchange agent or through the appointment of
a separate exchange agent, shall establish such procedures as it shall deem
appropriate to effect the distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures in
exchange for the Outstanding Trust Securities Certificates.
(c) Except where Section 9.2(c) or 9.4(d) applies, after the Liquidation
Date, (i) the Trust Securities will no longer be deemed to be Outstanding, (ii)
the Clearing Agency for the Capital Securities or its nominee, as the registered
holder of the Global Capital Securities Certificate, shall receive a registered
global certificate or certificates representing the Junior Subordinated
Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution with respect to Capital
Securities held by the Clearing Agency or its nominee, and, (iii) any Trust
Securities Certificates not held by the Clearing Agency for the Capital
Securities or its nominee as specified in clause (ii) above will be deemed to
represent Junior Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the
stated Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities represented thereby and
bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the accumulated and
unpaid Distributions on such Trust Securities until such certificates are
presented to the Securities Registrar for transfer or reissuance.
(d) If, notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 9.4, whether
because of an order for dissolution entered
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by a court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise, distribution of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures is not practical, or if any Early Termination Event
specified in clause (c) of Section 9.2 occurs, the Issuer Trust shall be
dissolved and wound up and the Trust Property shall be liquidated by the
Property Trustee in such manner as the Property Trustee determines. In such
event, on the date of the dissolution of the Issuer Trust, Holders will be
entitled to receive out of the assets of the Issuer Trust available for
distribution to Holders, after paying or making reasonable provision to pay all
claims and obligations of the Issuer Trust in accordance with Section 3808(e) of
the Delaware Business Trust Act, an amount equal to the aggregate of Liquidation
Amount per Trust Security plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to
the date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"). If, upon
any such dissolution, the Liquidation Distribution can be paid only in part
because the Issuer Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full the
aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then, subject to the next succeeding
sentence, the amounts payable by the Issuer Trust on the Trust Securities shall
be paid on a pro rata basis (based upon Liquidation Amounts). The Holders of the
Common Securities will be entitled to receive Liquidation Distributions upon any
such dissolution pro rata (determined as aforesaid) with Holders of Capital
Securities, except that, if a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Capital Securities shall have a priority over the Common
Securities as provided in Section 4.3.
SECTION 9.5. Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of the
Issuer Trust.
The Issuer Trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or
be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to, any entity, except pursuant to this Section
9.5. At the request of the Holders of the Common Securities, and with the
consent of the Holders of at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the
Capital Securities, the Issuer Trust may merge with or into, consolidate,
amalgamate, or be replaced by or convey, transfer or lease its properties and
assets substantially as an entirety to a trust organized as such under the laws
of any State; provided, however, that (i) such successor entity either (a)
expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Issuer Trust with respect to the
Capital Securities or (b) substitutes for the Capital Securities other
securities having substantially the same terms as the Capital Securities (the
"Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities have the same
priority as the Capital Securities with respect to distributions and payments
upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise, (ii) a trustee of such successor
entity possessing the same powers and duties as the Property Trustee is
appointed to hold the Junior
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Subordinated Debentures, (iii) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not cause the Capital Securities
(including any Successor Securities) to be downgraded by any nationally
recognized statistical rating organization, (iv) such merger, consolidation,
amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely
affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the Capital
Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect, (v)
such successor entity has a purpose substantially identical to that of the
Issuer Trust, (vi) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, the Issuer Trustee has received an
Opinion of Counsel from independent counsel experienced in such matters to the
effect that (a) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights preferences
and privileges of the holders of the Capital Securities (including any Successor
Securities) in any material respect, and (b) following such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, neither
the Issuer Trust nor such successor entity will be required to register as an
"investment company" under the Investment Company Act and (vii) the Depositor or
any permitted transferee to whom it has transferred the Common Securities
hereunder own all of the Common Securities of such successor entity and
guarantees the obligations of such successor entity under the Successor
Securities at least to the extent provided by the Guarantee Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer Trust shall not, except with the
consent of holders of 100% in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities,
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
other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with
or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease would cause the Issuer Trust or the successor
entity to be taxable as a corporation for United States Federal income tax
purposes.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 10.1. Limitation of Rights of Holders.
Except as set forth in Section 9.2, the death or incapacity of any person
having an interest, beneficial or otherwise, in Trust Securities shall not
operate to terminate this Trust Agreement, nor entitle the legal representatives
or heirs of such person or any Holder for such person, to claim an
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accounting, take any action or bring any proceeding in any court for a partition
or winding-up of the arrangements contemplated hereby, nor otherwise affect the
rights, obligations and liabilities of the parties hereto or any of them. Any
merger or similar agreement shall be executed by the Administrators on behalf of
the Trust.
SECTION 10.2. Amendment.
(a) This Trust Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Property
Trustee and the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common
Securities, without the consent of any Holder of the Capital Securities (i) to
cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision herein which may be
inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions
with respect to matters or questions arising under this Trust Agreement,
provided, however, that such amendment shall not adversely affect in any
material respect the interests of any Holder or (ii) to modify, eliminate or add
to any provisions of this Trust Agreement to such extent as shall be necessary
to ensure that the Issuer Trust will not be taxable as a corporation for United
States Federal income tax purposes at any time that any Trust Securities are
Outstanding or to ensure that the Issuer Trust will not be required to register
as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
(b) Except as provided in Section 10.2(c) hereof, any provision of this
Trust Agreement may be amended by the Property Trustee and the Holders of a
Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities with (i) the consent of
Holders of at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities
and (ii) receipt by the Issuer Trustees of an Opinion of Counsel to the effect
that such amendment or the exercise of any power granted to the Issuer Trustees
in accordance with such amendment will not cause the Issuer Trust to be taxable
as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes or affect the
Issuer Trust's exemption from status of an "investment company" under the
Investment Company Act.
(c) In addition to and notwithstanding any other provision in this Trust
Agreement, without the consent of each affected Holder (such consent being
obtained in accordance with Section 6.3 or 6.6 hereof), this Trust Agreement may
not be amended to (i) change the amount or timing of any Distribution on the
Trust Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any Distribution
required to be made in respect of the Trust Securities as of a specified date or
(ii) restrict the right of a Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any
such payment on or after such date.
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(d) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Trust Agreement, no
Issuer Trustee shall enter into or consent to any amendment to this Trust
Agreement which would cause the Issuer Trust to fail or cease to qualify for the
exemption from status as an "investment company" under the Investment Company
Act or be taxable as a corporation for United States Federal income tax
purposes.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Trust Agreement to the contrary,
without the consent of the Depositor and the Administrators, this Trust
Agreement may not be amended in a manner which imposes any additional obligation
on the Depositor or the Administrators.
(f) In the event that any amendment to this Trust Agreement is made, the
Administrators or the Property Trustee shall promptly provide to the Depositor a
copy of such amendment.
(g) Neither the Property Trustee nor the Delaware Trustee shall be
required to enter into any amendment to this Trust Agreement which affects its
own rights, duties or immunities under this Trust Agreement. The Property
Trustee shall be entitled to receive an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers'
Certificate stating that any amendment to this Trust Agreement is in compliance
with this Trust Agreement.
(h) Any amendments to this Trust Agreement shall become effective when
notice of such amendment is given to the holders of the Trust Securities.
SECTION 10.3. Separability.
In case any provision in this Trust Agreement or in the Trust Securities
Certificates shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality
and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected
or impaired thereby.
SECTION 10.4. Governing Law.
THIS TRUST AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF EACH OF THE
HOLDERS, THE ISSUER TRUST, THE DEPOSITOR, THE ISSUER TRUSTEES AND THE
ADMINISTRATORS SHALL GOVERNED BY AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND ALL RIGHTS AND REMEDIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY SUCH LAWS
WITHOUT REGARD TO 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 HOLDERS, THE ISSUER TRUST, THE DEPOSITOR, THE
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ISSUER TRUSTEES, THE ADMINISTRATORS OR THIS TRUST AGREEMENT ANY PROVISION OF THE
LAWS (STATUTORY OR COMMON) OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE PERTAINING TO TRUSTS THAT
RELATE TO OR REGULATE, IN A MANNER INCONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS HEREOF (A) THE
FILING WITH ANY COURT OR GOVERNMENTAL BODY OR AGENCY OF TRUSTEE ACCOUNTS OR
SCHEDULES OF TRUSTEE FEES AND CHARGES, (B) AFFIRMATIVE REQUIREMENTS TO POST
BONDS FOR TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES OF A TRUST, (C) THE NECESSITY
FOR OBTAINING COURT OR OTHER GOVERNMENTAL APPROVAL CONCERNING THE ACQUISITION,
HOLDING OR DISPOSITION OF REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY, (D) FEES OR OTHER SUMS
PAYABLE TO TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES OF A TRUST, (E) THE
ALLOCATION OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES TO INCOME OR PRINCIPAL, (F) RESTRICTIONS
OR LIMITATIONS ON THE PERMISSIBLE NATURE, AMOUNT OR CONCENTRATION OF TRUST
INVESTMENTS OR REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE TITLING, STORAGE OR OTHER MANNER OF
HOLDING OR INVESTING TRUST ASSETS OR (G) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FIDUCIARY OR OTHER
STANDARDS OF RESPONSIBILITY OR LIMITATIONS ON THE ACTS OR POWERS OF TRUSTEES
THAT ARE INCONSISTENT WITH THE LIMITATIONS OR LIABILITIES OR AUTHORITIES AND
POWERS OF THE ISSUER TRUSTEES OR THE ADMINISTRATOR AS SET FORTH OR REFERENCED IN
THIS TRUST AGREEMENT. SECTION 3540 OF TITLE 12 OF THE DELAWARE CODE SHALL NOT
APPLY TO THE ISSUER TRUST.
SECTION 10.5. Payments Due on Non-Business Day.
If the date fixed for any payment on any Trust Security shall be a day
that is not a Business Day, then such payment need not be made on such date but
may be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (except as
otherwise provided in Sections 4.2(d)), with the same force and effect as though
made on the date fixed for such payment, and no Distributions shall accumulate
on such unpaid amount for the period after such date.
SECTION 10.6. Successors.
This Trust Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit
of any successor to the Depositor, the Issuer Trust, the Administrators and any
Issuer Trustee, including any successor by operation of law. Except in
connection with a consolidation, merger or sale involving the Depositor that is
permitted under Article VIII of the Indenture and pursuant to which the assignee
agrees in writing to perform the Depositor's obligations hereunder, the
Depositor shall not assign its obligations hereunder.
SECTION 10.7. Headings.
The Article and Section headings are for convenience only and shall not
affect the construction of this Trust Agreement.
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SECTION 10.8. Reports, Notices and Demands.
Any report, notice, demand or other communication that by any provision of
this Trust Agreement is required or permitted to be given or served to or upon
any Holder or the Depositor may be given or served in writing by deposit
thereof, first class postage prepaid, in the United States mail, hand delivery
or facsimile transmission, in each case, addressed, (a) in the case of a Holder
of Capital Securities, to such Holder as such Holder's name and address may
appear on the Securities Register; and (b) in the case of the Holder of Common
Securities or the Depositor, to First Empire State Corporation, One M&T Plaza,
Buffalo, New York 14240, Attention: Office of the Secretary, facsimile no.:
(716) 842-5376 or to such other address as may be specified in a written notice
by the Depositor to the Property Trustee. Such notice, demand or other
communication to or upon a Holder shall be deemed to have been sufficiently
given or made, for all purposes, upon hand delivery, mailing or transmission.
Such notice, demand or other communication to or upon the Depositor shall be
deemed to have been sufficiently given or made only upon actual receipt of the
writing by the Depositor.
Any notice, demand or other communication which by any provision of this
Trust Agreement is required or permitted to be given or served to or upon the
Issuer Trust, the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee, the Administrators, or
the Issuer Trust shall be given in writing addressed (until another address is
published by the Issuer Trust) as follows: (a) with respect to the Property
Trustee to Bankers Trust Company, Four Albany Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY
10006, Attention: Corporate Trust and Agency Group Corporate Market Services;
(b) with respect to the Delaware Trustee to Bankers Trust (Delaware), 1001
Jefferson Street, Suite 550, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, Attention: Lisa
Wilkins; and (c) with respect to the Administrators, to them at the address
above for notices to the Depositor, marked "Attention: Office of the Secretary".
Such notice, demand or other communication to or upon the Issuer Trust or the
Property Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made only
upon actual receipt of the writing by the Issuer Trust, the Property Trustee, or
such Administrator.
SECTION 10.9 Agreement Not to Petition.
Each of the Issuer Trustees, the Administrators and the Depositor agree
for the benefit of the Holders that, until at least one year and one day after
the Issuer Trust has been terminated in accordance with Article IX, they shall
not file, or join in the filing of, a petition against the Issuer Trust under
any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
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similar law (including, without limitation, the United States Bankruptcy Code)
(collectively, "Bankruptcy Laws") or otherwise join in the commencement of any
proceeding against the Issuer Trust under any Bankruptcy Law. In the event the
Depositor takes action in violation of this Section 10.9, the Property Trustee
agrees, for the benefit of Holders, that at the expense of the Depositor, it
shall file an answer with the bankruptcy court or otherwise properly contest the
filing of such petition by the Depositor against the Issuer Trust or the
commencement of such action and raise the defense that the Depositor has agreed
in writing not to take such action and should be estopped and precluded
therefrom and such other defenses, if any, as counsel for the Issuer Trustee or
the Issuer Trust may assert. If any Issuer Trustee or Administrator takes action
in violation of this Section 10.9, the Depositor agrees, for the benefit of the
Holders, that at the expense of the Depositor, it shall file an answer with the
bankruptcy court or otherwise properly contest the filing of such petition by
such Person against the Depositor or the commencement of such action and raise
the defense that such Person has agreed in writing not to take such action and
should be estopped and precluded therefrom and such other defenses, if any, as
counsel for the Issuer Trustee or the Issuer Trust may assert. The provisions of
this Section 10.9 shall survive the termination of this Trust Agreement.
SECTION 10.10. Trust Indenture Act; Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
(a) Trust Indenture Act; Application. (i) This Trust Agreement is subject
to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be a part of
this Trust Agreement and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such
provisions; (ii) if and to the extent that any provision of this Trust Agreement
limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by ss.ss. 310 to 317,
inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control; (iii)
for purposes of this Trust Agreement, the Property Trustee, to the extent
permitted by applicable law and/or the rules and regulations of the Commission,
shall be the only Issuer Trustee which is a trustee for the purposes of the
Trust Indenture Act; and (iv) the application of the Trust Indenture Act to this
Trust Agreement shall not affect the nature of the Capital Securities and the
Common Securities as equity securities representing undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Issuer Trust.
(b) Lists of Holders of Capital Securities. (i) Each of the Depositor and
the Administrators on behalf of the Trust shall provide the Property Trustee
with such information as is required under ss. 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act
at the times and in the manner provided in ss. 312(a) and (ii) the Property
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Trustee shall company with its obligations under ss.ss. 310(b), 311 and 312(b)
of the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) Reports by the Property Trustee. Within 60 days after November 30 of
each year, the Property Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Trust
Securities such reports as are required by ss. 313 of the Trust Indenture Act,
if any, in the form, in the manner and at the times provided by ss. 313 of the
Trust Indenture Act. The Property Trustee shall also comply with the
requirements of ss. 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(d) Periodic Reports to Property Trustee. Each of the Depositor and the
Administrators on behalf of the Issuer Trust shall provide to the Property
Trustee, the Commission and the Holders of the Trust Securities, as applicable,
such documents, reports and information as required by ss. 314(a)(1) - (3) (if
any) of the Trust Indenture Act and the compliance certificates required by ss.
314(a)(4) and (c) of the Trust Indenture Act (provided that any certificate to
be provided pursuant to ss. 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act shall be
provided within 120 days of the end of each fiscal year of the Issuer Trust.
(e) Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. Each of the
Depositor and the Administrators on behalf of the Issuer Trust shall provide to
the Property Trustee such evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent,
if any, provided for in this Trust Agreement which relate to any of the matters
set forth in ss. 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion
required to be given pursuant to ss. 314(c) shall comply with ss. 314(e) of the
Trust Indenture Act.
(f) Disclosure of Information. The disclosure of information as to the
names and addresses of the Holders of Trust Securities in accordance with ss.
312 of the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such
information was derived, shall not be deemed to be a violation of any existing
law or any law hereafter enacted which does not specifically refer to ss. 312 of
the Trust Indenture Act, nor shall the Property Trustee be held accountable by
reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under ss. 312(b) of
the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 10.11. Acceptance of Terms of Trust Agreement, Guarantee and
Indenture.
THE RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE OF A TRUST SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN BY
OR ON BEHALF OF A HOLDER OR ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER, WITHOUT ANY SIGNATURE OR
FURTHER MANIFESTATION OF ASSENT, SHALL CONSTITUTE THE UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE
BY THE HOLDER AND ALL OTHERS HAVING A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN SUCH TRUST SECURITY
OF ALL THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS TRUST AGREEMENT, THE
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GUARANTEE AGREEMENT AND THE INDENTURE, AND THE AGREEMENT TO THE SUBORDINATION
PROVISIONS AND OTHER TERMS OF THE GUARANTEE AGREEMENT AND THE INDENTURE, AND
SHALL CONSTITUTE THE AGREEMENT OF THE ISSUER TRUST, SUCH HOLDER AND SUCH OTHERS
THAT THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS TRUST AGREEMENT SHALL BE BINDING,
OPERATIVE AND EFFECTIVE AS BETWEEN THE ISSUER TRUST AND SUCH HOLDER AND SUCH
OTHERS.
FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION,
as Depositor
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
as Property Trustee, and
not in its individual capacity
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
BANKERS TRUST (DELAWARE),
as Delaware Trustee, and not
in its individual capacity
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Agreed to and Accepted by,
- -----------------------------
Name:
Title: Administrator
- -----------------------------
Name:
Title: Administrator
- 72 -
Exhibit A
CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
Exhibit B
FORM OF CERTIFICATE DEPOSITARY AGREEMENT
- 2 -
Exhibit C
THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE EXCEPT TO THE
DEPOSITOR OR AN AFFILIATE OF THE DEPOSITOR
IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW AND
SECTION 5.11 OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT
Certificate Number Number of Common Securities
C-__
Certificate Evidencing Common Securities
of
First Empire Capital Trust II
_____% Common Securities
(liquidation amount $1,000 per Common Security)
First Empire Capital Trust II, a statutory business trust formed under the
laws of the State of Delaware (the "Issuer Trust"), hereby certifies that First
Empire State Corporation (the "Holder") is the registered owner of _________
(_____) common securities of the Issuer Trust representing undivided beneficial
interests in the Issuer Trust and has designated the _____% Common Securities
(liquidation amount $1,000 per Common Security) (the "Common Securities").
Except in accordance with Section 5.11 of the Trust Agreement (as defined below)
the Common Securities are not transferable and any attempted transfer hereof
other than in accordance therewith shall be void. The designations, rights,
privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the
Common Securities are set forth in, and this certificate and the Common
Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to
the terms and provisions of, the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the
Issuer Trust, dated as of January 31, 1997, as the same may be amended from time
to time (the "Trust Agreement") among First Empire State Corporation, as
Depositor, Bankers Trust Company, as Property Trustee, Bankers Trust (Delaware),
as Delaware Trustee, and the Holders of Trust Securities, including the
designation of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth therein. The
Issuer Trust will furnish a copy of the
- 3 -
Trust Agreement to the Holder without charge upon written request to the Issuer
Trust at its principal place of business or registered office.
Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust
Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
Terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Trust
Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, one of the Administrators of the Issuer Trust has
executed this certificate this 31st day of January, 1997.
FIRST EMPIRE CAPITAL TRUST II
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Administrator
COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED:
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
as Securities Registrar
By:
----------------------------
Name:
Authorized Officer
- 4 -
Exhibit D
[IF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES CERTIFICATE IS TO BE A GLOBAL CAPITAL
SECURITIES CERTIFICATE, INSERT -- This Capital Securities Certificate is a
Global Capital Securities Certificate within the meaning of the Trust Agreement
hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of a Depositary or a
nominee of a Depositary. This Capital Security Certificate is exchangeable for
Capital Securities Certificates registered in the name of a person other than
the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the
Trust Agreement and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary
to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the
Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary, except in the limited
circumstances described in the Trust Agreement.
Unless this Capital Security Certificate is presented by an authorized
representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York Corporation ("DTC"),
to First Empire Capital Trust II or its agent for registration of transfer,
exchange or payment, and any Capital Security Certificate issued is registered
in the name of such nominee as is requested by an authorized representative of
DTC (and any payment is made to such entity as is requested by an authorized
representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO A PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof,
has an interest herein.]
NO EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OR OTHER PLAN OR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT 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"), NO ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE "PLAN
ASSETS" BY REASON OF ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY (A "PLAN ASSET
ENTITY"), AND NO PERSON INVESTING "PLAN ASSETS" OF ANY PLAN, MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD
THIS CAPITAL SECURITIES CERTIFICATE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASE
OR HOLDING IS COVERED BY THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION ("PTCE") 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1
OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR
HOLDING AND, IN THE CASE OF ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER RELYING ON ANY EXEMPTION
OTHER THAN PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14, HAS COMPLIED
- 5 -
WITH ANY REQUEST BY THE DEPOSITOR OR THE ISSUER TRUST FOR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL
OR OTHER EVIDENCE WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICABILITY OF SUCH EXEMPTION. ANY
PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITIES CERTIFICATE OR ANY INTEREST
HEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING HEREOF
THAT EITHER (A) THE PURCHASER AND HOLDER ARE NOT A PLAN OR A PLAN ASSET ENTITY
AND IS NOT PURCHASING SUCH SECURITIES ON BEHALF OF OR WITH "PLAN ASSETS" OF ANY
PLAN, OR (B) THE PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES IS COVERED BY
THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF PROVIDED BY PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR
ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION.
Certificate Number Number of Capital Securities
P-__ _______________
$_______________
aggregate liquidation amount
CUSIP NO. ______________
Certificate Evidencing Capital Securities
of
First Empire Capital Trust II
_____% Capital Securities
(liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security)
First Empire Capital Trust II, a statutory business trust formed under the
laws of the State of Delaware (the "Issuer Trust"), hereby certifies that
____________________ (the "Holder") is the registered owner of $___________ in
aggregate liquidation amount of capital securities of the Trust representing a
preferred undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Issuer Trust and
has designated the First Empire Capital Trust II _____% Capital Securities
(liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security) (the "Capital Securities"). The
Capital Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Issuer
Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this
certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer as provided in Section
5.5 of the Trust Agreement (as defined below). The designations, rights,
privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the
Capital Securities are set forth in, and this certificate and the Capital
Securities represented
- 6 -
hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and
provisions of, the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Issuer Trust,
dated as of January 31, 1997, as the same may be amended from time to time (the
"Trust Agreement"), among First Empire State Corporation, as Depositor, Bankers
Trust Company, as Property Trustee, Bankers Trust (Delaware), as Delaware
Trustee, and the Holders of Trust Securities, including the designation of the
terms of the Capital Securities as set forth therein. The Holder is entitled to
the benefits of the Guarantee Agreement entered into by First Empire State
Corporation, a New York corporation, and Bankers Trust Company, as guarantee
trustee, dated as of January 31, 1997 (the "Guarantee Agreement"), to the extent
provided therein. The Issuer Trust will furnish a copy of the Issuer Trust
Agreement and the Guarantee Agreement to the Holder without charge upon written
request to the Issuer Trust at its principal place of business or registered
office.
Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust
Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
Terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Trust
Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, one of the Administrators of the Issuer Trust has
executed this certificate this 31st day of January, 1997.
FIRST EMPIRE CAPITAL TRUST II
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Administrator
COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED:
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
as Securities Registrar
- 7 -
By:
--------------------------
Name:
Authorized Officer
- 8 -
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Capital
Security 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 Issuer
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)
The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution
(banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with
membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to
S.E.C. Rule 17Ad-15.
- 9 -
Exhibit 4.4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
Between
FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION
(as Guarantor)
and
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
(as Guarantee Trustee)
dated as of
June ___, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1. Definitions................................ 2
ARTICLE II. TRUST INDENTURE ACT
Section 2.1. Trust Indenture Act; Application........... 5
Section 2.2. List of Holders............................ 6
Section 2.3. Reports by the Guarantee Trustee........... 6
Section 2.4. Periodic Reports to the Guarantee Trustee.. 6
Section 2.5. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions
Precedent.................................. 6
Section 2.6. Events of Default; Waiver.................. 7
Section 2.7. Event of Default; Notice................... 7
Section 2.8. Conflicting Interests...................... 7
ARTICLE III. POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE
TRUSTEE
Section 3.1. Powers and Duties of the Guarantee
Trustee.................................... 7
Section 3.2. Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee........ 9
Section 3.3. Indemnity.................................. 11
Section 3.4. Expenses................................... 11
ARTICLE IV. GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
Section 4.1. Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility............. 11
Section 4.2. Appointment, Removal and Resignation
of the Guarantee Trustee................... 12
ARTICLE V. GUARANTEE
Section 5.1. Guarantee.................................. 13
Section 5.2. Waiver of Notice and Demand................ 13
Section 5.3. Obligations Not Affected................... 13
Section 5.4. Rights of Holders.......................... 14
Section 5.5. Guarantee of Payment....................... 15
Section 5.6. Subrogation................................ 15
Section 5.7. Independent Obligations.................... 15
ARTICLE VI. COVENANTS AND SUBORDINATION
Section 6.1. Subordination.............................. 16
Section 6.2. Pari Passu Guarantees...................... 16
ARTICLE VII. TERMINATION
Section 7.1. Termination................................ 16
ARTICLE VIII. MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.1. Successors and Assigns..................... 16
Section 8.2. Amendments................................. 17
Section 8.3. Notices.................................... 17
Section 8.4. Benefit.................................... 18
Section 8.5. Interpretation............................. 18
Section 8.6. Governing Law.............................. 19
Section 8.7. Counterparts............................... 19
- ii -
Certain Sections of this Guarantee Agreement relating to
Sections 310 through 318 of the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939:
Trust Indenture Guarantee Agreement
Act Section Section
- --------------- -------------------
(ss.) 310(a)(1)................................. 4.1(a)
(a)(2).................................. 4.1(a)
(a)(3).................................. Not Applicable
(a)(4).................................. Not Applicable
(b)..................................... 2.8, 4.1(c)
(ss.) 311(a).................................... Not Applicable
(b)..................................... Not Applicable
(ss.) 312(a).................................... 2.2(a)
(b)..................................... 2.2(b)
(c)..................................... Not Applicable
(ss.) 313(a).................................... 2.3
(a)(4).................................. 2.3
(b)..................................... 2.3
(c)..................................... 2.3
(d)..................................... 2.3
(ss.) 314(a).................................... 2.4
(b)..................................... 2.4
(c)(1).................................. 2.5
(c)(2).................................. 2.5
(c)(3).................................. 2.5
(e)..................................... 1.1, 2.5, 3.2
(ss.) 315(a).................................... 3.1(d)
(b)..................................... 2.7
(c)..................................... 3.1(c)
(d)..................................... 3.1(d)
(e)..................................... Not Applicable
(ss.) 316(a).................................... 1.1,2.6, 5.4
(a)(1)(A)............................... 5.4
(a)(1)(B)............................... 5.4
(a)(2).................................. Not Applicable
(b)..................................... 5.3
(c)..................................... Not Applicable
(ss.) 317(a)(1)................................. Not Applicable
(a)(2).................................. Not Applicable
(b)..................................... Not Applicable
(ss.) 318(a).................................... 2.1
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
part of the Guarantee Agreement.
- iii -
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT, dated as of June ___, 1997 is executed and
delivered by FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION, a New York corporation (the
"Guarantor") having its principal office at One M&T Plaza, Buffalo, New York
14240 and BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the
"Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from
time to time of the Capital Securities (as defined herein) of First Empire
Capital Trust II, a Delaware statutory business trust (the "Issuer Trust").
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement (the
"Trust Agreement"), dated as of June ___, 1997, among First Empire State
Corporation, as Depositor, Bankers Trust Company, as Property Trustee (the
"Property Trustee"), Bankers Trust (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee (the
"Delaware Trustee") (collectively, the "Issuer Trustees") and the Holders from
time to time of preferred undivided beneficial ownership interests in the assets
of the Issuer Trust, the Issuer Trust is issuing $100,000,000 aggregate
Liquidation Amount (as defined herein) of its _____% Capital Securities,
Liquidation Amount $1,000 per capital security (the "Capital Securities"),
representing preferred undivided beneficial ownership interests in the assets of
the Issuer Trust and having the terms set forth in the Trust Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Capital Securities will be issued by the Issuer Trust
and the proceeds thereof, together with the proceeds from the issuance of the
Issuer Trust's Common Securities (as defined herein), will be used to purchase
the Junior Subordinated Debentures due June ___, 2027 (as defined in the Trust
Agreement) (the "Junior Subordinated Debentures") of the Guarantor which will be
deposited with Bankers Trust Company, as Property Trustee under the Trust
Agreement, as trust assets; and
WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Capital
Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to
the extent set forth herein, to pay to the Holders of the Capital Securities the
Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the
terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase of the Capital
Securities by each Holder, which purchase the Guarantor hereby acknowledges
shall benefit the Guarantor, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the
Holders from time to time of the Capital Securities.
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1. Definitions.
As used in this Guarantee Agreement, the terms set forth below
shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings.
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings
assigned to such terms in the Trust Agreement as in effect on the date hereof.
"Additional Amounts" has the meaning specified in the
Trust Agreement.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly
or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
"Capital Securities" shall have the meaning specified in the first
recital of this Guarantee Agreement.
"Common Securities" means the securities representing common
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer Trust.
"Distributions" means preferential cumulative cash distributions
accumulating from June ___, 1997 and payable semi-annually in arrears on
__________ and _________ of each year, commencing _________, 1997, at the annual
rate of _____% of the Liquidation Amount.
"Event of Default" means (i) a default by the Guarantor in any of
its payment obligations under this Guarantee Agreement, or (ii) a default by the
Guarantor in any other obligation hereunder that remains unremedied for 30 days.
"Guarantee Agreement" means this Guarantee Agreement, as modified,
amended or supplemented from time to time.
"Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions,
without duplication, with respect to the Capital Securities, to the extent not
paid or made by or on behalf of the Issuer Trust: (i) any accrued and unpaid
Distributions (as defined in the Trust Agreement) required to be paid on the
Capital
- 2 -
Securities, to the extent the Issuer Trust shall have funds on hand available
therefor at such time, (ii) the Redemption Price, with respect to the Capital
Securities called for redemption by the Issuer Trust to the extent that the
Issuer Trust shall have funds on hand available therefor at such time, and (iii)
upon a voluntary or involuntary termination, winding-up or liquidation of the
Issuer Trust, unless Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed to the
Holders, the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount and all
accumulated and unpaid Distributions to the date of payment to the extent the
Issuer Trust shall have funds on hand available to make such payment at such
time and (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer Trust remaining available for
distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Issuer Trust (in either case, the
"Liquidation Distribution").
"Guarantee Trustee" means Bankers Trust Company, until a Successor
Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant
to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement and thereafter means each such
Successor Guarantee Trustee.
"Guarantor" shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph
of this Guarantee Agreement.
"Holder" means any holder, as registered on the books and records of
the Issuer Trust, of any Capital Securities; provided, however, that, in
determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Capital
Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder"
shall not include the Guarantor, the Guarantee Trustee, or any Affiliate of the
Guarantor or the Guarantee Trustee.
"Indenture" means the Junior Subordinated Indenture dated as of June
___, 1997, between First Empire State Corporation and Bankers Trust Company, as
trustee, as may be modified, amended or supplemented from time to time.
"Issuer Trust" shall have the meaning specified in the first
paragraph of this Guarantee Agreement.
"Liquidation Amount" means the stated amount of $1,000
per Capital Security.
"Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities" means,
except as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, Capital Securities representing
more than 50% of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of all then outstanding
Capital Securities issued by the Issuer Trust.
"Like Amount" means (i) with respect to a redemption of Trust
Securities, Trust Securities having a Liquidation Amount
- 3 -
equal to that portion of the principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures
to be contemporaneously redeemed in accordance with the Indenture, allocated to
the Common Securities and to the Capital Securities based upon the relative
Liquidation Amounts of such classes and (ii) with respect to a distribution of
Junior Subordinated Debentures to Holders of Trust Securities in connection with
a dissolution or liquidation of the Issuer Trust, Junior Subordinated Debentures
having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Trust
Securities of the Holder to whom such Junior Subordinated Debentures are
distributed.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, President or a Senior Vice President
or Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Guarantee
Trustee. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant provided for in this Guarantee Agreement shall include:
(a) a statement by each officer signing the Officers' Certificate
that such officer 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 such officer in rendering the Officers' Certificate;
(c) a statement that 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 such officer, such
condition or covenant has been complied with.
"Person" means a legal person, including any individual,
corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock
company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity
of whatever nature.
"Redemption Date" means, with respect to any Capital Security to be
redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to the Trust
Agreement; provided that each Junior Subordinated Debenture Redemption Date and
the stated maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be a Redemption
Date for a Like Amount of Capital Securities.
- 4 -
"Redemption Price" shall have the meaning specified in the Trust
Agreement.
"Responsible Officer" means, when used with respect to the Guarantee
Trustee, any officer assigned to the Corporate Trust Office, including any
managing director, vice president, assistant vice president, assistant
treasurer, assistant secretary or any other officer of the Guarantee Trustee
customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above
designated officers and having direct responsibility for the administration of
this Indenture, and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer
to whom such matter is referred because of such officer's knowledge of and
familiarity with the particular subject.
"Senior Indebtedness" shall have the meaning specified in the
Indenture.
"Successor Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Guarantee Trustee
possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1.
"Trust Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement,
dated June ___, 1997, executed by First Empire State Corporation, as Depositor,
Bankers Trust (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, and Bankers Trust Company, as
Property Trustee.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15
U.S.C. ss.ss. 77aaa-77bbbb), as amended.
"Trust Securities" means the Common Securities and the Capital
Securities.
ARTICLE II. TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.1. Trust Indenture Act; Application.
If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a
provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under such Act to be a
part of and govern this Guarantee Agreement, the provision of the Trust
Indenture Act shall control. If any provision of this Guarantee Agreement
modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so
modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this
Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.
- 5 -
SECTION 2.2. List of Holders.
(a) The Guarantor will furnish or cause to be furnished to the
Guarantee Trustee a list of Holders at the following times:
(i) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after January 15 and
July 15 in each year, a list, in such form as the Guarantee Trustee may
reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such January
15 and July 15; and
(ii) at such other times as the Guarantee Trustee may request
in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Guarantor of any such
request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days
prior to the time such list is furnished.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall comply with the requirements of
Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.3. Reports by the Guarantee Trustee.
Not later than January 31 of each year, commencing January 31, 1998,
the Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders such reports, if any, as are
required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form and in the manner
provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Guarantee Trustee shall
also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.4. Periodic Reports to the Guarantee Trustee.
The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee, and the
Holders such documents, reports and information, if any, as required by Section
314 of the Trust Indenture Act and the compliance certificate required by
Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act, in the form, in the manner and at the
times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.5. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.
The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee such evidence
of compliance with such conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this
Guarantee Agreement that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section
314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be
given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an
Officers' Certificate.
- 6 -
SECTION 2.6. Events of Default; Waiver.
The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders, waive any past Event of
Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall
cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to
have been cured, for every purpose of this Guarantee Agreement, but no such
waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or
impair any right consequent therefrom.
SECTION 2.7. Event of Default; Notice.
(a) The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence
of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the
Holders, notices of all Events of Default known to the Guarantee Trustee, unless
such Events of Default have been cured before the giving of such notice;
provided that, except in the case of a default in the payment of a Guarantee
Payment, the Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if
and so long as the Board of Directors, the executive committee or a trust
committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Guarantee Trustee in
good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of
the Holders.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of
any Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer charged with the
administration of this Guarantee Agreement shall have received written notice of
such Event of Default.
SECTION 2.8. Conflicting Interests.
The Trust Agreement shall be deemed to be specifically described in
this Guarantee Agreement for the purposes of clause (i) of the first proviso
contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
ARTICLE III. POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 3.1. Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee.
(a) This Guarantee Agreement shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee
for the benefit of the Holders, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer
this Guarantee Agreement to any Person except a Holder exercising his or her
rights pursuant to Section 5.4(iv) or to a Successor Guarantee Trustee on
acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as
Successor Guarantee Trustee hereunder. The right, title
- 7 -
and interest of the Guarantee Trustee, as such, hereunder shall automatically
vest in any Successor Guarantee Trustee, upon acceptance by such Successor
Guarantee Trustee of its appointment hereunder, and such vesting and cessation
of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been
executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Guarantee
Trustee.
(b) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the
Holders.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of
Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred,
shall be obligated to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in
this Guarantee Agreement (including pursuant to Section 2.1), and no implied
covenants shall be read into this Guarantee Agreement against the Guarantee
Trustee. If an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived
pursuant to Section 2.6), the Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the
rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement, and use the same
degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own
affairs.
(d) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be construed to
relieve the Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its
own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) Prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after
the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:
(A) the duties and obligations of the Guarantee Trustee
shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Guarantee Agreement
(including pursuant to Section 2.1), and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be
liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are
specifically set forth in this Guarantee Agreement (including pursuant to
Section 2.1); and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the
Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth
of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon
any certificates or opinions furnished to the Guarantee Trustee and conforming
to the requirements of this Guarantee Agreement; but in the case of any such
certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof or of the Trust Indenture
Act are specifically required to be furnished
- 8 -
to the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine
the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this
Guarantee Agreement;
(ii) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error
of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee
Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Guarantee Trustee was negligent in
ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;
(iii) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect
to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance
with the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in Liquidation
Amount of the Capital Securities relating to the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this
Guarantee Agreement; and
(iv) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall require
the Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur
personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the
exercise of any of its rights or powers if the Guarantee Trustee shall have
reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability
is not assured to it under the terms of this Guarantee Agreement or adequate
indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
SECTION 3.2. Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:
(i) The Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be
fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution,
certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other
paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been
signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties.
(ii) Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by
this Guarantee Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers'
Certificate unless otherwise prescribed herein.
(iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Guarantee
Agreement, the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved
or established before taking, suffering or omitting to take any action
hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee
- 9 -
(unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of
bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officers'
Certificate which, upon receipt of such request from the Guarantee Trustee,
shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor.
(iv) The Guarantee Trustee may consult with legal counsel, and
the advice or written opinion of such legal counsel with respect to legal
matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of
any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good faith
and in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such legal counsel may be legal
counsel to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and may be one of its
employees. The Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek
instructions concerning the administration of this Guarantee Agreement from any
court of competent jurisdiction.
(v) The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to
exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement at
the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided
to the Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity as would satisfy a
reasonable person in the position of the Guarantee Trustee, against the costs,
expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) and liabilities that might be
incurred by it in complying with such request or direction, including such
reasonable advances as may be requested by the Guarantee Trustee.
(vi) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any
investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent,
order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
document, but the Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further
inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.
(vii) The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or
powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or
through its agents or attorneys, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be
responsible for any negligence or wilful misconduct on the part of any such
agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.
(viii) Whenever in the administration of this Guarantee
Agreement the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions
with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action
hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (A) may request instructions from the Holders,
(B) may refrain
- 10 -
from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such
instructions are received and (C) shall be fully protected in acting in
accordance with such instructions.
(b) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be deemed to
impose any duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or
acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it
in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Guarantee
Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law,
to perform any such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or
obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Guarantee Trustee
shall be construed to be a duty to act in accordance with such power and
authority.
SECTION 3.3. Indemnity.
The Guarantor agrees to indemnify the Guarantee Trustee for, and to
hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without
negligence, wilful misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Guarantee Trustee,
arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this
Guarantee Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending itself
against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of
any of its powers or duties hereunder. The Guarantee Trustee will not claim or
exact any lien or charge on any Guarantee Payments as a result of any amount due
to it under this Guarantee Agreement.
SECTION 3.4. Expenses.
The Guarantor shall from time to time reimburse the Guarantee
Trustee for its expenses and costs (including reasonable attorneys' or agents'
fees) incurred in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder.
ARTICLE IV. GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.1. Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility.
(a) There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall:
(i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and
(ii) be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000, and shall be a corporation meeting the requirements of Section
310(c) of the Trust Indenture
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Act. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually,
pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining
authority, then, for the purposes of this Section and to the extent permitted by
the Trust Indenture Act, 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 Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible
to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign
in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2.
(c) If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting
interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the
Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions
of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 4.2. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of the Guarantee
Trustee.
(a) No resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee and no
appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee pursuant to this Article shall
become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the Successor Guarantee
Trustee by written instrument executed by the Successor Guarantee Trustee and
delivered to the Holders and the Guarantee Trustee.
(b) Subject to the immediately preceding paragraph, a Guarantee
Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Holders.
The Guarantee Trustee shall appoint a successor by requesting from at least
three Persons meeting the eligibility requirements such Person's expenses and
charges to serve as the Guarantee Trustee, and selecting the Person who agrees
to the lowest expenses and charges. If the instrument of acceptance by the
Successor Guarantee Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Guarantee
Trustee within 60 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the
Guarantee Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Guarantor, any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee may be removed for cause at any time by
Act (within the meaning of Section 6.8 of the Trust Agreement) of the Holders of
at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities, delivered
to the Guarantee Trustee.
(d) If a resigning Guarantee Trustee shall fail to appoint a
successor, or if a Guarantee Trustee shall be removed or
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become incapable of acting as Guarantee Trustee, or if any vacancy shall occur
in the office of any Guarantee Trustee for any cause, the Holders of the Capital
Securities, by Act of the Holders of record of not less than 25% in aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities then outstanding delivered to such
Guarantee Trustee, shall promptly appoint a successor Guarantee Trustee. If no
Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Holders of the
Capital Securities and such appointment accepted by the Successor Guarantee
Trustee, any Holder, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, may
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a Successor
Guarantee Trustee.
ARTICLE V. GUARANTEE
SECTION 5.1. Guarantee.
The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full
to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts
theretofore paid by or on behalf of the Issuer Trust), as and when due,
regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which the Issuer
Trust may have or assert, except the defense of payment. The Guarantor's
obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the
required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer Trust
to pay such amounts to the Holders. The Guarantor shall give prompt written
notice to the Guarantee Trustee in the event it makes any direct payment
hereunder.
SECTION 5.2. Waiver of Notice and Demand.
The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of the Guarantee
Agreement and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment,
demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against the
Guarantee Trustee, the Issuer Trust or any other Person before proceeding
against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice
of redemption and all other notices and demands.
SECTION 5.3. Obligations Not Affected.
The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor
under this Guarantee Agreement shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason
of the happening from time to time of any of the following:
(a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the
performance or observance by the Issuer Trust of any express or implied
agreement, covenant, term or condition
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relating to the Capital Securities to be performed or observed by the Issuer
Trust;
(b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer Trust of all
or any portion of the Distributions (other than an extension of time for payment
of Distributions that results from the extension of any interest payment period
on the Junior Subordinated Debentures as so provided in the Indenture),
Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any other sums payable under the
terms of the Capital Securities or the extension of time for the performance of
any other obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Capital
Securities;
(c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of
the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy
conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Capital Securities, or any
action on the part of the Issuer Trust granting indulgence or extension of any
kind;
(d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of
any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit
of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt
of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer Trust or any of the
assets of the Issuer Trust;
(e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Capital
Securities;
(f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby
or hereby incurred; or
(g) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise
constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor (other than
payment of the underlying obligation), it being the intent of this Section 5.3
that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and
unconditional under any and all circumstances.
There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or
obtain the consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the
foregoing.
SECTION 5.4. Rights of Holders.
The Guarantor expressly acknowledges that: (i) this Guarantee
Agreement will be deposited with the Guarantee Trustee to be held for the
benefit of the Holders; (ii) the Guarantee Trustee has the right to enforce this
Guarantee Agreement on
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behalf of the Holders; (iii) the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of
the Capital Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in
respect of this Guarantee Agreement or exercising any trust or power conferred
upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement; and (iv) any Holder
may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce its
rights under this Guarantee Agreement, without first instituting a legal
proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee, the Issuer Trust or any other Person.
SECTION 5.5. Guarantee of Payment.
This Guarantee Agreement creates a guarantee of payment and not of
collection. This Guarantee Agreement will not be discharged except by payment of
the Guarantee Payments in full (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid
by the Issuer Trust) or upon the distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures
to Holders as provided in the Trust Agreement.
SECTION 5.6. Subrogation.
The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights (if any) of the
Holders against the Issuer Trust in respect of any amounts paid to the Holders
by the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however, that the
Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of
law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights which it may acquire by way
of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases
as a result of payment under this Guarantee Agreement, at the time of any such
payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Guarantee Agreement. If any
amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence,
the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay
over such amount to the Holders.
SECTION 5.7. Independent Obligations.
The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are
independent of the obligations of the Issuer Trust with respect to the Capital
Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor
hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee
Agreement notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections
(a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.
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ARTICLE VI. COVENANTS AND SUBORDINATION
SECTION 6.1. Subordination.
This Guarantee Agreement will constitute an unsecured obligation of
the Guarantor and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all
Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor to the extent and in the manner set forth
in the Indenture with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures, and the
provisions of Article XIII of the Indenture will apply, mutatis mutandis, to the
obligations of the Guarantor hereunder. The obligations of the Guarantor
hereunder do not constitute Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor.
SECTION 6.2. Pari Passu Guarantees.
The obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement
shall rank pari passu with any similar guarantee agreements issued by the
Guarantor on behalf of the holders of preferred or capital securities issued by
the Issuer Trust and with any other security, guarantee or other obligation that
is expressly stated to rank pari passu with the obligations of the Guarantor
under this Guarantee Agreement.
ARTICLE VII. TERMINATION
SECTION 7.1. Termination.
This Guarantee Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force
and effect upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Capital
Securities, (ii) the distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures to the
Holders in exchange for all of the Capital Securities or (iii) full payment of
the amounts payable in accordance with Article IX of the Trust Agreement upon
liquidation of the Issuer Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Guarantee
Agreement will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may
be, if at any time any Holder is required to repay any sums paid with respect to
Capital Securities or this Guarantee Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII. MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 8.1. Successors and Assigns.
All guarantees and agreements contained in this Guarantee Agreement
shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of
the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Capital
Securities then
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outstanding. Except in connection with a consolidation, merger or sale involving
the Guarantor that is permitted under Article VIII of the Indenture and pursuant
to which the assignee agrees in writing to perform the Guarantor's obligations
hereunder, the Guarantor shall not assign its obligations hereunder, and any
purported assignment that is not in accordance with these provisions shall be
void.
SECTION 8.2. Amendments.
Except with respect to any changes that do not materially adversely
affect the rights of the Holders (in which case no consent of the Holders will
be required), this Guarantee Agreement may only be amended with the prior
approval of the Holders of not less than a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the
Capital Securities. The provisions of Article VI of the Trust Agreement
concerning meetings of the Holders shall apply to the giving of such approval.
SECTION 8.3. Notices.
Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to
be given hereunder shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such
notice, and delivered, telecopied (confirmed by delivery of the original) or
mailed by first class mail as follows:
(a) if given to the Guarantor, to the address or telecopy number set
forth below or such other address or telecopy number or to the attention of such
other Person as the Guarantor may give notice to the Holders:
First Empire State Corporation
One M&T Plaza
Buffalo, New York 14246
Facsimile No.: (716) 842-5376
Attention: Office of the Secretary
(b) if given to the Issuer Trust, in care of the Guarantee Trustee,
at the Issuer Trust's (and the Guarantee Trustee's) address set forth below or
such other address or telecopy number or to the attention of such other Person
as the Guarantee Trustee on behalf of the Issuer Trust may give notice to the
Holders:
c/o Bankers Trust Company
Four Albany Street - 4th Floor
New York, NY 10006
Facsimile No.: (212) 250-6961
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Attention: Corporate Trust and Agency Group;
Corporate Market Services
with a copy to:
First Empire State Corporation
One M&T Plaza
Buffalo, New York 14246
Facsimile No.: (716) 842-5376
Attention: Office of the Secretary
(c) if given to the Guarantee Trustee:
Bankers Trust Company
Four Albany Street - 4th Floor
New York, NY 10006
Facsimile No.: (212) 250-6961
Attention: Corporate Trust and Agency Group
Corporate Market Services
(d) if given to any Holder, at the address set forth on the books
and records of the Issuer Trust.
All notices hereunder shall be deemed to have been given when
received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class
mail, postage prepaid, except that if a notice or other document is refused
delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice
was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered
on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.
SECTION 8.4. Benefit.
This Guarantee Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Holders
and is not separately transferable from the Capital Securities.
SECTION 8.5. Interpretation.
In this Guarantee Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) capitalized terms used in this Guarantee Agreement but not
defined in the preamble hereto have the respective meanings assigned to them in
Section 1.1;
(b) a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee Agreement has the same
meaning throughout;
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(c) all references to "the Guarantee Agreement" or "this Guarantee
Agreement" are to this Guarantee Agreement as modified, supplemented or amended
from time to time;
(d) all references in this Guarantee Agreement to Articles and
Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Guarantee Agreement unless
otherwise specified;
(e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning
when used in this Guarantee Agreement unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee
Agreement or unless the context otherwise requires;
(f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa;
and
(g) the masculine, feminine or neuter genders used herein shall
include the masculine, feminine and neuter genders.
SECTION 8.6. Governing Law.
THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD
TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
SECTION 8.7. Counterparts.
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
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THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above written.
FIRST EMPIRE STATE CORPORATION,
as Guarantor
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
as Guarantee Trustee, and not
in its individual capacity
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
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Exhibit 5.2
June 4, 1997
First Empire State Corporation
One M&T Plaza
Buffalo, New York 14240
First Empire Capital Trust II
One M&T Plaza
Buffalo, New York 14240
Re: First Empire State Corporation --
First Empire Capital Trust II --
Registration Statement on Form S-3
File Nos. 333-28279 and 333-28279-01
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to First Empire State Corporation, a New
York corporation (the "Company") and Depositor of First Empire Capital Trust II,
a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"), in connection with a Registration
Statement on Form S-3, as amended by Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 thereto (the
"Registration Statement") relating to (i) the proposed issuance by the Trust of
$100,000,000 aggregate liquidation amount of the Trust's ____% Capital
Securities (the "Capital Securities"), (ii) the proposed issuance by the Company
to the Trust of the Company's _____% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures (the "Junior Subordinated Debentures"), and (iii) the Company's
guarantee of certain obligations of the Trust related to the Capital Securities
(the "Guarantee").
The Capital Securities are issuable under an Amended and Restated Trust
Agreement (the "Trust Agreement") among the Company, as Depositor, Bankers Trust
Company, as Property Trustee, Bankers Trust (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, and
the Administrators named therein or pursuant thereto. The Junior Subordinated
Debentures are issuable under a Junior Subordinated Indenture (the "Indenture")
between the Company and Bankers Trust Company, as Debenture Trustee. The
Guarantee is issuable under a Guarantee Agreement (the "Guarantee Agreement")
between the Company and Bankers Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee.
In connection with rendering the opinions set forth in this letter, we
have examined proposed forms of the foregoing documents, filed as exhibits to
the Registration Statement. We also have examined the resolutions adopted by the
Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company on May 30, 1997,
and made such other investigations of matters of law and fact as we have
considered necessary and appropriate for the purposes of our opinions set forth
below.
The opinions set forth herein are subject to the following qualifications,
which are in addition to any other qualifications contained herein:
A. We have assumed without verification the genuineness of all signatures
on all documents, the authority of the parties (other than the Company)
executing such documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals, and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted
to us as copies.
B. The opinions set forth herein are based on existing laws, ordinances,
rules, regulations, court and administrative decisions as they presently have
been interpreted and we can give no assurances that our opinions would not be
different after any change in any of the foregoing occurring after the date
hereof.
C. We have assumed without verification that, with respect to the minutes
of any meetings of the Boards of Directors or any committees thereof of the
Company that we have examined, due notice of the meetings was given or duly
waived, the minutes accurately and completely reflect all actions taken at the
meetings and a quorum was present and acting throughout the meetings.
D. We have assumed without verification the accuracy and completeness of
all corporate records made available to us by the Company.
E. We express no opinion as to the effect or application of any laws or
regulations other than the internal laws of the State of New York and the
federal laws of the United States. As to matters governed by the laws specified
in the foregoing sentence, we have relied exclusively on the latest standard
compilations of such statutes and laws as reproduced in commonly accepted
unofficial publications available to us.
F. The opinions hereafter expressed are qualified to the extent that (1)
the characterization of, and the
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enforceability of any rights or remedies in, any agreement or instrument may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership,
readjustment of debt, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, equitable
subordination, or similar laws and doctrines affecting the rights of creditors
generally or the rights of creditors of depositary institution holding
companies, and by general equitable principles (whether considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair
dealing, (2) the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or any
other equitable remedy is subject to the discretion of a court of competent
jurisdiction, and (3) the provisions of any document, agreement or instrument
that (i) purport to confer, waive or consent to the jurisdiction of any court or
(ii) waive any right granted by common or statutory law, may be unenforceable as
against public policy.
Based on the foregoing, and upon the assumption that there will be no
material changes in the documents we examined and the matters we investigated,
we are of the opinion that:
(1) The Junior Subordinated Debentures have been duly authorized by all
requisite corporate action and, when executed, delivered and authenticated as
specified in the Indenture, the Junior Subordinated Debentures will constitute
valid and binding obligations of the Company under the laws of the State of New
York.
(2) The Guarantee has been duly authorized by all requisite corporate
action and, when executed and delivered as specified in the Guarantee Agreement,
the Guarantee will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company
under the laws of the State of New York.
This letter does not address any matters other than those expressly
addressed herein. This letter is given for your sole benefit and use. No one
else is entitled to rely hereupon. This letter speaks only as of the date
hereof. We undertake no responsibility to update or supplement it after such
date.
We hereby consent to your filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and to reference to our firm under the caption "Validity
of Securities" contained in the Prospectus included therein. In giving such
consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of
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persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.
Very truly yours,
ARNOLD & PORTER
/s/ Arnold & Porter
-----------------------
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