Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc S-3ASR, filed Feb 23, 2022
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (APLE)
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 23, 2022
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
APPLE HOSPITALITY REIT, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
| Virginia | 26-1379210 | |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
814 East Main Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 344-8121
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
Justin G. Knight
Chief Executive Officer
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.
814 East Main Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 344-8121
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
Copy to:
Paul Manca
Tifarah R. Allen
Hogan Lovells US LLP
555 Thirteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004-1109
(202) 637-5600
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time 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, please 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 this form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | |||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
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PROSPECTUS
APPLE HOSPITALITY REIT, INC.
Common Shares, Preferred Shares, Depositary Shares,
Warrants, Rights and Debt Securities
We may offer, from time to time, one or more series or classes of:
| • | Common shares; |
| • | Preferred shares; |
| • | Depositary shares representing our preferred shares; |
| • | Warrants exercisable for our common shares, preferred shares or depositary shares representing preferred shares; |
| • | Rights to purchase common shares; and |
| • | Unsecured senior or subordinate debt securities. |
We refer to our common shares, preferred shares, depositary shares, warrants, rights and debt securities collectively as the “securities.” This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. The prices and terms of any securities to be offered, the net proceeds that we expect to receive from the sale of such securities and the specific manner in which such securities may be offered will be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus.
We will deliver this prospectus together with a prospectus supplement setting forth the specific terms of the securities we are offering. The applicable prospectus supplement also will contain information, where applicable, about U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the securities covered by the prospectus supplement.
We may offer the securities directly to investors, through agents designated from time to time by them or us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents, underwriters, or dealers are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement with, between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in an accompanying prospectus supplement. For more detailed information, see “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 44. No securities may be sold without delivery of a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those securities.
Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol “APLE.” On February 22, 2022, the last reported sale price of our common shares on the NYSE was $17.15 per share. Our principal executive offices are located at 814 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, and our telephone number is (804) 344-8121.
You should carefully read this entire prospectus, the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement before you invest in any of these securities.
Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors ” on page 3 of this prospectus, as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, before making a decision to invest in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This prospectus is dated February 23, 2022
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| CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF VIRGINIA LAW AND OUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BY LAWS |
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| WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE |
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The “AC HOTELS BY MARRIOTT®,” “ALOFT HOTELS®,” “COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT®,” “FAIRFIELD BY MARRIOTT®,” “MARRIOTT® HOTELS,” “RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT®,” “SPRINGHILL SUITES BY MARRIOTT®” and “TOWNEPLACE SUITES BY MARRIOTT®” trademarks are the property of Marriott International, Inc. or one of its affiliates. All references to “MARRIOTT®” mean Marriott International, Inc. and all of its affiliates and subsidiaries, and their respective officers, directors, agents, employees, accountants and attorneys. MARRIOTT® is not responsible for the content of this prospectus, or the information incorporated by reference herein, whether relating to the hotel information, operating information, financial information, MARRIOTT®’s relationship with Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. or otherwise. MARRIOTT® is not involved in any way, whether as an “issuer,” “underwriter” or otherwise, in any Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. offering and will receive no proceeds from the offering of the securities to be offered hereby. MARRIOTT® has not expressed any approval or disapproval regarding this prospectus, and the grant by MARRIOTT® of any franchise or other rights to Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries shall not be construed as any expression of approval or disapproval. MARRIOTT® has not assumed and shall not have any liability in connection with this prospectus. MARRIOTT® has not reviewed, endorsed or ratified this prospectus.
The “EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON®,” “HAMPTON BY HILTON®,” “HAMPTON INN BY HILTON®,” “HAMPTON INN BY HILTON®,” “HAMPTON INN & SUITES BY HILTON®,” “HILTON GARDEN INN®,” “HOME2 SUITES BY HILTON®” and “HOMEWOOD SUITES BY HILTON®” trademarks are the property of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. or one of its affiliates. All references to “HILTON®” mean Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and all of its affiliates and subsidiaries, and their respective officers, directors, agents, employees, accountants and attorneys. HILTON® is not responsible for the content of this prospectus, or the information incorporated by reference herein, whether relating to hotel information, operating information, financial information, HILTON®’s relationship with Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., or otherwise. HILTON® is not involved in any way, whether as an “issuer,” “underwriter” or otherwise, in any Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. offering and will receive no proceeds from the offering of the securities to be offered hereby. HILTON® has not expressed any approval or disapproval regarding this prospectus, and the grant by HILTON® of any franchise or other rights to Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries shall not be construed as any expression of approval or disapproval. HILTON® has not assumed and shall not have any liability in connection with this prospectus. HILTON® has not reviewed, endorsed or ratified this prospectus.
The “HYATT®,” “HYATT HOUSE®” and “HYATT PLACE®” trademarks are the property of Hyatt Hotels Corporation or one or more of its affiliates. All references to “HYATT®” mean Hyatt Hotels Corporation and all of its affiliates and subsidiaries, and their respective officers, directors, agents, employees, accountants and attorneys. HYATT® is not responsible for the content of this prospectus, or the information incorporated by reference herein, whether relating to hotel information, operating information, financial information, HYATT®’s relationship with Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., or otherwise. HYATT® is not involved in any way, whether as an “issuer,” “underwriter” or otherwise, in any Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. offering and will receive no proceeds from the offering of the securities to be offered hereby. HYATT® has not expressed any approval or disapproval regarding this prospectus, and the grant by HYATT® of any franchise or other rights to Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. or its subsidiaries shall not be construed as any expression of approval or disapproval. HYATT® has not assumed and shall not have any liability in connection with this prospectus. HYATT® has not reviewed, endorsed or ratified this prospectus.
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer at any time, from time to time, in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides only a general description of the securities we may offer and is not meant to provide a complete description of each security. As a result, each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about the terms of those securities, which we will attach to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent there are any inconsistencies between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the applicable prospectus supplement. You should rely only on the information provided or information to which we have referred you, including any information incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale of these securities is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any free writing prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement prepared by us or the other documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate only as of their respective dates or on the date or dates that are specified in these documents. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
You should read carefully the entire prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference in the prospectus, which we have referred you to in “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference” below, before making an investment decision. Information incorporated by reference after the date of this prospectus may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Statements contained or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement as to the content of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or such prospectus supplement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. Any information in such subsequent filings that is inconsistent with this prospectus will supersede the information in this prospectus or any earlier prospectus supplement.
Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to “we,” “our,” “us” and “our company” refer to Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., a Virginia corporation, together with its wholly owned subsidiaries.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by use of statements that include phrases such as “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “target,” “goal,” “plan,” “should,” “will,” “predict,” “potential,” “outlook,” “strategy,” and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Currently, one of the most significant factors that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from our forward-looking statements continues to be the adverse effect of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic (“COVID-19”), including resurgences and variants, on our business, financial performance and condition, operating results and cash flows, the real estate market and the hospitality industry specifically, and the global economy and financial markets generally. The significance, extent and duration of the continued impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on us will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence at this time, including the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic, the extent and effectiveness of the actions taken to contain the pandemic or mitigate its impact, the efficacy, acceptance and availability of vaccines, the duration of associated immunity and efficacy of the vaccines against variants of COVID-19, the potential for additional hotel closures/consolidations that may be mandated or advisable, whether based on increased COVID-19 cases, new variants or other factors, the slowing or potential rollback of “reopenings” in certain states, and the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and containment measures, among others. Moreover, investors are cautioned to interpret many of the risks identified under the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 as being heightened as a result of the ongoing and numerous adverse impacts of COVID-19. Additional factors that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to effectively acquire and dispose of properties and redeploy proceeds; the anticipated timing and frequency of shareholder distributions; our ability to fund capital obligations; our ability to successfully integrate pending transactions and implement our operating strategy; changes in general political, economic and competitive conditions and specific market conditions; reduced business and leisure travel due to travel-related health concerns, including the COVID-19 pandemic or an increase in COVID-19 cases or any other infectious or contagious diseases in the U.S. or abroad; adverse changes in the real estate and real estate capital markets; financing risks; changes in interest rates; litigation risks; regulatory proceedings or inquiries; and changes in laws or regulations or interpretations of current laws and regulations that impact our business, assets or classification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”). Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the results or conditions described in such statements or our objectives and plans will be achieved. In addition, our qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Readers should carefully review the risk factors described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including but not limited to those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and in other documents that we may file from time to time in the future with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement that we make speaks only as of the date of this prospectus. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or cautionary factors, as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
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Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 together with all the other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including the risks we have highlighted in other sections of this prospectus, before making an investment decision to purchase our securities. The occurrence of any of the events described could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make cash distributions to our shareholders, which could cause you to lose all or a significant part of your investment in our securities. Some statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements. Please refer to the section titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
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We are a Virginia corporation that has elected to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We are a self-advised REIT that invests in income-producing real estate, primarily in the lodging sector, in the United States. Our shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “APLE.”
We are one of the largest hospitality REITs in the U.S., in both the number of hotels and guest rooms, with significant geographic and brand diversity. Throughout our history, our primary business objective has been to maximize shareholder value by achieving long-term growth in cash available for distributions to our shareholders. We have pursued and will continue to pursue this objective through the following investment strategies:
| • | pursuing thoughtful capital allocation with selective acquisitions and dispositions of primarily rooms-focused hotels in the upscale sector of the lodging industry; |
| • | employing broad geographic diversification of our investments; |
| • | franchising and collaborating with leading brands in the sector; |
| • | utilizing strong experienced operators for our hotels and enhancing their performance with proactive asset management; |
| • | reinvesting in our hotels to maintain their competitive advantage; and |
| • | maintaining low leverage providing us with financial flexibility. |
We have generally acquired fee simple ownership of our properties, with a focus on hotels that have or have the potential to have diverse demand generators, strong brand recognition, high levels of customer satisfaction and strong operating margins. Due to their efficient operating model and strong consumer preference, we concentrate on the acquisition of rooms-focused hotels. Our acquisitions have been in broadly diversified markets across the U.S. to limit dependence on any one geographic area or demand generator. With an emphasis on upscale rooms-focused hotels, we utilize our asset management experience and expertise to improve the quality and performance of our hotels by working with our property managers to aggressively manage revenue and cost structure by benchmarking with internal and external data, using scale to help negotiate favorable vendor contracts, engaging industry leaders in hotel management, and franchising the hotels with leading brands and actively participating with the franchisors to strengthen the brands. To maintain our competitive advantage in each market, we continually reinvest in our hotels. With our depth of ownership in many upscale and upper mid-scale rooms-focused brands and extensive experience with the Hilton and Marriott rooms-focused brands, we have been able to enhance our reinvestment approach.
As of December 31, 2021, we owned 219 hotels with an aggregate of 28,747 rooms located in urban, high-end suburban and developing markets throughout 36 states. As of December 31, 2021, substantially all of our hotels operate under Marriott or Hilton brands under a license from the applicable franchisor. The hotels are operated and managed under separate management agreements with 16 hotel management companies, none of which are affiliated with us.
We elected to be taxed as a REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, when we filed our U.S. federal tax return for the taxable year ended December 31, 2008.
Our principal executive offices are located at 814 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. Our telephone number is (804) 344-8121. Our website is located at www.applehospitalityreit.com. The information found on or accessible through our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. We have included our website address as an inactive textual reference and do not intend it to be an active link to our website.
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Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus used to offer specific securities, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions of additional properties, the repayment of outstanding indebtedness, capital expenditures, the expansion, redevelopment and/or improvement of properties in our portfolio, working capital and other general purposes. We may also use the net proceeds to acquire another REIT or other company that invests in income producing properties, although we do not have a specific plan to do so. Until we use the net proceeds for the purposes described above, we may invest them in short-term income producing investments, such as commercial paper, government securities or money market funds that invest in government securities and/or commercial paper.
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General
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended (“articles of incorporation”), provide that we may issue up to 800,000,000 common shares, no par value per share, and 30,000,000 preferred shares, no par value per share, which are undesignated preferred shares. Our articles of incorporation authorize our board of directors, without shareholder approval, to amend our articles of incorporation to fix in whole or in part the preferences, limitations and relative rights, within the limits set forth in the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, of any series within the preferred shares prior to the issuance of any shares of that series. As of February 22, 2022, 228,255,642 common shares were issued and outstanding and no preferred shares were issued and outstanding. Under the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, shareholders generally are not liable for the corporation’s debt or obligations.
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Voting Rights of Common Shares
Subject to the provisions of our articles of incorporation and our third amended and restated bylaws (“bylaws”) regarding the restrictions on transfer and ownership of capital shares, each outstanding common share entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. The holders of our common shares have exclusive voting power with respect to the election of directors and for all other purposes, except as otherwise required by law or as provided in our articles of incorporation with respect to any series of preferred shares then outstanding. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. Directors are elected by the plurality of votes cast and entitled to vote in the election of directors; provided, that if an incumbent director fails to receive at least a majority of the votes cast, such director will tender his or her resignation from the Board.
For more information regarding voting rights of common shareholders, see “Certain Provisions of Virginia Law and Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws—Amendment of Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and Approval of Extraordinary Transactions.”
Dividends, Distributions, Liquidation and Other Rights
Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of shares and to the provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws regarding the restrictions on transfer and ownership of capital shares, holders of our common shares are entitled to receive dividends on such common shares if, as and when authorized by our board of directors, and declared by us out of assets legally available therefor. Subject to the rights of holders of shares ranking senior to the holders of our common shares as to dividends and distributions, holders of our common shares also are entitled to receive, if and when declared by our board of directors, dividends and distributions of our net assets legally available for distribution to shareholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of our company.
Holders of our common shares have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities. Subject to the provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws regarding the restrictions on transfer and ownership of capital shares, common shares will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
With certain exceptions, our articles of incorporation generally prohibit any person or entity (other than a person or entity who has been granted an exception) from directly or indirectly, beneficially or constructively, owning more than 9.8% of the aggregate of our outstanding common shares, by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive. However, our articles of incorporation permit (but do not require) exceptions to be made for shareholders provided that our board of directors determines that such exceptions will not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT. Similarly, our bylaws generally prohibit any person or entity from owning more than 9.8% of the total number of the issued and outstanding common shares of any separate class or series. Pursuant to Virginia law, the restrictions included in our bylaws apply to any of our shareholders who did not vote in favor of the amendment to include the restrictions on ownership and transfer in our articles of incorporation, which occurred in 2014. All other shareholders, including shareholders who may acquire common shares in an offering pursuant to this prospectus, are subject to the restrictions on transfer and ownership in our articles of incorporation. For more information regarding these ownership restrictions and certain other restrictions intended to protect our qualification as a REIT, see “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common shares is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.
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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES
The following description sets forth certain general terms of the preferred shares to which any prospectus supplement may relate. This description and the description contained in any prospectus supplement are not complete and are in all respects subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to our articles of incorporation, the articles of amendment that describes the terms of the related class or series of preferred shares, and our bylaws, each of which we will make available upon request.
General
Our articles of incorporation provide that we may issue up to 30,000,000 preferred shares, no par value per share. As of February 22, 2022, no preferred shares were issued and outstanding. Subject to the limitations prescribed by Virginia law and our articles of incorporation and bylaws, our board of directors is authorized, without shareholder approval, by adoption of an amendment of our articles of incorporation, to fix in whole or in part the preferences, limitations and relative rights of any series within the preferred shares prior to the issuance of any shares of that series, and to issue one or more series of preferred shares. The preferred shares will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.
The prospectus supplement relating to the series of preferred shares offered thereby will describe the specific terms of such securities, including:
| • | the title and stated value of such preferred shares; |
| • | the number of such preferred shares offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price of such preferred shares; |
| • | the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation thereof applicable to such preferred shares; |
| • | whether dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends on such preferred shares shall accumulate; |
| • | the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for such preferred shares; |
| • | the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for such preferred shares; |
| • | the provisions for redemption, if applicable, of such preferred shares; |
| • | any listing of such preferred shares on any securities exchange; |
| • | the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which such preferred shares will be convertible into our common shares, including the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof) and conversion period; |
| • | a discussion of U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to such preferred shares; |
| • | any limitations on issuance of any series of preferred shares ranking senior to or on a parity with such series of preferred shares as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; |
| • | in addition to those limitations described below, any other limitations on actual and constructive ownership and restrictions on transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve our status as a REIT; and |
| • | any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of such preferred shares. |
Restrictions on Ownership
With certain exceptions, our articles of incorporation generally prohibit any person or entity (other than a person or entity who has been granted an exception) from directly or indirectly, beneficially or constructively,
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owning more than 9.8% of the aggregate of our outstanding preferred shares of any class or series, by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive. For more information regarding these ownership restrictions and certain other restrictions intended to protect our qualification as a REIT, see “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our preferred shares will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Certain Provisions of Virginia Law and Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
See “Certain Provisions of Virginia Law and Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.”
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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
General
We may issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest of a preferred share of a particular series, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Preferred shares of each series represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement among us, the depositary named therein and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts. Subject to the terms of the applicable deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest of a preferred share of a particular series represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipt, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred shares represented by such depositary shares (including dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights). As of February 22, 2022, no depositary shares were issued and outstanding.
The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the applicable deposit agreement. Immediately following the issuance and delivery of the preferred shares by us to a preferred share depositary, we will cause such preferred shares depositary to issue, on our behalf, the depositary receipts. Copies of the applicable form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt may be obtained from us upon request, and the statements made hereunder relating to the deposit agreement and the depositary receipts to be issued thereunder are summaries of certain provisions expected to be contained therein and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the applicable deposit agreement and related depositary receipts.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The preferred share depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the preferred shares to the record holders of depositary receipts evidencing the related depositary shares in proportion to the number of such depositary receipts owned by such holders, subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the preferred shares depositary.
In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the preferred shares depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts entitled thereto, subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the preferred shares depositary, unless the preferred shares depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the preferred shares depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.
No distribution will be made in respect of any depositary share to the extent that it represents any preferred shares converted into other securities.
Withdrawal of Shares
Upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the applicable preferred shares depositary (unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption or converted into other securities), the holders thereof will be entitled to delivery at such office, to or upon such holder’s order, of the number of whole or fractional preferred shares and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts. Holders of depositary receipts will be entitled to receive whole or fractional preferred shares on the basis of the proportion of preferred shares represented by each depositary share as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, but holders of such preferred shares will not thereafter be entitled to receive depositary shares therefor. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of preferred shares to be withdrawn, the preferred shares depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing such excess number of depositary shares.
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Redemption of Depositary Shares
Whenever we redeem preferred shares held by the preferred shares depositary, the preferred shares depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing preferred shares so redeemed, provided we shall have paid in full to the preferred shares depositary the redemption price of the preferred shares to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the corresponding proportion of the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable with respect to the preferred shares. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional depositary shares) or by any other equitable method determined by us that will not result in a violation of the ownership restrictions in our articles of incorporation. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”
From and after the date fixed for redemption, all dividends in respect of the preferred shares so called for redemption will cease to accrue, the depositary shares so called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares so called for redemption will cease, except the right to receive any moneys payable upon such redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of such depositary receipts were entitled upon such redemption and surrender thereof to the preferred shares depositary.
Voting of the Preferred Shares
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the applicable preferred shares are entitled to vote, the preferred shares depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares which represent such preferred shares. Each record holder of depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred shares) will be entitled to instruct the preferred shares depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of preferred shares represented by such holder’s depositary shares. The preferred shares depositary will vote the amount of preferred shares represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable action which may be deemed necessary by the preferred shares depositary in order to enable the preferred shares depositary to do so. The preferred shares depositary will abstain from voting the amount of preferred shares represented by such depositary shares to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary receipts evidencing such depositary shares. The preferred shares depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instruction to vote, or for the manner or effect of any such vote made, as long as any such action or non-action is in good faith and does not result from negligence or willful misconduct of the preferred shares depositary.
Liquidation Preference
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of each depositary receipt will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each preferred share represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipt, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Conversion of Preferred Shares
The depositary shares, as such, are not convertible into common shares or any of our other securities or property. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to an offering of depositary shares, the depositary receipts may be surrendered by holders thereof to the preferred shares depositary with written instructions to the preferred shares depositary to instruct us to cause conversion of the preferred shares represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts into whole common
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shares or other preferred shares, and we will agree that upon receipt of such instructions and any amounts payable in respect thereof, we will cause the conversion thereof utilizing the same procedures as those provided for delivery of preferred shares to effect such conversion. If the depositary shares evidenced by a depositary receipt are to be converted in part only, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted. No fractional common shares will be issued upon conversion, and if such conversion would result in a fractional share being issued, an amount will be paid in cash by us equal to the value of the fractional interest based upon the closing price of the common shares on the last business day prior to the conversion.
Amendment and Termination of Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares which represent the preferred shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between us and the preferred shares depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary receipts or that would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the related preferred shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the existing holders of at least two-thirds of the applicable depositary shares evidenced by the applicable depositary receipts then outstanding. No amendment shall impair the right, subject to certain exceptions in the deposit agreement, of any holder of depositary receipts to surrender any depositary receipt with instructions to deliver to the holder the related preferred shares and all money and other property, if any, represented thereby, except in order to comply with law. Every holder of an outstanding depositary receipt at the time any such amendment becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such receipt, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended thereby.
The deposit agreement may be terminated by us upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice to the preferred shares depositary if (i) such termination is necessary to preserve our status as a REIT or (ii) a majority of each series of preferred shares affected by such termination consents to such termination, whereupon the preferred shares depositary shall deliver or make available to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional preferred shares as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts together with any other property held by the preferred shares depositary with respect to such depositary receipts. We will agree that if the deposit agreement is terminated to preserve our status as a REIT, then we will use our best efforts to list the preferred shares issued upon surrender of the related depositary shares on a national securities exchange. In addition, the deposit agreement will automatically terminate if (i) all outstanding depositary shares shall have been redeemed, (ii) there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the related preferred shares in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and such distribution shall have been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares representing such preferred shares or (iii) each related preferred share shall have been converted into our securities not so represented by depositary shares.
Charges of Preferred Shares Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the deposit agreement. In addition, we will pay the fees and expenses of the preferred shares depositary in connection with the performance of its duties under the deposit agreement. However, holders of depositary receipts will pay the fees and expenses of the preferred shares depositary for any duties requested by such holders to be performed which are outside of those expressly provided for in the deposit agreement.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The preferred shares depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the preferred shares depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor preferred shares depositary. A successor preferred shares depositary must be
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appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and that meet certain capital and surplus requirements.
Miscellaneous
The preferred shares depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts any reports and communications from us which are received by the preferred shares depositary with respect to the related preferred shares.
Neither the preferred shares depositary nor the company will be liable if it is prevented from or delayed in, by law or any circumstances beyond its control, performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. The obligations of our company and the preferred shares depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performing their duties thereunder in good faith and without negligence (in the case of any action or inaction in the voting of preferred shares represented by the depositary shares), gross negligence or willful misconduct, and we and the preferred shares depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary receipts, depositary shares or preferred shares represented thereby unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the preferred shares depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting preferred shares represented thereby for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give such information, and on documents believed in good faith to be genuine and signed by a proper party.
In the event the preferred shares depositary shall receive conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of depositary receipts, on the one hand, and us, on the other hand, the preferred shares depositary shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from us.
Restrictions on Ownership
With certain exceptions, our articles of incorporation generally prohibit any person or entity (other than a person or entity who has been granted an exception) from directly or indirectly, beneficially or constructively, owning more than 9.8% of the aggregate of our outstanding preferred shares of any class or series, by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive. Holders of depositary receipts will be subject to the ownership restrictions set forth in our articles of incorporation. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”
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We may offer by means of this prospectus warrants for the purchase of our preferred shares, depositary shares representing preferred shares or common shares. We may issue warrants separately or together with any other securities offered by means of this prospectus, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent specified therein. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. As of February 22, 2022, no warrants were issued and outstanding.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, where applicable, of the warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
| • | the title and issuer of such warrants; |
| • | the aggregate number of such warrants; |
| • | the aggregate number of common shares purchasable upon exercise of such warrants; |
| • | the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued and provisions for changes or adjustments in the exercise price; |
| • | the currencies in which the price or prices of such warrants may be payable; |
| • | the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants; |
| • | the designation and terms of the other securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security; |
| • | if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants will be separately transferable; |
| • | the price or prices at which and currency or currencies in which the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased; |
| • | the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; |
| • | the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time; |
| • | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| • | a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and |
| • | any other material terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants. |
Restrictions on Ownership
Holders of warrants will be subject to the ownership restrictions set forth in our articles of incorporation. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”
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We may issue rights to our shareholders for the purchase of common shares. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent, all as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of rights. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. The rights agreement and the rights certificates relating to each series of rights will be filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. As of February 22, 2022, no rights were issued and outstanding.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the rights to be issued, including the following, where applicable:
| • | the date for determining the shareholders entitled to the rights distribution; |
| • | the aggregate number of common shares purchasable upon exercise of such rights; |
| • | the exercise price of such rights and provisions for changes or adjustments in the exercise price; |
| • | the aggregate number of rights being issued; |
| • | the date, if any, on and after which such rights may be transferable separately; |
| • | the date on which the right to exercise such rights shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; |
| • | any special U.S. federal income tax consequences; and |
| • | any other terms of such rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of such rights. |
Restrictions on Ownership
Holders of rights will be subject to the ownership restrictions set forth in our articles of incorporation. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
Pursuant to our articles of incorporation, our board of directors may, in its discretion, authorize and issue any notes, bonds, debentures or other obligations of our company on such terms and at such prices as our board of directors determines in its sole discretion.
We may issue senior debt securities in one or more series under a senior indenture to be entered into between us and a commercial bank we will select to act as senior indenture trustee. We may issue subordinated debt securities in one or more series under a subordinated indenture between us and a commercial bank we will select to act as subordinated indenture trustee. We use the term indenture trustee to refer to the senior indenture trustee or subordinated indenture trustee, as appropriate. We refer to the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture together as the indentures and individually as an indenture. The form of the senior indenture and the form of the subordinated indenture are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The indentures will be available for inspection at the corporate trust offices of the senior indenture trustee and the subordinated indenture trustee and as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference.” The indentures are subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
We describe below some of the terms of the debt securities and some of the provisions of the indentures. We will describe in a prospectus supplement the specific terms of the debt securities and the extent to which the provisions described below apply. The descriptions in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement are not complete and may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. To obtain further information, you should refer to the provisions of the indentures and the debt securities. Capitalized terms used in this summary but not defined have the meaning specified in the indentures.
General
The debt securities will be direct, unsecured obligations of our company. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of our company. Payments on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the prior payment in full of our senior debt, as described in this section under “—Subordination.” The senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities will be structurally subordinate to all secured debt and debt of our subsidiaries. Each indenture provides that we may issue debt securities without limit as to aggregate principal amount, in one or more series, in each case as established from time to time in, or under authority granted by, a resolution of our board of directors or as established in one or more supplemental indentures. We may issue debt securities with terms different from those of debt securities previously issued. Debt securities of one series may be issued at different times and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of that series, for issuances of additional debt securities of that series.
Please read the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities of the particular series being offered thereby for the specific terms of such debt securities, including, where applicable:
| • | the title of the series of debt securities and whether the debt securities are senior or subordinated; |
| • | the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series and any limit on the aggregate principal amount; |
| • | whether such debt securities are to be issuable in global form, as registered securities or as bearer securities; |
| • | the date or dates, or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates shall be determined, on which we will pay the principal of and premium, if any, on debt securities of the series, or the method used to determine such date or dates; |
| • | the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which debt securities of the series will bear interest, if any, or the method or methods, if any, used to determine such rate or rates; |
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| • | the basis used to calculate interest, if any, on the debt securities of the series if other than a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months; |
| • | the date or dates, if any, from which interest on the debt securities of the series will accrue, or the method or methods, if any, used to determine such date or dates; |
| • | the date or dates, if any, on which the interest on the debt securities of the series will be payable and the record dates for any such payment of interest; |
| • | the place or places where the payments on the debt securities of the series will be payable; |
| • | the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we are required to, or may, at our option, redeem debt securities of the series; |
| • | the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we will be required to repurchase debt securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of the holders of debt securities of the series; |
| • | if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities of the series which will be payable upon acceleration of the maturity of such securities or the method by which such portion is to be determined; |
| • | the authorized denominations in which debt securities of the series will be issued, if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof; |
| • | the place or places where (1) amounts due on the debt securities of the series will be payable, (2) the debt securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, (3) the debt securities of the series may be surrendered for conversion or exchange and (4) notices or demands to or upon us in respect of the debt securities of the series or the indenture may be served, if different than the corporate trust office of the trustee; |
| • | the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities will be convertible into and/or exchangeable into equity of our company or any other Person or into any other securities; |
| • | if other than U.S. dollars, the foreign currency or currencies in which purchases of, and payments on, the debt securities of the series must be made, the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in U.S. dollars for any purpose, and the ability, if any, of our company or the holders of debt securities of the series to elect for payments to be made in any other currency or currencies and the terms and conditions upon which such election may be made; |
| • | whether the amount of payments on the debt securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula, or other method or methods (any of those debt securities being referred to as “indexed securities”) and the manner used to determine those amounts; |
| • | any addition to, modification of, or deletion of, any covenant or event of default with respect to debt securities of the series or any guarantee; |
| • | whether the securities will be secured and, if so, the collateral and the extent to which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such securities will be secured; |
| • | if the securities will not be subject to any provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge, defeasance or covenant defeasance; |
| • | the covenants subject to covenant defeasance; |
| • | the terms and conditions, if any, upon which debt securities are to be issuable upon the exercise of warrants; |
| • | the identity of the depository for the global debt securities; |
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| • | the circumstances under which we or any guarantor will pay additional amounts on such securities in respect of any tax, assessment, or other governmental charge and whether we will have the option to redeem such securities rather than pay the additional amounts; |
| • | if there is more than one trustee, the identity of the trustee that has any obligations, duties and remedies with respect to the debt securities and, if not the trustee, the identity of each security registrar, paying agent or authenticating agent with respect to the debt securities; |
| • | whether securities of the series will be guaranteed by a guarantor and, if so, the terms of any guarantee of the debt securities and the identity of any guarantor or guarantors of the debt securities and, if applicable, the terms and conditions upon which such guarantees may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the respective guarantors; |
| • | if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of the debt 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 debt securities as of any date; |
| • | whether the debt securities will not be issued in a transaction registered under the Securities Act and any restriction or condition on the transferability of the debt securities of such series; |
| • | the exchanges, if any, on which the debt securities of the series may be listed; |
| • | the price or prices at which the debt securities of the series will be sold; |
| • | if debt securities issuable in global form are to be issuable in definitive form only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the forms and terms of such certificates documents or conditions; |
| • | the person to whom any interest on any registered security shall be payable, if other than the person in whose name such security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such payment and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global security will be paid if other than in the manner provided in the indenture; |
| • | any additional covenants subject to waiver by the act of the holders of debt securities pursuant to the indenture; |
| • | any change in the right of the trustee or the right of the requisite holders of debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable; and |
| • | any other terms of debt securities of the series and any deletions from or modifications or additions to the indenture in respect of such securities. |
As used in this prospectus, references to the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of a series include additional amounts, if any, payable on the debt securities of such series in that context.
We may issue debt securities as original issue discount securities to be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. In the event of an acceleration of the maturity of any original issue discount security, the amount payable to the holder upon acceleration will be determined in the manner described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Important U.S. federal income tax and other considerations applicable to original issue discount securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Other than to the extent provided with respect to the debt securities of a particular series and described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indentures will not contain any provisions that would limit our ability to incur indebtedness or to substantially reduce or eliminate our consolidated assets, which may have a material adverse effect on our ability to service our indebtedness (including the debt securities) or that would afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event of:
(1) a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving our management, or any affiliate of any of those parties,
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(2) a change of control, or
(3) a reorganization, restructuring, merger, or similar transaction involving us or our affiliates.
Registration, Transfer, Payment and Paying Agent
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of debt securities will be issued in registered form only, without coupons.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be payable and may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange at an office of our company or an agent of our company in the City of New York. However, we, at our option, may make payments of interest on any interest payment date on any debt security by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to receive that payment or by wire transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States.
Any interest not punctually paid or duly provided for on any interest payment date with respect to the debt securities of any series will forthwith cease to be payable to the holders of those debt securities on the applicable regular record date and may either be paid to the persons in whose names those debt securities are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of the interest not punctually paid or duly provided for to be fixed by the trustee, notice whereof shall be given to the holders of those debt securities not less than 10 days prior to the special record date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner, all as completely described in the indenture.
Subject to certain limitations imposed on debt securities issued in book-entry form, the debt securities of any series will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series containing identical terms and provisions, in any authorized denominations, and of a like aggregate principal amount upon surrender of those debt securities at the designated place or places. In addition, subject to certain limitations imposed upon debt securities issued in book-entry form, the debt securities of any series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange thereof at the designated place or places if duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, redemption or repayment of debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with certain of those transactions.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not be required to:
| • | issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of debt securities of that series of like tenor and terms to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of that selection; |
| • | register the transfer of or exchange any registered security, or any portion thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any registered security being redeemed in part; or |
| • | issue, register the transfer of or exchange a debt security which has been surrendered for repurchase at the option of the holder, except the portion, if any, of the debt security not to be repurchased. |
Outstanding Debt Securities
In determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding debt securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, or waiver under either indenture:
| • | the principal amount of an original issue discount security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for these purposes shall be that portion of the principal amount of the original issue discount security that would be due and payable upon acceleration of the original issue discount security as of the date of the determination; |
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| • | the principal amount of any indexed security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for these purposes shall be the principal amount of the indexed security determined on the date of its original issuance, unless otherwise provided in the indenture; |
| • | the principal amount of a debt security denominated in a foreign currency shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the date of its original issuance, of the principal amount of the debt security; and |
| • | a debt security owned by us or any obligor on the debt security or any affiliate of our company or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding. |
Redemption and Repurchase
The debt securities of any series may be redeemable at our option or may be subject to mandatory redemption by us as required by a sinking fund or otherwise. In addition, the debt securities of any series may be subject to repurchase by us at the option of the holders. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions regarding any optional or mandatory redemption or option to repurchase the debt securities of the related series.
Covenants
Existence
Except as described under the section below titled “—Merger, Consolidation or Sale,” we will be required to do everything necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect our existence, rights and franchises. But we will not be required to preserve any right or franchise if our board of directors determines that the preservation of the right or franchise is no longer desirable in the conduct of our business.
Maintenance of Properties
We will be required to cause all of our material properties used or useful in the conduct of our business or any of our subsidiaries’ businesses to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order (normal wear and tear, casualty and condemnation excepted) and supplied with all necessary equipment and to cause all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements to be made, all as in our judgment may be necessary in order for us to at all times properly and advantageously conduct our business carried on in connection with such properties. We will not be prevented from (1) removing permanently any property that has been condemned or suffered a casualty loss, if it is in our best interests, (2) discontinuing maintenance or operation of any property if, in our reasonable judgment, doing so is in our best interest, or (3) selling or otherwise disposing for value our properties in the ordinary course of business.
Insurance
We will be required to, and will be required to cause each of our subsidiaries to, keep in force upon all of our insurable properties and operations insurance policies carried with responsible companies in such amounts and covering all such risks as is customary in the industry in which we and our Subsidiaries do business in accordance with prevailing market conditions and availability.
Payment of Taxes and Other Claims
We will be required to pay or discharge before they become delinquent (1) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon us or any of our subsidiaries or upon the income, profits or property of our company or any of our subsidiaries, and (2) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies that, if unpaid, might by law become a material lien upon the property of our company or any Subsidiary. But we will not be required to pay or discharge any tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith.
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Additional Covenants
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any additional covenants of our company relating to any series of debt securities.
Events of Default
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each of the following is an Event of Default with respect to any series of debt securities issued under either indenture:
(1) default for thirty (30) days in the payment of any installment of interest or additional amounts payable with respect to such interest under the debt securities of that series;
(2) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on, or any additional amounts payable in respect of any principal of or premium, if any, on the debt securities of that series, when the same becomes due and payable or default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment with respect to the debt securities of that series when due;
(3) failure to comply with any of our other agreements contained in the debt securities or the indenture (other than an agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere specifically dealt with in the indenture or which has expressly been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series) upon receipt by us of notice of such default by the trustee or receipt by us and the trustee of notice of such default by holders of not less than twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding and we fail to cure (or obtain a waiver of) such default within sixty (60) days after we receive such notice;
(4) failure to pay any recourse indebtedness for monies borrowed by us, any guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary in an outstanding principal amount in excess of $100 million at final maturity or upon acceleration after the expiration of any applicable grace period, which recourse indebtedness is not discharged, or such default in payment or acceleration is not cured or rescinded, within thirty (30) days after written notice of such failure to us from the trustee (or to us and the trustee from holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series); and
(5) specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization with respect to us, any guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary.
“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary, including its Subsidiaries, that meets either of the following conditions:
| • | Our and our other Subsidiaries’ investments in and advances to the Subsidiary exceed 10% of the total assets of our company’s and our Subsidiaries’ total assets consolidated (determined in accordance with GAAP) as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which an annual or quarterly report has been furnished to holders of the debt securities or filed with the SEC; or |
| • | Our and our other Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of the total assets (after intercompany eliminations) of the Subsidiary exceeds 10% of our and our Subsidiaries’ total assets consolidated (determined in accordance with GAAP) as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which an annual or quarterly report has been furnished to holders of the debt securities or filed with the SEC. |
No Event of Default with respect to any particular series of debt securities necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The trustee is required to give notice to holders of the debt securities of the applicable series within 90 days after the trustee has actual knowledge (as such knowledge is described in the indenture) of a default relating to such debt securities.
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If an Event of Default specified in clause (5) above occurs, then the principal of, and premium, if any, on all the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series and unpaid interest, if any, accrued thereon shall automatically become immediately due and payable. If any other Event of Default with respect to the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding may declare the principal of, and premium, if any, on, or if debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities such lesser amount as may be specified in the terms of that series of debt securities, and unpaid interest, if any, accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately. However, upon specified conditions, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding may rescind and annul any such declaration of acceleration and its consequences.
Each indenture provides that no holders of debt securities of any series may institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to such indenture or such debt securities, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy thereunder, except in the case of failure of the trustee, for 60 days, to act after it has received written notice of an Event of Default with respect to such series from a holder of a debt security of such series, a written request to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default from the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, as well as an offer of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, and no inconsistent direction has been given to the trustee during such 60 day period by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series. Notwithstanding any other provision of either indenture, each holder of a debt security will have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, and any additional amounts on that debt security on the respective due dates for those payments, and in the case of any debt security which is convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property, to convert or exchange as the case may be, such debt security in accordance with its terms, and to institute suit for the enforcement of those payments and any such right to convert or exchange, and this right shall not be impaired without the consent of such holder.
Subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act requiring the trustee, during the continuance of an Event of Default under the applicable indenture, to act with the requisite standard of care, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities of any series unless those holders have offered the trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee, provided that the direction would not conflict with any rule or law or with the applicable indenture or with any series of debt securities, such direction would not be unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder of debt securities of that series (or the debt securities of any other series) not joining in such action or could not involve the trustee in personal liability, and the trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.
Within 120 calendar days after the close of each fiscal year, we must deliver to each trustee an officer’s certificate stating whether or not such certifying officer has knowledge of any default under the applicable indenture and, if so, specifying each such default and the nature and status thereof. We must also deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate within 30 days of becoming aware of a default under the indenture.
Modifications and Waivers
Each indenture permits us and the trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series issued under the applicable indenture and affected by a modification or amendment (voting as separate classes), to modify or amend any of the provisions of the applicable indenture or of the debt securities of the applicable series or the rights of the holders of the debt securities of the applicable series under the applicable indenture.
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However, no modification or amendment shall, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:
| • | change the stated maturity of the principal of, or premium, if any, or any installment of interest, if any, on, or any additional amounts, if any, with respect to, any debt securities; |
| • | reduce the principal of or any premium on any debt securities or reduce the rate (or modify the calculation of such rate) of interest on or the redemption or repurchase price of any debt securities, or any additional amounts payable with respect to any debt securities or related guarantee or change our or any guarantor’s obligation to pay additional amounts; |
| • | reduce the amount of principal of any original issue discount securities that would be due and payable upon acceleration of the maturity of any debt security or the amount thereof provable in the event of bankruptcy; |
| • | adversely affect any right of repayment or repurchase at the option of any holder; |
| • | change any place where, or the currency in which, the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any additional amounts with respect to any debt security or guarantee is payable; |
| • | impair the right to institute suit to enforce the payment of any debt securities or guarantee on or after their stated maturity (or, in the case of redemption on or after the redemption date, or on or after the date for repayment or repurchase); |
| • | in the case of any debt security which is convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property, impair the right to institute suit to enforce the right to convert or exchange such Security in accordance with its terms; |
| • | reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series whose holders must consent to any modification or amendment or any waiver of compliance with specific provisions of the applicable indenture or specified defaults under the applicable indenture and their consequences; |
| • | modify the sections of the applicable indenture setting forth the provisions of such indenture that may not be amended without the consent of holders, or providing for the waiver of past defaults and the waiver of certain covenants, except to increase any such percentage or provide that certain other provisions of such indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of holder of each outstanding debt security of such series; |
| • | release a guarantor from any of the obligations under a guarantee except as permitted under the applicable indenture; or |
| • | make any change that adversely affects the right, if any, to convert or exchange any debt security for common equity or other securities or property. |
Each indenture also contains provisions permitting us and any guarantor, as applicable, and the trustee, without the consent of the holders of any debt securities, to modify or amend the applicable indenture, to among other things:
| • | to evidence a successor to us or any guarantor, if applicable, as under the indenture, or successive successions, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of company or any guarantor; |
| • | to add to the covenants of our company or any guarantor for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us or any guarantor in the indenture; |
| • | to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on or any additional amounts with respect to any debt securities or any guarantee, provided any such action does not adversely affect the interest of the holders of debt securities of any series; |
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| • | to add to the Events of Default in a manner that benefits the holders of all or any series of debt securities issued under the indenture; |
| • | to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series, and the form of the guarantee of debt securities of any series (provided that any such deletions, additions and changes shall not be applicable to any other series of debt securities then outstanding); |
| • | to make any change necessary to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; |
| • | to provide for any guarantee of the holders of debt securities of a series, to secure the debt securities or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any guarantee of or lien securing the debt securities which such release, termination or discharge is permitted by the indenture; |
| • | to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the indenture by more than one trustee; |
| • | to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture; |
| • | to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of debt securities or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the indenture of any holder in any material respect; |
| • | to supplement any of the provisions of the indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities; provided, that the action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities; |
| • | to provide for the issuance of additional debt securities, subject to the limitations established in the indenture; |
| • | to comply with the rules of any applicable depository or the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the debt securities may be listed or traded; |
| • | to add to or change any provisions of the indenture to such extent as is necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in uncertificated form; |
| • | to amend or supplement any provision contained in the indenture, in any supplemental indenture or in any debt securities, provided that the amendment or supplement (i) does not (a) apply to any outstanding debt securities issued before the date of the amendment or supplement and entitled to the benefits of that provision, or (b) modify the rights of holders of any such debt securities with respect to such provision, or (ii) becomes effective only when no security described in clause (i)(a) is outstanding; |
| • | in the case of any series of debt securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for common shares or other securities or property, to safeguard or provide for the conversion or exchange rights of such debt securities in the event of any reclassification or change of outstanding common shares or any merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or combination of us with or into another person or any sale, lease, assignment, transfer, disposition or other conveyance of all or substantially all of our assets to any other person or similar transactions, if expressly required by the terms of such debt securities; |
| • | to provide for reduction in the minimum denominations of the debt securities; or |
| • | to conform the terms of the indenture or the debt securities of a series, as applicable, to the description thereof contained in any prospectus, prospectus supplement or other offering document relating to the offer and sale of such debt securities. |
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive our compliance with some of the restrictive provisions of the applicable indenture, which may include covenants, if any, which are specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The holders of a majority in
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aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of all holders of debt securities of that series, waive any past default under the applicable indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series and its consequences, except a default which is continuing (a) in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on, and any additional amounts with respect to, the debt securities of that series, (b) with respect to the conversion or exchange of a series of debt securities convertible or exchangeable into common equity of our company, or (c) in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the affected series.
Merger, Consolidation and Sale
We may merge or consolidate with or into, or sell, assign, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our property and assets to, any other entity, provided that the following conditions are met:
| • | we are the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than us) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of property and assets shall be domiciled in the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume payment of the principal of and interest on all of the debt securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in the indenture; |
| • | immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default under the indenture, and no event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and |
| • | either we or the successor entity, in either case, shall have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture complies with the applicable indenture and that all conditions precedent provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with. |
In the event of any transaction described in and complying with the conditions listed in the immediately preceding paragraph in which we are not the continuing entity, the successor person formed or remaining shall succeed, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of ours, and (except in the case of a lease) we shall be discharged from our obligations under the debt securities and the indentures.
Subordination
Any subordinated debt securities issued under the subordinated indenture will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our Senior Debt (including all debt securities issued under the senior indenture) whether existing at the date of the subordinated indenture or subsequently incurred. Upon any payment or distribution of our assets to creditors upon any:
| • | liquidation; |
| • | dissolution; |
| • | winding-up; |
| • | receivership; |
| • | reorganization; |
| • | assignment for the benefit of creditors; |
| • | marshaling of assets and liabilities; |
| • | bankruptcy; |
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| • | insolvency; or |
| • | debt restructuring or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding, |
the holders of Senior Debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Senior Debt before the holders of the subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the subordinated debt securities.
Upon the acceleration of the maturity of any subordinated debt securities, the holders of all Senior Debt outstanding at the time of the acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due thereon, including any amounts due upon acceleration, before the holders of subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the subordinated debt securities.
No payments on account of principal, or any premium or interest, in respect of the subordinated debt securities may be made if:
| • | there has occurred and is continuing a default in any payment with respect to Senior Debt; or |
| • | there has occurred and is continuing an event of default with respect to any Senior Debt resulting in the acceleration of, or permitting the holder or holders thereof to accelerate, the maturity thereof. |
“Senior Debt” as defined in the subordinated indenture means the principal of and interest on, or substantially similar payments to be made by us regarding the following, whether outstanding at the date of execution of the subordinated indenture or subsequently incurred, created or assumed (other than non-recourse obligations):
(1) debt of our company for money borrowed or represented by purchase-money obligations;
(2) debt of our company evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds, or other securities issued under the provisions of an indenture, fiscal agency agreement or other instrument;
(3) obligations of our company from finance leases on our consolidated balance sheet of property either made as part of any sale and leaseback transaction to which we are a party or otherwise;
(4) debt of partnerships and joint ventures that is included in our consolidated financial statements;
(5) debt, obligations and liabilities of others as to which we are liable contingently or otherwise to pay or advance money or property or as guarantor, endorser or otherwise or which we have agreed to purchase or otherwise acquire; and
(6) any binding commitment of our company to fund any real estate investment or to fund any investment in any entity making the real estate investment;
in each case other than:
| • | any debt, obligation or liability referred to in the preceding clauses as to which the instrument creating or evidencing the debt, obligation or liability, provides that the debt, obligation or liability is not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities or ranks equally with the subordinated debt securities; |
| • | any debt, obligation or liability that is subordinated to debt of our company, to substantially the same extent as or to a greater extent than the subordinated debt securities are subordinated; and |
| • | the subordinated debt securities. |
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At December 31, 2021, Senior Debt aggregated an outstanding balance of approximately $1.522 billion in principal amount. The subordinated indenture does not restrict the creation of additional Senior Debt.
Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Satisfaction and Discharge
Each indenture provides that, upon our direction, the indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the debt securities of any series specified by us, subject to the survival of specified provisions of each indenture, including (unless the accompanying prospectus supplement provides otherwise) our obligation to repurchase such debt securities at the option of the holders thereof, if applicable, and our, or any guarantor’s, if applicable, obligation to pay additional amounts in respect of such debt securities to the extent described below, when:
| • | either |
| (A) | all outstanding debt securities of that series have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation, subject to exceptions, or |
| (B) | all debt securities of that series have become due and payable or will become due and payable at their maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and we have deposited with the trustee, in trust, funds in the currency in which the debt securities of that series are payable in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the debt securities of that series, including the principal thereof and, premium, if any, and interest, if any, thereon, and, to the extent that (x) the debt securities of that series provide for the payment of additional amounts and (y) the amount of any additional amounts which are or will be payable is at the time of deposit reasonably determinable by us, in the exercise of our sole discretion, those additional amounts, to the date of such deposit, if the debt securities of that series have become due and payable, or to the maturity or redemption date of the debt securities of that series, as the case may be; |
and, in either case
| • | we have paid all other sums payable under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series (including amounts payable to the trustee); and |
| • | the trustee has received an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel to the effect that all conditions precedent to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture in respect of the debt securities of such series have been satisfied. |
If the debt securities of any series provide for the payment of additional amounts, we or any guarantor, as applicable, will remain obligated, following the deposit described above, to pay additional amounts on those debt securities to the extent that they exceed the amount deposited in respect of those additional amounts as described above.
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect with respect to the debt securities of the particular series either:
| • | to defease and discharge a series of debt securities and any and all obligations with respect to those debt securities (“legal defeasance”), except for, among other things: |
| (A) | the obligation to pay additional amounts, if any, upon the occurrence of specified events of taxation, assessment, or governmental charge with respect to payments on those debt securities to the extent that those additional amounts exceed the amount deposited in respect of those amounts as provided below; |
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| (B) | the obligations to register the transfer or exchange of those debt securities; |
| (C) | the obligation to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost, or stolen debt securities; |
| (D) | the obligation to maintain an office or agent of our company in the City of New York, in respect of those debt securities; |
| (E) | the rights of holders of such outstanding debt securities to receive payments from moneys held in trust when such payments are due; |
| (F) | the obligation, if applicable, to repurchase those debt securities at the option of the holders thereof; and |
| (G) | the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee; or |
| • | to be released from our obligations and the obligations of any guarantor with respect to those debt securities under (A) certain covenants in the indenture related to the preservation of the rights (charter and statutory) and our franchises, maintenance of insurance and payment of material taxes and (B) if applicable, other covenants as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, and any omission to comply with those obligations shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default with respect to those debt securities (“covenant defeasance”), |
in either case upon the irrevocable deposit with the trustee, in trust for that purpose, of an amount in the currency in which those debt securities are payable at maturity or, if applicable, upon redemption, and/or government obligations (as defined in the indenture) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of and any premium and any interest on, and, to the extent that (x) those debt securities provide for the payment of additional amounts and (y) the amount of the additional amounts which are or will be payable is at the time of deposit reasonably determinable by us, in the exercise of our reasonable discretion, the additional amounts with respect to those debt securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments on those debt securities, on the due dates for those payments. If the cash and government obligations deposited are sufficient to pay the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series on a particular redemption date, we shall have given the trustee irrevocable instructions to redeem those debt securities on that date.
The legal defeasance or covenant defeasance described above shall only be effective if, among other things:
| • | it shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which we are a party or are bound; |
| • | in the case of legal defeasance, we shall have delivered to the trustee an opinion of independent counsel acceptable to the trustee confirming that: |
| (A) | we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or |
| (B) | since the date of the indenture, there has been a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law, |
in either case to the effect that, and based on this ruling or change the opinion of counsel shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the legal defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the legal defeasance had not occurred;
| • | in the case of covenant defeasance, we shall have delivered to the trustee an opinion of independent counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, |
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| in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the covenant defeasance had not occurred; |
| • | no Event of Default or default which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of the applicable series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of the deposit into trust; |
| • | solely in the case of legal defeasance, no Event of Default arising from specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization with respect to us or any guarantor or default which with notice or lapse of time or both would become such an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of the deposit into trust; and |
| • | we shall have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and legal opinion to the effect that all conditions precedent to the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, have been satisfied. |
In the event we effect covenant defeasance with respect to debt securities of any series and those debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default other than an Event of Default with respect to the covenants as to which covenant defeasance has been effected, which covenants would no longer be applicable to the debt securities of that series after covenant defeasance, the amount of monies and/or government obligations deposited with the trustee to effect covenant defeasance may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of any acceleration resulting from that Event of Default. However, we would remain liable to make payment of those amounts due at the time of acceleration.
The applicable prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, permitting or restricting legal defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to the debt securities of a particular series.
Concerning the Trustee
Each indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee under the applicable indenture, each with respect to one or more series of debt securities. If there are different trustees for different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust or trusts separate and apart from the trust or trusts administered by any other trustee under the indenture. Unless otherwise indicated in any applicable prospectus supplement, any action permitted to be taken by a trustee may be taken by such trustee only with respect to the one or more series of debt securities for which it is the trustee under the indenture. Any trustee under the indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities. All payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, and all registration, transfer, exchange, authentication and delivery (including authentication and delivery on original issuance of the debt securities) of, the debt securities of a series will be effected by the trustee with respect to that series at an office designated by the trustee.
We may maintain corporate trust relationships in the ordinary course of business with the trustee. The trustee shall have and be subject to all the duties and responsibilities specified with respect to an indenture trustee under the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the applicable indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities, unless offered satisfactory indemnity by the holder against the costs, expense and liabilities which might be incurred thereby.
Under the Trust Indenture Act, each indenture is deemed to contain limitations on the right of the trustee, should it become a creditor of our company, to obtain payment of claims in some cases or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee may engage in other transactions with us. If it acquires any conflicting interest under the Trust Indenture Act relating to any of its duties with respect to the debt securities, however, it must eliminate the conflict or resign as Trustee.
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Governing Law
Each indenture, the debt securities and any related guarantees will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of law principles of such State other than New York General Obligations Law Section 5-1401.
Notices
All notices to holders of debt securities shall be validly given if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or if delivered electronically pursuant to the applicable procedures of the depositary, to them at their respective addresses in the register maintained by the trustee.
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RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER
In order to qualify as a REIT under the Code, our shares must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, no more than 50% of the value of our outstanding shares (after taking into account options to acquire common shares) may be owned, directly, indirectly, or through attribution, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) at any time during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made).
Because our board of directors believes that it is essential for us to qualify as a REIT, our articles of incorporation, subject to certain exceptions, contain restrictions on the number of shares of our capital stock that a person may own.
In order to assist us in complying with the limitations on the concentration of ownership of our shares imposed by the Code, our articles of incorporation generally prohibit any person or entity (other than a person or entity who has been granted an exception) from directly or indirectly, beneficially or constructively, owning more than 9.8% of the aggregate of our outstanding common shares, by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, or 9.8% of the aggregate of the outstanding preferred shares of any class or series, by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive. However, our articles of incorporation permit (but do not require) exceptions to be made for shareholders provided that our board of directors determines that such exceptions will not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT.
Our articles of incorporation also prohibit any person from (1) beneficially or constructively owning shares of our capital stock that would result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code, (2) transferring our shares if such transfer would result in us being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined without regard to any rules of attribution), (3) beneficially or constructively owning our shares that would result in our owning (directly or constructively) 10% or more of the ownership interest in a tenant of our real property if income derived from such tenant for our taxable year would result in more than a de minimis amount of non-qualifying income for purposes of the REIT tests that, taking into account any other non-qualifying gross income of ours, would cause us to fail to satisfy an applicable REIT gross income requirement, and (4) beneficially or constructively owning our shares that would cause us otherwise to fail to qualify as a REIT, including, but not limited to, as a result of any “eligible independent contractor” (as defined in Section 856(d)(9)(A) of the Code) that operates a “qualified lodging facility” (as defined in Section 856(d)(9)(D)(i) of the Code) on behalf of a taxable REIT subsidiary, or TRS, failing to qualify as such. Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial ownership of our shares that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will be required to give written notice immediately to us and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of such transfers on our qualification as a REIT. The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interest to attempt to qualify, or to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT. In addition, our board of directors may determine that compliance with the foregoing restrictions is no longer required for our qualification as a REIT.
Our board of directors, in its sole discretion, may waive the 9.8% ownership limit for common shares or preferred shares for a shareholder that is not an individual if such shareholder provides information and makes representations to the board that are satisfactory to the board, in its reasonable discretion, to establish that such person’s ownership in excess of the 9.8% limit for common or preferred shares would not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT. As a condition of granting the waiver, our board of directors, in its sole and absolute discretion as it may deem necessary or advisable, may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel in either case in form and substance satisfactory to our board of directors in order to determine or ensure our qualification as a REIT.
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In addition, our board of directors from time to time may increase the share ownership limits. However, the share ownership limits may not be increased if, after giving effect to such increase, five or fewer individuals could own or constructively own in the aggregate, more than 49.9% in value of the shares then outstanding.
If any transfer of our shares of beneficial interest occurs which, if effective, would result in any person beneficially or constructively owning shares in excess, or in violation, of the above transfer or ownership limitations, known as a prohibited owner, then that number of shares, the beneficial or constructive ownership of which otherwise would cause such person to violate the transfer or ownership limitations (rounded up to the nearest whole share), will be automatically transferred to a charitable trust for the exclusive benefit of a charitable beneficiary, and the prohibited owner will not acquire any rights in such shares. This automatic transfer will be considered effective as of the close of business on the business day before the violative transfer. If the transfer to the charitable trust would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of the above transfer or ownership limitations, then the transfer of that number of shares that otherwise would cause any person to violate the above limitations will be void. Shares held in the charitable trust will continue to constitute issued and outstanding shares. The prohibited owner will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in the charitable trust, will have no rights to dividends or other distributions and will not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the charitable trust. The trustee of the charitable trust will be designated by us and must be unaffiliated with us or any prohibited owner and will have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares held in the charitable trust, and these rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the trust’s charitable beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid before our discovery that shares have been transferred to the trustee will be paid by the recipient of such dividend or distribution to the trustee upon demand, and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the trustee. Any dividend or distribution so paid to the trustee will be held in trust for the trust’s charitable beneficiary. Subject to Virginia law, effective as of the date that such shares have been transferred to the charitable trust, the trustee, in its sole discretion, will have the authority to:
| • | rescind as void any vote cast by a prohibited owner prior to our discovery that such shares have been transferred to the charitable trust; and |
| • | recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the trust’s charitable beneficiary. |
However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee will not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote.
Within 20 days of receiving notice from us that shares have been transferred to the charitable trust, and unless we buy the shares first as described below, the trustee will sell the shares held in the charitable trust to a person, designated by the trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the share ownership limits in our articles of incorporation. Upon the sale, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the prohibited owner and to the charitable beneficiary. The prohibited owner will receive the lesser of:
| • | the price paid by the prohibited owner for the shares or, if the prohibited owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the charitable trust (for example, in the case of a gift or devise), the market price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the charitable trust; and |
| • | the price per share received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the charitable trust (less any commission and other expenses of a sale). |
The trustee may reduce the amount payable to the prohibited owner by the amount of dividends and distributions paid to the prohibited owner and owed by the prohibited owner to the trustee. Any net sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the prohibited owner will be paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary. If,
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before our discovery that our shares have been transferred to the charitable trust, such shares are sold by a prohibited owner, then:
| • | such shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the charitable trust; and |
| • | to the extent that the prohibited owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that the prohibited owner was entitled to receive as described above, the excess must be paid to the trustee upon demand. |
In addition, shares held in the charitable trust will be deemed to have been offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of:
| • | the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the charitable trust (or, in the case of a gift or devise, the market price at the time of the gift or devise); and |
| • | the market price on the date we, or our designee, accepts such offer. |
We may reduce the amount payable to the prohibited owner by the amount of dividends and distributions paid to the prohibited owner and owed by the prohibited owner to the trustee. We may pay the amount of such reduction to the trustee for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. We will have the right to accept the offer until the trustee has sold the shares held in the charitable trust. Upon such a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the prohibited owner and any dividends or other distributions held by the trustee will be paid to the charitable beneficiary.
All certificates, if any, representing our shares will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.
Every shareholder of record of more than 5% (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) in value of the outstanding shares will be required to give written notice to us within 30 days after the end of each taxable year stating the name and address of each actual owner, the number of shares of each class and series of shares that each actual owner beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such shareholder shall provide to us such additional information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limitations. In addition, each shareholder shall upon demand be required to provide to us such information as we may request, in good faith, in order to determine our status as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.
These share ownership limitations could delay, deter or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common shares or might otherwise be in the best interest of our shareholders.
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We may issue the securities offered by means of this prospectus in whole or in part in book-entry form, meaning that beneficial owners of the securities will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the securities, except in the event the book-entry system for the securities is discontinued. If securities are issued in book entry form, they will be evidenced by one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the securities. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) is expected to serve as depository. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual securities represented thereby, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depository for the global security to a nominee of such depository or by a nominee of such depository to such depository or another nominee of such depository or by the depository or any nominee of such depository to a successor depository or a nominee of such successor. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a class or series of securities that differ from the terms described here will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we anticipate that the following provisions will apply to depository arrangements.
The debt securities will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global securities (“Global Notes”) that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC, and registered in the name of DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co. The Global Notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to DTC, to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may not be exchanged for definitive debt securities in registered certificated form (“Certificated Notes”) except in the limited circumstances described below. See “ —Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes.” Except in the limited circumstances described below, owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities in certificated form. Investors may elect to hold their interest in the Global Notes through either DTC, Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“Clearstream”) or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (“Euroclear”) if they are participants in these systems, or indirectly through organizations which are participants in these systems. Clearstream and Euroclear in turn will hold interests in such Global Notes as Participants on the books of DTC.
Depository Procedures
The following description of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream is provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of the respective settlement systems and are subject to changes by them. We take no responsibility for these operations and procedures and urge investors to contact the system or their participants directly to discuss these matters.
DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the “Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between the Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the “Indirect Participants”). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect Participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers of ownership interests in, each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.
DTC has also advised us that, pursuant to procedures established by it:
| • | upon deposit of the Global Notes, DTC will credit the accounts of the Participants designated by the underwriters with portions of the principal amount of the Global Notes; and |
| • | ownership of these interests in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership of these interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the |
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| Participants) or by the Participants and the Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interest in the Global Notes). |
Investors in the Global Notes who are Participants may hold their interests therein directly through DTC. Investors in the Global Notes who are not Participants may hold their interests therein indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear and Clearstream) which are Participants. All interests in a Global Note, including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Those interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of such systems. The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to such persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of the Participants, which in turn act on behalf of the Indirect Participants, the ability of a person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge such interests to persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.
Except as described below, owners of interests in the Global Notes will not have debt securities registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of debt securities in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or “holders” thereof under the indenture governing the debt securities for any purpose.
Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, a Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the registered holder under the indenture governing the debt securities. Under the terms of each indenture, we and the trustee will treat the persons in whose names the debt securities, including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners of the debt securities for the purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes. Consequently, neither we, the trustee nor any agent of them has or will have any responsibility or liability for:
| • | any aspect of DTC’s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interest in the Global Notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC’s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes; or |
| • | any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its Participants or Indirect Participants. |
DTC has advised us that its current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the debt securities (including principal and interest), is to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on such payment date. Each relevant Participant is credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of debt securities will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the trustee or us. Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of the Participants or the Indirect Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the debt securities, and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.
DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of debt securities only at the direction of one or more Participants to whose account DTC has credited the interests in the debt securities and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount at maturity of the debt securities as to which such Participant or Participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the debt securities, DTC reserves the right to exchange the debt securities for legended debt securities in certificated form, and to distribute such debt securities to its Participants.
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Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes
A Global Note is exchangeable for Certificated Notes if:
| • | DTC (a) notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for the Global Notes or (b) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, we fail to appoint a successor depositary within 90 days after it receives such notice or of its becoming aware of such cessation; |
| • | we, at our option and subject to DTC’s procedures, notify the trustee in writing that we elect to cause the issuance of the Certificated Notes; or |
| • | upon our request or a request from DTC if there has occurred and is continuing a default or Event of Default with respect to the debt securities. |
In addition, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be exchanged for Certificated Notes upon prior written notice given to the trustee by or on behalf of DTC in accordance with the indenture. In all cases, Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests in Global Notes will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of DTC (in accordance with its customary procedures).
Exchange of Certificated Notes for Global Notes
Certificated Notes, if any, may be exchanged for beneficial interests in Global Notes.
Same Day Settlement and Payment
The underwriters will settle the debt securities in immediately available funds. We will make payments in respect of the debt securities represented by the Global Notes (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by DTC or its nominee. We will make all payments of principal, interest and premium, if any, with respect to Certificated Notes by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the holders of the Certificated Notes or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to each such holder’s registered address. The debt securities represented by the Global Notes are expected to trade in DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System, and any permitted secondary market trading activity in such debt securities will, therefore, be required by DTC to be settled in immediately available funds. We expect that secondary trading in any Certificated Notes will also be settled in immediately available funds.
Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant purchasing an interest in a Global Note from a Participant will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream participant, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear and Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. DTC has advised us that cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a Global Note by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream participant to a Participant will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following DTC’s settlement date.
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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF VIRGINIA LAW AND OUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
The following summary of certain provisions of Virginia law and our articles of incorporation and bylaws does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to Virginia law and to our articles of incorporation and bylaws, copies of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference.”
Our Board of Directors
Our bylaws provide that the number of directors of our company may be determined by our board of directors, but may not be less than three nor more than 15.
Our bylaws provide that any vacancy, including a vacancy created by an increase in the number of directors, in our board of directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. If, however, a vacancy is created by the removal of a director by a vote or written consent of our shareholders or court order, such vacancy may be filled only by the vote of a majority of shares entitled to vote or by the written consent of all of the shareholders entitled to vote. Our shareholders may also elect, by the consent of a majority of outstanding shares entitled to vote, a director or directors at any time to fill a vacancy or vacancies not filled by our directors. Any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve until a successor is elected at an annual or special meeting of shareholders. All directors are elected for one-year terms expiring at the next annual meeting.
Holders of our common shares do not have a right to cumulative voting in the election of directors. Pursuant to our bylaws, directors are elected by the plurality of votes cast and entitled to vote in the election of directors. However, our corporate governance guidelines require that if an incumbent director fails to receive at least a majority of the votes cast, such director will tender his or her resignation from the Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board will consider, and determine whether to accept, such resignation.
Removal of Directors
Our bylaws provide that our board of directors may declare vacant the office of a director who has been declared of unsound mind by an order of court or who has pled guilty or nolo contendere to or been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude. In addition, any or all directors may be removed for cause (which is defined as a willful violation of our articles of incorporation or bylaws or gross negligence in the performance of a director’s duties) and only by the affirmative vote of either (i) the vote or written consent of all directors other than the director who is being removed, or (ii) the vote of holders of a majority of our outstanding common shares at a meeting of shareholders called for such purpose. Our bylaws also provide that any or all directors may be removed without cause upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding common shares entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders called for such purpose.
Affiliated Transactions
The Virginia Stock Corporation Act limits “affiliated transactions” between a corporation and an “interested shareholder” for three years after the date on which the interested shareholder became an interested shareholder, except in compliance with the Virginia Stock Corporation Act. These affiliated transactions include a merger, statutory share exchange, dissolution, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, certain transfers of assets, certain share issuances and transfers and reclassifications involving interested shareholders. Virginia law defines an interested shareholder as:
| • | any person who beneficially owns more than 10% of any class of the corporation’s outstanding voting shares (defined as shares of a class that is entitled to vote generally in the election of directors); or |
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| • | an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the three-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of more than 10% of any class of the corporation’s then-outstanding voting shares. |
The Virginia Stock Corporation Act provides that no corporation may engage in any affiliated transaction with any interested shareholder for a period of three years following the date on which an interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, unless approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting shares of the corporation, other than the shares beneficially owned by the interested shareholder, and by a majority (but not less than two) of the “disinterested directors.” A disinterested director means, with respect to a particular interested shareholder, a member of a corporation’s board of directors who (i) was a member before the later of January 1, 1988 and the date on which an interested shareholder became an interested shareholder and (ii) was recommended for election by, or was elected to fill a vacancy and received the affirmative vote of, a majority of the disinterested directors then on the board. At the expiration of the three-year period, these provisions generally require approval of affiliated transactions by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting shares of the corporation, other than those beneficially owned by the interested shareholder.
The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including for affiliated transactions entered into with an interested shareholder after the three-year period that are approved by a majority of disinterested directors or are approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the voting shares other than shares beneficially owned by the interested shareholders, and affiliated transactions where the consideration will be paid to the holders of each class or series of voting shares and certain other statutory fair price conditions are met. Virginia law also requires that, during the three years preceding the announcement of the proposed affiliated transaction, all required dividends have been paid and no special financial accommodations have been accorded the interested shareholder unless approved by a majority of the disinterested directors.
As permitted by the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, we have elected pursuant to a provision in our articles of incorporation to “opt-out” of the affiliated transactions provisions of the statute.
Control Share Acquisitions
The Virginia Stock Corporation Act provides that shares of a Virginia corporation acquired in a “control share acquisition” have no voting rights except to the extent approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on the matter, excluding “interested shares” in a Virginia corporation. “Interested shares” are shares of a corporation which any of the following persons is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise of the voting power in the election of directors: (1) an acquiring person with respect to a control share acquisition; (2) any officer of such corporation; or (3) any employee of such corporation who is also a director of the corporation. A “control share acquisition” means the direct or indirect acquisition of shares, other than in an excepted acquisition, by a person that when added to all other shares which then have voting rights or are beneficially owned by such person would cause such person to become entitled, immediately upon acquisition of such shares, to vote or direct the vote of, shares having voting power within any of the following ranges of the votes entitled to be cast in an election of directors:
| • | one-fifth or more but less than one-third of such votes; |
| • | one-third or more but less than a majority of such votes; or |
| • | a majority or more of such votes. |
A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of certain conditions (including an undertaking to pay expenses and making a “control share acquisition statement” as described in the Virginia Stock Corporation Act), may compel our board of directors to call a special meeting of shareholders to be held within 50 days of the acquiring person’s request to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a special meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any shareholders’ meeting.
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If voting rights for control shares are approved at a shareholders’ meeting and the acquiror has beneficial ownership of shares entitled to cast a majority of the votes which could be cast in an election of directors, all shareholders other than the acquiring person may be entitled to exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of such appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.
The control share acquisition statute does not apply to shares acquired in a merger or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction.
As permitted by the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, we have elected pursuant to a provision in our bylaws to exempt any acquisition of our shares from the control share acquisition provisions of the statute. However, the board of directors may further amend the bylaws to opt into the control share provisions at any time in the future.
Amendment of Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and Approval of Extraordinary Transactions
Under the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, a Virginia corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its articles of incorporation, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets or engage in a share exchange unless approved by the affirmative vote of more than two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter, unless a greater or lesser proportion of votes (but not less than a majority of all votes cast) is specified in the corporation’s articles of incorporation. Our articles of incorporation provide that our shareholders, by vote of the holders of a majority of our common shares issued and outstanding and a majority of the votes entitled to be voted by any other voting group required by law to vote thereon as a separate voting group, may vote to approve a plan of merger, share exchange or dissolution or to sell, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our property other than in the usual and regular course of business. Our articles of incorporation also provide that, except as otherwise provided by law or our articles of incorporation with respect to any outstanding series of our preferred shares, our articles of incorporation may be amended at any time, and from time to time, upon the vote of the holders of a majority of our common shares issued and outstanding.
Our articles of incorporation provide that our bylaws may be amended or repealed, or new bylaws adopted, at any time by (1) our board of directors or (2) by a vote of the holders of a majority of our issued and outstanding common shares, and our shareholders in amending, repealing or adopting a bylaw may, except as prohibited by applicable law, expressly provide that our board of directors may not amend, repeal or reinstate that bylaw.
Meetings of Shareholders
Under our bylaws, annual meetings of shareholders will be held each year at a date and time as determined by our Chief Executive Officer or our board of directors. Special meetings of shareholders may be called by our Chief Executive Officer, by a majority of our board of directors or by the chairman of our board of directors. Additionally, subject to the provisions of our bylaws, special meetings of the shareholders shall be called by our chairman of the board, Chief Executive Officer or secretary upon the written request of shareholders holding not less than 10% of the eligible votes. Only matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered and acted upon at such a meeting. Virginia law and our bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting by unanimous written consent, if that consent describes that action, is signed by each shareholder entitled to vote on the matter, bearing the date of each signature, and is delivered to the secretary of our company for inclusion in the minutes or filing with our corporate records.
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Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business
Our bylaws provide that:
| • | with respect to an annual meeting of shareholders, the proposal of business to be considered by shareholders at the annual meeting may be made only: |
| • | pursuant to our notice of the meeting; |
| • | by or at the direction of our board of directors; or |
| • | by a shareholder who is a shareholder of record of a class of shares entitled to vote on the business that such shareholder has proposed both at the time of giving of the notice of the meeting and on the record date of such annual meeting, and who complies with the advance notice procedures set forth in our bylaws. |
| • | with respect to special meetings of shareholders, only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before the meeting of shareholders. |
| • | nominations of persons for election to our board of directors may be made only: |
| • | pursuant to our notice of the meeting; |
| • | by our board of directors or any committee thereof; or |
| • | by a shareholder who is a shareholder of record of a class of shares entitled to vote for the election of directors both at the time of giving of the notice required by our bylaws and on the record date for the meeting at which the nominee(s) will be voted upon, and who complies with the advance notice provisions set forth in our bylaws. |
The purpose of requiring shareholders to give advance notice of nominations and other proposals is to afford our board of directors the opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees or the advisability of the other proposals and, to the extent considered necessary by our board of directors, to inform shareholders and make recommendations regarding the nominations or other proposals. The advance notice procedures also permit a more orderly procedure for conducting our shareholder meetings. Although our bylaws do not give our board of directors the power to disapprove timely shareholder nominations and proposals, our bylaws may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or proposals for other action if the proper procedures are not followed, and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors to our board of directors or to approve its own proposal.
Anti-takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Virginia Law and Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
The provisions of our bylaws on removal of directors and advance notice of director nominations could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control of our company that might involve a premium price for holders of our common shares or otherwise be in the best interests of our shareholders. Likewise, provisions of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act that restrict affiliated transactions and control share acquisitions, if we are subject to those provisions in the future, could have similar anti-takeover effects. See “—Affiliated Transactions” and “—Control Share Acquisitions” for additional information on the voting requirements related to these transactions.
Indemnification and Limitation of Directors’ and Officers’ Liability
Our articles of incorporation provide for the limitation or elimination of liability of our directors and officers to our company or our shareholders to the same extent permitted by the Virginia Stock Corporation Act.
The Virginia Stock Corporation Act permits, and our articles of incorporation require, to the fullest extent permitted by Virginia law, that we indemnify our officers and directors in a variety of circumstances, which may
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include indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act. Under Sections 13.1-697 and 13.1-702 of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, a Virginia corporation generally is authorized to indemnify its directors and officers in civil and criminal actions if such officer or director acted in good faith and believed, in the case of conduct in his or her official capacity with the corporation, that his conduct was in the best interests of the corporation or in all other cases, that his conduct was at least not opposed to its best interests, and, in the case of any criminal proceeding, he had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. The Virginia Stock Corporation Act requires such indemnification, unless limited by a corporation’s articles of incorporation, when a director or officer entirely prevails in the defense of any proceeding to which he was a party because he is or was a director or officer of the corporation.
Our articles of incorporation provide that we must indemnify any individual who is, was or is threatened to be made a party to a civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding (including a proceeding by or in the right of our company or by or on behalf of our shareholders) because such individual is or was a director or officer of our company or of any legal entity controlled by our company, or is or was a fiduciary of any employee benefit plan established at the direction of our company, against all liabilities and reasonable expenses incurred by him on account of the proceeding, provided that our directors (excluding the indemnified party) determine in good faith that his course of conduct which caused the loss or liability was in the best interests of our company, and provided further that such liabilities and expenses were not incurred because of his willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard of duties or knowing violation of the criminal law. Before any indemnification is paid, a determination must be made that indemnification is permissible in the circumstances because the person seeking indemnification is eligible for indemnification and has met the standard of conduct set forth above. Such determination must be made in the manner provided by Virginia law for determining that indemnification of a director is permissible; provided, however, that if a majority of our directors has changed after the date of the alleged conduct giving rise to a claim for indemnification, the determination that indemnification is permissible must, at the option of the person claiming indemnification, be made by special legal counsel agreed upon by our board of directors and such person.
Unless a determination has been made that indemnification is not permissible, we must make advances and reimbursement for expenses incurred by any person named above upon receipt of an undertaking from him to repay the same if it is ultimately determined that such individual is not entitled to indemnification. We are authorized to contract in advance to indemnify our directors and officers to the extent it is required to indemnify them pursuant to the provisions described above.
Notwithstanding the above, indemnification will not be allowed for any liability imposed by judgment, and costs associated therewith, including attorneys’ fees, arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws associated with the public offering of our common shares unless (i) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged securities law violations as to the particular indemnitee, or (ii) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction as to the particular indemnitee, or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against a particular indemnitee and finds that indemnification of the settlement and the related costs should be made, and the court considering the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the SEC and of the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which our securities were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of securities laws.
The rights of each person or entity entitled to indemnification under our articles of incorporation shall inure to the benefit of such person’s or entity’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns. Indemnification pursuant to our articles of incorporation shall not be exclusive of any other right of indemnification to which any person or entity may be entitled, including indemnification pursuant to a valid contract, indemnification by legal entities other than our company, and indemnification under policies of insurance purchased and maintained by us or others. However, no person or entity shall be entitled to indemnification by us to the extent such person or entity is indemnified by another, including an insurer.
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Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors or officers for liability arising under the Securities Act, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
A summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations to you as a prospective holder of our securities is set forth in Exhibit 99.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on February 22, 2022, and incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
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Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we may sell the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus to or through one or more underwriters or dealers, or we may sell the securities to investors directly or through agents. Any such underwriter, dealer or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may sell securities directly to investors on our own behalf in those jurisdictions where we are authorized to do so. Direct sales to investors may be accomplished through subscription offerings or through subscription rights distributed to our shareholders. In connection with subscription offerings or the distribution of subscription rights to shareholders, if all of the underlying offered securities are not subscribed for, we may sell such unsubscribed offered securities to third parties directly or through agents and, in addition, whether or not all of the underlying offered securities are subscribed for, we may concurrently offer additional offered securities to third parties directly or through agents, which agents may be affiliated with us. Any underwriter, dealer or agent involved in the offer and sale of the offered securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Underwriters may offer and sell the securities at a fixed price or prices which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices at the time of sale, such as an “at the market offering,” or at negotiated prices, any of which may represent a discount from the prevailing market price. We also may, from time to time, authorize dealers or agents to offer and sell the securities upon such terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In connection with the sale of any of the securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents.
Our common shares may also be sold in one or more of the following transactions: (i) block transactions (which may involve crosses) in which a broker-dealer may sell all or a portion of such shares as agent, but may position and resell all or a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; (ii) purchases by any such broker-dealer as principal, and resale by such broker-dealer for its own account pursuant to a prospectus supplement; (iii) a special offering, an exchange distribution or a secondary distribution in accordance with applicable NYSE or other stock exchange, quotation system or over-the-counter market rules; (iv) ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which any such broker-dealer solicits purchasers; (v) sales “at the market” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise, for such shares; and (vi) sales in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers.
Any underwriting compensation paid by us to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts or concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Unless otherwise set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement, the obligations of any underwriters to purchase any of the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such securities, if any are purchased.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
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If indicated in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize underwriters or other agents to solicit offers by institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which we may make these delayed delivery contracts include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others. The obligations of any purchaser under any such delayed delivery contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which the purchaser is subject. The underwriters and other agents will not have any responsibility with regard to the validity or performance of these delayed delivery contracts.
In connection with the offering of the securities hereby, certain underwriters, and selling group members and their respective affiliates may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the applicable securities. Such transactions may include stabilization transactions effected in accordance with Rule 104 of Regulation M promulgated by the SEC pursuant to which such persons may bid for or purchase securities for the purpose of stabilizing their market price. The underwriters in an offering of securities may also create a “short position” for their account by selling more securities in connection with the offering than they are committed to purchase from us. In such case, the underwriters could cover all or a portion of such short position by either purchasing securities in the open market following completion of the offering of such securities or by exercising any over-allotment option granted to them by us. In addition, the managing underwriter may impose “penalty bids” under contractual arrangements with other underwriters, which means that they can reclaim from an underwriter (or any selling group member participating in the offering) for the account of the other underwriters, the selling concession, discount or commission with respect to securities that are distributed in the offering but subsequently purchased for the account of the underwriters in the open market. Any of the transactions described in this paragraph or comparable transactions that are described in any accompanying prospectus supplement may result in the maintenance of the price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. None of such transactions described in this paragraph or in an accompanying prospectus supplement are required to be taken by any underwriters and, if they are undertaken, may be discontinued at any time.
We may sell the securities in exchange in whole or part for consideration other than cash. This consideration may consist of services or products, whether tangible or intangible, and including services or products we may use in our business; outstanding debt or equity securities of our company or one or more of its subsidiaries; debt or equity securities or assets of other companies, including in connection with investments, joint ventures or other strategic transactions, or acquisitions; release of claims or settlement of disputes; and satisfaction of obligations, including obligations to make payments to distributors or other suppliers and payment of interest on outstanding obligations. We may sell the securities as part of a transaction in which outstanding debt or equity securities of our company or one or more of our subsidiaries are surrendered, converted, exercised, canceled or transferred.
Our common shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “APLE.” Any securities that we issue, other than common shares, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market and may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange, quotation system or over-the-counter market. Any underwriters or agents to or through which securities are sold by us may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters or agents will not be obligated to do so and any of them may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of or trading market for any securities sold by us.
In addition, selling shareholders may use this prospectus in connection with resales of our common shares. The applicable prospectus supplement will identify the selling shareholders, their beneficial ownership of our common shares, the shares of common shares that the selling shareholder intends to sell and any material relationships between us and the selling shareholder. Selling shareholders may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act in connection with the common shares they resell and any profits on the sales may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, any such selling shareholders will receive all the proceeds from the resale of our
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common shares. We will not receive any proceeds from the resale by the selling shareholders of common shares. Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, the selling shareholders will pay all underwriting discounts, commissions and agent’s commissions, if any.
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The validity of the securities offered by means of this prospectus and certain U.S. federal income tax matters have been passed upon for us by Hogan Lovells US LLP.
The consolidated financial statements of Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., appearing in Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the effectiveness of Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are, and audited financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the respective dates (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These filings are available free of charge through our Internet website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.
Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Our reference to the SEC’s website is intended to be an inactive textual reference only.
This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. If a reference is made in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement to any of our contracts or other documents, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of or incorporated by reference in the registration statement for a copy of the contract or document.
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus. Later information filed with the SEC will update and supersede this information.
This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below, all of which have been previously filed with the SEC:
| • | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021; |
| • | the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on March 31, 2021 incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020; |
| • | our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 22, 2022; and |
| • | the description of our common shares included in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on May 13, 2015 under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and including any additional amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of this prospectus until we have sold all of the securities to which this prospectus relates or the offering is otherwise terminated; provided, however, we are not incorporating any information furnished under either Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K.
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by contacting Investor Relations, 814 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, by telephone at (804) 344-8121, or by visiting our website, www.applehospitalityreit.com. The information contained on our website is not part of this prospectus. Our reference to our website is intended to be an inactive textual reference only.
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PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
| ITEM 14. | OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION. |
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by us in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered. All amounts except the SEC registration fee are estimated.
| SEC Registration Fee |
$ | * | ||
| Accountant’s Fees and Expenses |
* | * | ||
| Legal Fees and Expenses |
* | * | ||
| Printing Expenses |
* | * | ||
| Miscellaneous |
* | * | ||
|
|
|
|||
| TOTAL |
$ | * | * | |
|
|
|
| * | In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee. |
| ** | The calculation of these fees and expenses is dependent on the number of issuances and amount of securities offered and, accordingly, cannot be estimated at this time. |
| ITEM 15. | INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. |
Our articles of incorporation provide for the limitation or elimination of liability of our directors and officers to our company or our shareholders to the same extent permitted by the Virginia Stock Corporation Act.
The Virginia Stock Corporation Act permits, and our articles of incorporation require, to the fullest extent permitted by Virginia law, that we indemnify our officers and directors in a variety of circumstances, which may include indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act. Under Sections 13.1-697 and 13.1-702 of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, a Virginia corporation generally is authorized to indemnify its directors and officers in civil and criminal actions if such officer or director acted in good faith and believed, in the case of conduct in his or her official capacity with the corporation, that his conduct was in the best interests of the corporation or in all other cases, that his conduct was at least not opposed to its best interests, and, in the case of any criminal proceeding, he had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. The Virginia Stock Corporation Act requires such indemnification, unless limited by a corporation’s articles of incorporation, when a director or officer entirely prevails in the defense of any proceeding to which he was a party because he is or was a director or officer of the corporation.
Our articles of incorporation provide that we must indemnify any individual who is, was or is threatened to be made a party to a civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding (including a proceeding by or in the right of our company or by or on behalf of our shareholders) because such individual is or was a director or officer of our company or of any legal entity controlled by our company, or is or was a fiduciary of any employee benefit plan established at the direction of our company, against all liabilities and reasonable expenses incurred by him on account of the proceeding, provided that our directors (excluding the indemnified party) determine in good faith that his course of conduct which caused the loss or liability was in the best interests of our company, and provided further that such liabilities and expenses were not incurred because of his willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard of duties or knowing violation of the criminal law. Before any indemnification is paid, a determination must be made that indemnification is permissible in the circumstances because the person seeking indemnification is eligible for indemnification and has met the standard of conduct set forth above. Such determination must be made in the manner provided by Virginia law for determining that indemnification of a director is permissible; provided, however, that if a majority of our directors has changed after the date of the alleged conduct giving rise to a claim for indemnification, the determination that indemnification is permissible must, at the option of the person claiming indemnification, be made by special legal counsel agreed upon by our board of directors and such person.
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Unless a determination has been made that indemnification is not permissible, we must make advances and reimbursement for expenses incurred by any person named above upon receipt of an undertaking from him to repay the same if it is ultimately determined that such individual is not entitled to indemnification. We are authorized to contract in advance to indemnify our directors and officers to the extent it is required to indemnify them pursuant to the provisions described above.
Notwithstanding the above, indemnification will not be allowed for any liability imposed by judgment, and costs associated therewith, including attorneys’ fees, arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws associated with the public offering of our common shares unless (i) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged securities law violations as to the particular indemnitee, or (ii) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction as to the particular indemnitee, or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against a particular indemnitee and finds that indemnification of the settlement and the related costs should be made, and the court considering the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the SEC and of the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which our securities were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of securities laws.
The rights of each person or entity entitled to indemnification under our articles of incorporation shall inure to the benefit of such person’s or entity’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns. Indemnification pursuant to our articles of incorporation shall not be exclusive of any other right of indemnification to which any person or entity may be entitled, including indemnification pursuant to a valid contract, indemnification by legal entities other than our company, and indemnification under policies of insurance purchased and maintained by us or others. However, no person or entity shall be entitled to indemnification by us to the extent such person or entity is indemnified by another, including an insurer.
Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors or officers for liability arising under the Securities Act, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
| ITEM 16. | EXHIBITS. |
| Exhibit No. |
Description | |
| 1.1* | Form of Common Shares Underwriting Agreement | |
| 1.2* | Form of Preferred Shares Underwriting Agreement | |
| 1.3* | Form of Depositary Shares Underwriting Agreement | |
| 1.4* | Form of Warrants Underwriting Agreement | |
| 1.5* | Form of Rights Underwriting Agreement | |
| 1.6* | Form of Debt Securities Underwriting Agreement | |
| 3.1 | Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-37389) filed August 6, 2018) | |
| 3.2 | Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-37389) filed May 18, 2020) | |
| 4.1* | Form of Deposit Agreement for Depositary Shares | |
| 4.2* | Form of Equity Warrant Agreement | |
| 4.3* | Form of Rights Agreement | |
| 4.4 | Form of Senior Debt Securities Indenture (filed herewith) | |
| 4.5 | Form of Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture (filed herewith) | |
| 4.6* | Form of Senior Debt Securities | |
| 4.7* | Form of Subordinated Debt Securities |
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| Exhibit No. |
Description | |
| 5.1 | Opinion of Hogan Lovells US LLP regarding the legality of the securities being registered (filed herewith) | |
| 8.1 | Opinion of Hogan Lovells US LLP regarding certain tax matters (filed herewith) | |
| 23.1 | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (filed herewith) | |
| 23.2 | Consent of Hogan Lovells US LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) | |
| 23.3 | Consent of Hogan Lovells US LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1) | |
| 24.1 | Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages to this Registration Statement) | |
| 25.1* | Statement of eligibility and qualification on Form T-1 of Senior Debt Securities Indenture trustee | |
| 25.2* | Statement of eligibility and qualification on Form T-1 of Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture trustee | |
| 107 | Filing Fee Table |
| * | To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in connection with the offering of specific securities. |
| ITEM 17. | UNDERTAKINGS. |
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment 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.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
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(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in this registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in this registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is a part of this registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this registration statement or prospectus that is a part of this registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in this registration statement or prospectus that was part of this registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange 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
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paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, 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.
(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant 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 registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Richmond, Commonwealth of Virginia, on February 23, 2022.
| APPLE HOSPITALITY REIT, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Justin G. Knight | |
| Justin G. Knight | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
Each of the undersigned directors and officers of Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., does hereby constitute and appoint Matthew P. Rash, Rachel S. Labrecque or Elizabeth S. Perkins and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement (including post-effective amendments to the registration statement), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any other documents in connection therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in their respective capacities on February 23, 2022.
| /s/ Justin G. Knight Justin G. Knight |
Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) | |
| /s/ Elizabeth S. Perkins Elizabeth S. Perkins |
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | |
| /s/ Rachel S. Labrecque Rachel S. Labrecque |
Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) | |
| /s/ Glade M. Knight Glade M. Knight |
Executive Chairman and Director | |
| /s/ Glenn W. Bunting Glenn W. Bunting |
Director | |
| /s/ Jon A. Fosheim Jon A. Fosheim |
Director | |
| /s/ Kristian M. Gathright Kristian M. Gathright |
Director | |
| /s/ Blythe J. McGarvie Blythe J. McGarvie |
Director | |
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| /s/ Daryl A. Nickel Daryl A. Nickel |
Director | |
| /s/ L. Hugh Redd L. Hugh Redd |
Director | |
| /s/ Howard E. Woolley Howard E. Woolley |
Director | |
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Exhibit 4.4
APPLE HOSPITALITY REIT, INC.,
as Issuer
— and —
[ ], 202[ ]
as Trustee
FORM OF
INDENTURE
Dated as of [ ]
Senior Debt Securities
Certain Sections of this Indenture
relating to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
| Trust Indenture Act Section |
Indenture Section | |
| §310(a)(1) |
607 | |
| (a)(2) |
607 | |
| (b) |
608 | |
| §312(a) |
701, 702(1) | |
| (b) |
702 | |
| (c) |
702 | |
| §313(a) |
703 | |
| (b)(2) |
703 | |
| (c) |
703 | |
| (d) |
703 | |
| §314(a) |
704 | |
| (c)(1) |
102 | |
| (c)(2) |
102 | |
| (e) |
102 | |
| §315(a) |
601 | |
| (b) |
601, 602 | |
| (c) |
601 | |
| (d) |
601 | |
| (e) |
515 | |
| §316(a) (last sentence) |
101 | |
| (a)(1)(A) |
502, 512 | |
| (a)(1)(B) |
513 | |
| (b) |
508 | |
| §317(a)(1) |
503 | |
| (a)(2) |
504 | |
| (b) |
1003 | |
| §318(a) |
108 |
Note: This table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION |
1 | |||||
| Section 101 |
Definitions | 1 | ||||
| Section 102 |
Compliance Certificates and Opinions | 8 | ||||
| Section 103 |
Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee | 8 | ||||
| Section 104 |
Acts of Holders; Record Dates | 9 | ||||
| Section 105 |
Notices, etc. to Trustee and the Company | 10 | ||||
| Section 106 |
Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver | 10 | ||||
| Section 107 |
Language of Notices | 10 | ||||
| Section 108 |
Conflict with Trust Indenture Act | 11 | ||||
| Section 109 |
Effect of Headings and Table of Contents | 11 | ||||
| Section 110 |
Successors and Assigns | 11 | ||||
| Section 111 |
Separability Clause | 11 | ||||
| Section 112 |
Benefits of Indenture | 11 | ||||
| Section 113 |
Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial | 11 | ||||
| Section 114 |
Legal Holidays | 11 | ||||
| Section 115 |
Counterparts | 11 | ||||
| Section 116 |
Judgment Currency | 12 | ||||
| Section 117 |
Extension of Payment Dates | 12 | ||||
| Section 118 |
Immunity of General Partners, Limited Partners, Shareholders, Trustees, Officers, Employees, Incorporators and Agents of the Company and Guarantors | 12 | ||||
| Section 119 |
USA Patriot Act | 12 | ||||
| Section 120 |
Force Majeure | 13 | ||||
| Section 121 |
FATCA | 13 | ||||
| ARTICLE TWO SECURITIES FORMS |
13 | |||||
| Section 201 |
Forms Generally | 13 | ||||
| Section 202 |
Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication | 13 | ||||
| Section 203 |
Securities in Global Form | 14 | ||||
| ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES |
14 | |||||
| Section 301 |
Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series | 14 | ||||
| Section 302 |
Currency; Denominations | 18 | ||||
| Section 303 |
Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating | 18 | ||||
| Section 304 |
Temporary Securities | 19 | ||||
| Section 305 |
Registration, Transfer and Exchange | 19 | ||||
| Section 306 |
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 21 | ||||
| Section 307 |
Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved | 22 | ||||
| Section 308 |
Persons Deemed Owners | 23 | ||||
| Section 309 |
Cancellation | 23 | ||||
| Section 310 |
Computation of Interest | 23 | ||||
| Section 311 |
CUSIP Numbers | 23 | ||||
| ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE |
24 | |||||
| Section 401 |
Satisfaction and Discharge | 24 | ||||
| Section 402 |
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance | 25 | ||||
| Section 403 |
Application of Trust Money | 28 | ||||
| Section 404 |
Reinstatement | 28 | ||||
| Section 405 |
Qualifying Trustee | 28 | ||||
| ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES |
29 | |||||
| Section 501 |
Events of Default | 29 | ||||
| Section 502 |
Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment | 30 | ||||
| Section 503 |
Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee | 31 | ||||
| Section 504 |
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 31 | ||||
| Section 505 |
Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities | 32 | ||||
| Section 506 |
Application of Money Collected | 32 | ||||
| Section 507 |
Limitations on Suits | 32 | ||||
| Section 508 |
Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts | 33 | ||||
| Section 509 |
Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 33 | ||||
| Section 510 |
Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 33 | ||||
| Section 511 |
Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 33 | ||||
| Section 512 |
Control by Holders of Securities | 34 | ||||
| Section 513 |
Waiver of Past Defaults | 34 | ||||
| Section 514 |
Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws | 34 | ||||
| Section 515 |
Undertaking for Costs | 34 | ||||
| ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE |
35 | |||||
| Section 601 |
Certain Rights of Trustee | 35 | ||||
| Section 602 |
Notice of Defaults | 36 | ||||
| Section 603 |
Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities | 37 | ||||
| Section 604 |
May Hold Securities; Transactions with the Company or any Guarantor | 37 | ||||
| Section 605 |
Money Held in Trust | 37 | ||||
| Section 606 |
Compensation and Reimbursement | 37 | ||||
| Section 607 |
Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility | 38 | ||||
| Section 608 |
Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor | 38 | ||||
| Section 609 |
Acceptance of Appointment by Successor | 39 | ||||
| Section 610 |
Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business | 40 | ||||
| Section 611 |
Appointment of Authenticating Agent | 40 | ||||
| ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE, COMPANY AND GUARANTORS |
42 | |||||
| Section 701 |
Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders | 42 | ||||
| Section 702 |
Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders | 42 | ||||
| Section 703 |
Reports by Trustee | 42 | ||||
| Section 704 |
Reports by the Company | 43 | ||||
| ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALES AND SUBSTITUTION |
43 | |||||
| Section 801 |
The Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms | 43 | ||||
| Section 802 |
Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms | 43 | ||||
| Section 803 |
Successor Person Substituted for the Company or Guarantor | 44 | ||||
| ARTICLE NINE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES |
44 | |||||
| Section 901 |
Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders | 44 | ||||
| Section 902 |
Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders | 46 | ||||
| Section 903 |
Execution of Supplemental Indentures | 47 | ||||
ii
| Section 904 |
Effect of Supplemental Indentures | 47 | ||||
| Section 905 |
Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures | 47 | ||||
| Section 906 |
Conformity with Trust Indenture Act | 47 | ||||
| ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS |
48 | |||||
| Section 1001 |
Payment of Principal, Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts | 48 | ||||
| Section 1002 |
Maintenance of Office or Agency | 48 | ||||
| Section 1003 |
Provisions as to Paying Agent | 48 | ||||
| Section 1004 |
Additional Amounts | 49 | ||||
| Section 1005 |
Corporate Existence | 49 | ||||
| Section 1006 |
Waiver of Certain Covenants | 50 | ||||
| Section 1007 |
The Company and Guarantor Statement as to Compliance | 50 | ||||
| Section 1008 |
Calculation of Original Issue Discount | 50 | ||||
| Section 1009 |
Maintenance of Properties | 50 | ||||
| Section 1010 |
Insurance | 50 | ||||
| Section 1011 |
Payment of Taxes and Other Claims | 51 | ||||
| ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES |
51 | |||||
| Section 1101 |
Applicability of Article | 51 | ||||
| Section 1102 |
Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee | 51 | ||||
| Section 1103 |
Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed | 51 | ||||
| Section 1104 |
Notice of Redemption | 52 | ||||
| Section 1105 |
Deposit of Redemption Price | 53 | ||||
| Section 1106 |
Securities Payable on Redemption Date | 53 | ||||
| Section 1107 |
Securities Redeemed in Part | 53 | ||||
| ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS |
54 | |||||
| Section 1201 |
Applicability of Article | 54 | ||||
| Section 1202 |
Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities | 54 | ||||
| Section 1203 |
Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund | 54 | ||||
| ARTICLE THIRTEEN REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS |
55 | |||||
| Section 1301 |
Applicability of Article | 55 | ||||
| ARTICLE FOURTEEN SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES |
55 | |||||
| Section 1401 |
Applicability of Article | 55 | ||||
| Section 1402 |
Monies of Different Currencies to be Segregated | 55 | ||||
| ARTICLE FIFTEEN GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES |
56 | |||||
| Section 1501 |
Guarantee | 56 | ||||
| Section 1502 |
Future Guarantors | 57 | ||||
| Section 1503 |
Delivery of Guarantee | 58 | ||||
iii
INDENTURE, dated as of [ ], 202[ ] (the “Indenture”), between Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., a Virginia corporation (the “Company”), having its principal executive office located at 814 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, as issuer, and [ ], as trustee, registrar, paying agent and transfer agent (the “Trustee,” “Registrar,” “Paying Agent,” and “Transfer Agent,” respectively).
RECITALS
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its senior debentures, notes or other evidences of unsubordinated indebtedness (hereinafter called the “Securities”), unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such fixed or floating rates of interest, to mature at such time or times, to be issued in one or more series and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.
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 (as herein defined) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 101 Definitions.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of this Indenture:
(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 which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;
(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;
(4) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto” 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;
(5) the word “or” is always used inclusively (for example, the phrase “A or B” means “A or B or both,” not “either A or B but not both”);
(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
(7) the term “merger” includes a statutory share exchange and the terms “merge” and “merged” have correlative meanings;
(8) the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter; and
(9) references to agreements and other instruments include subsequent amendments and supplements thereto.
1
Certain terms used principally in certain Articles hereof are defined in those Articles.
“Act,” when used with respect to any Holders, has the meaning specified in Section 104.
“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required by this Indenture, by the terms of any Security established pursuant to Section 301 or by the terms of any Guarantee, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, in respect of certain taxes, duties, levies, imposts, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on Holders specified herein or therein.
“Additional Amounts Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 1004.
“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 or cause the direction of 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.
“Agency” with respect to any Securities, means an agent of the Company or the office of an agent of the Company, as the context requires, in each case maintained or designated in a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or any other agent of the Company or office of an agent of the Company, as the context requires, in each case maintained or designated for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 1002 in lieu of such agent or agent’s office, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
“Applicable Law” has the meaning specified in Section 121.
“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 611 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal, state, or foreign law for the relief of debtors.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company, or any committee of such board duly authorized to act generally or in any particular respect hereunder.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of one or more resolutions or unanimous written consents, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, on behalf of the Company, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to the Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close; provided that such term shall mean, when used with respect to any payment of principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of any series to be made at any Place of Payment for such Securities, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to such Securities, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in such Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture 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 Equity” includes any equity security of any class of the Company, which has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, and which is not subject to redemption by the Company.
2
“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.
“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order, as the case may be, signed in the name of the Company, by an Officer of the Company (or any Person designated in writing by an Officer of the Company as authorized to execute and deliver Company Requests and Company Orders) and delivered to the Trustee.
“Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country or the confederation which issued such Foreign Currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community or (ii) any currency unit or composite currency for the purposes for which it was established.
“Corporate Trust Office” means either the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date of this Indenture is located at [ ], or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company.
“Corporation” includes corporations, partnerships, associations, limited liability companies and other companies, and business trusts (which term shall expressly include real estate investment trusts). The term “corporation” means a corporation and does not include partnerships, associations, limited liability companies or other companies or business trusts.
“Currency,” with respect to any payment, deposit or other transfer in respect of the principal of or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security, means Dollars or the Foreign Currency, as the case may be, in which such payment, deposit or other transfer is required to be made by or pursuant to the terms hereof or such Security and, with respect to any other payment, deposit or transfer pursuant to or contemplated by the terms hereof or such Security, means Dollars.
“CUSIP number” means the alphanumeric designation assigned to a Security by Standard & Poor’s CUSIP Service Bureau.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307.
“Depository” means, with respect to any Security issuable or issued in the form of one or more global Securities, the Person designated as depository by the Company in or pursuant to this Indenture, and, unless otherwise provided with respect to any Security, any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depository” shall mean, with respect to any Securities, the depository which has been appointed with respect to such Securities.
“Dollars” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit of legal tender for payment of public or private debts in the United States of America.
“Equivalent Terms” has the meaning specified in Section 1102.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Foreign Currency” means any currency, currency unit or composite currency issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such government.
3
“GAAP” and “generally accepted accounting principles” means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect on the date of any calculation or determination.
“Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the other government or governments in the confederation which issued the Foreign Currency in which the principal of or any premium or interest on the relevant Security or any Additional Amounts in respect thereof shall be payable, in each case where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith and credit of such government or governments or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such other government or governments, in each case where the timely payment or payments thereunder are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government or governments, and which, in the case of (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
“Guarantee” has the meaning set forth in Article Fifteen hereof.
“Guarantors” means any Person that is liable under a Guarantee under Article Fifteen hereof.
“Holder,” in the case of any Registered Security, means the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register.
“Indebtedness,” when used with respect to any Person, and without duplication, unless otherwise specified with respect to the Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, means any indebtedness (whether being principal, premium or interest) for or in respect of (i) any notes, bonds, debenture stock, loan stock or other securities or (ii) any borrowed money.
“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, with respect to any Security, by the terms and provisions of such Security established pursuant to Section 301 (as such terms and provisions may be amended pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof), provided, however, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, 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 those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established pursuant to Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted.
“Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.
“Interest,” with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
“Interest Payment Date,” with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 116.
4
“Maturity,” with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security, whether at the Stated Maturity, upon acceleration, upon redemption at the option of the Company, upon repurchase or repayment at the option of the Holder or otherwise, and includes a Redemption Date for such Security and a date fixed for the repurchase or repayment of such Security at the option of the Holder.
“New York Banking Day” has the meaning specified in Section 116.
“Office,” with respect to any Securities, means an office of the Company maintained or designated in a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or any other office of the Company maintained or designated for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 1002 in lieu of such office, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
“Officer” means the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, a President or a Vice President of the Company.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer of the Company (or any Person designated in writing by an Officer of the Company as authorized to execute and deliver Officer’s Certificates), that, if applicable, complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act and is delivered to the Trustee.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company or other counsel who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Opinions of Counsel required to be delivered under this Indenture may have qualifications customary for opinions of the type required.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means a Security, other than an Indexed Security, issued pursuant to this Indenture which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon acceleration pursuant to Section 502.
“Outstanding,” when used with respect to any Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(a) any such Security theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) any such Security for whose payment at the Maturity thereof money in the necessary amount (or, to the extent that such Security is payable at such Maturity in shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, Common Equity or such other securities or property in the necessary amount, together with, if applicable, cash in lieu of fractional shares or securities) has been theretofore deposited pursuant hereto (other than pursuant to Section 402) with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company or any Affiliate of the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company (if it shall act as Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities, provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;
(c) any such Security with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance or Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 402, except to the extent provided in Section 402;
(d) any such Security which has been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, unless there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Security is held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Security is a valid obligation of the Company; and
5
(e) any such Security converted or exchanged as contemplated by this Indenture into Common Equity or other securities or property, if the terms of such Security provide for such conversion or exchange pursuant to Section 301;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be equal to the amount of the principal thereof that pursuant to the terms of such Original Issue Discount Security would be due and payable upon acceleration thereof pursuant to Section 502 at the time of such determination, and (ii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, and (iii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purposes shall be the Dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent on the date of original issuance of such Security of the amount determined as provided in (i) above) of such Security, and (iv) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making any such determination or relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, but only to the extent the Responsible Officer of the Trustee making such determination does not have actual knowledge that such Securities are not so owned. Securities so owned which shall have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes in writing to the satisfaction of the Trustee (A) the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and (B) that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or an Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor.
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security on behalf of the Company.
“Person” and “person” mean any individual, Corporation, joint venture, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Place of Payment,” with respect to any Security, means the place or places where the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security are payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.
“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same indebtedness as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security.
“Redemption Date,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.
“Redemption Price,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed as determined by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.
“Registered Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 201 which is registered in the Security Register.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date therefor means the date, if any, specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security as the regular record date for the payment of such interest.
6
“Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 116.
“Responsible Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its corporate trust department who is responsible for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer or employee of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Security” or “Securities” means any note or notes, bond or bonds, debenture or debentures, or any other evidences of indebtedness, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities,” with respect to any such Person, shall mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.
“Security Interest” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, hypothecation, security interest or other charge.
“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.
“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary, including its Subsidiaries, that meets either of the following conditions: (1) the Company and its other Subsidiaries’ investments in and advances to the Subsidiary exceed 10% of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ total assets consolidated (determined in accordance with GAAP) as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which an annual or quarterly report has been furnished to Holders or filed with the Commission; or (2) the Company’s and its other Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of the total assets (after intercompany eliminations) of the Subsidiary exceeds 10% of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ total assets consolidated (determined in accordance with GAAP) as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which an annual or quarterly report has been furnished to Holders or filed with the Commission.
“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Registered Security means a date fixed therefor by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.
“Stated Maturity,” with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, means the date established by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is, or such Additional Amounts are, due and payable.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, any Person (excluding an individual), a majority of the outstanding voting stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other equity interest, as the case may be, of which is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries of the Company. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock having voting power for the election of trustees, directors or managers, as the case may be, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed; provided, however, that in the event that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person and as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
7
“United States,” means the United States of America (including the states thereof and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction; and the term “United States of America” means the United States of America.
“Vice President,” when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, as applicable, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “Vice President.”
“Voting Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any class or series of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of, or to appoint or to approve the appointment of, the trustees, directors or managing members of, or other persons holding similar positions with, such Person.
Section 102 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions 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, 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 or any of them is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in the Indenture (other than certificates delivered pursuant to Section 1007) must include:
(1) a statement that each person signing the certificate or opinion has read the covenant or condition and the related definitions;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in the certificate or opinion is based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such person, that person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable the person 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 or not, in the opinion of each such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 103 Form 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 or any Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the Opinion of Counsel with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based is erroneous. Any such 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 or any Guarantor, a governmental official or officers or any other Person or Persons, stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, unless counsel rendering the Opinion of Counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate, opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
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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 or any Security, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 104 Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
(1) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by or pursuant to this Indenture to be made, given 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. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable. Such instrument or instruments 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, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, and any agent of the Trustee, the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
Without limiting the generality of this Section 104, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, a Holder, including a Depository that is a Holder of a global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies, duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a Depository that is a Holder of a global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security through such Depository’s standing instructions and customary practices.
(2) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient and in accordance with such reasonable rules as the Trustee may determine; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section.
(3) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.
(4) If the Company or any Guarantor shall solicit from the Holders of any Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may at its option (but is not obligated to), by Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Registered Securities entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of Registered Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized, agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders of Registered Securities shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.
(5) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, the Company or any Guarantor in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such Act is made upon such Security.
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Section 105 Notices, etc. to Trustee and the 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 or by the Company or any Guarantor shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (which may be by facsimile) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office at the location specified in Section 101; or
(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to the attention of the Secretary of the Company at the address of the Company’s principal office specified in writing to the Trustee by the Company and, until further notice, at Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., 814 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.
In addition to the foregoing, the Trustee and the Company agree to accept and act upon notices, instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee or the Company e-mail or facsimile notices, instructions or directions (or notices, instructions or directions by a similar electronic method) and any of the Trustee or the Company acts upon such notices, instructions or directions, the Trustee’s or the Company’s understanding, as applicable, of such notices, instructions or directions shall be deemed controlling. Neither the Trustee nor the Company shall be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s or the Company’s reliance, as applicable, upon and compliance with such notices, instructions or directions notwithstanding such notices, instructions or directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written notice, instruction or direction. The party providing electronic notices, instructions or directions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit notices, instructions and directions to the Trustee or the Company, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee or the Company acting on unauthorized notices, instructions or directions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.
Section 106 Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Securities of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or if delivered electronically pursuant to the applicable procedures of the Depository, to each Holder affected by such event, at the Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the 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 given as provided herein. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or provided. In the case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee in its sole discretion shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
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 of Securities 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 107 Language of Notices.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language.
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Section 108 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision of this Indenture 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 latter provision 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 109 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.
Section 110 Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company or any Guarantor shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 111 Separability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or any Security shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 112 Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or any Security, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 113 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.
This Indenture, the Securities and any Guarantees shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of law principles of such State other than New York General Obligations Law Section 5-1401. EACH OF THE COMPANY, ANY GUARANTOR AND THE TRUSTEE AND EACH HOLDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES, ANY GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section 114 Legal Holidays.
Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of, or any other day on which a payment is due with respect to, any Security shall be a day which is not a Business Day, then payment need not be made on such day, but such payment may be made on the next succeeding day that is a relevant Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, at the Stated Maturity or Maturity or on any such other payment date, as the case may be, and no interest shall accrue or be payable on the payment so deferred on such succeeding Business Day for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity, Maturity or other payment date, as the case may be, to such succeeding Business Day.
Section 115 Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
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Section 116 Judgment Currency.
Each of the Company and any Guarantor agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, or premium or interest, if any, or Additional Amounts on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the date on which a final unappealable judgment is given and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with clause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed. The provisions of this Section 116 shall not be applicable with respect to any payment due on a Security which is payable in Dollars.
Section 117 Extension of Payment Dates.
In the event that (i) the terms of any Security established in or pursuant to this Indenture permit the Company or any Holder thereof to extend the date on which any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Security is due and payable and (ii) the due date for any such payment shall have been so extended, then all references herein to the Stated Maturity of such payment (and all references of like import) shall be deemed to refer to the date as so extended.
Section 118 Immunity of General Partners, Limited Partners, Shareholders, Trustees, Officers, Employees, Incorporators and Agents of the Company and Guarantors.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any past, present or future general partner, limited partner, member, employee, incorporator, controlling person, shareholder, officer, trustee, director or agent, as such, of the Company, any Guarantor or of any of the Company’s or any Guarantor’s predecessors or successors, either directly or through the Company or any Guarantor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the Holders and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
Section 119 USA Patriot Act.
The parties hereto acknowledge that, in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. Each of the Company and any Guarantor agrees that it will provide the Trustee with such information as it may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, including documentation to verify its formation and existence as a legal entity, financial statements, licenses, and identification and authorization documents from individuals claiming authority to represent the entity or other relevant documentation.
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Section 120 Force Majeure.
In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services.
Section 121 FATCA.
In order to comply with applicable tax laws, rules and regulations (inclusive of directives, guidelines and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) in effect from time to time (“Applicable Law”) that a foreign financial institution, or issuer, trustee, paying agent, holder or other institution is or has agreed to be subject to related to this Indenture, the Company agrees (i) to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide to the Trustee sufficient information about Holders or other applicable parties and/or transactions (including any modification to the terms of such transactions) that is reasonably requested by the Trustee so the Trustee can determine whether it has tax related obligations under Applicable Law, (ii) that the Trustee shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments under this Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law for which the Trustee shall not have any liability, and (iii) to hold harmless the Trustee for any losses it may suffer due to the actions it takes to comply with such Applicable Law, in case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), other than any liability or losses as may be attributable to the Trustee’s willful misconduct or negligence. The terms of this paragraph shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITIES FORMS
Section 201 Forms Generally.
Each Registered Security and temporary or permanent global Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be in the form established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officer of the Company executing such Security as evidenced by the execution of such Security.
Definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods or in any other manner, all as determined by the officer of the Company executing such Securities, as evidenced by the execution of such Securities.
Section 202 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
Subject to Section 611, the Trustee’s certificate 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.
| [ ], as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| Dated: | ||
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Section 203 Securities in Global Form.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, the Securities shall be issuable in global form. If Securities of a series shall be issuable in temporary or permanent global form, any such Security may provide that it or any principal amount of such Securities shall represent the aggregate amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series (or such lesser principal amount as is permitted by the terms thereof) from time to time endorsed thereon or reflected on the books and records of the Trustee and may also provide that the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of any Security in global form to reflect the principal amount, or any increase or decrease in the principal amount, or changes in the rights of Holders, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or pursuant to Section 301 with respect to such Security or in the Company Order to be delivered pursuant to Section 303 or 304 with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in global form in the manner and upon written instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or pursuant to Section 301 with respect to such Security or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 303 (with respect to Outstanding Securities) or 304 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officer’s Certificate and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, in the event a global Security is exchangeable for definitive Securities as provided in Section 305, then, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver such global Security to the extent necessary to effect such exchanges, shall endorse such global Security to reflect any decrease in the principal amount thereto resulting from such exchanges and shall take such other actions, all as contemplated by Section 305.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, payment of principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of any Security in temporary or permanent global form shall be made to the Person in whose name such Security is registered.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company, any Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of the principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a global Security in registered form, the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register.
ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES
Section 301 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series.
With respect to any Securities to be authenticated and delivered hereunder, there shall be established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of any Securities of a series,
(1) the title of the Securities of such series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other series);
(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series which 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 such series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 905 or 1107, upon repayment in part of any Security of such series pursuant to Article Thirteen or upon surrender in part of any Security for conversion or exchange into Common Equity or other securities or property pursuant to its terms); provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may from time to time be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect;
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(3) if such Securities are to be issuable as Registered Securities, as bearer securities or alternatively as bearer securities and Registered Securities, and whether the bearer securities are to be issuable with coupons, without coupons or both, and any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of the bearer securities and the terms, if any, upon which bearer securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities and vice versa and, with respect to bearer securities, any other provisions related to bearer securities not otherwise provided for herein;
(4) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form, when any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and (i) whether such Securities are to be issued in temporary or permanent global form or both, (ii) whether beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of the same series and of like tenor and of any authorized form and denomination, and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner specified in Section 305, (iii) the name of the Depository with respect to any such global Security and (iv) if applicable and in addition to the Persons specified in Section 305, the Person or Persons who shall be entitled to make any endorsements on any such global Security and to give the instructions and take the other actions with respect to such global Security contemplated by the first paragraph of Section 203;
(5) the date or dates, or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates shall be determined, on which the principal and premium, if any, of any Securities of the series is payable or the method used to determine or extend those dates;
(6) the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method or methods, if any, by which such rate or rates are to be determined, the date or dates, if any, from which such interest shall accrue or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates are to be determined, the Interest Payment Dates, if any, on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date, the notice, if any, to Holders regarding the determination of interest on a floating rate Security and the manner of giving such notice, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
(7) if in addition to or other than the Corporate Trust Office, the place or places where the principal of, any premium and interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, any of such Securities that are Registered Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, any of such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange and notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be made and the manner in which any payment may be made;
(8) whether any of such Securities are to be redeemable at the option of the Company and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced;
(9) if the Company is obligated to redeem or purchase any of such Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of any Holder thereof and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and any provisions for the remarketing of such Securities so redeemed or purchased;
(10) the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Registered Securities shall be issuable if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;
(11) whether such Securities will be convertible into and/or exchangeable for Common Equity or other securities or property of the Company or of any other Person, and if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any deletions from or modifications or additions or changes to this Indenture to permit or to facilitate the issuance of such convertible or exchangeable Securities or the administration thereof;
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(12) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any of such Securities that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the method by which such portion is to be determined;
(13) if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which purchases of such Securities must be made and the Foreign Currency in which payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities shall be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in Dollars for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 101;
(14) if the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Currency other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities or any of them are to be paid pursuant to such election, and any deletions from or modifications of or additions to the terms of this Indenture to provide for or to facilitate the issuance of Securities denominated or payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Foreign Currency;
(15) if the amount of payments of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method or methods (which index, formula or method or methods may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined and paid or payable;
(16) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company or any Guarantor with respect to any of such Securities or any Guarantee (whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein), any additional covenants subject to waiver by the Act of Holders pursuant to Section 1006, and any change 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 502;
(17) if any one or more of the provisions of Section 401 relating to satisfaction and discharge, Section 402(2) relating to defeasance or Section 402(3) relating to Covenant Defeasance shall not be applicable to such Securities, and any covenants in addition to or other than those specified in Section 402(3) relating to such Securities which shall be subject to Covenant Defeasance, and, if such Securities are subject to repurchase or repayment at the option of the Holders thereof pursuant to Article Thirteen, if the Company’s obligation to repurchase or repay such Securities will be subject to satisfaction and discharge pursuant to Section 401 or to defeasance or Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 402, and, if the Holders of such Securities have the right to convert or exchange such Securities into Common Equity or other securities or property, if the right to effect such conversion or exchange will be subject to satisfaction and discharge pursuant to Section 401 or to defeasance or Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 402, and any deletions from, or modifications or additions to, the provisions of Article Four (including any modification which would permit satisfaction and discharge, defeasance or Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to less than all of the outstanding Securities of such series) in respect of such Securities;
(18) if any of such Securities are to be issuable upon the exercise of warrants, and the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;
(19) if any of such Securities are issuable in global form and are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;
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(20) the circumstances under which the Company or any Guarantor will pay Additional Amounts on such Securities in respect of any tax, assessment or other government charge and whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts;
(21) if there is more than one Trustee, the identity of the Trustee that has any obligations, duties and remedies with respect to such Securities and, if not the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent with respect to such Securities;
(22) the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of such series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security will be paid if other than in the manner provided in this Indenture;
(23) whether the Securities of the series will be guaranteed by a Guarantor and, if so, the identity of such Guarantor, the extent to which, and the terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be guaranteed and, if applicable, the terms and conditions upon which such Guarantees may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the respective Guarantors;
(24) whether the Securities of the series will be secured and, if so, specification of the collateral and the extent to which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such Securities shall be secured;
(25) 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);
(26) whether the Securities will not be issued in a transaction registered under the Securities Act and any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Securities of such series;
(27) the exchanges, if any, on which such Securities may be listed;
(28) the price or prices at which the Securities will be sold; and
(29) any other terms of such Securities and any deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture in respect of such Securities (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 901).
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical, except as may be provided by the Company in or pursuant to the Board Resolution and set forth in the Officer’s Certificate or in any indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pertaining to such series of Securities. The terms of the Securities of any series may provide, without limitation, that the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee on original issue from time to time upon written order of persons designated in the Board Resolutions of the Company or any Guarantor (with respect to its Guarantee), Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture, as the case may be, pertaining to such series of Securities and that such persons are authorized to determine, consistent with such Board Resolutions, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture, such terms and conditions of the Securities of such series as are specified in such Board Resolutions, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture.
All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided by the Company as contemplated by this Section 301, a series may be reopened from time to time without notice to or the consent of any Holders for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Securities.
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If any of the terms of the Securities of any series shall be established by action taken by or pursuant to Board Resolutions of the Company, such Board Resolution(s) shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of such series.
Section 302 Currency; Denominations.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities shall be payable in Dollars. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, Registered Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Securities not denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in such denominations as are established with respect to such Securities in or pursuant to this Indenture.
Section 303 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
Securities and any Guarantee to be endorsed thereon shall be executed on behalf of the Company or the related Guarantor, as applicable, by the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer or one of the Presidents or Vice Presidents of the Company, or such Guarantor, and may (but need not) have the Company’s or the Guarantor’s, as applicable, corporate seal or a facsimile thereof reproduced thereon. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.
Securities and any related Guarantees bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, bind the Company or such Guarantor, as applicable, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or the Securities upon which any such Guarantee is endorsed or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities or any such related Guarantee.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication and, provided that the Board Resolutions and Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture or indentures with respect to such Securities referred to in Section 301 and a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order and subject to the provisions hereof and of such Securities shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel to the following effect:
(a) the form or forms and terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with Sections 201 and 301 of this Indenture; and
(b) all conditions precedent set forth in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been complied with and that such Securities, when completed by appropriate insertions (if applicable), executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company, delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Company to the Trustee for authentication pursuant to this Indenture, and 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 binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, and that any Guarantee, when executed by a duly authorized signatory of the Guarantor and issued by such Guarantor in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel and when the Securities upon which such Guarantees have been endorsed have been completed, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Guarantor, except, in each case, as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and subject to such other exceptions as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee; provided, that such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to whether a court in the United States would render a money judgment in a currency other than that of the United States.
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If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Opinion of Counsel at the time of issuance of each Security, but such opinion, with such modifications as counsel shall deem appropriate, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series. After any such first delivery, any separate request by the Company that the Trustee authenticate Securities of such series for original issue will be accompanied by (i) a certification by the Company that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to authentication and delivery of such Securities continue to have been complied with and (ii) a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.
The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate or to cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any 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 will otherwise be in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken.
Each Registered 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 in Section 202 or 611 executed by or on behalf of the Trustee or by the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of one of its authorized signatories. Such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.
Section 304 Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities, the Company may execute and deliver to the Trustee and, upon Company Order, the Trustee or Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver, in the manner provided in Section 303, temporary Securities in lieu thereof which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers of the Company executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global form.
Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form, which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Indenture or the provisions established pursuant to Section 301, if temporary Securities are issued, the Company shall cause definitive Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, after the preparation of definitive Securities of the same series and containing terms and provisions that are identical to those of any temporary Securities, such temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for such definitive Securities upon surrender of such temporary Securities at an Office or Agency for such Securities, without charge to any Holder thereof. Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities, the Company shall execute and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of authorized denominations of the same series and containing identical terms and provisions. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture with respect to a temporary global Security, 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 305 Registration, Transfer and Exchange.
With respect to the Registered Securities of each series, if any, the Company shall cause to be kept a register (each such register being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) at an Office or Agency for such series in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of the Registered Securities of such series and of transfers and exchanges of the Registered Securities of such series. Such Office or Agency shall be the “Security Registrar” for that series of Securities. Unless otherwise specified in
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or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities, the initial Security Registrar for each series of Securities shall be as specified in the second to last paragraph of Section 1002. The Company shall have the right to remove and replace from time to time the Security Registrar for any series of Securities; provided that no such removal or replacement shall be effective until a successor Security Registrar with respect to such series of Securities shall have been appointed by the Company and shall have accepted such appointment. In the event that the Trustee shall not be or shall cease to be Security Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register for such series at all reasonable times. There shall be only one Security Register for each series of Securities.
Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any Office or Agency for such series, the Company shall execute, and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series denominated as authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture, of a like aggregate principal amount bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.
Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, at the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series containing identical terms and provisions, in any authorized denominations, and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any Office or Agency for such series. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, the global Securities of any series shall be exchangeable for definitive certificated Securities of such series only if (i) the Depository for such global Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable or no longer qualified to continue as a Depository for such global Securities or at any time the Depository for such global Securities ceases to be a clearing agency registered as such under the Exchange Act, if so required by applicable law or regulation, and no successor Depository for such Securities shall have been appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notification or of the Company becoming aware of the Depository’s ceasing to be so registered, as the case may be, (ii) the Company, in its sole discretion and subject to the Depository’s procedures, determines that the Securities of such series shall no longer be represented by one or more global Securities and executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order to the effect that such global Securities shall be so exchangeable or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such Securities and the Depository or the Company specifically requests such exchange.
If the beneficial owners of interests in a global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for definitive Securities as the result of an event described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding paragraph, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in such form and denominations as are required by or pursuant to this Indenture, and of the same series, containing identical terms and in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such global Security shall be surrendered from time to time by the Depository (or its custodian) as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto (which the Company agrees to deliver), and in accordance with instructions given to the Trustee and the Depository as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or in part, for definitive Securities as described above without charge. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for each portion of such surrendered global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such global Security to be exchanged, which shall be in such denominations and, in the case of Registered Securities, registered in such names, as shall be specified by the Depository, but subject to the satisfaction of any certification or other requirements to the issuance of securities; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities of the same series to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date. Promptly following any such exchange in part, such global Security shall be returned by the Trustee to such Depository (or its custodian) or such other Depository (or its custodian) referred to above in accordance with the instructions of the Company referred to above, and the Trustee shall endorse such global Security to reflect the decrease in the principal amount thereof resulting from such
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exchange. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a global Security after the close of business at the Office or Agency for such Security where such exchange occurs on or after (i) any Regular Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related proposed date for payment of interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, interest shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such global Security shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company evidencing the same debt and entitling the Holders thereof to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar for such Security) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar for such Security duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, or any redemption or repayment of Securities, or any conversion or exchange of Securities for other types of securities or property, 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 registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 905 or 1107, upon repayment or repurchase in part of any Registered Security pursuant to Article Thirteen, or upon surrender in part of any Registered Security for conversion or exchange into Common Equity or other securities or property pursuant to its terms, in each case not involving any transfer.
Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, the Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the selection for redemption of Securities of like tenor and terms and of the same series under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on the day of such selection, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security, or portion thereof, so selected for redemption, except in the case of any Registered Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which, in accordance with its terms, has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder pursuant to Article Thirteen and not withdrawn, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.
Section 306 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 306, the Company shall execute and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be reasonably required by them to save each of them and any agent of either 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 the Company’s written request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 306, in case any 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.
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Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, 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 and its legal counsel) connected therewith.
Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute a separate 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, as amended or supplemented pursuant to this Indenture with respect to particular Securities or generally, shall (to the extent lawful) be 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 307 Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, and are punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, but shall not be punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for such Registered Security (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof 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 Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be 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 such Registered 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 on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when so deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Person 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 given to the Holder of such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) in the manner set forth in Section 106 not less than 10 days prior to 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 Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2); or
(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 such Security may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of any particular series, at the option of the Company, interest on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States of America.
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Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of 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, which were carried by such other Security.
Section 308 Persons Deemed Owners.
Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, any Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered in the Security Register as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, any premium and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Registered Security shall be overdue, and none of the Company, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any agent of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
No owner of any beneficial interest in any global Security held on its behalf by a Depository shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such global Security, and such Depository may be treated by the Company, any Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee as the owner of such global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any agent of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any agent of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the applicable Depository, as a Holder, with respect to a global Security or impair, as between such Depository and the owners of beneficial interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such Depository (or its nominee) as the Holder of such global Security.
Section 309 Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer, exchange or conversion or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be promptly delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities, as well as Securities surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose, shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures, unless by a Company Order the Company directs their return to it.
Section 310 Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or in the Securities of any series, interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Section 311 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 notices of redemption 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 Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption 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. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.
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ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
Section 401 Satisfaction and Discharge.
Unless, pursuant to Section 301, the provisions of this Section 401 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of any series, upon the direction of the Company by a Company Order, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Order and any Guarantee of such Securities, and the Trustee, on receipt of a Company Order, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when,
(1) either
(a) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, and (ii) Securities of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(b) all such Securities of such series 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, or
(iii) if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably 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 (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose, money in the Currency in which such Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including the principal of, any premium and interest on, and, to the extent that the Securities of such series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts thereon and the amount of any such Additional Amounts which are or will be payable with respect to the Securities of such series is at the time of deposit determinable by the Company (in the exercise by the Company of its reasonable discretion), any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Securities, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Maturity thereof, as the case may be;
(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series (including amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 606); and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to the Securities of such series have been complied with.
In the event there are Securities of two or more series Outstanding hereunder, the Trustee shall be required to execute an instrument acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture only if requested to do so with respect to Securities of such series as to which it is Trustee, if in form and content reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and if the other conditions thereto are met.
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Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 606 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series under Sections 305, 306, 403, 404, 1002, 1003 and, if applicable to the Securities of such series, 1004 (including, without limitation, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Securities as contemplated by Section 1004, but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 401(1)(b)), the obligations of any Guarantor under any Guarantee in respect of Additional Amounts, any rights of Holders of the Securities of such series (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to require the Company to repurchase or repay, and the obligations of the Company to repurchase or repay, such Securities at the option of the Holders pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof, and any rights of Holders of the Securities of such series (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to convert or exchange, and the obligations of the Company to convert or exchange, such Securities into Common Equity or other securities or property, shall survive.
Section 402 Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.
(1) Unless, pursuant to Section 301, either or both of (i) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (2) of this Section 402 or (ii) Covenant Defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (3) of this Section 402 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series, then such provisions, together with the other provisions of this Section 402 (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to the Securities of or within such series, elect to have Section 402(2) or Section 402(3) be applied to such Outstanding Securities and any Guarantees of such Outstanding Securities upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Section 402. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, defeasance under clause (2) of this Section 402 and Covenant Defeasance under clause (3) of this Section 402 may be effected only with respect to all, and not less than all, of the Outstanding Securities of any series. To the extent that the terms of any Security established in or pursuant to this Indenture permit the Company or any Holder thereof to extend the date on which any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Security is due and payable, then unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301, the right to extend such date shall terminate upon defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be.
(2) Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 402(2) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company and any Guarantor, as applicable, shall be deemed to have been discharged from their respective obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities on the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 402 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of clause (5) of this Section 402 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in subclauses (i) through (iv) of this clause (2), and that each of the Company and any Guarantor shall be deemed to have satisfied all of their respective other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities to receive, solely (except as provided in subclause (ii) below) from the trust fund described in clause (4)(a) of this Section 402 and as more fully set forth in this Section 402 and in Section 403, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Securities when such payments are due, (ii) the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to such Securities under Sections 305, 306, 1002, 1003 and, if applicable to the Securities of such series, 1004 (including, without limitation, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Securities as contemplated by Section 1004, but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to clause (4)(a) of this Section 402)), the obligations of any Guarantor under a Guarantee in respect of Additional Amounts, as applicable, any rights of Holders of such Securities (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to require the Company to repurchase or repay, and the obligations of the Company to
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repurchase or repay, such Securities at the option of the Holders pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof, and any rights of Holders of such Securities (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to convert or exchange, and the obligations of the Company to convert or exchange, such Securities into Common Equity or other securities or property, (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (iv) this Section 402 and Sections 403 and 404. The Company may exercise its option under this Section 402(2) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 402(3) with respect to such Securities.
(3) Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 402(3) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company and any Guarantor, as applicable, shall be released from their respective obligations under clause (ii) of Section 1005, Section 704 and, to the extent specified pursuant to Section 301, any other covenant applicable to such Securities with respect to such Securities shall cease to be applicable to such Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 402 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and such Securities shall thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with any such covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means, with respect to such Outstanding Securities, the Company and any Guarantor, as applicable, may omit to comply with, and shall have no liability in respect of, any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or any such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default under Section 501(3) or otherwise, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.
(4) The following shall be the conditions to application of clause (2) or (3) of this Section 402 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series:
(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 607 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Section 402 applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, (1) an amount in Dollars or in such Foreign Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity or, if such defeasance or Covenant Defeasance is to be effected in compliance with subsection (f) below, on the relevant Redemption Date, as the case may be, or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity or, if such defeasance or Covenant Defeasance is to be effected in compliance with subsection (f) below, on the relevant Redemption Date, as the case may be) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof, in any case, in an amount, sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (y) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and, to the extent that such Securities provide for the payment of Additional Amounts thereon and the amount of any such Additional Amounts which are or will be payable with respect to the Securities of such series is at the time of deposit reasonably determinable by the Company (in the exercise by the Company of its reasonable discretion), any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Outstanding Securities on the Maturity or Stated Maturity of such principal or interest, and (z) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities.
(b) Such defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound.
(c) No Event of Default or event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such
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deposit, and, solely in the case of defeasance under Section 402(2), no Event of Default with respect to such Securities under clause (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501 or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities under clause (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501 shall have occurred and be continuing at any time during the period ending on and including the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition to defeasance under Section 402(2) shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).
(d) In the case of defeasance pursuant to Section 402(2), the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of independent counsel acceptable to the Trustee stating that (x) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (y) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of independent counsel shall confirm that, the Holders and beneficial owners of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred; or, in the case of Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 402(3), the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of independent counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee to the effect that the Holders and beneficial owners of such Outstanding Securities and will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred.
(e) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, under this Indenture have been complied with.
(f) If the monies or Government Obligations or combination thereof, as the case may be, deposited under subclause (a) above are sufficient to pay the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on and, to the extent provided in such subclause (a), Additional Amounts with respect to, such Securities on a particular Redemption Date, the Company shall have given the Trustee irrevocable instructions to redeem such Securities on such date and to provide notice of such redemption to Holders as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture.
(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 402(4), such defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.
(5) Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee (collectively for purposes of this Section 402(5) and Section 403, the “Trustee”)) pursuant to clause (4)(a) of Section 402 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (other than the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 402(4)(a) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 301 or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 402(4)(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs in respect of the Foreign Currency in which the deposit pursuant to Section 402(4)(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such
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election or Conversion Event based on (x) in the case of payments made pursuant to subclause (a) above, the applicable market exchange rate for such Currency in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, or (y) with respect to a Conversion Event, the applicable market exchange rate for such Foreign Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge, imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to this Section 402 or the principal or interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities.
Anything in this Section 402 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in clause (4)(a) of this Section 402 which, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Section 402.
Section 403 Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 or 402 shall be held in trust and applied by it, 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, premium, interest and Additional Amounts for whose payment such money has or Government Obligations have been deposited with or received by the Trustee; but such money and Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 404 Reinstatement.
If the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee appointed pursuant to Section 402(4)(a)) or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any moneys or Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 401(1) or 402(4)(a) to pay any principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to the Securities of any series by reason of any legal proceeding or any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of such series and the Guarantee shall be revived and reinstated as though no such deposit had occurred, until such time as the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such moneys and Government Obligations to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on and Additional Amounts, if any, in respect of the Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 401 or 402 as the case may be, and Section 403; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, in respect of the Securities of such series following the reinstatement of its obligations as aforesaid, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the funds held by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) or Paying Agent.
Section 405 Qualifying Trustee.
Any trustee appointed pursuant to Section 402(4)(a) for the purpose of holding trust funds deposited pursuant to that Section shall be appointed under an agreement in form acceptable to the Trustee and shall provide to the Trustee a certificate of such trustee, upon which certificate the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely, that all conditions precedent provided for herein to the related defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with. In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any acts or omissions of said trustee.
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ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
Section 501 Events of Default.
An “Event of Default” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series (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) means any of the following events, or any other event as specified in accordance with Section 301 for a particular series of Securities:
(1) default for thirty (30) days in the payment of any installment of interest or Additional Amounts payable with respect to such interest under the Securities of that series;
(2) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any principal of or premium, if any, on, the Securities of that series, when the same becomes due and payable or default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of that series when due;
(3) the Company fails to comply with any of the Company’s other agreements contained in the Securities of that series or this Indenture (other than an agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series) upon receipt by the Company of notice of such default by the Trustee or receipt by the Company and the Trustee of notice of such default by Holders of not less than twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then outstanding and the Company fails to cure (or obtain a waiver of) such default within sixty (60) days after the Company receives such notice;
(4) failure to pay any recourse indebtedness for monies borrowed by the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary in an outstanding principal amount in excess of $100 million at final maturity or upon acceleration after the expiration of any applicable notice and grace period, which recourse indebtedness is not discharged, or such default in payment or acceleration is not cured or rescinded, within thirty (30) days after written notice to the Company from the Trustee (or to the Company and the Trustee from Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that series);
(5) the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to, under or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law: (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or its debts or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary; (b) consents to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary; (c) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or (d) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;
(6) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or its debts under any Bankruptcy Law or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of thirty (30) calendar days; or
(7) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that: (a) is for relief against the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding; (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company, any Guarantor or any
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Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary; or (c) orders the liquidation of the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary; and, in each case in this clause (7), the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for thirty (30) calendar days.
Section 502 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501) with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, then either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series may declare the principal of, and premium, if any, on all of the Securities of such series, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal or such lesser amount, as the case may be, and such accrued and unpaid interest shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501 with respect to the Securities of any series occurs, then the principal of, and premium, if any, on all of the Securities of such series, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of the Securities of such series.
At any time after Securities of any series have been accelerated by declaration of the Trustee or the Holders 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 such series, by written notice to the Company, any Guarantor and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if
(1) the Company has paid or deposited, or cause to be paid or deposited, with the Trustee a sum of money sufficient to pay (or, to the extent that the terms of the Securities of such series established pursuant to Section 301 expressly provide for payment to be made in shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, together with cash in lieu of fractional shares or securities, sufficient to pay):
(a) all overdue installments of any interest on any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto,
(b) the principal of and any premium on any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, interest thereon at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for in or with respect to such Securities, or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by such Securities,
(c) to the extent permitted by applicable law, interest upon installments of any interest, if any, which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for in or with respect to such Securities, or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by such 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 all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 606; and
(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of such series other than the non-payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series which shall have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, shall have been waived as provided in Section 513 or cured.
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No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 503 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if:
(1) default is made in the payment of any interest on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any interest on, any Security when such interest or Additional Amounts, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or
(2) default is made in the payment of any principal of or premium, if any, on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any principal of or premium, if any, on, any Security at its Maturity, when the same becomes due and payable, or
(3) default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, if applicable, when due, and such default continues for three Business Days,
the Company or any Guarantor shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount of money then due and payable with respect to such Securities, with interest upon the overdue principal, any premium and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for or with respect to such Securities or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount of money as shall be sufficient to cover the reasonable costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 606.
If the Company (and any applicable Guarantor) fails to pay the money it is required to pay the Trustee pursuant to the preceding paragraph forthwith upon the demand of the Trustee, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the money so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company, any Guarantor 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, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon such 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 for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or such Securities or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein or therein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 504 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company, such Guarantor or such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities 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 any overdue principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, of the principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents or counsel) and of the Holders of Securities allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
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(2) 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 of Securities to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent in writing in its sole discretion to the making of such payments directly to the Holders of Securities, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder), its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee hereunder.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security 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 of a Security in any such proceeding.
Section 505 Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of 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 or judgment, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, shall be for the ratable benefit of each and every Holder of a Security in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
Section 506 Application of Money Collected.
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Five with respect to the Securities of any series 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 on account of principal, or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts, upon presentation of such Securities, or both, as the case may be, 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 (acting in any capacity hereunder) and any predecessor Trustee under the Indenture;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts 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 aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts;
THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Company.
Section 507 Limitations on Suits.
No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or such Security, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, 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 such series;
(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such 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;
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(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it against the losses, damages, costs, expenses and liabilities, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses and court costs, 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 such 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 of, any provision of this Indenture or any Security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holders or Holders of Securities of any other series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other 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 508 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, on and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security, on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities therefor specified in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof at the option of such Holder if provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, on the date such repayment is due) and, in the case of any Security which is convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property, to convert or exchange, as the case may be, such Security in accordance with its terms, and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and any such right to convert or exchange, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 509 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security 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 or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, any Guarantor (if applicable), the Trustee and each such Holder 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 and each such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 510 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
To the extent permitted by applicable law and except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to each and every Holder of a Security is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy, to the extent permitted by law, shall 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, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Section 511 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, 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 any Holder of a Security may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by such Holder, as the case may be.
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Section 512 Control by Holders of Securities.
The Holders of 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 or with the Securities of any series and could not involve the Trustee in personal liability,
(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and
(3) such direction is not unduly prejudicial to the rights of the other Holders of Securities of such series (or any other series) not joining in such action.
Section 513 Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series may waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except
(1) a continuing default in the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series, or
(2) in the case of any Securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Equity or other securities or property, a continuing default in any such conversion or exchange, or
(3) a continuing default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
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 514 Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company covenants that (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or any other law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which would prohibit or forgive the Company or any applicable Guarantor from paying all or any portion of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, as contemplated in this Indenture, any Guarantee and the Securities or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities; and each of the Company and any Guarantor 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 or the Holders, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
Section 515 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 any undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, 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
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the provisions of this Section 515 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 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, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date, and, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof, on or after the date for repayment) or for the enforcement of the right, if any, to convert or exchange any Security into Common Equity or other securities or property in accordance with its terms.
ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
Section 601 Certain Rights of Trustee.
The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, that (i) notwithstanding Section 315(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts, statements, opinions or conclusions stated in the certificates or opinions referred to therein, and (ii) except during the continuance of an Event of Default, no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 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 it 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 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.
In connection with this Indenture and any Securities issued hereunder, subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act:
(1) the 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, coupon or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(2) any request or direction of the Company or any Guarantor shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or a Company Order (in each case, other than delivery of any Security, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(3) 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 shall be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;
(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection 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;
(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by or pursuant to this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the losses, damages, costs, expenses and liabilities, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses and court costs, which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
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(6) 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, debenture, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, upon reasonable prior written notice and during normal business hours, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;
(7) 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;
(8) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers. The Trustee is not required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers under this Indenture. The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so;
(9) the Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail (PDF only), facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods, provided, however, that the Company and any Guarantor, as applicable, shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing designated persons with the authority to provide such instructions, which incumbency certificate shall be amended whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company or any Guarantor elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile transmission instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its sole and absolute discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, damages, costs, fees or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or inconsistency with a subsequent written instruction. The Company and any Guarantor, as applicable, agree to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception by third parties;
(10) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;
(11) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;
(12) in no event shall the Trustee be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder; and
(13) the Trustee may request that the Company and any Guarantor deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.
Section 602 Notice of Defaults.
Within 90 days after the Trustee has actual knowledge 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, notice of such default hereunder actually known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided,
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however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(3) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series; provided that any default that results solely from the taking of an action that would have been permitted but for the continuation of a previous default will be deemed to be cured if such previous default is cured prior to becoming an Event of Default. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any default or Event of Default under this Indenture or related documents unless (i) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (ii) the Trustee shall have received notice in writing of such default or Event of Default by the Company or by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding of the affected series, and such notice is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.
Section 603 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate 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, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. 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 604 May Hold Securities; Transactions with the Company or any Guarantor.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other Person that may be an agent of the Trustee or the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Company or any Guarantor with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other Person; provided, however, that if the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest under the Trust Indenture Act relating to any of its duties with respect to the Securities, it must either eliminate such conflict or resign as Trustee, subject to its right under the Trust Indenture Act to seek a stay of its duty to resign.
Section 605 Money Held in Trust.
Except as provided in Section 403 and Section 1003, money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and shall be held uninvested. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.
Section 606 Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company and, in the event that the Company fails to perform the following obligations and indemnities, any Guarantor, agrees:
(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as agreed in writing for all services rendered by the Trustee (in any capacity) hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) 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, such as attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to the Trustee’s negligence or willful misconduct; and
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(3) to indemnify the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder), its directors, officers, employees and its agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, claim, cause of action, damage, liability or reasonable cost or expense (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Trustee’s agents, legal counsel, accountants and experts) arising out of or in connection with this Indenture or the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, any Guarantor, a Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent that any such loss, claim, cause of action, damage, liability or expense was due to the Trustee’s negligence or willful misconduct.
The foregoing payment obligations and indemnities shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company and any Guarantor under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, or premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to particular Securities.
Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, any compensation or expense incurred by the Trustee after a default specified by Section 501(5), (6) or (7) is intended to constitute an expense of administration under any then applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law. “Trustee” for purposes of this Section 606 shall include any predecessor Trustee but the negligence or willful misconduct of any Trustee shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee under this Section 606. The provisions of this Section 606 shall, to the extent permitted by law, survive any termination or expiration of this Indenture (including, without limitation, termination pursuant to any bankruptcy or insolvency laws) and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
Section 607 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a Corporation, organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, eligible under Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and that has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000 subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. 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.
Section 608 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(1) 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 pursuant to Section 609.
(2) 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 the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 609 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.
(3) 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 the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 609 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of removal, the Trustee being removed may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.
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(4) If at any time:
(a) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the obligations imposed upon it under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to Securities of any series after written request therefor by the Company or any Holder of a Security of such series who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months, or
(b) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 607 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or any such Holder, or
(c) 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, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or the Securities of such series, or (ii) subject to Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
(5) 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 or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 609. 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 in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 609, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent 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 of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 609, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself 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.
(6) 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 in the manner provided in Section 106. 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 609 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
(1) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and 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 hereunder of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and, subject to Section 1003, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien, if any, provided for in Section 606.
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(2) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, any Guarantor, the retiring Trustee and such successor Trustee 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, such 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 co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts separate and apart from trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any notice given to, or received by, or any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder, 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, such retiring Trustee shall have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates other than as hereinafter expressly set forth, 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 with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on written request of the Company or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor relates and subject to Section 1003 shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the 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, subject to its lien, if any, provided for in Section 606.
(3) Upon request of any Person appointed hereunder as a successor Trustee, the Company and any Guarantor shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of this Section, as the case may be.
(4) No Person shall accept its appointment hereunder as a successor Trustee unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Person shall be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and eligible under this Article.
Section 610 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any Corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any Corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder (provided that such Corporation shall otherwise be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act 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 such successor to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. In case any Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee.
Section 611 Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint one or more Authenticating Agents acceptable to the Company with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of that or those series issued upon original issue, exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption, partial repayment, partial conversion or exchange for Common Equity or other securities or property, or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all
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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 and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.
Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, shall at all times be a Corporation that would be permitted by the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, is authorized under applicable law and by its charter to act as an Authenticating Agent and has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
Any Corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any Corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, provided such Corporation 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 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 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 106 to all Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent shall serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment 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 provisions of this Section.
The Company agrees to pay each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section. If the Trustee makes such payments, it shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 606.
The provisions of Sections 308, 603 and 604 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.
If an Authenticating Agent is appointed with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| [NAME OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT], as Authenticating Agent | ||
| By: | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| Dated: | ||
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If all of the Securities of any series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested in writing (which writing need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officer’s Certificate), shall appoint in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities.
ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE, COMPANY AND GUARANTORS
Section 701 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
In accordance with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee,
(1) semi-annually with respect to Securities of each series, a list, in each case in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders as of the applicable date, and
(2) at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of the names and addresses of Holders as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished,
provided, however, that so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar no such list shall be required to be furnished pursuant to either clause (1) or clause (2) of this Section 701.
Section 702 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
(1) 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 701 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee shall comply with the obligations imposed upon it pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.
(2) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company, any Guarantor and the Trustee that none of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee or any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived.
Section 703 Reports by Trustee.
(1) Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 following the first issuance of Securities pursuant to Section 301, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall transmit, pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report dated as of such May 15 with respect to any of the events specified in said Section 313(a) which may have occurred since the later of the immediately preceding May 15 and the date of this Indenture.
(2) The Trustee shall transmit the reports required by the Trust Indenture Act, including Sections 313(a), 313(b), 313(c) and 313(d), at the times, in the manner and to the Persons specified therein.
(3) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
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Section 704 Reports by the Company.
For so long as any Securities are outstanding, if the Company is subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision, the Company will deliver to the Trustee the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents which it is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) or any successor provision, within 15 days after the date that the Company files the same with the Commission. If the Company is not subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision, and for so long as any Securities are outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee the quarterly and annual financial statements and accompanying Item 303 of Regulation S-K (“management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations”) disclosure that would be required to be contained in annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q required to be filed with the Commission if the Company was subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision, within 15 days of the filing date that would be applicable to the Company at that time pursuant to applicable Commission rules and regulations.
Reports and other documents filed with the Commission via the EDGAR system will be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time of such filing via EDGAR for purposes of this covenant; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been filed via EDGAR. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including its compliance with any of the covenants relating to the Securities (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officer’s Certificate).
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALES AND SUBSTITUTION
Section 801 The Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with the Company), or successive consolidations or mergers in which either the Company will be the continuing entity or the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company); provided, however, that the following conditions are met:
(1) the Company shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than the Company) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of property and assets shall be domiciled in the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(3) either the Company or the successor Person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Section 802 Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of any Guarantor with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor), or successive consolidations or mergers in which such Guarantor will be the continuing entity or such Guarantor or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property and assets of such Guarantor, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor); provided, however, that the following conditions are met:
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(1) such Guarantor shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than such Guarantor) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of property and assets shall be domiciled in the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume the obligations of such Guarantor under the applicable Guarantee and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(3) either such Guarantor or the successor Person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate of such Guarantor and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, sale, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Section 803 Successor Person Substituted for the Company or Guarantor.
If the Company or any Guarantor shall, in any transaction or series of related transactions, consolidate with or merge into any Person or sell, assign, transfer, lease or otherwise convey all or substantially all its property and assets to any Person, in each case in accordance with Section 801 or Section 802, as applicable, the successor Person formed by or resulting from such consolidation or merger or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease or other conveyance of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company or such Guarantor, as applicable, is made, shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company or such Guarantor, as applicable, under this Indenture, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of the applicable series, with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company or Guarantor, as applicable, herein; and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the applicable Securities.
ARTICLE NINE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 901 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders of Securities, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution), any Guarantor, if affected thereby, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto for any of the following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company or any Guarantor, if applicable, or successive successions, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company or any Guarantor, if applicable, contained herein and in the Securities; or
(2) to add to the covenants of the Company or any Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or any Guarantor with respect to all or any series of Securities issued under this Indenture (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures); or
(3) to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities or any Guarantee, provided any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series; or
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(4) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, including, without limitation, any conversion or exchange provisions applicable to Securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property, and any deletions from or additions or changes to this Indenture in connection therewith (provided that any such deletions, additions and changes shall not be applicable to any other series of Securities then Outstanding); or
(5) 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 609; or
(6) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the Indenture; or
(7) to make any change necessary to comply with any requirement of the Commission in connection with the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or
(8) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders with respect to all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture) (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all of the Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); or
(9) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance, Covenant Defeasance and/or satisfaction and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Article Four, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holder of a Security of such series or any other Security; or
(10) to add one or more Guarantees for the benefit of Holders of all or any series of Securities, to secure the Securities or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any Guarantee or lien securing the Securities which such release, termination or discharge is permitted by this Indenture; or
(11) to amend or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture or in any Securities (which amendment or supplement may apply to one or more series of Securities or to one or more Securities within any series as specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures), provided that such amendment or supplement (A) does not (i) apply to any Outstanding Security issued prior to the date of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefits of such provision or (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or (B) shall become effective only when there is no Security described in clause (A)(i) Outstanding; or
(12) in the case of any series of Securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Equity or other securities or property, to safeguard or provide for the conversion or exchange rights, as the case may be, of such Securities in the event of any reclassification or change of outstanding shares of Common Equity or any merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or combination of the Company with or into another Person or any sale, lease, assignment, transfer, disposition or other conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any other Person or other similar transactions, if expressly required by the terms of such series of Securities established pursuant to Section 301; or
(13) to conform the terms of the Indenture or the Securities of a series, as applicable, to the description thereof contained in any prospectus, prospectus supplement or other offering document relating to the offer and sale of such Securities; or
(14) subject to any limitations established pursuant to Section 301, to provide for the issuance of additional Securities of any series; or
(15) to comply with the rules of any applicable Depository; or
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(16) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any Holder in any material respect;
(17) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; or
(18) to add a co-issuer or co-obligor of the Securities;
(19) to provide for reduction in the minimum denominations of the debt securities; or
(20) to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the Securities may be listed or traded.
Section 902 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as separate classes) by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution), any Guarantor, if affected thereby, 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 the Securities of such series or of any Guarantee or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, that no such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, shall
(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or premium, if any, or any installment of interest, if any, on, or any Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the premium, if any, thereon or the rate (or modify the calculation of such rate) of interest thereon, or reduce the amount payable upon redemption thereof at the option of the Company or repayment or repurchase thereof at the option of the Holder, or reduce any Additional Amounts payable with respect to any Security or any Guarantee, or change the obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1004 (except as contemplated by Section 801(1) and permitted by Section 901(1)) or the obligation of any Guarantor to pay Additional Amounts under any Guarantee, or reduce the amount of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or adversely affect the right of repayment or repurchase at the option of any Holder as contemplated by Article Thirteen, or change the Place of Payment where or the Currency in which the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or any Guarantee 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, in the case of repayment or repurchase pursuant to Article Thirteen at the option of the Holder, on or after the date for repayment or repurchase) in each case as such Stated Maturity, Redemption Date or date for repayment or repurchase may, if applicable, be extended in accordance with the terms of such Security, or in the case of any Security which is convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, impair the right to institute suit to enforce the right to convert or exchange such Security in accordance with its terms, or release a Guarantor from any of its obligations under a Guarantee except as permitted under this Indenture, 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 Section 513 or 1006 of this Indenture, or
(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section 1006 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 Outstanding Security affected thereby, or
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(4) make any change that adversely affects the right, if any, to convert or exchange any Security for shares of Common Equity or other securities or property in accordance with its terms.
Other than as set forth above, a supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which shall have been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such 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.
Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, if more than one series of Securities is Outstanding, the Company and any Guarantor shall be entitled to enter into a supplemental indenture under this Section 902 with respect to any one or more series of Outstanding Securities without entering into a supplemental indenture with respect to any other series of Outstanding Securities.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Securities 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 903 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
As a condition to executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trust created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of each of the Company and any Guarantor to the effect that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and is a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of, each of the Company and any Guarantor, respectively, subject to customary exceptions. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Upon a Company Request, accompanied by the Officer’s Certificates and Opinions of Counsel provided for in Section 102 and this Section 903, and, if applicable, upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the other parties thereto in the execution of a supplemental indenture, subject to the protection afforded to the Trustee by the last sentence of the first paragraph of this Section 903.
Section 904 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 a Security theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
Section 905 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation 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 Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, upon Company Order, in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
Section 906 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Unless the Company shall determine, based on an Opinion of Counsel delivered to the Trustee, that the same shall not be required, every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
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ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS
Section 1001 Payment of Principal, Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.
The Company covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid when due the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article Eleven hereof), and premium, if any, and interest on each of the Securities at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the Securities; provided, that the Company or Paying Agent may withhold from payments of interest and upon redemption pursuant to Article Three hereof, maturity or otherwise, any amounts the Company or Paying Agent is required to withhold by law.
Section 1002 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain an office or agency, where the Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or redemption and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. As of the date of this Indenture, such office shall be the Corporate Trust Office and, at any other time, at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Company. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency not designated or appointed by the Trustee. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office.
The Company may also from time to time designate co-registrars and one or more offices or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Company hereby initially designates the Trustee as Paying Agent, Security Registrar and Transfer Agent, and the Corporate Trust Office shall be considered as one such office or agency of the Company for each of the aforesaid purposes.
So long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar, the Trustee agrees to mail (or send by electronic transmission), or cause to be mailed, the notices set forth in Section 608(6) hereof. If co-registrars have been appointed in accordance with this Section 1002, the Trustee shall mail such notices only to the Company and the Holders of Securities it can identify from its records.
Section 1003 Provisions as to Paying Agent.
(1) If the Company shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, or if the Trustee shall appoint such a Paying Agent, the Company will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 1003: (a) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Securities) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities; (b) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities when the same shall be due and payable; and (c) that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust.
The Company shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum (in funds which are immediately available on the due date for such payment) sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action; provided, that if such deposit is made on the due date, such deposit shall be received by the Paying Agent by 12:00 p.m. New York City time, on such date.
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(2) If the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and interest so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company (or any other obligor under the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities when the same shall become due and payable.
(3) Anything in this Section 1003 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or any Paying Agent hereunder as required by this Section 1003, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment by the Company or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Company or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for the actions of any other Paying Agents (including the Company if acting as its own Paying Agent) and shall have no control of any funds held by such other Paying Agents.
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 or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall 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 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, 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 1004 Additional Amounts.
In the event that the Company is required to make the payment of Additional Amounts to Holders of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the Company will provide written notice (“Additional Amounts Notice”) to the Trustee of its obligation to pay Additional Amounts no later than fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the proposed payment date for Additional Amounts, and the Additional Amount Notice shall set forth the amount of Additional Amounts to be paid by the Company on such payment date. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities to determine the Additional Amounts, or with respect to the nature, extent or calculation of the amount of Additional Amounts when made, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of the Additional Amounts.
Section 1005 Corporate Existence.
Subject to Article Eight, each of the Company and any Guarantor will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its (i) existence, and (ii) rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, that neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee of that Board of Directors), as applicable, shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable.
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Section 1006 Waiver of Certain Covenants.
The Company and any Guarantor may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 1005(ii) and 704 with respect to the Securities of any series and, if expressly provided pursuant to Section 301(16), any additional covenants applicable to the Securities of such series if, before the time for such compliance, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either shall waive such compliance in such instance or generally shall have waived compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and any Guarantor, as applicable and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 1007 The Company and Guarantor Statement as to Compliance.
Within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, the Company and, if applicable, any Guarantor, shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate signed by any of the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company and such Guarantor, stating whether or not the signer has knowledge of any default under this Indenture, and, if so, specifying each default and the nature and the status thereof.
The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within thirty (30) calendar days of becoming aware of (i) any default in the performance or observance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Indenture, or (ii) any Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying with particularity such default or Event of Default and further stating what action the Company has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
Any notice required to be given under this Section 1007 shall be delivered to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 1008 Calculation of Original Issue Discount.
So long as there is any Outstanding Original Issue Discount Security, the Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
Section 1009 Maintenance of Properties.
The Company will cause all of its material properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order (normal wear and tear, casualty and condemnation excepted) and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 1009 shall prevent the Company from (1) removing permanently any property that has been condemned or suffered a casualty loss, if it is in its best interests, (2) discontinuing maintenance or operation of any property if, in its reasonable judgment, doing so is in its best interest, or (3) selling or otherwise disposing for value its properties in the ordinary course of business.
Section 1010 Insurance.
The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep in force upon all of its and each of its Subsidiaries’ insurable properties and operations insurance policies carried with responsible companies in such amounts and covering all such risks as is customary in the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries do business in accordance with prevailing market conditions and availability.
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Section 1011 Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.
The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, and (2) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies, which, if unpaid, might by law become a material lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 1101 Applicability of Article.
Redemption of Securities of any series at the option of the Company as permitted or required by the terms of such Securities shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto) this Article.
Section 1102 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 of all of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the Company shall, not less than 17 and not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, in the event that the Company shall determine that the Securities of any series to be redeemed shall be selected from Securities of such series having the same issue date, interest rate or interest rate formula, Stated Maturity and other terms (the “Equivalent Terms”), the Company shall notify the Trustee of such Equivalent Terms.
If less than all of the Securities of any series are to be redeemed or if less than all of the Securities of any series with Equivalent Terms are to be redeemed, the Company shall, at least seven days prior to giving notice of redemption to the Holders (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee and agreed upon in writing by the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, the Equivalent Terms.
In the case of any redemption of Securities (A) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (B) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.
Section 1103 Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed.
If less than all of the Securities of any series are to be redeemed or if less than all of the Securities of any series with Equivalent Terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not less than 10 days and not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series or from the Outstanding Securities of such series with Equivalent Terms, as the case may be, 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 portions of the principal amount of Registered Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security of such series not redeemed to be less than the minimum denomination for a Security of such series established herein or pursuant hereto; provided, that if the Securities of such series are represented by one or more global Securities, interests in such global Securities shall be selected for redemption by the Depository in accordance with its standard procedures therefor.
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The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, 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 Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.
Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of any series, if any Security selected for partial redemption is converted or exchanged for Common Equity or other securities or property in part before termination of the conversion or exchange right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted or exchanged portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted or exchanged during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.
Section 1104 Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed. Failure to give notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Registered Securities designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities or portions thereof.
Any notice that is mailed to the Holder of any Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date,
(2) the Redemption Price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof,
(3) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed,
(4) that, in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder of such Security will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,
(5) that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price shall become due and payable upon each such Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, together (if applicable) with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon (subject, if applicable, to the proviso to the first paragraph of Section 1106), and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date,
(6) the place or places where such Securities, maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto,
(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,
(8) in the case of Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable into shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, the then current conversion or exchange price or rate, the date or dates on which the right to convert or exchange the principal of the Securities of such series to be redeemed will commence or terminate, as applicable, and the place or places where and the Persons to whom such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange,
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(9) the CUSIP number, Common Code or ISIN number of such Securities, if any (or any other numbers used by a Depository to identify such Securities), and
(10) if the Redemption Price or any portion thereof shall be payable, at the option of the Company or any Holders, in shares of Common Equity, cash or in other securities or property (or a combination thereof), a statement as to whether the Company has elected to pay the Redemption Price in shares of Common Equity, cash or in other securities or property (or a combination thereof) and, if applicable, the portion of the Redemption Price that is to be paid in shares of Common Equity, cash or in other securities or property.
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 with seven days prior written notice (or such shorter notice as shall be acceptable to the Trustee), by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company, which request shall set forth the information to be contained in such notice of redemption.
Section 1105 Deposit of Redemption Price.
At or prior to 12:00 p.m. (local time in New York City) on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit, with respect to the Securities of any series called for redemption pursuant to Section 1104, with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Company or any Guarantor is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the applicable Currency sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for or in the Securities of such series) any accrued interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to, all such Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.
Section 1106 Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, together with (unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of such series pursuant to Section 301) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, any accrued and unpaid interest thereon and Additional Amounts with respect thereto to but excluding the Redemption Date; provided, however, except as otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Registered Securities of such series, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid, or funds set aside for payment, on the Redemption Date, the principal and any premium, until paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security or, if no rate is prescribed therefor in the Security, at the rate of interest, if any, borne by such Security.
Section 1107 Securities Redeemed in Part.
Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at any Office or Agency for such Security (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon Company
53
Order, to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a Security in global form is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon Company Order, to the Depository for such Security in global form as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, without service charge, a new Security in global form in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security in global form so surrendered.
ARTICLE TWELVE
SINKING FUNDS
Section 1201 Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Security of such series issued pursuant to this Indenture.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and this Indenture.
Section 1202 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any of such Securities previously called for redemption or any of such Securities in respect of which cash shall have been released to the Company), and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities of any series in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 1202, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such series for redemption, except upon Company Request, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall at the written request of the Company from time to time pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Company.
Section 1203 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 75 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202, the basis for such credit and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so credited and not theretofore delivered. If such Officer’s Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein
54
specified. Not less than 60 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS
Section 1301 Applicability of Article.
Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity shall be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series. The repayment of any principal amount of Securities pursuant to such option of the Holder to require repayment of Securities before their Stated Maturity, for purposes of Section 309, shall not operate as a payment, redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the Company, at its option, shall deliver or surrender the same to the Trustee with a direction that such Securities be cancelled. If specified with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 301, in connection with any repayment of Securities, the Company may arrange for the purchase of any Securities by an agreement with one or more investment bankers or other purchasers to purchase such Securities by paying to the Holders of such Securities on or before the applicable repayment date an amount not less than the repayment price payable by the Company on repayment of such Securities, and the obligation of the Company to pay the repayment price of such Securities shall be satisfied and discharged to the extent such payment is so paid by such purchasers.
Unless otherwise expressly stated in this Indenture or pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series or unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this Indenture to the repayment of Securities at the option of the Holders thereof (and all references of like import) shall be deemed to include a reference to the repurchase of Securities at the option of the Holders thereof.
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES
Section 1401 Applicability of Article.
Whenever this Indenture provides for (i) any action by, or the determination of any of the rights of, Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same Currency or (ii) any distribution to Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same Currency, in the absence of any provision to the contrary in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of such series and in accordance with the Depository’s procedures, any amount in respect of any Security denominated in a Currency other than Dollars shall be treated for any such action, determination or distribution as that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount on such reasonable basis of exchange and as of the record date with respect to Registered Securities of such series (if any) for such action, determination or distribution (or, if there shall be no applicable record date, such other date reasonably proximate to the date of such distribution) as the Company may specify in a written notice to the Trustee or, in the absence of such written notice, as the Trustee may determine.
Section 1402 Monies of Different Currencies to be Segregated.
The Trustee shall segregate monies, funds and accounts held by the Trustee hereunder in one currency from any monies, funds or accounts in any other currencies, notwithstanding any provision herein which would otherwise permit the Trustee to commingle such accounts.
55
ARTICLE FIFTEEN
GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES
Section 1501 Guarantee.
(a) Each Person who may become a “Guarantor” with respect to any series of Securities to which this Article Fifteen is made applicable, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees (the “Guarantee”) to each Holder of a Security of such series authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Securities of such series, the obligations of the Company under this Indenture or the Securities of such series or irrespective of restrictions of any kind on the Company’s performance of its obligations under the Securities, and waiving all rights of objection and defense arising from the Securities, that: (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of such series will be punctually paid in full when due, whether at the Stated Maturity or Interest Payment Date, by acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise; (ii) all other obligations of the Company to the Holders of such series or the Trustee under this Indenture or the Securities of such series will be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such series; and (iii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Securities of such series or any of such other obligations thereunder, they will be paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at the Stated Maturity or Interest Payment Date, by acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, each Guarantor shall be obligated to pay the same before failure so to pay becomes an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series. If the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of a series so guaranteed when and as the same shall become due, whether at the Stated Maturity or Interest Payment Date, by acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise, without the necessity of action by the Trustee or any Holder, each Guarantor with respect to such series shall be required to promptly make such payment in full. The obligations of all Guarantors under this Article Fifteen shall be joint and several.
(b) Each Guarantor agrees with respect to Securities of any series that its obligations with regard to this Guarantee shall be as principal and not merely as surety and shall be full, irrevocable and unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Securities of such series or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any delays in obtaining or realizing upon or failures to obtain or realize upon collateral, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or a guarantor. Each Guarantor with respect to Securities of any series hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company or right to require the prior disposition of the assets of the Company to meet its obligations, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of all obligations contained in the Securities of such series and this Indenture as it relates to such series of Securities. Each Guarantee is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. The obligations of any Guarantor under this Guarantee will constitute direct, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of such Guarantor and any Guarantor undertakes that its obligations hereunder will rank pari passu with all other present or future direct, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Guarantor, save for such obligations as may be mandatorily preferred by law.
(c) Any such Guarantee shall continue in full force and effect by way of continuing security until all principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, (including any Additional Amounts required to be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the series of Securities so guaranteed) have been paid in full and all other actual or contingent obligations of the Company in relation to the series of Securities so guaranteed or under the Indenture have been satisfied in full. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any payment received by any Holder is, on the subsequent bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company, avoided under any applicable laws, including, among others, laws relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, such payment will not be considered as having discharged or diminished the liability of any Guarantor and any such Guarantee will continue to apply as if such payment had at all times remained owing by the Company.
56
(d) If any Holder of Securities of a series or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to any of the Company or a Guarantor with respect to Securities of that series, or any custodian, trustee, or similar official acting in relation to any of the Company or a Guarantor, any amount paid by any of the Company or a Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder with respect to Securities of that series, the Guarantee with respect to Securities of that series, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders of Securities of a series in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations of Securities of such series. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Section 502 for the purposes of a Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration as to the Company of the obligations so guaranteed, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of those obligations as provided in Section 502, those obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors with respect to Securities of a series for purposes of the Guarantee.
(e) Each Guarantor and by its acceptance of a Security issued hereunder each Holder hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee by each Guarantor set forth in Section 1501(a) not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purpose of any Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar Federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders and all Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each of the Guarantors under the Guarantee set forth in Section 1501(a) shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor, and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to the next succeeding sentence, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under such Guarantee not constituting such a fraudulent transfer or conveyance. Each Guarantor that makes any payment or distribution under Section 1501(a) shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor equal to its Pro Rata Portion of such payment or distribution. For purposes of the foregoing, the “Pro Rata Portion” of any Guarantor means the percentage of net assets of all Guarantors held by such Guarantor, determined in accordance with GAAP.
(f) It is the intention of the parties that the obligations of the Guarantors shall be in, but not in excess of, the maximum amount permitted by applicable law. Accordingly, if the obligations in respect of the Guarantee would be annulled, avoided or subordinated to the creditors of any Guarantor by a court of competent jurisdiction in a proceeding actually pending before such court as a result of a determination both that such Guarantee was made without fair consideration and, immediately after giving effect thereto, such Guarantor was insolvent or unable to pay its debts as they mature or left with an unreasonably small capital, then the obligations of such Guarantor under such Guarantee shall be reduced by such court if and to the extent such reduction would result in the avoidance of such annulment, avoidance or subordination; provided, however, that any reduction pursuant to this paragraph shall be made in the smallest amount as is strictly necessary to reach such result. For purposes of this paragraph, “fair consideration,” “insolvency,” “unable to pay its debts as they mature,” “unreasonably small capital” and the effective times of reductions, if any, required by this paragraph shall be determined in accordance with applicable law.
(g) If the obligations of any Guarantor are reduced pursuant to Section 1501(e) or 1501(f) above, such reduction shall be applied proportionately with respect to all Securities (of whatever series) guaranteed under Section 1501, in accordance with the respective outstanding principal amount of such Securities so guaranteed (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, the accreted value of such Securities) and being then due upon the acceleration of the payment of such Securities.
Section 1502 Future Guarantors.
Each Person providing a guarantee of any Security of a series pursuant to this Indenture shall execute and deliver a supplemental indenture making such Person a party to this Indenture for the purpose of becoming a Guarantor.
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Section 1503 Delivery of Guarantee.
The delivery of any Security of a series by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in Section 1501 on behalf of each Guarantor for that series.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
| APPLE HOSPITALITY REIT, INC., | ||
| as Issuer | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
59
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
|
[ ], | ||
| as Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent and Transfer Agent | ||
| By: |
||
| Name: |
||
| Title: |
||
60
Exhibit 4.5
APPLE HOSPITALITY REIT, INC.,
as Issuer
— and —
[ ], 202[ ]
as Trustee
FORM OF
INDENTURE
Dated as of [ ]
Subordinated Debt Securities
Certain Sections of this Indenture
relating to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
| Trust Indenture Act Section |
Indenture Section | |
| §310(a)(1) |
607 | |
| (a)(2) |
607 | |
| (b) |
608 | |
| §312(a) |
701, 702(1) | |
| (b) |
702 | |
| (c) |
702 | |
| §313(a) |
703 | |
| (b)(2) |
703 | |
| (c) |
703 | |
| (d) |
703 | |
| §314(a) |
704 | |
| (c)(1) |
102 | |
| (c)(2) |
102 | |
| (e) |
102 | |
| §315(a) |
601 | |
| (b) |
601, 602 | |
| (c) |
601 | |
| (d) |
601 | |
| (e) |
515 | |
| §316(a) (last sentence) |
101 | |
| (a)(1)(A) |
502, 512 | |
| (a)(1)(B) |
513 | |
| (b) |
508 | |
| §317(a)(1) |
503 | |
| (a)(2) |
504 | |
| (b) |
1003 | |
| §318(a) |
108 |
Note: This table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION | 1 | |||||
| Section 101 |
Definitions | 1 | ||||
| Section 102 |
Compliance Certificates and Opinions | 8 | ||||
| Section 103 |
Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee | 9 | ||||
| Section 104 |
Acts of Holders; Record Dates | 9 | ||||
| Section 105 |
Notices, etc. to Trustee and the Company | 10 | ||||
| Section 106 |
Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver | 11 | ||||
| Section 107 |
Language of Notices | 11 | ||||
| Section 108 |
Conflict with Trust Indenture Act | 11 | ||||
| Section 109 |
Effect of Headings and Table of Contents | 11 | ||||
| Section 110 |
Successors and Assigns | 11 | ||||
| Section 111 |
Separability Clause | 11 | ||||
| Section 112 |
Benefits of Indenture | 11 | ||||
| Section 113 |
Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial | 12 | ||||
| Section 114 |
Legal Holidays | 12 | ||||
| Section 115 |
Counterparts | 12 | ||||
| Section 116 |
Judgment Currency | 12 | ||||
| Section 117 |
Extension of Payment Dates | 12 | ||||
| Section 118 |
Immunity of General Partners, Limited Partners, Shareholders, Trustees, Officers, Employees, Incorporators and Agents of the Company and Guarantors | 13 | ||||
| Section 119 |
USA Patriot Act | 13 | ||||
| Section 120 |
Force Majeure | 13 | ||||
| Section 121 |
FATCA | 13 | ||||
| ARTICLE TWO SECURITIES FORMS | 14 | |||||
| Section 201 |
Forms Generally | 14 | ||||
| Section 202 |
Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication | 14 | ||||
| Section 203 |
Securities in Global Form | 14 | ||||
| ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES | 15 | |||||
| Section 301 |
Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series | 15 | ||||
| Section 302 |
Currency; Denominations | 18 | ||||
| Section 303 |
Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating | 18 | ||||
| Section 304 |
Temporary Securities | 20 | ||||
| Section 305 |
Registration, Transfer and Exchange | 20 | ||||
| Section 306 |
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 22 | ||||
| Section 307 |
Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved | 22 | ||||
| Section 308 |
Persons Deemed Owners | 23 | ||||
| Section 309 |
Cancellation | 24 | ||||
| Section 310 |
Computation of Interest | 24 | ||||
| Section 311 |
CUSIP Numbers | 24 | ||||
| ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE | 24 | |||||
| Section 401 |
Satisfaction and Discharge | 24 | ||||
| Section 402 |
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance | 26 | ||||
| Section 403 |
Application of Trust Money | 28 | ||||
| Section 404 |
Reinstatement | 29 | ||||
| Section 405 |
Qualifying Trustee | 29 | ||||
ii
| ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES | 29 | |||||
| Section 501 |
Events of Default | 29 | ||||
| Section 502 |
Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment | 30 | ||||
| Section 503 |
Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee | 31 | ||||
| Section 504 |
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 32 | ||||
| Section 505 |
Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities | 32 | ||||
| Section 506 |
Application of Money Collected | 33 | ||||
| Section 507 |
Limitations on Suits | 33 | ||||
| Section 508 |
Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts | 33 | ||||
| Section 509 |
Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 34 | ||||
| Section 510 |
Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 34 | ||||
| Section 511 |
Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 34 | ||||
| Section 512 |
Control by Holders of Securities | 34 | ||||
| Section 513 |
Waiver of Past Defaults | 34 | ||||
| Section 514 |
Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws | 35 | ||||
| Section 515 |
Undertaking for Costs | 35 | ||||
| ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE | 35 | |||||
| Section 601 |
Certain Rights of Trustee | 35 | ||||
| Section 602 |
Notice of Defaults | 37 | ||||
| Section 603 |
Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities | 37 | ||||
| Section 604 |
May Hold Securities; Transactions with the Company or any Guarantor | 38 | ||||
| Section 605 |
Money Held in Trust | 38 | ||||
| Section 606 |
Compensation and Reimbursement | 38 | ||||
| Section 607 |
Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility | 39 | ||||
| Section 608 |
Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor | 39 | ||||
| Section 609 |
Acceptance of Appointment by Successor | 40 | ||||
| Section 610 |
Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business | 41 | ||||
| Section 611 |
Appointment of Authenticating Agent | 41 | ||||
| ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE, COMPANY AND GUARANTORS | 42 | |||||
| Section 701 |
Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders | 42 | ||||
| Section 702 |
Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders | 43 | ||||
| Section 703 |
Reports by Trustee | 43 | ||||
| Section 704 |
Reports by the Company | 43 | ||||
| ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALES AND SUBSTITUTION | 44 | |||||
| Section 801 |
The Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms | 44 | ||||
| Section 802 |
Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms | 44 | ||||
| Section 803 |
Successor Person Substituted for the Company or Guarantor | 45 | ||||
| ARTICLE NINE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | 45 | |||||
| Section 901 |
Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders | 45 | ||||
| Section 902 |
Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders | 46 | ||||
| Section 903 |
Execution of Supplemental Indentures | 47 | ||||
ii
| Section 904 |
Effect of Supplemental Indentures | 48 | ||||
| Section 905 |
Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures | 48 | ||||
| Section 906 |
Conformity with Trust Indenture Act | 48 | ||||
| ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS | 48 | |||||
| Section 1001 |
Payment of Principal, Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts | 48 | ||||
| Section 1002 |
Maintenance of Office or Agency | 48 | ||||
| Section 1003 |
Provisions as to Paying Agent | 49 | ||||
| Section 1004 |
Additional Amounts | 50 | ||||
| Section 1005 |
Corporate Existence | 50 | ||||
| Section 1006 |
Waiver of Certain Covenants | 50 | ||||
| Section 1007 |
The Company and Guarantor Statement as to Compliance | 50 | ||||
| Section 1008 |
Calculation of Original Issue Discount | 51 | ||||
| Section 1009 |
Maintenance of Properties | 51 | ||||
| Section 1010 |
Insurance | 51 | ||||
| Section 1011 |
Payment of Taxes and Other Claims | 51 | ||||
| ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES | 51 | |||||
| Section 1101 |
Applicability of Article | 51 | ||||
| Section 1102 |
Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee | 51 | ||||
| Section 1103 |
Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed. | 52 | ||||
| Section 1104 |
Notice of Redemption | 52 | ||||
| Section 1105 |
Deposit of Redemption Price | 53 | ||||
| Section 1106 |
Securities Payable on Redemption Date | 54 | ||||
| Section 1107 |
Securities Redeemed in Part | 54 | ||||
| ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS | 54 | |||||
| Section 1201 |
Applicability of Article | 54 | ||||
| Section 1202 |
Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities | 55 | ||||
| Section 1203 |
Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund | 55 | ||||
| ARTICLE THIRTEEN REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS | 55 | |||||
| Section 1301 |
Applicability of Article | 55 | ||||
| ARTICLE FOURTEEN SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES | 56 | |||||
| Section 1401 |
Applicability of Article | 56 | ||||
| Section 1402 |
Monies of Different Currencies to be Segregated | 56 | ||||
| ARTICLE FIFTEEN GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES | 56 | |||||
| Section 1501 |
Guarantee | 56 | ||||
| Section 1502 |
Future Guarantors | 58 | ||||
| Section 1503 |
Delivery of Guarantee | 58 | ||||
| ARTICLE SIXTEEN SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES | 58 | |||||
| Section 1601 |
Securities Subordinate to Senior Debt | 58 | ||||
| Section 1602 |
Payments to Securityholders | 58 | ||||
| Section 1603 |
Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Debt | 59 | ||||
| Section 1604 |
Article Not to Prevent Event of Default | 60 | ||||
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| Section 1605 |
Trustee to Effectuate Subordination; No Impairment of Subordination | 60 | ||||
| Section 1606 |
Notice to Trustee | 60 | ||||
| Section 1607 |
Reliance on Certificate of Liquidating Agent | 61 | ||||
| Section 1608 |
Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Debt | 61 | ||||
| Section 1609 |
Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Debt | 61 | ||||
| Section 1610 |
Article Applicable to Paying Agent | 62 | ||||
| Section 1611 |
Trust Moneys Not Subordinated | 62 |
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INDENTURE, dated as of [ ], 202[ ] (the “Indenture”), between Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., a Virginia corporation (the “Company”), having its principal executive office located at 814 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, as issuer, and [ ], as trustee, registrar, paying agent and transfer agent (the “Trustee,” “Registrar,” “Paying Agent,” and “Transfer Agent,” respectively).
RECITALS
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its subordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of subordinated indebtedness (hereinafter called the “Securities”), unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such fixed or floating rates of interest, to mature at such time or times, to be issued in one or more series and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.
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 (as herein defined) 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, with respect to the provisions of Article Sixteen, the holders of Senior Debt (as hereinafter defined), as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 101 Definitions.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of this Indenture:
(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 which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;
(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;
(4) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto” 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;
(5) the word “or” is always used inclusively (for example, the phrase “A or B” means “A or B or both,” not “either A or B but not both”);
(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
(7) the term “merger” includes a statutory share exchange and the terms “merge” and “merged” have correlative meanings;
(8) the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter; and
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(9) references to agreements and other instruments include subsequent amendments and supplements thereto.
Certain terms used principally in certain Articles hereof are defined in those Articles.
“Act,” when used with respect to any Holders, has the meaning specified in Section 104.
“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required by this Indenture, by the terms of any Security established pursuant to Section 301 or by the terms of any Guarantee, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, in respect of certain taxes, duties, levies, imposts, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on Holders specified herein or therein.
“Additional Amounts Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 1004.
“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 or cause the direction of 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.
“Agency” with respect to any Securities, means an agent of the Company or the office of an agent of the Company, as the context requires, in each case maintained or designated in a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or any other agent of the Company or office of an agent of the Company, as the context requires, in each case maintained or designated for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 1002 in lieu of such agent or agent’s office, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
“Applicable Law” has the meaning specified in Section 121.
“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 611 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal, state, or foreign law for the relief of debtors.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company, or any committee of such board duly authorized to act generally or in any particular respect hereunder.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of one or more resolutions or unanimous written consents, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, on behalf of the Company, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to the Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close; provided that such term shall mean, when used with respect to any payment of principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of any series to be made at any Place of Payment for such Securities, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to such Securities, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in such Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture 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.
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“Common Equity” includes any equity security of any class of the Company, which has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, and which is not subject to redemption by the Company.
“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.
“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order, as the case may be, signed in the name of the Company, by an Officer of the Company (or any Person designated in writing by an Officer of the Company as authorized to execute and deliver Company Requests and Company Orders) and delivered to the Trustee.
“Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country or the confederation which issued such Foreign Currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community or (ii) any currency unit or composite currency for the purposes for which it was established.
“Corporate Trust Office” means either the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date of this Indenture is located at [ ], or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company.
“Corporation” includes corporations, partnerships, associations, limited liability companies and other companies, and business trusts (which term shall expressly include real estate investment trusts). The term “corporation” means a corporation and does not include partnerships, associations, limited liability companies or other companies or business trusts.
“Currency,” with respect to any payment, deposit or other transfer in respect of the principal of or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security, means Dollars or the Foreign Currency, as the case may be, in which such payment, deposit or other transfer is required to be made by or pursuant to the terms hereof or such Security and, with respect to any other payment, deposit or transfer pursuant to or contemplated by the terms hereof or such Security, means Dollars.
“CUSIP number” means the alphanumeric designation assigned to a Security by Standard & Poor’s CUSIP Service Bureau.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307.
“Depository” means, with respect to any Security issuable or issued in the form of one or more global Securities, the Person designated as depository by the Company in or pursuant to this Indenture, and, unless otherwise provided with respect to any Security, any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depository” shall mean, with respect to any Securities, the depository which has been appointed with respect to such Securities.
“Dollars” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit of legal tender for payment of public or private debts in the United States of America.
“Equivalent Terms” has the meaning specified in Section 1102.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
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“Foreign Currency” means any currency, currency unit or composite currency issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such government.
“GAAP” and “generally accepted accounting principles” means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect on the date of any calculation or determination.
“Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the other government or governments in the confederation which issued the Foreign Currency in which the principal of or any premium or interest on the relevant Security or any Additional Amounts in respect thereof shall be payable, in each case where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith and credit of such government or governments or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such other government or governments, in each case where the timely payment or payments thereunder are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government or governments, and which, in the case of (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
“Guarantee” has the meaning set forth in Article Fifteen hereof.
“Guarantors” means any Person that is liable under a Guarantee under Article Fifteen hereof.
“Holder,” in the case of any Registered Security, means the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register.
“Indebtedness,” when used with respect to any Person, and without duplication, unless otherwise specified with respect to the Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, means any indebtedness (whether being principal, premium or interest) for or in respect of (i) any notes, bonds, debenture stock, loan stock or other securities or (ii) any borrowed money.
“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, with respect to any Security, by the terms and provisions of such Security established pursuant to Section 301 (as such terms and provisions may be amended pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof), provided, however, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, 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 those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established pursuant to Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted.
“Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.
“Interest,” with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
“Interest Payment Date,” with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
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“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 116.
“Maturity,” with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security, whether at the Stated Maturity, upon acceleration, upon redemption at the option of the Company, upon repurchase or repayment at the option of the Holder or otherwise, and includes a Redemption Date for such Security and a date fixed for the repurchase or repayment of such Security at the option of the Holder.
“New York Banking Day” has the meaning specified in Section 116.
“Office,” with respect to any Securities, means an office of the Company maintained or designated in a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or any other office of the Company maintained or designated for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 1002 in lieu of such office, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
“Officer” means the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, a President or a Vice President of the Company.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer of the Company (or any Person designated in writing by an Officer of the Company as authorized to execute and deliver Officer’s Certificates), that, if applicable, complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act and is delivered to the Trustee.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company or other counsel who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Opinions of Counsel required to be delivered under this Indenture may have qualifications customary for opinions of the type required.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means a Security, other than an Indexed Security, issued pursuant to this Indenture which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon acceleration pursuant to Section 502.
“Outstanding,” when used with respect to any Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(a) any such Security theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) any such Security for whose payment at the Maturity thereof money in the necessary amount (or, to the extent that such Security is payable at such Maturity in shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, Common Equity or such other securities or property in the necessary amount, together with, if applicable, cash in lieu of fractional shares or securities) has been theretofore deposited pursuant hereto (other than pursuant to Section 402) with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company or any Affiliate of the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company (if it shall act as Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities, provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;
(c) any such Security with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance or Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 402, except to the extent provided in Section 402;
(d) any such Security which has been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, unless there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Security is held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Security is a valid obligation of the Company; and
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(e) any such Security converted or exchanged as contemplated by this Indenture into Common Equity or other securities or property, if the terms of such Security provide for such conversion or exchange pursuant to Section 301;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be equal to the amount of the principal thereof that pursuant to the terms of such Original Issue Discount Security would be due and payable upon acceleration thereof pursuant to Section 502 at the time of such determination, and (ii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, and (iii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purposes shall be the Dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent on the date of original issuance of such Security of the amount determined as provided in (i) above) of such Security, and (iv) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making any such determination or relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, but only to the extent the Responsible Officer of the Trustee making such determination does not have actual knowledge that such Securities are not so owned. Securities so owned which shall have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes in writing to the satisfaction of the Trustee (A) the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and (B) that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or an Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor.
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security on behalf of the Company.
“Person” and “person” mean any individual, Corporation, joint venture, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Place of Payment,” with respect to any Security, means the place or places where the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security are payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.
“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same indebtedness as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security.
“Redemption Date,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.
“Redemption Price,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed as determined by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.
“Registered Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 201 which is registered in the Security Register.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date therefor means the date, if any, specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security as the regular record date for the payment of such interest.
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“Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 116.
“Responsible Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its corporate trust department who is responsible for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer or employee of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Security” or “Securities” means any note or notes, bond or bonds, debenture or debentures, or any other evidences of indebtedness, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities,” with respect to any such Person, shall mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.
“Security Interest” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, hypothecation, security interest or other charge.
“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.
“Senior Debt” means the principal of and interest on, or substantially similar payments to be made by the Company in respect of, the following, whether outstanding at the date of execution of this Indenture or thereafter incurred, created or assumed (other than non-recourse obligations): (a) indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed or represented by purchase-money obligations, (b) indebtedness of the Company evidenced by notes, debentures, or bonds, or other securities issued under the provisions of an indenture, fiscal agency agreement or other instrument, (c) obligations of the Company as to finance leases on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet of property either made as part of any sale and lease-back transaction to which the Company is a party or otherwise, (d) indebtedness of partnerships and joint ventures which is included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, (e) indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of others in respect of which the Company is liable contingently or otherwise to pay or advance money or property or as guarantor, endorser or otherwise or which the Company has agreed to purchase or otherwise acquire, and (f) any binding commitment of the Company to fund any real estate investment or to fund any investment in any entity making such real estate investment; but excluding, however, (1) any such indebtedness, obligation or liability referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above as to which, in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such indebtedness, obligation or liability is not superior in right of payment to the Securities, or ranks pari passu with the Securities, (2) any such indebtedness, obligation or liability which is subordinated to indebtedness of the Company to substantially the same extent as or to a greater extent than the Securities are subordinated and (3) the Securities. As used in the preceding sentence the term “purchase-money obligations” shall mean indebtedness or obligations evidenced by a note, debenture, bond or other instrument (whether or not secured by any lien or other security interest but excluding indebtedness or obligations for which recourse is limited to the property purchased) issued or assumed as all or a part of the consideration for the acquisition of property, whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, but shall not include any trade accounts payable.
“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary, including its Subsidiaries, that meets either of the following conditions: (1) the Company and its other Subsidiaries’ investments in and advances to the Subsidiary exceed 10% of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ total assets consolidated (determined in accordance with GAAP) as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which an annual or quarterly report has been furnished to Holders or filed with the Commission; or (2) the Company’s and its other Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of the total assets (after intercompany eliminations) of the Subsidiary exceeds 10% of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ total assets consolidated (determined in accordance with GAAP) as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which an annual or quarterly report has been furnished to Holders or filed with the Commission.
“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Registered Security means a date fixed therefor by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.
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“Stated Maturity,” with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, means the date established by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is, or such Additional Amounts are, due and payable.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, any Person (excluding an individual), a majority of the outstanding voting stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other equity interest, as the case may be, of which is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries of the Company. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock having voting power for the election of trustees, directors or managers, as the case may be, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed; provided, however, that in the event that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person and as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
“United States,” means the United States of America (including the states thereof and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction; and the term “United States of America” means the United States of America.
“Vice President,” when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, as applicable, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “Vice President.”
“Voting Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any class or series of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of, or to appoint or to approve the appointment of, the trustees, directors or managing members of, or other persons holding similar positions with, such Person.
Section 102 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions 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, 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 or any of them is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in the Indenture (other than certificates delivered pursuant to Section 1007) must include:
(1) a statement that each person signing the certificate or opinion has read the covenant or condition and the related definitions;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in the certificate or opinion is based;
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(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such person, that person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable the person 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 or not, in the opinion of each such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 103 Form 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 or any Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the Opinion of Counsel with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based is erroneous. Any such 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 or any Guarantor, a governmental official or officers or any other Person or Persons, stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, unless counsel rendering the Opinion of Counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate, 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 or any Security, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 104 Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
(1) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by or pursuant to this Indenture to be made, given 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. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable. Such instrument or instruments 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, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, and any agent of the Trustee, the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
Without limiting the generality of this Section 104, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, a Holder, including a Depository that is a Holder of a global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies, duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a Depository that is a Holder of a global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security through such Depository’s standing instructions and customary practices.
(2) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient and in accordance with such reasonable rules as the Trustee may determine; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section.
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(3) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.
(4) If the Company or any Guarantor shall solicit from the Holders of any Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may at its option (but is not obligated to), by Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Registered Securities entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of Registered Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized, agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders of Registered Securities shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.
(5) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, the Company or any Guarantor in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such Act is made upon such Security.
Section 105 Notices, etc. to Trustee and the 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 or by the Company or any Guarantor shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (which may be by facsimile) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office at the location specified in Section 101; or
(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to the attention of the Secretary of the Company at the address of the Company’s principal office specified in writing to the Trustee by the Company and, until further notice, at Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., 814 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.
In addition to the foregoing, the Trustee and the Company agree to accept and act upon notices, instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee or the Company e-mail or facsimile notices, instructions or directions (or notices, instructions or directions by a similar electronic method) and any of the Trustee or the Company acts upon such notices, instructions or directions, the Trustee’s or the Company’s understanding, as applicable, of such notices, instructions or directions shall be deemed controlling. Neither the Trustee nor the Company shall be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s or the Company’s reliance, as applicable, upon and compliance with such notices, instructions or directions notwithstanding such notices, instructions or directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written notice, instruction or direction. The party providing electronic notices, instructions or directions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit notices, instructions and directions to the Trustee or the Company, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee or the Company acting on unauthorized notices, instructions or directions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.
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Section 106 Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Securities of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or if delivered electronically pursuant to the applicable procedures of the Depository, to each Holder affected by such event, at the Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the 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 given as provided herein. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or provided. In the case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee in its sole discretion shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
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 of Securities 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 107 Language of Notices.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language.
Section 108 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision of this Indenture 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 latter provision 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 109 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.
Section 110 Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company or any Guarantor shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 111 Separability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or any Security shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 112 Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or any Security, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities and, with respect to the provisions of Article Sixteen, the holders of Senior Debt, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
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Section 113 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.
This Indenture, the Securities and any Guarantees shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of law principles of such State other than New York General Obligations Law Section 5-1401. EACH OF THE COMPANY, ANY GUARANTOR AND THE TRUSTEE AND EACH HOLDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES, ANY GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section 114 Legal Holidays.
Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of, or any other day on which a payment is due with respect to, any Security shall be a day which is not a Business Day, then payment need not be made on such day, but such payment may be made on the next succeeding day that is a relevant Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, at the Stated Maturity or Maturity or on any such other payment date, as the case may be, and no interest shall accrue or be payable on the payment so deferred on such succeeding Business Day for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity, Maturity or other payment date, as the case may be, to such succeeding Business Day.
Section 115 Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
Section 116 Judgment Currency.
Each of the Company and any Guarantor agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, or premium or interest, if any, or Additional Amounts on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the date on which a final unappealable judgment is given and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with clause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed. The provisions of this Section 116 shall not be applicable with respect to any payment due on a Security which is payable in Dollars.
Section 117 Extension of Payment Dates.
In the event that (i) the terms of any Security established in or pursuant to this Indenture permit the Company or any Holder thereof to extend the date on which any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Security is due and payable and (ii) the due date for any such payment shall have been so extended, then all references herein to the Stated Maturity of such payment (and all references of like import) shall be deemed to refer to the date as so extended.
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Section 118 Immunity of General Partners, Limited Partners, Shareholders, Trustees, Officers, Employees, Incorporators and Agents of the Company and Guarantors.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any past, present or future general partner, limited partner, member, employee, incorporator, controlling person, shareholder, officer, trustee, director or agent, as such, of the Company, any Guarantor or of any of the Company’s or any Guarantor’s predecessors or successors, either directly or through the Company or any Guarantor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the Holders and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
Section 119 USA Patriot Act.
The parties hereto acknowledge that, in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. Each of the Company and any Guarantor agrees that it will provide the Trustee with such information as it may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, including documentation to verify its formation and existence as a legal entity, financial statements, licenses, and identification and authorization documents from individuals claiming authority to represent the entity or other relevant documentation.
Section 120 Force Majeure.
In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services.
Section 121 FATCA.
In order to comply with applicable tax laws, rules and regulations (inclusive of directives, guidelines and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) in effect from time to time (“Applicable Law”) that a foreign financial institution, or issuer, trustee, paying agent, holder or other institution is or has agreed to be subject to related to this Indenture, the Company agrees (i) to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide to the Trustee sufficient information about Holders or other applicable parties and/or transactions (including any modification to the terms of such transactions) that is reasonably requested by the Trustee so the Trustee can determine whether it has tax related obligations under Applicable Law, (ii) that the Trustee shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments under this Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law for which the Trustee shall not have any liability, and (iii) to hold harmless the Trustee for any losses it may suffer due to the actions it takes to comply with such Applicable Law, in case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), other than any liability or losses as may be attributable to the Trustee’s willful misconduct or negligence. The terms of this paragraph shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
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ARTICLE TWO
SECURITIES FORMS
Section 201 Forms Generally.
Each Registered Security and temporary or permanent global Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be in the form established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officer of the Company executing such Security as evidenced by the execution of such Security.
Definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods or in any other manner, all as determined by the officer of the Company executing such Securities, as evidenced by the execution of such Securities.
Section 202 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
Subject to Section 611, the Trustee’s certificate 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.
| [ ], as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| Dated: | ||
Section 203 Securities in Global Form.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, the Securities shall be issuable in global form. If Securities of a series shall be issuable in temporary or permanent global form, any such Security may provide that it or any principal amount of such Securities shall represent the aggregate amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series (or such lesser principal amount as is permitted by the terms thereof) from time to time endorsed thereon or reflected on the books and records of the Trustee and may also provide that the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of any Security in global form to reflect the principal amount, or any increase or decrease in the principal amount, or changes in the rights of Holders, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or pursuant to Section 301 with respect to such Security or in the Company Order to be delivered pursuant to Section 303 or 304 with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in global form in the manner and upon written instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or pursuant to Section 301 with respect to such Security or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 303 (with respect to Outstanding Securities) or 304 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officer’s Certificate and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, in the event a global Security is exchangeable for definitive Securities as provided in Section 305, then, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver such global Security to the extent necessary to effect such exchanges, shall endorse such global Security to reflect any decrease in the principal amount thereto resulting from such exchanges and shall take such other actions, all as contemplated by Section 305.
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Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, payment of principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of any Security in temporary or permanent global form shall be made to the Person in whose name such Security is registered.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company, any Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of the principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a global Security in registered form, the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register.
ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES
Section 301 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series.
With respect to any Securities to be authenticated and delivered hereunder, there shall be established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of any Securities of a series,
(1) the title of the Securities of such series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other series);
(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series which 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 such series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 905 or 1107, upon repayment in part of any Security of such series pursuant to Article Thirteen or upon surrender in part of any Security for conversion or exchange into Common Equity or other securities or property pursuant to its terms); provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may from time to time be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect;
(3) if such Securities are to be issuable as Registered Securities, as bearer securities or alternatively as bearer securities and Registered Securities, and whether the bearer securities are to be issuable with coupons, without coupons or both, and any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of the bearer securities and the terms, if any, upon which bearer securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities and vice versa and, with respect to bearer securities, any other provisions related to bearer securities not otherwise provided for herein;
(4) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form, when any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and (i) whether such Securities are to be issued in temporary or permanent global form or both, (ii) whether beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of the same series and of like tenor and of any authorized form and denomination, and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner specified in Section 305, (iii) the name of the Depository with respect to any such global Security and (iv) if applicable and in addition to the Persons specified in Section 305, the Person or Persons who shall be entitled to make any endorsements on any such global Security and to give the instructions and take the other actions with respect to such global Security contemplated by the first paragraph of Section 203;
(5) the date or dates, or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates shall be determined, on which the principal and premium, if any, of any Securities of the series is payable or the method used to determine or extend those dates;
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(6) the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method or methods, if any, by which such rate or rates are to be determined, the date or dates, if any, from which such interest shall accrue or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates are to be determined, the Interest Payment Dates, if any, on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date, the notice, if any, to Holders regarding the determination of interest on a floating rate Security and the manner of giving such notice, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
(7) if in addition to or other than the Corporate Trust Office, the place or places where the principal of, any premium and interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, any of such Securities that are Registered Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, any of such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange and notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be made and the manner in which any payment may be made;
(8) whether any of such Securities are to be redeemable at the option of the Company and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced;
(9) if the Company is obligated to redeem or purchase any of such Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of any Holder thereof and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and any provisions for the remarketing of such Securities so redeemed or purchased;
(10) the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Registered Securities shall be issuable if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;
(11) whether such Securities will be convertible into and/or exchangeable for Common Equity or other securities or property of the Company or of any other Person, and if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any deletions from or modifications or additions or changes to this Indenture to permit or to facilitate the issuance of such convertible or exchangeable Securities or the administration thereof;
(12) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any of such Securities that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the method by which such portion is to be determined;
(13) if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which purchases of such Securities must be made and the Foreign Currency in which payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities shall be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in Dollars for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 101;
(14) if the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Currency other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities or any of them are to be paid pursuant to such election, and any deletions from or modifications of or additions to the terms of this Indenture to provide for or to facilitate the issuance of Securities denominated or payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Foreign Currency;
(15) if the amount of payments of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method or methods (which index, formula or method or methods may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined and paid or payable;
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(16) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company or any Guarantor with respect to any of such Securities or any Guarantee (whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein), any additional covenants subject to waiver by the Act of Holders pursuant to Section 1006, and any change 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 502;
(17) if any one or more of the provisions of Section 401 relating to satisfaction and discharge, Section 402(2) relating to defeasance or Section 402(3) relating to Covenant Defeasance shall not be applicable to such Securities, and any covenants in addition to or other than those specified in Section 402(3) relating to such Securities which shall be subject to Covenant Defeasance, and, if such Securities are subject to repurchase or repayment at the option of the Holders thereof pursuant to Article Thirteen, if the Company’s obligation to repurchase or repay such Securities will be subject to satisfaction and discharge pursuant to Section 401 or to defeasance or Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 402, and, if the Holders of such Securities have the right to convert or exchange such Securities into Common Equity or other securities or property, if the right to effect such conversion or exchange will be subject to satisfaction and discharge pursuant to Section 401 or to defeasance or Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 402, and any deletions from, or modifications or additions to, the provisions of Article Four (including any modification which would permit satisfaction and discharge, defeasance or Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to less than all of the outstanding Securities of such series) in respect of such Securities;
(18) if any of such Securities are to be issuable upon the exercise of warrants, and the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;
(19) if any of such Securities are issuable in global form and are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;
(20) the circumstances under which the Company or any Guarantor will pay Additional Amounts on such Securities in respect of any tax, assessment or other government charge and whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts;
(21) if there is more than one Trustee, the identity of the Trustee that has any obligations, duties and remedies with respect to such Securities and, if not the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent with respect to such Securities;
(22) the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of such series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security will be paid if other than in the manner provided in this Indenture;
(23) whether the Securities of the series will be guaranteed by a Guarantor and, if so, the identity of such Guarantor, the extent to which, and the terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be guaranteed and, if applicable, the terms and conditions upon which such Guarantees may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the respective Guarantors;
(24) whether the Securities of the series will be secured and, if so, specification of the collateral and the extent to which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such Securities shall be secured;
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(25) 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);
(26) whether the Securities will not be issued in a transaction registered under the Securities Act and any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Securities of such series;
(27) the exchanges, if any, on which such Securities may be listed;
(28) the price or prices at which the Securities will be sold; and
(29) any other terms of such Securities and any deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture in respect of such Securities (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 901).
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical, except as may be provided by the Company in or pursuant to the Board Resolution and set forth in the Officer’s Certificate or in any indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pertaining to such series of Securities. The terms of the Securities of any series may provide, without limitation, that the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee on original issue from time to time upon written order of persons designated in the Board Resolutions of the Company or any Guarantor (with respect to its Guarantee), Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture, as the case may be, pertaining to such series of Securities and that such persons are authorized to determine, consistent with such Board Resolutions, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture, such terms and conditions of the Securities of such series as are specified in such Board Resolutions, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture.
All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided by the Company as contemplated by this Section 301, a series may be reopened from time to time without notice to or the consent of any Holders for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Securities.
If any of the terms of the Securities of any series shall be established by action taken by or pursuant to Board Resolutions of the Company, such Board Resolution(s) shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of such series.
Section 302 Currency; Denominations.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities shall be payable in Dollars. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, Registered Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Securities not denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in such denominations as are established with respect to such Securities in or pursuant to this Indenture.
Section 303 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
Securities and any Guarantee to be endorsed thereon shall be executed on behalf of the Company or the related Guarantor, as applicable, by the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer or one of the Presidents or Vice Presidents of the Company, or such Guarantor, and may (but need not) have the Company’s or the Guarantor’s, as applicable, corporate seal or a facsimile thereof reproduced thereon. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.
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Securities and any related Guarantees bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, bind the Company or such Guarantor, as applicable, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or the Securities upon which any such Guarantee is endorsed or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities or any such related Guarantee.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication and, provided that the Board Resolutions and Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture or indentures with respect to such Securities referred to in Section 301 and a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order and subject to the provisions hereof and of such Securities shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel to the following effect:
(a) the form or forms and terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with Sections 201 and 301 of this Indenture; and
(b) all conditions precedent set forth in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been complied with and that such Securities, when completed by appropriate insertions (if applicable), executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company, delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Company to the Trustee for authentication pursuant to this Indenture, and 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 binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, and that any Guarantee, when executed by a duly authorized signatory of the Guarantor and issued by such Guarantor in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel and when the Securities upon which such Guarantees have been endorsed have been completed, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Guarantor, except, in each case, as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and subject to such other exceptions as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee; provided, that such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to whether a court in the United States would render a money judgment in a currency other than that of the United States.
If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Opinion of Counsel at the time of issuance of each Security, but such opinion, with such modifications as counsel shall deem appropriate, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series. After any such first delivery, any separate request by the Company that the Trustee authenticate Securities of such series for original issue will be accompanied by (i) a certification by the Company that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to authentication and delivery of such Securities continue to have been complied with and (ii) a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.
The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate or to cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any 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 will otherwise be in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken.
Each Registered 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 in Section 202 or 611 executed by or on behalf of the Trustee or by the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of one of its authorized signatories. Such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.
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Section 304 Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities, the Company may execute and deliver to the Trustee and, upon Company Order, the Trustee or Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver, in the manner provided in Section 303, temporary Securities in lieu thereof which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers of the Company executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global form.
Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form, which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Indenture or the provisions established pursuant to Section 301, if temporary Securities are issued, the Company shall cause definitive Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, after the preparation of definitive Securities of the same series and containing terms and provisions that are identical to those of any temporary Securities, such temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for such definitive Securities upon surrender of such temporary Securities at an Office or Agency for such Securities, without charge to any Holder thereof. Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities, the Company shall execute and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of authorized denominations of the same series and containing identical terms and provisions. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture with respect to a temporary global Security, 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 305 Registration, Transfer and Exchange.
With respect to the Registered Securities of each series, if any, the Company shall cause to be kept a register (each such register being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) at an Office or Agency for such series in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of the Registered Securities of such series and of transfers and exchanges of the Registered Securities of such series. Such Office or Agency shall be the “Security Registrar” for that series of Securities. Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities, the initial Security Registrar for each series of Securities shall be as specified in the second to last paragraph of Section 1002. The Company shall have the right to remove and replace from time to time the Security Registrar for any series of Securities; provided that no such removal or replacement shall be effective until a successor Security Registrar with respect to such series of Securities shall have been appointed by the Company and shall have accepted such appointment. In the event that the Trustee shall not be or shall cease to be Security Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register for such series at all reasonable times. There shall be only one Security Register for each series of Securities.
Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any Office or Agency for such series, the Company shall execute, and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series denominated as authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture, of a like aggregate principal amount bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.
Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, at the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series containing identical terms and provisions, in any authorized denominations, and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any Office or Agency for such series. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, the global Securities of any series shall be exchangeable for definitive certificated Securities of such series only if (i) the Depository for such global Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable or no longer qualified to continue as a Depository for such global Securities or at any time the Depository for such global Securities ceases to be a clearing agency registered as such under the Exchange Act, if so required by applicable law or regulation, and no successor Depository for such Securities shall have been appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notification or of the Company becoming aware of the Depository’s ceasing to be so registered, as the case may be, (ii) the Company, in its sole discretion and subject to the Depository’s procedures, determines that the Securities of such series shall no longer be represented by one or more global Securities and executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order to the effect that such global Securities shall be so exchangeable or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such Securities and the Depository or the Company specifically requests such exchange.
If the beneficial owners of interests in a global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for definitive Securities as the result of an event described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding paragraph, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in such form and denominations as are required by or pursuant to this Indenture, and of the same series, containing identical terms and in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such global Security shall be surrendered from time to time by the Depository (or its custodian) as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto (which the Company agrees to deliver), and in accordance with instructions given to the Trustee and the Depository as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or in part, for definitive Securities as described above without charge. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for each portion of such surrendered global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such global Security to be exchanged, which shall be in such denominations and, in the case of Registered Securities, registered in such names, as shall be specified by the Depository, but subject to the satisfaction of any certification or other requirements to the issuance of securities; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities of the same series to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date. Promptly following any such exchange in part, such global Security shall be returned by the Trustee to such Depository (or its custodian) or such other Depository (or its custodian) referred to above in accordance with the instructions of the Company referred to above, and the Trustee shall endorse such global Security to reflect the decrease in the principal amount thereof resulting from such exchange. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a global Security after the close of business at the Office or Agency for such Security where such exchange occurs on or after (i) any Regular Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related proposed date for payment of interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, interest shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such global Security shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company evidencing the same debt and entitling the Holders thereof to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar for such Security) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar for such Security duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, or any redemption or repayment of Securities, or any conversion or exchange of Securities for other types of securities or property, 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 registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 905 or 1107, upon repayment or repurchase in part of any Registered Security pursuant to Article Thirteen, or upon surrender in part of any Registered Security for conversion or exchange into Common Equity or other securities or property pursuant to its terms, in each case not involving any transfer.
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Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, the Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the selection for redemption of Securities of like tenor and terms and of the same series under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on the day of such selection, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security, or portion thereof, so selected for redemption, except in the case of any Registered Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which, in accordance with its terms, has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder pursuant to Article Thirteen and not withdrawn, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.
Section 306 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 306, the Company shall execute and, upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be reasonably required by them to save each of them and any agent of either 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 the Company’s written request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 306, in case any 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, 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 and its legal counsel) connected therewith.
Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute a separate 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, as amended or supplemented pursuant to this Indenture with respect to particular Securities or generally, shall (to the extent lawful) be 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 307 Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, and are punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.
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Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, but shall not be punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for such Registered Security (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof 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 Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be 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 such Registered 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 on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when so deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Person 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 given to the Holder of such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) in the manner set forth in Section 106 not less than 10 days prior to 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 Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2); or
(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 such Security may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of any particular series, at the option of the Company, interest on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States of America.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of 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, which were carried by such other Security.
Section 308 Persons Deemed Owners.
Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, any Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered in the Security Register as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, any premium and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Registered Security shall be overdue, and none of the Company, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any agent of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
No owner of any beneficial interest in any global Security held on its behalf by a Depository shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such global Security, and such Depository may be treated by the Company, any Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee as the owner of such global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any agent of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any agent of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the applicable Depository, as a Holder, with respect to a global Security or impair, as between such Depository and the owners of beneficial interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such Depository (or its nominee) as the Holder of such global Security.
Section 309 Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer, exchange or conversion or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be promptly delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities, as well as Securities surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose, shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures, unless by a Company Order the Company directs their return to it.
Section 310 Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or in the Securities of any series, interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Section 311 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 notices of redemption 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 Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption 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. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.
ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
Section 401 Satisfaction and Discharge.
Unless, pursuant to Section 301, the provisions of this Section 401 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of any series, upon the direction of the Company by a Company Order, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Order and any Guarantee of such Securities, and the Trustee, on receipt of a Company Order, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when,
(1) either
(a) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, and (ii) Securities of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
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(b) all such Securities of such series 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, or
(iii) if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably 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 (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose, money in the Currency in which such Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including the principal of, any premium and interest on, and, to the extent that the Securities of such series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts thereon and the amount of any such Additional Amounts which are or will be payable with respect to the Securities of such series is at the time of deposit determinable by the Company (in the exercise by the Company of its reasonable discretion), any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Securities, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Maturity thereof, as the case may be;
(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series (including amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 606); and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to the Securities of such series have been complied with.
In the event there are Securities of two or more series Outstanding hereunder, the Trustee shall be required to execute an instrument acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture only if requested to do so with respect to Securities of such series as to which it is Trustee, if in form and content reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and if the other conditions thereto are met.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 606 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series under Sections 305, 306, 403, 404, 1002, 1003 and, if applicable to the Securities of such series, 1004 (including, without limitation, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Securities as contemplated by Section 1004, but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 401(1)(b)), the obligations of any Guarantor under any Guarantee in respect of Additional Amounts, any rights of Holders of the Securities of such series (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to require the Company to repurchase or repay, and the obligations of the Company to repurchase or repay, such Securities at the option of the Holders pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof, and any rights of Holders of the Securities of such series (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to convert or exchange, and the obligations of the Company to convert or exchange, such Securities into Common Equity or other securities or property, shall survive.
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Section 402 Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.
(1) Unless, pursuant to Section 301, either or both of (i) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (2) of this Section 402 or (ii) Covenant Defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (3) of this Section 402 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series, then such provisions, together with the other provisions of this Section 402 (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to the Securities of or within such series, elect to have Section 402(2) or Section 402(3) be applied to such Outstanding Securities and any Guarantees of such Outstanding Securities upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Section 402. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, defeasance under clause (2) of this Section 402 and Covenant Defeasance under clause (3) of this Section 402 may be effected only with respect to all, and not less than all, of the Outstanding Securities of any series. To the extent that the terms of any Security established in or pursuant to this Indenture permit the Company or any Holder thereof to extend the date on which any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Security is due and payable, then unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301, the right to extend such date shall terminate upon defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be.
(2) Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 402(2) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company and any Guarantor, as applicable, shall be deemed to have been discharged from their respective obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities on the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 402 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of clause (5) of this Section 402 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in subclauses (i) through (iv) of this clause (2), and that each of the Company and any Guarantor shall be deemed to have satisfied all of their respective other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities to receive, solely (except as provided in subclause (ii) below) from the trust fund described in clause (4)(a) of this Section 402 and as more fully set forth in this Section 402 and in Section 403, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Securities when such payments are due, (ii) the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to such Securities under Sections 305, 306, 1002, 1003 and, if applicable to the Securities of such series, 1004 (including, without limitation, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Securities as contemplated by Section 1004, but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to clause (4)(a) of this Section 402)), the obligations of any Guarantor under a Guarantee in respect of Additional Amounts, as applicable, any rights of Holders of such Securities (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to require the Company to repurchase or repay, and the obligations of the Company to repurchase or repay, such Securities at the option of the Holders pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof, and any rights of Holders of such Securities (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to convert or exchange, and the obligations of the Company to convert or exchange, such Securities into Common Equity or other securities or property, (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (iv) this Section 402 and Sections 403 and 404. The Company may exercise its option under this Section 402(2) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 402(3) with respect to such Securities.
(3) Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 402(3) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company and any Guarantor, as applicable, shall be released from their respective obligations under clause (ii) of Section 1005, Section 704 and, to the extent specified pursuant to Section 301, any other covenant applicable to such Securities with respect to such Securities shall cease to be applicable to such Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 402 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and such Securities shall thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with any such covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means, with respect to such Outstanding Securities, the Company and any Guarantor, as applicable, may omit to comply with, and shall have no liability in respect of, any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or any such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default under Section 501(3) or otherwise, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.
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(4) The following shall be the conditions to application of clause (2) or (3) of this Section 402 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series:
(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 607 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Section 402 applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, (1) an amount in Dollars or in such Foreign Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity or, if such defeasance or Covenant Defeasance is to be effected in compliance with subsection (f) below, on the relevant Redemption Date, as the case may be, or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity or, if such defeasance or Covenant Defeasance is to be effected in compliance with subsection (f) below, on the relevant Redemption Date, as the case may be) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof, in any case, in an amount, sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (y) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and, to the extent that such Securities provide for the payment of Additional Amounts thereon and the amount of any such Additional Amounts which are or will be payable with respect to the Securities of such series is at the time of deposit reasonably determinable by the Company (in the exercise by the Company of its reasonable discretion), any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Outstanding Securities on the Maturity or Stated Maturity of such principal or interest, and (z) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities.
(b) Such defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound.
(c) No Event of Default or event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit, and, solely in the case of defeasance under Section 402(2), no Event of Default with respect to such Securities under clause (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501 or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities under clause (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501 shall have occurred and be continuing at any time during the period ending on and including the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition to defeasance under Section 402(2) shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).
(d) In the case of defeasance pursuant to Section 402(2), the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of independent counsel acceptable to the Trustee stating that (x) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (y) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of independent counsel shall confirm that, the Holders and beneficial owners of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred; or, in the case of Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 402(3), the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of independent counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee to the effect that the Holders and beneficial owners of such Outstanding Securities and will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred.
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(e) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, under this Indenture have been complied with.
(f) If the monies or Government Obligations or combination thereof, as the case may be, deposited under subclause (a) above are sufficient to pay the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on and, to the extent provided in such subclause (a), Additional Amounts with respect to, such Securities on a particular Redemption Date, the Company shall have given the Trustee irrevocable instructions to redeem such Securities on such date and to provide notice of such redemption to Holders as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture.
(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 402(4), such defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.
(5) Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee (collectively for purposes of this Section 402(5) and Section 403, the “Trustee”)) pursuant to clause (4)(a) of Section 402 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (other than the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 402(4)(a) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 301 or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 402(4)(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs in respect of the Foreign Currency in which the deposit pursuant to Section 402(4)(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on (x) in the case of payments made pursuant to subclause (a) above, the applicable market exchange rate for such Currency in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, or (y) with respect to a Conversion Event, the applicable market exchange rate for such Foreign Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge, imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to this Section 402 or the principal or interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities.
Anything in this Section 402 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in clause (4)(a) of this Section 402 which, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Section 402.
Section 403 Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 or 402 shall be held in trust and applied by it, 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, premium, interest and Additional Amounts for whose payment such money has or Government Obligations have been deposited with or received by the Trustee; but such money and Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
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Section 404 Reinstatement.
If the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee appointed pursuant to Section 402(4)(a)) or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any moneys or Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 401(1) or 402(4)(a) to pay any principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to the Securities of any series by reason of any legal proceeding or any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of such series and the Guarantee shall be revived and reinstated as though no such deposit had occurred, until such time as the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such moneys and Government Obligations to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on and Additional Amounts, if any, in respect of the Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 401 or 402 as the case may be, and Section 403; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, in respect of the Securities of such series following the reinstatement of its obligations as aforesaid, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the funds held by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) or Paying Agent.
Section 405 Qualifying Trustee.
Any trustee appointed pursuant to Section 402(4)(a) for the purpose of holding trust funds deposited pursuant to that Section shall be appointed under an agreement in form acceptable to the Trustee and shall provide to the Trustee a certificate of such trustee, upon which certificate the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely, that all conditions precedent provided for herein to the related defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with. In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any acts or omissions of said trustee.
ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
Section 501 Events of Default.
An “Event of Default” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series (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) means any of the following events, or any other event as specified in accordance with Section 301 for a particular series of Securities:
(1) default for thirty (30) days in the payment of any installment of interest or Additional Amounts payable with respect to such interest under the Securities of that series;
(2) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any principal of or premium, if any, on, the Securities of that series, when the same becomes due and payable or default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of that series when due;
(3) the Company fails to comply with any of the Company’s other agreements contained in the Securities of that series or this Indenture (other than an agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series) upon receipt by the Company of notice of such default by the Trustee or receipt by the Company and the Trustee of notice of such default by Holders of not less than twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then outstanding and the Company fails to cure (or obtain a waiver of) such default within sixty (60) days after the Company receives such notice;
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(4) failure to pay any recourse indebtedness for monies borrowed by the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary in an outstanding principal amount in excess of $100 million at final maturity or upon acceleration after the expiration of any applicable notice and grace period, which recourse indebtedness is not discharged, or such default in payment or acceleration is not cured or rescinded, within thirty (30) days after written notice to the Company from the Trustee (or to the Company and the Trustee from Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that series);
(5) the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to, under or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law: (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or its debts or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary; (b) consents to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary; (c) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or (d) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;
(6) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or its debts under any Bankruptcy Law or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of thirty (30) calendar days; or
(7) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that: (a) is for relief against the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding; (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary; or (c) orders the liquidation of the Company, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary; and, in each case in this clause (7), the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for thirty (30) calendar days.
Section 502 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501) with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, then either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series may declare the principal of, and premium, if any, on all of the Securities of such series, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal or such lesser amount, as the case may be, and such accrued and unpaid interest shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501 with respect to the Securities of any series occurs, then the principal of, and premium, if any, on all of the Securities of such series, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of the Securities of such series.
At any time after Securities of any series have been accelerated by declaration of the Trustee or the Holders 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 such series, by written notice to the Company, any Guarantor and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if
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(1) the Company has paid or deposited, or cause to be paid or deposited, with the Trustee a sum of money sufficient to pay (or, to the extent that the terms of the Securities of such series established pursuant to Section 301 expressly provide for payment to be made in shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, together with cash in lieu of fractional shares or securities, sufficient to pay):
(a) all overdue installments of any interest on any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto,
(b) the principal of and any premium on any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, interest thereon at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for in or with respect to such Securities, or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by such Securities,
(c) to the extent permitted by applicable law, interest upon installments of any interest, if any, which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for in or with respect to such Securities, or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by such 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 all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 606; and
(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of such series other than the non-payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series which shall have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, shall have been waived as provided in Section 513 or cured.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 503 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if:
(1) default is made in the payment of any interest on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any interest on, any Security when such interest or Additional Amounts, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or
(2) default is made in the payment of any principal of or premium, if any, on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any principal of or premium, if any, on, any Security at its Maturity, when the same becomes due and payable, or
(3) default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, if applicable, when due, and such default continues for three Business Days,
the Company or any Guarantor shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount of money then due and payable with respect to such Securities, with interest upon the overdue principal, any premium and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for or with respect to such Securities or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount of money as shall be sufficient to cover the reasonable costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 606.
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If the Company (and any applicable Guarantor) fails to pay the money it is required to pay the Trustee pursuant to the preceding paragraph forthwith upon the demand of the Trustee, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the money so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company, any Guarantor 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, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon such 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 for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or such Securities or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein or therein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 504 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company, such Guarantor or such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities 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 any overdue principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, of the principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents or counsel) and of the Holders of Securities allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
(2) 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 of Securities to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent in writing in its sole discretion to the making of such payments directly to the Holders of Securities, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder), its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee hereunder.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security 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 of a Security in any such proceeding.
Section 505 Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of 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 or judgment, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, shall be for the ratable benefit of each and every Holder of a Security in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
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Section 506 Application of Money Collected.
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Five with respect to the Securities of any series 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 on account of principal, or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts, upon presentation of such Securities, or both, as the case may be, 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 (acting in any capacity hereunder) and any predecessor Trustee under the Indenture;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts 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 aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts;
THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Company.
Section 507 Limitations on Suits.
No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or such Security, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, 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 such series;
(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such 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 indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it against the losses, damages, costs, expenses and liabilities, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses and court costs, 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 such 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 of, any provision of this Indenture or any Security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holders or Holders of Securities of any other series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other 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 508 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, on and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security, on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities therefor specified in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof at the option of such Holder if provided in or pursuant
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to this Indenture, on the date such repayment is due) and, in the case of any Security which is convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property, to convert or exchange, as the case may be, such Security in accordance with its terms, and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and any such right to convert or exchange, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 509 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security 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 or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, any Guarantor (if applicable), the Trustee and each such Holder 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 and each such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 510 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
To the extent permitted by applicable law and except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to each and every Holder of a Security is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy, to the extent permitted by law, shall 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, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Section 511 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, 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 any Holder of a Security may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by such Holder, as the case may be.
Section 512 Control by Holders of Securities.
The Holders of 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 or with the Securities of any series and could not involve the Trustee in personal liability,
(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and
(3) such direction is not unduly prejudicial to the rights of the other Holders of Securities of such series (or any other series) not joining in such action.
Section 513 Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series may waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except
(1) a continuing default in the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series, or
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(2) in the case of any Securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Equity or other securities or property, a continuing default in any such conversion or exchange, or
(3) a continuing default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
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 514 Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company covenants that (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or any other law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which would prohibit or forgive the Company or any applicable Guarantor from paying all or any portion of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, as contemplated in this Indenture, any Guarantee and the Securities or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities; and each of the Company and any Guarantor 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 or the Holders, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
Section 515 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 any undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, 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 515 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 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, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date, and, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof, on or after the date for repayment) or for the enforcement of the right, if any, to convert or exchange any Security into Common Equity or other securities or property in accordance with its terms.
ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
Section 601 Certain Rights of Trustee.
The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, that (i) notwithstanding Section 315(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts, statements, opinions or conclusions stated in the certificates or opinions referred to therein, and (ii) except during the continuance of an Event of Default, no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 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 it 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 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.
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In connection with this Indenture and any Securities issued hereunder, subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act:
(1) the 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, coupon or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(2) any request or direction of the Company or any Guarantor shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or a Company Order (in each case, other than delivery of any Security, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(3) 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 shall be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;
(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection 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;
(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by or pursuant to this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the losses, damages, costs, expenses and liabilities, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses and court costs, which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(6) 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, debenture, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, upon reasonable prior written notice and during normal business hours, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;
(7) 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;
(8) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers. The Trustee is not required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers under this Indenture. The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so;
(9) the Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail (PDF only), facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods, provided, however, that the Company and any Guarantor, as applicable, shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing designated persons with the authority to provide such instructions, which incumbency certificate shall be amended whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company or any Guarantor elects to
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give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile transmission instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its sole and absolute discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, damages, costs, fees or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or inconsistency with a subsequent written instruction. The Company and any Guarantor, as applicable, agree to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception by third parties;
(10) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;
(11) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;
(12) in no event shall the Trustee be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder; and
(13) the Trustee may request that the Company and any Guarantor deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.
Section 602 Notice of Defaults.
Within 90 days after the Trustee has actual knowledge 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, notice of such default hereunder actually known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(3) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series; provided that any default that results solely from the taking of an action that would have been permitted but for the continuation of a previous default will be deemed to be cured if such previous default is cured prior to becoming an Event of Default. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any default or Event of Default under this Indenture or related documents unless (i) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (ii) the Trustee shall have received notice in writing of such default or Event of Default by the Company or by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding of the affected series, and such notice is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.
Section 603 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate 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, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. 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.
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Section 604 May Hold Securities; Transactions with the Company or any Guarantor.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other Person that may be an agent of the Trustee or the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Company or any Guarantor with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other Person; provided, however, that if the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest under the Trust Indenture Act relating to any of its duties with respect to the Securities, it must either eliminate such conflict or resign as Trustee, subject to its right under the Trust Indenture Act to seek a stay of its duty to resign.
Section 605 Money Held in Trust.
Except as provided in Section 403 and Section 1003, money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and shall be held uninvested. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.
Section 606 Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company and, in the event that the Company fails to perform the following obligations and indemnities, any Guarantor, agrees:
(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as agreed in writing for all services rendered by the Trustee (in any capacity) hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) 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, such as attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to the Trustee’s negligence or willful misconduct; and
(3) to indemnify the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder), its directors, officers, employees and its agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, claim, cause of action, damage, liability or reasonable cost or expense (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Trustee’s agents, legal counsel, accountants and experts) arising out of or in connection with this Indenture or the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, any Guarantor, a Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent that any such loss, claim, cause of action, damage, liability or expense was due to the Trustee’s negligence or willful misconduct.
The foregoing payment obligations and indemnities shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company and any Guarantor under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, or premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to particular Securities.
Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, any compensation or expense incurred by the Trustee after a default specified by Section 501(5), (6) or (7) is intended to constitute an expense of administration under any then applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law. “Trustee” for purposes of this Section 606 shall include any predecessor Trustee but the negligence or willful misconduct of any Trustee shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee under this Section 606. The provisions of this Section 606 shall, to the extent permitted by law, survive any termination or expiration of this Indenture (including, without limitation, termination pursuant to any bankruptcy or insolvency laws) and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
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Section 607 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a Corporation, organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, eligible under Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and that has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000 subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. 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.
Section 608 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(1) 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 pursuant to Section 609.
(2) 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 the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 609 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.
(3) 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 the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 609 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of removal, the Trustee being removed may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.
(4) If at any time:
(a) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the obligations imposed upon it under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to Securities of any series after written request therefor by the Company or any Holder of a Security of such series who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months, or
(b) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 607 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or any such Holder, or
(c) 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, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or the Securities of such series, or (ii) subject to Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
(5) 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 or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities
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of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 609. 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 in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 609, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent 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 of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 609, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself 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.
(6) 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 in the manner provided in Section 106. 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 609 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
(1) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and 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 hereunder of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and, subject to Section 1003, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien, if any, provided for in Section 606.
(2) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, any Guarantor, the retiring Trustee and such successor Trustee 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, such 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 co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts separate and apart from trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any notice given to, or received by, or any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder, 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, such retiring Trustee shall have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates other than as hereinafter expressly set forth, 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 with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on written request of the Company or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor relates and subject to Section 1003 shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the 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, subject to its lien, if any, provided for in Section 606.
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(3) Upon request of any Person appointed hereunder as a successor Trustee, the Company and any Guarantor shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of this Section, as the case may be.
(4) No Person shall accept its appointment hereunder as a successor Trustee unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Person shall be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and eligible under this Article.
Section 610 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any Corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any Corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder (provided that such Corporation shall otherwise be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act 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 such successor to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. In case any Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee.
Section 611 Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint one or more Authenticating Agents acceptable to the Company with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of that or those series issued upon original issue, exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption, partial repayment, partial conversion or exchange for Common Equity or other securities or property, or pursuant to Section 306, 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 and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.
Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, shall at all times be a Corporation that would be permitted by the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, is authorized under applicable law and by its charter to act as an Authenticating Agent and has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
Any Corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any Corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, provided such Corporation 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 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 the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a
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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 106 to all Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent shall serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment 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 provisions of this Section.
The Company agrees to pay each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section. If the Trustee makes such payments, it shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 606.
The provisions of Sections 308, 603 and 604 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.
If an Authenticating Agent is appointed with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| [NAME OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT], | ||
| By: |
||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| Dated: |
||
If all of the Securities of any series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested in writing (which writing need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officer’s Certificate), shall appoint in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities.
ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE, COMPANY AND GUARANTORS
Section 701 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
In accordance with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee,
(1) semi-annually with respect to Securities of each series, a list, in each case in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders as of the applicable date, and
(2) at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of the names and addresses of Holders as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished,
provided, however, that so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar no such list shall be required to be furnished pursuant to either clause (1) or clause (2) of this Section 701.
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Section 702 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
(1) 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 701 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee shall comply with the obligations imposed upon it pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.
(2) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company, any Guarantor and the Trustee that none of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee or any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived.
Section 703 Reports by Trustee.
(1) Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 following the first issuance of Securities pursuant to Section 301, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall transmit, pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report dated as of such May 15 with respect to any of the events specified in said Section 313(a) which may have occurred since the later of the immediately preceding May 15 and the date of this Indenture.
(2) The Trustee shall transmit the reports required by the Trust Indenture Act, including Sections 313(a), 313(b), 313(c) and 313(d), at the times, in the manner and to the Persons specified therein.
(3) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
Section 704 Reports by the Company.
For so long as any Securities are outstanding, if the Company is subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision, the Company will deliver to the Trustee the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents which it is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) or any successor provision, within 15 days after the date that the Company files the same with the Commission. If the Company is not subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision, and for so long as any Securities are outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee the quarterly and annual financial statements and accompanying Item 303 of Regulation S-K (“management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations”) disclosure that would be required to be contained in annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q required to be filed with the Commission if the Company was subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision, within 15 days of the filing date that would be applicable to the Company at that time pursuant to applicable Commission rules and regulations.
Reports and other documents filed with the Commission via the EDGAR system will be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time of such filing via EDGAR for purposes of this covenant; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been filed via EDGAR. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including its compliance with any of the covenants relating to the Securities (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officer’s Certificate).
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ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALES AND SUBSTITUTION
Section 801 The Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with the Company), or successive consolidations or mergers in which either the Company will be the continuing entity or the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company); provided, however, that the following conditions are met:
(1) the Company shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than the Company) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of property and assets shall be domiciled in the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(3) either the Company or the successor Person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Section 802 Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of any Guarantor with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor), or successive consolidations or mergers in which such Guarantor will be the continuing entity or such Guarantor or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property and assets of such Guarantor, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor); provided, however, that the following conditions are met:
(1) such Guarantor shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than such Guarantor) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of property and assets shall be domiciled in the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume the obligations of such Guarantor under the applicable Guarantee and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(3) either such Guarantor or the successor Person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate of such Guarantor and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, sale, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
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Section 803 Successor Person Substituted for the Company or Guarantor.
If the Company or any Guarantor shall, in any transaction or series of related transactions, consolidate with or merge into any Person or sell, assign, transfer, lease or otherwise convey all or substantially all its property and assets to any Person, in each case in accordance with Section 801 or Section 802, as applicable, the successor Person formed by or resulting from such consolidation or merger or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease or other conveyance of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company or such Guarantor, as applicable, is made, shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company or such Guarantor, as applicable, under this Indenture, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of the applicable series, with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company or Guarantor, as applicable, herein; and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the applicable Securities.
ARTICLE NINE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 901 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders of Securities, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution), any Guarantor, if affected thereby, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto for any of the following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company or any Guarantor, if applicable, or successive successions, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company or any Guarantor, if applicable, contained herein and in the Securities; or
(2) to add to the covenants of the Company or any Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or any Guarantor with respect to all or any series of Securities issued under this Indenture (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures); or
(3) to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities or any Guarantee, provided any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series; or
(4) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, including, without limitation, any conversion or exchange provisions applicable to Securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property, and any deletions from or additions or changes to this Indenture in connection therewith (provided that any such deletions, additions and changes shall not be applicable to any other series of Securities then Outstanding); or
(5) 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 609; or
(6) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the Indenture; or
(7) to make any change necessary to comply with any requirement of the Commission in connection with the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or
(8) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders with respect to all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture) (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all of the Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); or
(9) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance, Covenant Defeasance and/or satisfaction and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Article Four, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holder of a Security of such series or any other Security; or
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(10) to add one or more Guarantees for the benefit of Holders of all or any series of Securities, to secure the Securities or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any Guarantee or lien securing the Securities which such release, termination or discharge is permitted by this Indenture; or
(11) to amend or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture or in any Securities (which amendment or supplement may apply to one or more series of Securities or to one or more Securities within any series as specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures), provided that such amendment or supplement (A) does not (i) apply to any Outstanding Security issued prior to the date of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefits of such provision or (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or (B) shall become effective only when there is no Security described in clause (A)(i) Outstanding; or
(12) in the case of any series of Securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Equity or other securities or property, to safeguard or provide for the conversion or exchange rights, as the case may be, of such Securities in the event of any reclassification or change of outstanding shares of Common Equity or any merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or combination of the Company with or into another Person or any sale, lease, assignment, transfer, disposition or other conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any other Person or other similar transactions, if expressly required by the terms of such series of Securities established pursuant to Section 301; or
(13) to conform the terms of the Indenture or the Securities of a series, as applicable, to the description thereof contained in any prospectus, prospectus supplement or other offering document relating to the offer and sale of such Securities; or
(14) subject to any limitations established pursuant to Section 301, to provide for the issuance of additional Securities of any series; or
(15) to comply with the rules of any applicable Depository; or
(16) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any Holder in any material respect;
(17) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; or
(18) to add a co-issuer or co-obligor of the Securities;
(19) to provide for reduction in the minimum denominations of the debt securities; or
(20) to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the Securities may be listed or traded.
Section 902 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as separate classes) by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution), any Guarantor, if affected thereby, 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 the Securities of such series or of any Guarantee or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, that no such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, shall
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(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or premium, if any, or any installment of interest, if any, on, or any Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the premium, if any, thereon or the rate (or modify the calculation of such rate) of interest thereon, or reduce the amount payable upon redemption thereof at the option of the Company or repayment or repurchase thereof at the option of the Holder, or reduce any Additional Amounts payable with respect to any Security or any Guarantee, or change the obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1004 (except as contemplated by Section 801(1) and permitted by Section 901(1)) or the obligation of any Guarantor to pay Additional Amounts under any Guarantee, or reduce the amount of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or adversely affect the right of repayment or repurchase at the option of any Holder as contemplated by Article Thirteen, or change the Place of Payment where or the Currency in which the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or any Guarantee 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, in the case of repayment or repurchase pursuant to Article Thirteen at the option of the Holder, on or after the date for repayment or repurchase) in each case as such Stated Maturity, Redemption Date or date for repayment or repurchase may, if applicable, be extended in accordance with the terms of such Security, or in the case of any Security which is convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, impair the right to institute suit to enforce the right to convert or exchange such Security in accordance with its terms, or release a Guarantor from any of its obligations under a Guarantee except as permitted under this Indenture, 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 Section 513 or 1006 of this Indenture, or
(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section 1006 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 Outstanding Security affected thereby, or
(4) make any change that adversely affects the right, if any, to convert or exchange any Security for shares of Common Equity or other securities or property in accordance with its terms.
Other than as set forth above, a supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which shall have been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such 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.
Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, if more than one series of Securities is Outstanding, the Company and any Guarantor shall be entitled to enter into a supplemental indenture under this Section 902 with respect to any one or more series of Outstanding Securities without entering into a supplemental indenture with respect to any other series of Outstanding Securities.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Securities 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 903 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
As a condition to executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trust created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of each of the Company and any Guarantor to the effect that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and is a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of, each of the Company and any Guarantor, respectively, subject to customary exceptions. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
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Upon a Company Request, accompanied by the Officer’s Certificates and Opinions of Counsel provided for in Section 102 and this Section 903, and, if applicable, upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the other parties thereto in the execution of a supplemental indenture, subject to the protection afforded to the Trustee by the last sentence of the first paragraph of this Section 903.
Section 904 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 a Security theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
Section 905 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation 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 Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, upon Company Order, in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
Section 906 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Unless the Company shall determine, based on an Opinion of Counsel delivered to the Trustee, that the same shall not be required, every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS
Section 1001 Payment of Principal, Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.
The Company covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid when due the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article Eleven hereof), and premium, if any, and interest on each of the Securities at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the Securities; provided, that the Company or Paying Agent may withhold from payments of interest and upon redemption pursuant to Article Three hereof, maturity or otherwise, any amounts the Company or Paying Agent is required to withhold by law.
Section 1002 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain an office or agency, where the Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or redemption and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. As of the date of this Indenture, such office shall be the Corporate Trust Office and, at any other time, at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Company. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency not designated or appointed by the Trustee. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office.
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The Company may also from time to time designate co-registrars and one or more offices or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Company hereby initially designates the Trustee as Paying Agent, Security Registrar and Transfer Agent, and the Corporate Trust Office shall be considered as one such office or agency of the Company for each of the aforesaid purposes.
So long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar, the Trustee agrees to mail (or send by electronic transmission), or cause to be mailed, the notices set forth in Section 608(6) hereof. If co-registrars have been appointed in accordance with this Section 1002, the Trustee shall mail such notices only to the Company and the Holders of Securities it can identify from its records.
Section 1003 Provisions as to Paying Agent.
(1) If the Company shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, or if the Trustee shall appoint such a Paying Agent, the Company will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 1003: (a) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Securities) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities; (b) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities when the same shall be due and payable; and (c) that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust.
The Company shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum (in funds which are immediately available on the due date for such payment) sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action; provided, that if such deposit is made on the due date, such deposit shall be received by the Paying Agent by 12:00 p.m. New York City time, on such date.
(2) If the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and interest so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company (or any other obligor under the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities when the same shall become due and payable.
(3) Anything in this Section 1003 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or any Paying Agent hereunder as required by this Section 1003, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment by the Company or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Company or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for the actions of any other Paying Agents (including the Company if acting as its own Paying Agent) and shall have no control of any funds held by such other Paying Agents.
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 or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall 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
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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 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, 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 1004 Additional Amounts.
In the event that the Company is required to make the payment of Additional Amounts to Holders of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the Company will provide written notice (“Additional Amounts Notice”) to the Trustee of its obligation to pay Additional Amounts no later than fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the proposed payment date for Additional Amounts, and the Additional Amount Notice shall set forth the amount of Additional Amounts to be paid by the Company on such payment date. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities to determine the Additional Amounts, or with respect to the nature, extent or calculation of the amount of Additional Amounts when made, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of the Additional Amounts.
Section 1005 Corporate Existence.
Subject to Article Eight, each of the Company and any Guarantor will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its (i) existence, and (ii) rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, that neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee of that Board of Directors), as applicable, shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable.
Section 1006 Waiver of Certain Covenants.
The Company and any Guarantor may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 1005(ii) and 704 with respect to the Securities of any series and, if expressly provided pursuant to Section 301(16), any additional covenants applicable to the Securities of such series if, before the time for such compliance, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either shall waive such compliance in such instance or generally shall have waived compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and any Guarantor, as applicable and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 1007 The Company and Guarantor Statement as to Compliance.
Within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, the Company and, if applicable, any Guarantor, shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate signed by any of the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company and such Guarantor, stating whether or not the signer has knowledge of any default under this Indenture, and, if so, specifying each default and the nature and the status thereof.
The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within thirty (30) calendar days of becoming aware of (i) any default in the performance or observance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Indenture, or (ii) any Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying with particularity such default or Event of Default and further stating what action the Company has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
Any notice required to be given under this Section 1007 shall be delivered to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office.
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Section 1008 Calculation of Original Issue Discount.
So long as there is any Outstanding Original Issue Discount Security, the Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
Section 1009 Maintenance of Properties.
The Company will cause all of its material properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order (normal wear and tear, casualty and condemnation excepted) and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 1009 shall prevent the Company from (1) removing permanently any property that has been condemned or suffered a casualty loss, if it is in its best interests, (2) discontinuing maintenance or operation of any property if, in its reasonable judgment, doing so is in its best interest, or (3) selling or otherwise disposing for value its properties in the ordinary course of business.
Section 1010 Insurance.
The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep in force upon all of its and each of its Subsidiaries’ insurable properties and operations insurance policies carried with responsible companies in such amounts and covering all such risks as is customary in the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries do business in accordance with prevailing market conditions and availability.
Section 1011 Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.
The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, and (2) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies, which, if unpaid, might by law become a material lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 1101 Applicability of Article.
Redemption of Securities of any series at the option of the Company as permitted or required by the terms of such Securities shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto) this Article.
Section 1102 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 of all of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the Company shall, not less than 17 and not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, in the event that the Company shall determine that the Securities of any series to be redeemed shall be selected from Securities of such series having the same issue date, interest rate or interest rate formula, Stated Maturity and other terms (the “Equivalent Terms”), the Company shall notify the Trustee of such Equivalent Terms.
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If less than all of the Securities of any series are to be redeemed or if less than all of the Securities of any series with Equivalent Terms are to be redeemed, the Company shall, at least seven days prior to giving notice of redemption to the Holders (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee and agreed upon in writing by the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, the Equivalent Terms.
In the case of any redemption of Securities (A) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (B) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.
Section 1103 Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed.
If less than all of the Securities of any series are to be redeemed or if less than all of the Securities of any series with Equivalent Terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not less than 10 days and not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series or from the Outstanding Securities of such series with Equivalent Terms, as the case may be, 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 portions of the principal amount of Registered Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security of such series not redeemed to be less than the minimum denomination for a Security of such series established herein or pursuant hereto; provided, that if the Securities of such series are represented by one or more global Securities, interests in such global Securities shall be selected for redemption by the Depository in accordance with its standard procedures therefor.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, 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 Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.
Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of any series, if any Security selected for partial redemption is converted or exchanged for Common Equity or other securities or property in part before termination of the conversion or exchange right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted or exchanged portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted or exchanged during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.
Section 1104 Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed. Failure to give notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Registered Securities designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities or portions thereof.
Any notice that is mailed to the Holder of any Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice.
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All notices of redemption shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date,
(2) the Redemption Price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof,
(3) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed,
(4) that, in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder of such Security will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,
(5) that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price shall become due and payable upon each such Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, together (if applicable) with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon (subject, if applicable, to the proviso to the first paragraph of Section 1106), and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date,
(6) the place or places where such Securities, maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto,
(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,
(8) in the case of Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable into shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, the then current conversion or exchange price or rate, the date or dates on which the right to convert or exchange the principal of the Securities of such series to be redeemed will commence or terminate, as applicable, and the place or places where and the Persons to whom such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange,
(9) the CUSIP number, Common Code or ISIN number of such Securities, if any (or any other numbers used by a Depository to identify such Securities), and
(10) if the Redemption Price or any portion thereof shall be payable, at the option of the Company or any Holders, in shares of Common Equity, cash or in other securities or property (or a combination thereof), a statement as to whether the Company has elected to pay the Redemption Price in shares of Common Equity, cash or in other securities or property (or a combination thereof) and, if applicable, the portion of the Redemption Price that is to be paid in shares of Common Equity, cash or in other securities or property.
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 with seven days prior written notice (or such shorter notice as shall be acceptable to the Trustee), by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company, which request shall set forth the information to be contained in such notice of redemption.
Section 1105 Deposit of Redemption Price.
At or prior to 12:00 p.m. (local time in New York City) on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit, with respect to the Securities of any series called for redemption pursuant to Section 1104, with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Company or any Guarantor is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the applicable Currency sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for or in the Securities of such series) any accrued interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to, all such Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.
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Section 1106 Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, together with (unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of such series pursuant to Section 301) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, any accrued and unpaid interest thereon and Additional Amounts with respect thereto to but excluding the Redemption Date; provided, however, except as otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Registered Securities of such series, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid, or funds set aside for payment, on the Redemption Date, the principal and any premium, until paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security or, if no rate is prescribed therefor in the Security, at the rate of interest, if any, borne by such Security.
Section 1107 Securities Redeemed in Part.
Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at any Office or Agency for such Security (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon Company Order, to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a Security in global form is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon Company Order, to the Depository for such Security in global form as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, without service charge, a new Security in global form in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security in global form so surrendered.
ARTICLE TWELVE
SINKING FUNDS
Section 1201 Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Security of such series issued pursuant to this Indenture.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and this Indenture.
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Section 1202 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any of such Securities previously called for redemption or any of such Securities in respect of which cash shall have been released to the Company), and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities of any series in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 1202, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such series for redemption, except upon Company Request, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall at the written request of the Company from time to time pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Company.
Section 1203 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 75 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202, the basis for such credit and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so credited and not theretofore delivered. If such Officer’s Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 60 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS
Section 1301 Applicability of Article.
Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity shall be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series. The repayment of any principal amount of Securities pursuant to such option of the Holder to require repayment of Securities before their Stated Maturity, for purposes of Section 309, shall not operate as a payment, redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the Company, at its option, shall deliver or surrender the same to the Trustee with a direction that such Securities be cancelled. If specified with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 301, in connection with any repayment of Securities, the Company may arrange for the purchase of any Securities by an agreement with one or more investment bankers or other purchasers to purchase such Securities by paying to the Holders of such Securities on or before the applicable repayment date an amount not less than the repayment price payable by the Company on repayment of such Securities, and the obligation of the Company to pay the repayment price of such Securities shall be satisfied and discharged to the extent such payment is so paid by such purchasers.
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Unless otherwise expressly stated in this Indenture or pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series or unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this Indenture to the repayment of Securities at the option of the Holders thereof (and all references of like import) shall be deemed to include a reference to the repurchase of Securities at the option of the Holders thereof.
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES
Section 1401 Applicability of Article.
Whenever this Indenture provides for (i) any action by, or the determination of any of the rights of, Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same Currency or (ii) any distribution to Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same Currency, in the absence of any provision to the contrary in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of such series and in accordance with the Depository’s procedures, any amount in respect of any Security denominated in a Currency other than Dollars shall be treated for any such action, determination or distribution as that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount on such reasonable basis of exchange and as of the record date with respect to Registered Securities of such series (if any) for such action, determination or distribution (or, if there shall be no applicable record date, such other date reasonably proximate to the date of such distribution) as the Company may specify in a written notice to the Trustee or, in the absence of such written notice, as the Trustee may determine.
Section 1402 Monies of Different Currencies to be Segregated.
The Trustee shall segregate monies, funds and accounts held by the Trustee hereunder in one currency from any monies, funds or accounts in any other currencies, notwithstanding any provision herein which would otherwise permit the Trustee to commingle such accounts.
ARTICLE FIFTEEN
GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES
Section 1501 Guarantee.
(a) Each Person who may become a “Guarantor” with respect to any series of Securities to which this Article Fifteen is made applicable, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees (the “Guarantee”) to each Holder of a Security of such series authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Securities of such series, the obligations of the Company under this Indenture or the Securities of such series or irrespective of restrictions of any kind on the Company’s performance of its obligations under the Securities, and waiving all rights of objection and defense arising from the Securities, that: (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of such series will be punctually paid in full when due, whether at the Stated Maturity or Interest Payment Date, by acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise; (ii) all other obligations of the Company to the Holders of such series or the Trustee under this Indenture or the Securities of such series will be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such series; and (iii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Securities of such series or any of such other obligations thereunder, they will be paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at the Stated Maturity or Interest Payment Date, by acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, each Guarantor shall be obligated to pay the same before failure so to pay becomes an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series. If the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of a series so guaranteed when and as the same shall become due, whether at the Stated Maturity or Interest Payment Date, by acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise, without the necessity of action by the Trustee or any Holder, each Guarantor with respect to such series shall be required to promptly make such payment in full. The obligations of all Guarantors under this Article Fifteen shall be joint and several.
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(b) Each Guarantor agrees with respect to Securities of any series that its obligations with regard to this Guarantee shall be as principal and not merely as surety and shall be full, irrevocable and unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Securities of such series or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any delays in obtaining or realizing upon or failures to obtain or realize upon collateral, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or a guarantor. Each Guarantor with respect to Securities of any series hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company or right to require the prior disposition of the assets of the Company to meet its obligations, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of all obligations contained in the Securities of such series and this Indenture as it relates to such series of Securities. Each Guarantee is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. The obligations of any Guarantor under this Guarantee will constitute direct, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of such Guarantor and any Guarantor undertakes that its obligations hereunder will rank pari passu with all other present or future direct, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Guarantor, save for such obligations as may be mandatorily preferred by law.
(c) Any such Guarantee shall continue in full force and effect by way of continuing security until all principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, (including any Additional Amounts required to be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the series of Securities so guaranteed) have been paid in full and all other actual or contingent obligations of the Company in relation to the series of Securities so guaranteed or under the Indenture have been satisfied in full. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any payment received by any Holder is, on the subsequent bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company, avoided under any applicable laws, including, among others, laws relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, such payment will not be considered as having discharged or diminished the liability of any Guarantor and any such Guarantee will continue to apply as if such payment had at all times remained owing by the Company.
(d) If any Holder of Securities of a series or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to any of the Company or a Guarantor with respect to Securities of that series, or any custodian, trustee, or similar official acting in relation to any of the Company or a Guarantor, any amount paid by any of the Company or a Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder with respect to Securities of that series, the Guarantee with respect to Securities of that series, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders of Securities of a series in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations of Securities of such series. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Section 502 for the purposes of a Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration as to the Company of the obligations so guaranteed, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of those obligations as provided in Section 502, those obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors with respect to Securities of a series for purposes of the Guarantee.
(e) Each Guarantor and by its acceptance of a Security issued hereunder each Holder hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee by each Guarantor set forth in Section 1501(a) not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purpose of any Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar Federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders and all Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each of the Guarantors under the Guarantee set forth in Section 1501(a) shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor, and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to the next succeeding sentence, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under such Guarantee not constituting such a fraudulent transfer or conveyance. Each Guarantor that makes any payment or distribution under Section 1501(a) shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor equal to its Pro Rata Portion of such payment or distribution. For purposes of the foregoing, the “Pro Rata Portion” of any Guarantor means the percentage of net assets of all Guarantors held by such Guarantor, determined in accordance with GAAP.
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(f) It is the intention of the parties that the obligations of the Guarantors shall be in, but not in excess of, the maximum amount permitted by applicable law. Accordingly, if the obligations in respect of the Guarantee would be annulled, avoided or subordinated to the creditors of any Guarantor by a court of competent jurisdiction in a proceeding actually pending before such court as a result of a determination both that such Guarantee was made without fair consideration and, immediately after giving effect thereto, such Guarantor was insolvent or unable to pay its debts as they mature or left with an unreasonably small capital, then the obligations of such Guarantor under such Guarantee shall be reduced by such court if and to the extent such reduction would result in the avoidance of such annulment, avoidance or subordination; provided, however, that any reduction pursuant to this paragraph shall be made in the smallest amount as is strictly necessary to reach such result. For purposes of this paragraph, “fair consideration,” “insolvency,” “unable to pay its debts as they mature,” “unreasonably small capital” and the effective times of reductions, if any, required by this paragraph shall be determined in accordance with applicable law.
(g) If the obligations of any Guarantor are reduced pursuant to Section 1501(e) or 1501(f) above, such reduction shall be applied proportionately with respect to all Securities (of whatever series) guaranteed under Section 1501, in accordance with the respective outstanding principal amount of such Securities so guaranteed (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, the accreted value of such Securities) and being then due upon the acceleration of the payment of such Securities.
Section 1502 Future Guarantors.
Each Person providing a guarantee of any Security of a series pursuant to this Indenture shall execute and deliver a supplemental indenture making such Person a party to this Indenture for the purpose of becoming a Guarantor.
Section 1503 Delivery of Guarantee.
The delivery of any Security of a series by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in Section 1501 on behalf of each Guarantor for that series.
ARTICLE SIXTEEN
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
Section 1601 Securities Subordinate to Senior Debt.
The Company for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities issued, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, by his acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on each and all Securities is hereby expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter in this Article set forth, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt. The provisions of this Article shall constitute a continuing offer to all persons who, in reliance upon such provisions, become holders of, or continue to hold, Senior Debt, and such provisions are made for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt, and such holders are hereby made obligees hereunder the same as if their names were written herein as such, and they and/or each of them may proceed to enforce such provisions.
Section 1602 Payments to Securityholders.
(a) Upon (i) any acceleration of the principal amount due on the Securities of any series or (ii) any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, or any assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshaling of assets and liabilities, or any debt restructuring or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding, all principal, premium, if any, sinking funds and interest, if any, due upon all Senior Debt shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in cash or cash equivalents in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made on account of the principal of,
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premium, if any, or interest on the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities, and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Securities of any series under the terms of this Indenture would be entitled, except for the provisions hereof, shall (subject to the power of a court of competent jurisdiction to make other equitable provision reflecting the rights conferred by the provisions hereof upon the Senior Debt and the holders thereof with respect to the Securities and the Holders thereof by a lawful plan of reorganization under applicable bankruptcy law), be paid by the Company or any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, or by the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities if received by them, directly to the holders of Senior Debt (pro rata to each such holder on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Debt held by such holder) or their representatives, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Debt (including interest thereon) in full in cash or cash equivalents in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Debt, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders of the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities. The consolidation of the Company with, or a merger of the Company into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another Person upon the terms and conditions provided in Section 801 hereof shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 1602(a).
(b) In the event that any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character not permitted by Section 1602(a), whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of Securities before all Senior Debt is paid in full, or provision made for such payment, in accordance with its terms upon written notice to the Trustee or, as the case may be, such Holder, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, (i) the holders of such Senior Debt or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Debt may have been issued, as their respective interest may appear, or (ii) if applicable, any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other person making payment or distribution of assets of the Company, in each case for application to the payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all such Senior Debt in full in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to holders of such Senior Debt. Nothing in this Article shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 506 or Section 606. In addition, nothing in this Article shall prevent the Company from making or the Trustee from receiving or applying any payment in connection with the redemption of Securities of a series if the first publication of notice of such redemption (whether by mail or otherwise in accordance with this Indenture) has been made, and the Trustee has received such payment from the Company, prior to the occurrence of any of the contingencies specified in this Section 1602.
(c) No payment on account of principal of, premium, if any, sinking funds or interest on the Securities of any series shall be made unless full payment of amounts then due for principal, premium, if any, sinking funds and interest on any Senior Debt has been made or duly provided for in cash or cash equivalents in accordance with the terms of such Senior Debt. No payment on account of principal, premium, if any, sinking funds or interest on the Securities shall be made if, at the time of such payment or immediately after giving effect thereto, (i) there shall exist a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, sinking fund or interest with respect to any Senior Debt, or (ii) there shall have occurred an event of default (other than a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, sinking funds or interest) with respect to any Senior Debt, as defined therein or in the instrument under which the same is outstanding, permitting the holders thereof to accelerate the maturity thereof and upon written notice thereof given to the Trustee, with a copy to the Company (the delivery of which shall not affect the validity of the notice to the Trustee), and such event of default shall not have been cured or waived or shall not have ceased to exist.
Section 1603 Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Debt.
From and after the payment in full of all Senior Debt, the Holders of the Securities (together with the holders of any other indebtedness of the Company which is subordinate in right of payment to the payment in full of all Senior Debt, which is not subordinate in right of payment to the Securities and which by its terms grants such right of subrogation to the holder thereof) shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Debt to receive payments or distributions of assets or securities of the Company applicable to the Senior Debt until the Securities shall be paid in full, and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no such payments or distributions to the holders of Senior Debt of
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assets or securities, which otherwise would have been payable or distributable to Holders of the Securities, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Debt, and the Holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Senior Debt, it being understood that 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 the Senior Debt, on the other hand, and nothing contained in this Article is intended to or shall impair as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Debt, and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is unconditional and absolute, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of, premium, if any, sinking funds and interest, if any, on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or to affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of the Senior Debt, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the Holder of a Security of any series from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series subject to the rights of the holders of Senior Debt, under Section 1602, to receive cash, property or securities of the Company otherwise payable or deliverable to the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities or to a representative of such Holders, on their behalf.
Section 1604 Article Not to Prevent Event of Default.
Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or the Securities of any series shall prevent at any time the Company from making payments at any time of principal of, premium, if any, sinking funds or interest on the Securities, except under the conditions described in Section 1602 or during the pendency of any proceedings or sale referred to therein. The failure to make a payment on account of principal of, premium, if any, sinking funds and interest by reason of any provision of this Article shall not be construed as preventing an Event of Default under Section 501.
Section 1605 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination; No Impairment of Subordination.
Each Holder of a Security by his acceptance thereof, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment, authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provisions in this Article and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
No rights of any present or future holder of any Senior Debt 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 which any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.
Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Debt may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Holders of the Securities, without incurring responsibility to the Holders of the Securities and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article or the obligations of the Holders of the Securities to the holders of Senior Debt, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment of, or renew or alter, Senior Debt, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner Senior Debt of any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Senior Debt is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Debt; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of Senior Debt; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.
Section 1606 Notice to Trustee.
The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in the form of an Officer’s Certificate of any fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment of money or distribution to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article, including, not limited to, Sections 1602, 1603 and 1604 hereof, or any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment or distribution to or by the Trustee in
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respect of the Securities otherwise required to be made pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or the Securities, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee written notice thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Debt or from any trustee therefor; and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section at least three Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any cash, property or securities may become payable or distributable for any purposes (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, sinking funds or interest on and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, any Security), then, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive and to apply monies, securities or other property received by it for any such payment or distribution to the purpose for which they were received and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may have been received by it within such three Business Days prior to such date.
The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Debt (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior Debt (or a trustee on behalf of any such holder). 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 Debt 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 Debt 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 the Article, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment or distribution to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment or distribution.
Section 1607 Reliance on Certificate of Liquidating Agent.
Upon any payment or distribution referred to in this Article, the Trustee, 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 a dissolution, winding up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of the Company is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Debt 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 1608 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Debt.
With respect to the holders of Senior Debt, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Debt shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Debt and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall in the absence of bad faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of the Securities of any series or to the Company or to any other Person cash, property or securities to which any holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled by virtue of this Article or otherwise.
Section 1609 Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Debt.
The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article with respect to any Senior Debt which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Debt, and nothing in Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act or in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.
Nothing in this Article shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 506 or Section 606.
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Section 1610 Article Applicable to Paying Agent.
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 shall otherwise require) 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; provided, however, that this Section shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if it or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.
Section 1611 Trust Moneys Not Subordinated.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from moneys or the proceeds of Government Obligations held in trust under Article Four by the Trustee for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities from the date of deposit (if made in compliance with this Indenture) shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Debt or subject to the restraints set forth in this Article, and none of the Holders shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to the Company or any holder of Senior Debt of the Company or any other creditor of the Company.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
| APPLE HOSPITALITY REIT, INC., as Issuer | ||
| By: |
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| Name: |
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| Title: |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
|
[ ], | ||
| as Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent and Transfer Agent | ||
| By: |
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| Name: |
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| Title: |
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64
Exhibit 5.1
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Hogan Lovells US LLP Columbia Square 555 Thirteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20004 T +1 202 637 5600 F +1 202 637 5910 www.hoganlovells.com |
February 23, 2022
Board of Directors
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.
814 East Main Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
To the addressee referred to above:
We are acting as counsel to Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., a Virginia corporation (the “Company”), in connection with its registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the proposed public offering of an unlimited amount of one or more series of the following securities: (i) common shares of the Company, no par value per share (the “Common Shares”), (ii) preferred shares of the Company, no par value per share (the “Preferred Shares”), (iii) depositary shares representing Preferred Shares (the “Depositary Shares”), (iv) warrants to purchase Common Shares (the “Common Share Warrants”), (v) warrants to purchase Preferred Shares (the “Preferred Share Warrants”), (vi) warrants to purchase Depositary Shares (the “Depositary Share Warrants” and, together with the Common Share Warrants and the Preferred Share Warrants, the “Warrants”), (vii) rights to purchase Common Shares (the “Rights”), and (viii) unsecured senior or subordinate debt securities (the “Debt Securities” and, together with the Common Shares, Preferred Shares, Depositary Shares, Warrants and Rights, the “Securities”), all of which may be sold from time to time and on a delayed or continuous basis, as set forth in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement, and as to be set forth in one or more supplements to the prospectus. This opinion letter is furnished to you at your request to enable you to fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R. § 229.601(b)(5), in connection with the Registration Statement.
For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined copies of such agreements, instruments and documents as we have deemed an appropriate basis on which to render the opinions hereinafter expressed. In our examination of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted to us, the authenticity of all original documents, and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies (including PDFs). As to all matters of fact, we have relied on the representations and statements of fact made in the documents so reviewed, and we have not independently established the facts so relied on. This opinion letter is given, and all statements herein are made, in the context of the foregoing.
For purposes of this opinion letter, we have assumed that (i) the issuance, sale, amount and terms of any Securities of the Company to be offered from time to time will have been duly authorized and established by proper action of the board of directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee of such board (“Board Action”) consistent with the procedures and terms described in
Board of Directors
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.
February 23, 2022
Page 2
the Registration Statement and in accordance with the Company’s charter and bylaws and the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, as amended, in a manner that does not violate any law, government or court-imposed order or restriction or agreement or instrument then binding on the Company or otherwise impair the legal or binding nature of the obligations represented by the applicable Securities; (ii) at the time of offer, issuance and sale of any Securities, the Registration Statement will have been declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and no stop order suspending its effectiveness will have been issued and remain in effect; (iii) prior to any issuance of Preferred Shares or Depositary Shares, appropriate articles of amendment shall be filed for recordation with the Virginia State Corporation Commission; (iv) any Depositary Shares will be issued under one or more deposit agreements by the financial institution identified therein as a depositary, each deposit agreement to be between the Company and the financial institution identified therein as a depositary; (v) any Warrants will be issued under one or more warrant agreements, each to be between the Company and a financial institution identified therein as a warrant agent; (vi) any Rights will be issued under one or more rights agreements, each to be between the Company and a financial institution identified therein as a rights agent; (vii) any senior Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to a “senior indenture” and any subordinate Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to a “subordinate indenture,” substantially in the forms of such indentures filed as Exhibits 4.4 and 4.5, respectively, to the Registration Statement, with items shown in such exhibits as subject to completion completed in a satisfactory manner; (viii) the indenture under which any Debt Securities are issued will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (ix) if being sold by the issuer thereof, the Securities will be delivered against payment of valid consideration therefor and in accordance with the terms of the applicable Board Action authorizing such sale and any applicable underwriting agreement or purchase agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable prospectus supplement; (x) the laws of the State of New York will be the governing law under any deposit agreement, warrant agreement or rights agreement; (xi) the Company will remain a Virginia corporation; and (xii) the Securities will not be issued in violation of the ownership limit contained in the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended.
To the extent that the obligations of the Company with respect to the Securities may be dependent upon such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion that the other party under the deposit agreement for any Depositary Shares, under the warrant agreement for any Warrants, under any rights agreement for any Rights, and under any indenture for any Debt Securities, namely, the depositary, the warrant agent, the rights agent or the trustee, respectively, is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that such other party is duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by such deposit agreement, warrant agreement, rights agreement or indenture, as applicable; that such deposit agreement, warrant agreement, rights agreement or indenture, as applicable, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the other party and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the other party enforceable against the other party in accordance with its terms; that such other party is in compliance with respect to performance of its obligations under such deposit agreement, warrant agreement, rights agreement or indenture, as applicable, with all applicable laws and regulations; and that such other party has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under such deposit agreement, warrant agreement, rights agreement or indenture, as applicable.
Board of Directors
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.
February 23, 2022
Page 3
This opinion letter is based as to matters of law solely on the applicable provisions of the following, as currently in effect: (i) as to the opinions given in paragraphs (a) and (b), the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, as amended, and (ii) as to the opinions given in paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h), the laws of the State of New York (but not including any laws, statutes, ordinances, administrative decisions, rules or regulations of any political subdivision below the state level). We express no opinion herein as to any other laws, statutes, rules, or regulations (and in particular, we express no opinion as to any effect that such other laws, statutes, rules, or regulations may have on the opinions expressed herein).
Based upon, subject to and limited by the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
(a) The Common Shares (including any Common Shares duly issued upon the exchange or conversion of Preferred Shares or Debt Securities that are exchangeable for or convertible into Common Shares or upon the exercise of Common Share Warrants or Rights and receipt by the Company of any additional consideration payable upon such conversion, exchange or exercise), upon due execution and delivery on behalf of the Company of certificates therefor, including global certificates, or the entry of the issuance thereof in the books and records of the Company, as the case may be, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(b) The Preferred Shares (including any Preferred Shares represented by Depositary Shares or that are duly issued upon the exercise of Preferred Share Warrants and receipt by the Company of any additional consideration payable upon such exercise), upon due execution and delivery on behalf of the Company of certificates therefor, including global certificates, or the entry of the issuance thereof in the books and records of the Company, as the case may be, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(c) The depositary receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares, upon due countersignature thereof and issuance against a deposit of duly authorized and validly issued Preferred Shares in accordance with the deposit agreement relating thereto, will be validly issued and entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in such depositary receipts and deposit agreement.
(d) The Common Share Warrants, upon due execution and delivery of an equity warrant agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the warrant agent named therein and due authentication of the Common Share Warrants by such warrant agent, and upon due execution and delivery of the Common Share Warrants on behalf of the Company, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
(e) The Preferred Share Warrants, upon due execution and delivery of an equity warrant agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the warrant agent named therein and due authentication of the Preferred Share Warrants by such warrant agent, and upon due execution and
delivery of the Preferred Share Warrants on behalf of the Company, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
Board of Directors
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.
February 23, 2022
Page 4
(f) The Depositary Share Warrants, upon due execution and delivery of an equity warrant agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the warrant agent named therein and due authentication of the Depositary Share Warrants by such warrant agent, and upon due execution and delivery of the Depositary Share Warrants on behalf of the Company, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
(g) The Rights, upon due execution and delivery of a rights agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the rights agent named therein and due authentication of the subscription rights certificates by such rights agent, and upon due execution and delivery of one or more subscription rights certificates on behalf of the Company, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
(h) The Debt Securities, upon due execution and delivery of an indenture relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the trustee named therein, and upon authentication by such trustee and due execution and delivery on behalf of the Company in accordance with the indenture and any supplemental indenture relating thereto, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
The opinions expressed in paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) above with respect to the valid and binding nature of obligations may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights (including, without limitation, the effect of statutory and other law regarding fraudulent conveyances, fraudulent transfers and preferential transfers) and by the exercise of judicial discretion and the application of principles of equity, good faith, fair dealing, reasonableness, conscionability and materiality (regardless of whether the Securities are considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
This opinion letter has been prepared for use in connection with the Registration Statement. We assume no obligation to advise of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement.
Board of Directors
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.
February 23, 2022
Page 5
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are an “expert” within the meaning of the Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Hogan Lovells US LLP
HOGAN LOVELLS US LLP
Exhibit 8.1
|
Hogan Lovells US LLP Columbia Square 555 Thirteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20004 T +1 202 637 5600 F +1 202 637 5910 www.hoganlovells.com |
February 23, 2022
Board of Directors
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.
814 East Main Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are acting as tax counsel to Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., a Virginia corporation (the “Company”), in connection with its registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the proposed public offering of an unlimited amount of one or more series of the following securities: (i) common shares of the Company, no par value per share (the “Common Shares”); (ii) preferred shares of the Company, no par value per share (the “Preferred Shares”); (iii) depositary shares representing Preferred Shares (the “Depositary Shares”); (iv) warrants to purchase Common Shares, Preferred Shares or Depositary Shares; (v) rights to purchase Common Shares; and (vi) unsecured senior or subordinate debt securities of the Company, all of which may be sold from time to time and on a delayed or continuous basis, as set forth in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”), and as to be set forth in one or more supplements to the Prospectus.
In connection with the filing of the Registration Statement, we have been asked to provide you with opinions regarding the U.S. federal income tax matters specifically set forth below under the caption titled “Opinions.”
Bases for Opinions
The opinions set forth in this letter are based on relevant current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Treasury Regulations thereunder (including proposed and temporary Treasury Regulations), and interpretations of the foregoing as expressed in court decisions, applicable legislative history, and the administrative rulings and practices of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), including its practices and policies in issuing private letter rulings, which are not binding on the IRS except with respect to a taxpayer that receives such a ruling, all as of the date hereof. These provisions and interpretations are subject to change by the IRS, Congress and the courts (as applicable), which may or may not be retroactive in effect and which might result in material modifications of our opinions. Our opinions do not foreclose the possibility of a contrary determination by the IRS or a court of competent jurisdiction, or of a contrary position taken by the IRS or the Treasury Department in regulations or rulings issued in the future. In this regard, an opinion of counsel with respect to an issue represents counsel’s best professional judgment with
Board of Directors
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.
February 23, 2022
Page 2
respect to the outcome on the merits with respect to such issue, if such issue were to be litigated, but an opinion is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and is not a guarantee that the IRS will not assert a contrary position with respect to such issue or that a court will not sustain such a position asserted by the IRS.
In rendering the following opinions, we have examined such statutes, regulations, records, agreements, certificates and other documents as we have considered necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions, including, but not limited to (including all exhibits and schedules thereto) which we have, with your consent, relied upon (without any independent investigation or review thereof): (1) the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus; and (2) certain organizational documents of the Company and its subsidiaries, and certain organizational documents of (A) Apple REIT Seven, Inc., a Virginia corporation (“Apple Seven”) and its subsidiaries prior to the Apple Seven Merger (defined below), (B) Apple REIT Eight, Inc., a Virginia corporation (“Apple Eight”) and its subsidiaries prior to the Apple Eight Merger (defined below), and (C) Apple REIT Ten, Inc., a Virginia corporation (“Apple Ten”) and its respective subsidiaries prior to the Apple Ten Merger (defined below) (those documents referred to in clauses (1) and (2), the “Reviewed Documents”).
The opinions set forth in this letter are premised on, among other things, the written representations with regard to the Company, Apple Seven, Apple Eight and Apple Ten contained in the certificate to us dated as of the date hereof (the “Officer’s Certificate”). Although we have discussed the Officer’s Certificate with the respective signatory thereto, for purposes of rendering our opinions, we have not made an independent investigation or audit of the facts set forth in the Reviewed Documents and the Officer’s Certificate. We consequently have relied upon the representations and statements of the Company as described in the Reviewed Documents and the Officer’s Certificate, and assumed that the information presented in such documents or otherwise furnished to us is accurate and complete in all material respects.
In this regard, we have assumed with your consent the following:
| 1. | that (A) all of the representations and statements as to factual matters set forth in the Reviewed Documents and the Officer’s Certificate are true, correct, and complete in all material respects as of the date hereof, (B) any representation or statement in the Reviewed Documents and the Officer’s Certificate made as a belief or made “to the knowledge of” or similarly qualified is true, correct and complete in all material respects as of the date hereof, without such qualification, (C) each agreement described in the Reviewed Documents is valid and binding in accordance with its terms, and (D) each of the obligations of the Company, Apple Seven, Apple Eight, Apple Ten and their respective subsidiaries, as described in the Reviewed Documents and the Officer’s Certificate, has been or will be performed or satisfied in accordance with its terms; |
| 2. | the genuineness of all signatures, the proper execution of all documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of documents submitted to us as copies, and the authenticity of the originals from which any copies were made; |
| 3. | that any documents as to which we have reviewed only a form were or will be duly executed without material changes from the form reviewed by us; |
Board of Directors
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.
February 23, 2022
Page 3
| 4. | that, from and after the date of this letter, the Company will comply with its representation contained in the Officer’s Certificate that the Company will utilize all appropriate “savings provisions” (including the provisions of Sections 856(c)(6), 856(c)(7), and 856(g) of the Code, and the provision included in Section 856(c)(4) of the Code (flush language) allowing for the disposal of assets within 30 days after the close of a calendar quarter, and all available deficiency dividend procedures) available to the Company under the Code in order to correct any violations of the applicable real estate investment trust (“REIT”) qualification requirements of Sections 856 and 857 of the Code, to the full extent the remedies under such provisions are available, including the deficiency dividend described above; |
| 5. | that the Company was organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for each of its taxable years beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2008 and through its taxable year ended December 31, 2011; |
| 6. | that Apple Seven was organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for each of its taxable years beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2006 and through its taxable year that ended with the merger of Apple Seven with and into a subsidiary of the Company effective March 1, 2014 (the “Apple Seven Merger”); |
| 7. | that Apple Eight was organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for each of its taxable years beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2007 and through its taxable year that ended with the merger of Apple Eight with and into a subsidiary of the Company effective March 1, 2014 (the “Apple Eight Merger”); and |
| 8. | that Apple Ten was organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for each of its taxable years beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2011 and through its taxable year that ended with the merger of Apple Ten with and into a subsidiary of the Company effective September 1, 2016 (the “Apple Ten Merger”). |
Any material variation or difference in the facts from those set forth in the documents that we have reviewed and upon which we have relied (including, in particular, the Officer’s Certificate) may adversely affect the conclusions stated herein.
Opinions
Based upon and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth herein, including, without limitation, the discussion in the next two paragraphs below, we are of the opinion that:
| 1. | the Company has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for each of its taxable years beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2015, and the Company’s current |
Board of Directors
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.
February 23, 2022
Page 4
| organization and current and proposed method of operation (as described in the Officer’s Certificate) will enable it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for its taxable year ending December 31, 2022, and future taxable years; and |
| 2. | the portions of the discussion in the Prospectus under the heading “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” that describe applicable provisions of U.S. federal income tax law are correct in all material respects as of the date hereof. |
The Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code will depend upon the ability of the Company to meet on an ongoing basis (through actual quarterly and annual operating results, distribution levels, diversity of share ownership and otherwise) the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, and upon the Company utilizing any and all appropriate “savings provisions” (including the provisions of Sections 856(c)(6), 856(c)(7), and 856(g) of the Code and the provision included in Section 856(c)(4) of the Code (flush language) allowing for the disposal of assets within 30 days after the close of a calendar quarter, and all available deficiency dividend procedures) available to the Company under the Code to correct violations of specified REIT qualification requirements of Sections 856 and 857 of the Code. Our opinions set forth above do not foreclose the possibility that the Company may have to utilize one or more of these “savings provisions” in the future, which could require the Company to pay an excise or penalty tax (which could be significant in amount) in order to maintain its REIT qualification. We have not undertaken to review the Company’s compliance with these requirements on a continuing basis. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the Company’s operations, the sources of its income, the nature of its assets, the level of its distributions to shareholders and the diversity of its share ownership for any given taxable year will satisfy the requirements under the Code for qualification and taxation as a REIT.
This opinion letter addresses only the specific U.S. federal income tax matters set forth above and does not address any other U.S. federal, state, local or foreign legal or tax issues.
This opinion letter has been prepared for your use in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement and speaks as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation by reason of this opinion letter or otherwise to advise you of any changes in our opinions subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement. This opinion letter may not be distributed, quoted in whole or in part or otherwise reproduced in any document, or filed with any governmental agency without our express written consent.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to Hogan Lovells US LLP in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, however, we do not admit thereby that we are an “expert” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Very truly yours,
/s/ HOGAN LOVELLS US LLP
HOGAN LOVELLS US LLP
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in this Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. for the registration of its common shares, preferred shares, depositary shares, warrants, rights, and debt securities and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 22, 2022, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Richmond, Virginia
February 23, 2022